OREANDA-NEWS. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hopes to receive Russia's assistance in creating a free trade zone in the region. This was stated by DRC President Felix Chisekedi at the Russia-Africa summit in Sochi, speaking at the plenary session of the summit.

"The UN Development Agenda until 2030 and the African Union Development Agenda until 2063, the free trade zone that we are going to create in all countries of the African Union together - all this, I hope, should help us survive these difficult pages. But we hope for the help of all our partners, and in particular, of course, Russia", said Chisekedi. King Esvatini Mswati III supported the DRC leader in his speech. 

In Sochi, October 23 and 24, under the co-chairmanship of the presidents of Russia and Egypt, Vladimir Putin and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the Russia-Africa summit is taking place. Representatives of all 54 countries of the continent take part in it, 43 of them are presented at the highest level. The event also involved eight major African integration associations and organizations.