A protocol to establish a bilateral consultation between Ghana and the Russian Federation was signed in Moscow over the weekend. The out-going Foreign Affairs Minister, Nana Akufo-Addo, who led a government delegation, signed the protocol on behalf of the government of Ghana while the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr Sergey Lavrov, signed on behalf of the government of the Russian Federation. A statement signed by the Media Relations Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Jefferson Kwamina Sackey said by signing the protocol, the two countries had agreed to establish a procedure for bilateral consultations at the diplomatic level that would constitute a useful mechanism to promote bilateral dialogue. "These consultations will examine the bilateral relations and other regional and international issues of mutual interest to both countries as well international cooperation in strengthening world peace and security and combating terrorism," it said. Nana Akufo-Addo, who became the first Ghanaian Foreign Minister to pay an official visit to Russia, applauded Russia's dedication to peacekeeping activities in Africa, as well as in the areas of global energy, security and development of a modern education system. The statement observed that co-operation between Ghana and Russia in the energy and mining sectors, with particular emphasis on the construction of hydroelectric power plants on designated rivers in Ghana, as well as collaboration in the nuclear power industry, would greatly boost the existing economic relations between the two countries. According to the statement the out-going Foreign Minister also called for greater Russian involvement in the affairs of the continent and the African Union, having regard to the principled support that the former Soviet Union gave to the process of decolonization and liberation of the African continent. Source: GNA