Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev has met with the Namibian minister of international relations and trade in Windhoek

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev has held talks with the Namibian minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musawya, about strengthening bilateral ties in areas including trade.

The officials met in Namibia's capital, Windhoek, during Trutnev's working visit to the Southern African nation, the Russian government's press service reported on Tuesday.

"Our countries have long maintained friendly relations, and Russia will remain a dependable friend of Namibia in the future," said Trutnev, who is also the co-chair of the Intergovernmental Russian-Namibian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

The Russian official said trade turnover between Moscow and Windhoek nearly doubled in 2024.

"We managed to achieve impressive results. I hope we will continue working in the same atmosphere of mutual understanding and cooperation as we did during all those years," he stated.

Prior to the meeting, Trutnev visited the national monument Heroes Acre and laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame, honoring Namibian patriots, when he arrived in Windhoek on Monday. According to a government press release, the deputy prime minister also laid flowers at the graves of former president Hage Gottfried Geingob and Sam Nujoma, the country's first leader, who died in February.

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Russia and Namibia established diplomatic relations in 1990, shortly after the African country declared independence from apartheid-era South Africa. Since then, the two countries have cooperated in areas such as politics, economics, trade, and humanitarian aid. The Soviet Union is said to have provided significant assistance to Namibia's People's Liberation Army during the Namibian War of Independence, which lasted from 1966 to 1989.

Last month, University of Namibia vice chancellor Frednard Gideon declared that the mineral-rich country is interested in joint nuclear energy projects with Moscow, which he described as a reliable partner for Windhoek.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced following talks with his Namibian counterpart, Peya Mushelenga, last year that the two countries are aiming to boost trade and investment in various sectors. Lavrov highlighted opportunities for cooperation in mineral resources, energy, agriculture, tourism, and healthcare.

Russia and Namibia also have a mutual visa-free regime in place.

The Namibian government has revoked the visa-free regime for several countries, including the US and the UK, requiring citizens to obtain an entry permit at a fee starting April 1 due to lack of reciprocity.