The Russian foreign minister begins a five-nation tour of Africa this week. Sergei Lavrov will be stopping in Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia over the next five days. Julia Lyubova has more from Moscow.

JULIA LYUBOVA MOSCOW Sergey Lavrov said in an interview to an African magazine that his visit to Sub-Saharan Africa is aimed at building ties with the 5 countries he will visit. He said that the visit would seek new directions in trade, economic, scientific, humanitarian and other fields. Lavrov said he was looking forward to an exchange of views on a wide range of global and regional issues. They include the fight against terrorism and the resolution of crises including in the Sahara-Sahel region, the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region.

Lavrov noted that relations between Russia and many African nations are friendly and forward-looking. Since 2016 Russia has been treating Africa as a priority both politically and economically. Russia's turnover with sub-Saharan Africa in 2017 amounted to $3.6 billion. Lavrov is visiting Ethiopia the same week as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Lavrov is likely to discuss the political situation in Ethiopia with the country's officials where a state of emergency was declared on 16 February. JL, CGTN, Moscow.