In recent years, Russia's relations with Latin American countries have acquired a qualitatively new momentum. It is important that the intensification of our ties with Latin American countries fits into the new configuration of international relations of the contemporary multi-polar world. This is a new level of interaction between its development centers, one of which is to become Latin America. Its leading states demonstrate an ability to actively and productively participate in dealing with issues on the global agenda and in economic growth rates the region is second only perhaps to Asia.
Thus, the Latin American sector is an important separate vector of Russian foreign policy. In the past three years alone 22 Summit and more than 60 high-level meetings have taken place. At the core of our political contacts is the fundamental concurrence of approaches to the formation of a new polycentric world order and settlement of key international issues on a collective basis.
There is also a mutual interest in deepening cooperation between Russia and Latin American integration organizations, particularly in light of the creation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.
Now one of the main tasks is to buttress a multilateral political dialogue with a developed system of economic and commercial ties. After the crisis of 2009, trade is recovering. In 2010 it grew by 15% and in aggregate amounted to $12.4 billion. Joint projects are under way in the nuclear and space sectors. Russian big business shows interest in the region including Gazprom, Lukoil, and others. There is also a fabric of interbank ties being gradually created. Of great help in the work in the Latin American sector has been the expansion of visa-free space, which covers most of the region today (the relevant agreements are in effect with Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Peru and Chile; another is signed with Ecuador, and those with Guatemala, Panama and Uruguay are under preparation).
One area meriting special attention is the work being successfully carried out by Aeroflot and Transaero to restore direct air links with Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Panama, Nicaragua, Cuba and Chile.
During the talks in San Salvador, it is planned to hold a thorough exchange of views on a number of pressing international, regional and bilateral issues with special focus on the analysis of the results of the joint work to implement the agreements reached during the visit of Salvadoran Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez to Moscow in October 2010.
During the visit it is also scheduled to sign an Agreement on Basic Principles of Relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of El Salvador. This document lays a solid legal groundwork for the development of many-sided bilateral cooperation. Up next is approval of a number of other documents which will expand the legal base of Russian-Salvadoran cooperation.
In the course of contacts, including meetings with representatives of local businesses, it is set to discuss the state of and prospects for commercial and economic cooperation, the mutual interest in which has been repeatedly emphasized by both sides.
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The talks in Lima are aimed at consolidating the positive momentum of relations between our countries. The high degree of trust in the political dialogue rests on a common understanding of the need to affirm collective principles in world politics, and to build on this basis, a more secure, equitable and democratic system of international relations. Much attention will be given to expanding commercial and economic cooperation. Today it is important to bring up the volume of bilateral trade to a level that would match the potential of our countries. Taking into account the participation of Russia and Peru in APEC, one of the items on the agenda will be the prospects for intensifying cooperation in the framework of this forum.
As for Venezuela, it is an important key partner for Russia in Latin America, with which multilateral cooperation is developing. A priority in the talks agenda will be given to the realization of the Russian-Venezuelan Partnership Development Action Plan 2010-2014, which was signed after the summit-level talks in Russia in 2010.
Of fundamental importance is the similarity of Russia and Venezuelas approaches toward creating a more just and democratic world order. At its foundation we see the principles of multilateralism and due consideration for the legitimate interests of states, the maintenance of peace and stability, strengthening the UNs central role and respect for international law.
We are satisfied with the way our joint oil-and-gas and energy projects are advancing. Interaction in social housing construction in Venezuela is developing. Cooperation also has significant prospects in the automotive industry, agriculture, fisheries and other fields. We evaluate positively the progress of the projects of bilateral military-technical cooperation.
18/08/2011, The Moscow News
