Russia and Latin America ever closer
Russia and Ecuador have signed seven documents, including on cooperation in the energy sector and in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The presidents of the two countries, Dmitry Medvedev and Rafael Correa, signed a declaration on strategic cooperation in the Kremlin on Thursday ITAR-TASS reports.
In the presence of the leaders two inter-governmental agreements on cooperation in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and on interaction on mutual aid in customs affairs were concluded. Russia and Ecuador also signed a contract on the supply of two military transport helicopters, Mi-171E, to Ecuador. Two memorandums on energy cooperation and on joint actions to develop the fourth-generation communication and wireless data transmission technology Mobile WiMax in Ecuador.
In addition, a protocol of intent was approved to carry out hydropower projects between Inter RAO UES and Roseximbank on one hand, and IDROTOAPI S.A. on the other hand. The government of Vladivostok and the municipality of Ecuador's Manta signed an agreement on twin towns.
Medvedev said he is satisfied with the results of his talks with Ecuadorian leader Rafael Correa.
A declaration on strategic partnership was signed on the results of Thursday's talks between the presidents of both countries.
Medvedev described the declaration as "a base for the development of relations in the future". He stressed that the document was the main result of Russian-Ecuadorian talks.
"Ecuador is one of our important partners in Latin America." "I am sure that the visit to Moscow by Rafael Correa will give an impetus to the development of relations in its entirety," he said.
Russia intends to develop full-scale relations with Latin American countries, in particular with Ecuador, and makes sense of it, Medvedev said.
"Relations between Russia and Latin American states have considerably strengthened lately. We make sense of it because we want to develop full-scale relations with this continent and Ecuador is one of the important partners in Latin America," Medvedev stressed.
The Russian president also noted that the positions of both countries on key international issues coincided. "We favour the multi-polar world where the interests of countries are respected," he emphasised.
Medvedev said economic cooperation between Russia and Ecuador was also developing. "In recent years they have given a new impetus and our trade turnover is nearing one billion U.S. dollars," the Russian president added.
In his view, the documents, which were signed on the results of the talks, will facilitate further development.
The Russian companies demonstrate an interest in entering Ecuador markets, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said meeting the President of Ecuador Rafael Correa.
"We are familiar with the development plans of your country for the years to come, and you, perhaps, are in the know, that a number of Russian companies are ready to participate in this joint work", Putin said adding, "the prospects are not bad".
I would like to note with satisfaction, though the trade turnover is not large, under the global financial crisis it escaped substantial losses, the Russian Prime Minister said. "The reduction is insignificant, some 15% or so".
We have heard much about you. Our common friend Hugo Chavez told a lot about you. We attentively follow your activities, your actions in home and foreign policy, Putin said.
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