Moscow Interested in Developing Dynamic Relations with Latin America - 1 April, 2003

Moscow would like to develop dynamic relations with Latin America, said Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on Tuesday, when opening talks with foreign ministers of the Rio Group troika /Costa Rica, Brazil and Peru/. The meeting is "very symbolic", as "we are beginning a new stage of relations between Russia and Latin America," he believes. Moscow is very interested in developing relations with Latin America both in bilateral and multilateral formats, Ivanov emphasised.

He recalled that meetings with the Rio Group had earlier been held regularly within the UN framework. "Now we are glad that the troika of the Rio Group has come to Moscow," the minister said. During the talks the parties will discuss topical international problems, as well as issues of bilateral political and economic relations, he believes.

The Peruvian foreign minister in his turn emphasised that this meeting was held for the first time since this organisation had began co-operation with Russia.

Russia has been co-operating with the Rio Group that comprises 19 Latin American states since 1997. The Rio Group includes countries belonging to the main sub-regions of Latin America, the Andes Community, Central America and the Southern Cone.