Brazil shows high interest in Russian arms

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev started his visit to Brazil on Wednesday, February 20th. Medvedev had a meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Due to the injury that Rousseff received at the carnival, the Brazilian president was wearing only one shoe. On her other foot, Rousseff had a rubber sandal, which gave an informal touch to the official meeting.

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Dilma Rousseff invited Medvedev to pay a visit to her country earlier to see the world famous Brazilian carnival, but the head of the Russian government decided not to combine business with pleasure and refused from the entertaining part of the visit. Medvedev went to Brazil, when the carnival ended, the Rossiyskaya Gazeta wrote.

Also read: Russia to sell its best defense systems to Brazil

Having discussed the nuances of bilateral cooperation with the Brazilian leader, the Russian Prime Minister went to Vice President Michel Temer, with whom he was to hold a meeting of a high-level commission and consolidate the agreements on paper. 

As a result of the talks, the sides signed a number of agreements, including a memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the implementation of the educational program "Science Without Borders", a similar document in the field of small and medium-sized business, as well as a declaration of intent on military-technical cooperation in the field of defense.

A source in the Russian delegation told the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper that Brazil was interested in acquiring Russian air defense systems Igla-S and anti-aircraft missile and gun systems Panzer-S1. Moscow also wants to participate in the construction of nuclear power plants in Brazil. Negotiations are underway about the participation of five Russian companies in the construction of five hydroelectric power plants.

As Medvedev said in an interview with Brazil's largest TV company Globo, Russia is ready to cooperate with Brazil "in all areas, including in the field of defense."

Responding to reporters' questions about Brazil's interest in Russian weapons, particularly air defense systems, Medvedev stressed out that "Russia and Brazil were having advanced relations, including in the field of military and technical cooperation."

Medvedev confirmed that the Brazilian side raised the question of military and technical cooperation and was discussed in Brasilia during the talks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and Vice President Michel Temer.

"We will think of the ways to help our partners, especially since we are one of the key players in the arms market. Russia has fine and modern arms that are also available at a competitive cost," Medvedev said.

The prime minister said that Russia "is ready to share technologies, but this should be a mutually beneficial process." "It makes no sense to give away technologies and lose money. But when it comes to joint ventures that bring profit to Russia and Brazil, if we both profit from sharing technologies together, then it's normal," said the Russian prime minister. 

During the visit to Brazil, the Minister also presented Russian state awards to outstanding personas in the field of culture, art and literature, Interfax reports.

The Pushkin Medal was awarded to Brazilian translator and scholar Paulo Azevedo Bezerra, and to artistic director of Melody choir, Galina Shevchuk, who now resides in Brazil. 

The Pushkin Medal is awarded to Russian and foreign citizens for their achievements in arts, culture, education, literature, for contribution to the study and preservation of cultural legacy. As a rule, the medal is awarded to the people who worked in the field for over 20 years.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, Medvedev will hold a work lunch in Brazil with representatives of Brazilian and Russian business. Afterwards, the head of the Russian government will visit Cuba, where, as it is expected Dmitry Medvedev will hold talks with the President of the State Council of Cuba, Raul Castro, and visit the 22nd Havana International Book Fair.