RUSSIA, ECUADOR INK STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP DECLARATION
RIA Novosti
Oct 29, 2009
MOSCOW, October 29 (RIA Novosti) – The leaders of Russia and Ecuador
signed on Thursday in Moscow a declaration on strategic partnership
in politics, security, environmental protection, education, science,
culture and tourism.
Rafael Correa, who is the first Ecuadorian leader ever to visit Russia,
arrived in Moscow on a three-day visit on Wednesday to discuss energy,
oil and defense cooperation.
At a meeting with Correa, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev praised
bilateral trade "which is nearing a substantial amount of almost
$1 billion."
Medvedev urged Moscow and Quito to develop current economic projects
and create opportunities for new large projects.
Ecuador, famous for its rose exports, which make over 73% of all of
the country’s exports, posted $403 million in sales of roses in 2008.
Russia purchases slightly more than 10% of Ecuador’s roses.
After the Medvedev-Correa meeting, a contract was signed for the
supply of two Mi-171E Hip helicopters to the Ecuadoran Ground Forces.
Today’s talks also produced intergovernmental agreements on cooperation
in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and on bilateral customs
assistance. A memo of understanding on energy cooperation was also
signed between the Russian Energy Ministry and the Ecuadoran Ministry
of Electricity and Renewable Energy.
"We would like to develop good neighbor, full-format relations with
all Latin American countries," the Russian leader told reporters
after the talks.
Ahead of Correa’s visit, Russia’s respected business daily Kommersant
pinned hopes that Moscow could try to persuade Ecuador to follow suit
of its neighbors, Nicaragua and Venezuela, in recognizing the former
Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent.