Vladimir Putin met at the Kremlin with President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Michel Temer, who is in Russia on an official visit.
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| Vladimir Putin and Michel Temer in Moscow. |
The two presidents discussed the full range of Russian-Brazilian relations. They gave particular attention to developing and diversifying trade and economic ties, and strengthening cultural and humanitarian cooperation. They also exchanged views on key regional and international issues.
A number of bilateral documents were signed following the talks.
The documents signed include memorandums of understanding in economic and investment cooperation and on organizing information exchange on goods and vehicles moving between Russia and Brazil.
Also signed were a plan of political consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministers for 2018–2021, and a protocol on cooperation, information exchange and mutual assistance within the Eurasian Economic Union’s Common Tariff Preference System.
The Joint Statement between the Russian Federation and the Federative Republic of Brazil on Strategic Foreign Policy Dialogue was also signed.
Mr. Putin and Mr. Temer made statements for the press.
Beginning of meeting with President of Brazil Michel Temer.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin:Mr. President, colleagues, friends, allow me to greet you once again.
I think we had a very good evening together yesterday. Today, you have a busy program. You just had a meeting with the Russian Federation Prime Minister, and you have meetings ahead with the speakers of the two houses of Russia’s parliament, which will give you the opportunity to discuss all areas of our cooperation.
Our relations have deep roots: next year, we will mark 190 years since our two countries established diplomatic relations.
Brazil is undoubtedly one of our priority, most important partners in Latin America. We work together at all international organizations and, of course, this is particularly true of our collaboration within the BRICS group.
Unfortunately, our bilateral trade underwent a decrease last year, but it has already posted an increase of more than 30 percent over the first four months of this year.
We will have the opportunity to discuss all of these different areas.
It is a great pleasure to see you. Welcome!
President of Brazil Michel Temer (retranslated):
Mr. President, it is a great pleasure to see you again. If I recall correctly, we last met in India at the BRICS summit. We had a very good discussion that we continued during the dinner, where we were seated next to each other.
This is now my fourth official visit to Russia. I had the pleasure of visiting Russia as co-chair of the high-level commission on cooperation and we had a number of effective meetings in Brazil and in Russia. These meetings produced concrete results that were translated into practical action.
Russia and Brazil have many things in common. Our countries both have vast territories and large populations, and our economies have many similarities as well. During that dinner at the BRICS summit, we discussed these common features of our economies.
One of these common features is that we are conducting a successful fight against inflation. When I became President of Brazil last year, we had an inflation rate of around 10 percent. Now, we have brought it down to 3.6 percent. This, as you would agree, is an impressive reduction.
Another indicator important for both economies is interest rates. When I became President, the interest rate was 14.25, and it is now down to 10.25 percent. We expect that we will be able to bring the interest rate down even further very soon.
Mr. President, you have always said that our countries pursue a very frank and open dialogue. We conduct this dialogue within the BRICS group, the G20, and at the United Nations, where we have similar positions on a great many issues.
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Press statements following Russian-Brazilian talks.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin:
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen,
I have just had very productive talks with President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Michel Temer. On both sides, we reaffirmed our commitment to developing mutually advantageous bilateral cooperation.
I would like to emphasize that Brazil is one of Russia’s key partners. Our bilateral cooperation is based on many years of friendship and mutual respect.
Our two countries established diplomatic relations nearly 190 years ago. Brazil was the first Latin American country with which Russia established official inter-state ties.
Mr. Temer and I made a detailed examination of all cooperation areas today, with particular focus on economic matters.
We noted that although we saw a decrease of 11 percent in our bilateral trade last year, this year, not only has our trade recovered, but it is now growing at quite a confident pace.
We supported the ambitious program for developing reciprocal trade flows and diversifying our import-export operations structure approved during the intergovernmental commission meeting in May.
Russian business is quite actively investing in Brazil. Total Russian investment now exceeds $1.5 billion.
Regarding the energy sector, I would like to note projects successfully underway in Brazil. Our biggest energy companies Rosneft and Gazprom are working in Brazil. Our company Siloviye Mashiny has built five new hydropower stations in Brazil and will localize production of hydro turbine equipment in Brazil.
Russian transport companies are ready to take part in carrying out Brazil’s new program for modernizing the national infrastructure. Talks are already underway on obtaining concessions for building and operating a north-south railway line.
There are promising projects in nuclear energy. The Russian company Rosatom won a tender at the start of this year to supply uranium to Brazilian nuclear power plants. The company is ready and would also like to win the contract for building a storage facility for spent nuclear fuel at the Angra nuclear power plant site in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
We have close cooperation in peaceful space exploration. An electro-optic facility to detect space junk has opened in Brazil. Four ground stations that are part of the Russian GLONASS global satellite navigation system are operating on Brazilian soil. We are studying possibilities for joint launches from a Brazilian space launch center and the production of light and medium-class space launch vehicles.
There are ideas for developing cooperation in earth monitoring from space. We see good prospects for supporting existing technology alliances and establishing new ones. One such alliance has been formed by the Skolkovo Fund and the Brazilian Techno park innovative center.
We see good prospects for expanding cultural and humanitarian cooperation. I am referring here to educational, tourist and youth contacts. A Brazilian information and cultural center will open soon in Moscow and a Russian culture and science center will open in Sao Paulo.
Our countries have established a productive exchange of experience in organizing major sports events.
Of course, we also discussed the international agenda. Russia and Brazil work actively together in foreign policy. We have largely similar positions regarding the formation of a just and democratic system of international relations based on respect for the principles of rule of law and equal and indivisible security for all.
Our countries work together constructively at the UN, the G20, the World Trade Organization, and, of course, we cooperate particularly closely within the BRICS group.
The President and I have just signed a joint statement on strategic foreign policy dialogue. This document pursues a higher level of coordination of our countries’ efforts in fighting new challenges and threats such as terrorism, in supporting peace and stability, and in non-proliferation and arms control.
In conclusion, I would like to thank Mr. Temer and our Brazilian colleagues for the substantive and useful talks. I am certain that they will contribute towards further developing our bilateral partnership.
Thank you for your attention.
President of Brazil Michel Temer (retranslated):
Mr. President, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to say how happy I am to visit the Russian Federation once again at President Putin’s invitation. Yesterday, I had the opportunity of meeting with the Speakers of the State Duma and the Federation Council, and today, I met with the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
Just a few minutes ago, we concluded very substantive talks with President Putin, during which we reiterated our commitment to supporting and developing the strategic partnership our countries have.
Brazil and Russia are aware of the role they play on the international arena, in particular within the G20 and the BRICS group. Our countries can be justifiably proud of their rich history and Brazilians honor the memory of the Soviet and Russian soldiers who gave up their lives and secured victory over Nazism in World War II.
We also have very strong cultural ties. In general, Russian culture has a very noticeable presence in Brazil. Only yesterday evening, President Putin and I went to the Bolshoi Theatre and watched a ballet performance. The names of Dostoyevsky and Tchaikovsky are an integral part of our cultural scene.
During my talks with President Putin, I told him about the efforts our country is making to modernize its economy. I reiterated my commitment to the policy of reform. Like Russia, Brazil is firmly following the path of economic growth.
Like Brazil, Russia managed to bring inflation processes under control, and we will continue to follow this path.
In fact, this sums up the agreements that we have just signed. In other words, these agreements are designed to expand mutual trade, increase investment, and deepen political dialogue.
President Putin and I have agreed that we still have untapped potential in terms of bilateral trade. Suffice it to say that bilateral trade increased by 40 percent over the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year.
However, we still have an untilled field to work on. As I told Russian entrepreneurs yesterday speaking at a business forum, the opportunities for Russian investors in Brazil are vast.
During talks with Mr. Putin, I assured my colleague that during the next six months, when Brazil will temporarily preside over MERCOSUR, it would do its best to advance the preparation of an agreement on cooperation with the EAEU.
We also discussed issues on the international agenda and agreed that international institutions should be more representative and effective. We also exchanged views on critical issues on the international agenda, including peace and international security.
We exchanged views on cooperation in key areas of mutual interest. We agreed that we must put our strategic partnership to work in achieving progress in our relations. We gave a positive assessment to our experience in establishing Russian GLONASS stations in Brazil. We expressed our interest in expanding the network of these stations.
I took the opportunity to wish Mr. Putin success in holding the 2018 Football World Cup. I have no doubt that Russia will have everything ready on time. I am also certain that the Football World Cup in Russia will be just as successful as it was in Brazil.
Our national team has qualified for the World Cup and will be coming to Russia in 2018. I believe this will be a big celebration for the Brazilians and the Russians. Who knows, perhaps our teams will meet in the final.
I know well the subject of Brazilian-Russian relations, as I was a co-chair of the high-level intergovernmental commission on cooperation for a number of years. I am therefore aware of what we can do to better serve our peoples’ interests. Mr. Putin, I am convinced that today we took a very big step towards this future.
Once again, I thank you for the hospitality my delegation and I have found here. We will return to Brazil with even greater confidence in the future.
Link: http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/54836
PHOTO:
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| Russian President and Michel Temer in the Kremlin. |
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| Vladimir Putin and President of Brazil in Moscow. |
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| Press statements following Russian-Brazilian talks. |
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| Vladimir Putin and Michel Temer signing bilateral documents following Russian-Brazilian talks. |
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| A number of bilateral documents were signed following Russian-Brazilian talks. |
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| Vladimir Putin and Michel Temer. Press statements following Russian-Brazilian talks. |
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| President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. |
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| President of Brazil Michel Temer in the Kremlin. |
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| Michel Temer and Vladimir Putin signed documents in Moscow. |
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| President of Brazil Michel Temer. |
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| Russian President Vladimir Putin. |
