Showing posts with label Foreign Policy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Foreign Policy. Show all posts

Vladimir Putin held Russian - Venezuelan talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro in the Kremlin.


Vladimir Putin and Nicolas Maduro discussed bilateral cooperation, as well as political, trade and economic issues.
Russian - Venezuelan talks in Moscow. Vladimir Putin and Nicolas Maduro.
Russian - Venezuelan talks in Moscow. Vladimir Putin and Nicolas Maduro.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin

Mr. President, friends, colleagues,

I am very glad to welcome you in Moscow.

We met almost a year ago, last October, but we were always in contact and regularly spoke on the phone.


We see that Venezuela is going through challenging times but one gets the impression that you have nonetheless managed to establish some kind of contact with the political forces that are opposing you.

But our countries continue working, in particular, in the economic sphere. There has been a small decline in trade, and we believe it is beyond our control. There are some positives as well, including our continued work on our major projects.

Vladimir Putin at the meeting with President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro in the Kremlin.
Vladimir Putin at the meeting with President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro in the Kremlin.

We are very glad to see you and would like to thank you for taking part in the international event on the sidelines of which we are meeting today. Russian Energy Week may become a regular forum of considerable interest not only to professionals, participants in global energy markets, but also to representatives of the global economy more broadly.

I am very happy to have this opportunity to talk to you today both on political issues and trade and economic ties.

President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro

To begin with, we are grateful to you for the reception accorded to us.

It is very important for us that we are continuously in contact and analyzing what is taking place in our bilateral relations. We are very grateful to you for the political and diplomatic support that you have given us in these difficult times with which we are gradually coping.

President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro in Moscow.
President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro in Moscow.

Attempts were made to impose on Venezuela a model that would shackle us and not allow us to use the resources that we have. The only way to deal with this is by actively working to resolve this issue and sincerely believing that our homeland will be able to take command.

I believe the visit is taking place at a very good time because Venezuela is in for an upswing: we are coping with our problems and starting to make forward progress. And now is the time when we can coordinate our plans for cooperation in the energy industry, agriculture and trade. We are very grateful to you for the agreement on wheat supplies that was signed. It helped us a lot, first of all in social terms.

So, I see our meeting as very positive and timely.


PHOTO:

Vladimir Putin with President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro in the Kremlin.
Vladimir Putin with President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro in the Kremlin.


Russian - Turkmenistani talks. Press statements.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made press statements following Russian - Turkmenistan talks.

Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made press statements following Russian Turkmenistan talks in Ashgabat.
Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made press statements following Russian Turkmenistan talks in Ashgabat.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr. Berdimuhamedov, friends.

It is my sincere pleasure to present a prestigious state award, the Order of Alexander Nevsky, to the President of Turkmenistan. Prominent political leaders of foreign states receive it for outstanding personal contributions to strengthening neighborly ties with Russia.

Mr. Berdimuhamedov, you are known in Russia as a consistent supporter of the closest possible strategic partnership between Russia and Turkmenistan. Our bilateral cooperation is developing on the solid foundation of friendship and mutual understanding, on the principles of equity and respect for each others interests, largely owing to your efforts.

Of course, your concern for the Russian language deserves special mention. Today, it is taught in the majority of Turkmen schools. Russian is also widely used as a language of inter-ethnic communication in Turkmenistan. We see in this your aspiration to work together to strengthen bilateral ties.


Russia respects Turkmenistan’s neutral status. We greatly value the role your country plays in ensuring peace and stability in Central Asia. We have supported your initiative – the UN General Assembly resolution to celebrate International Day of Neutrality.

A Turkmen proverb tells us that the source of prosperity lies in action. Literally in these past few years, Turkmenistan has made an impressive leap forward in its development, while the city of Ashgabat has become a jewel of Central Asia and a venue of large international forums.

The Fifth Asian Games were held in Ashgabat with great success in September. Moreover, Turkmenistan became the first Central Asian state to receive the right to host this large-scale competition in 21 sports, in which athletes from over 60 countries, primarily Asia and Oceania, took part.

In conclusion, I would like to cordially congratulate you once again on receiving the Order of Alexander Nevsky. Mr. Berdimuhamedov, I wish you excellent health, prosperity, and, of course, new successes in high office.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov:

Thank you.

Mr. Putin, naturally, I would like to express my gratitude for this high honor, the Order of Alexander Nevsky.

I see this award also as an award to the people of Turkmenistan, who consider Russia a friend, and as an obligation to strengthen our traditionally friendly relations based on mutual respect and trust.

Indeed, our countries have done a lot together over these years, especially in the areas that you have mentioned.

We are a neutral country and I can say that I am proud that Turkmenistan is the only neutral country about which the UN General Assembly has adopted two resolutions.

The policies that you relentlessly pursue in the interests of peace all over the world and your contribution are very important today, I would say, to all people on the planet.

Thank you once again for this high honor. I wish you great success in your presidential activities, and I wish all the best to the people of Russia.

Thank you.

Mr. Putin, ladies and gentlemen.

We held productive talks today during the official visit by President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Our talks were held in the spirit of openness, mutual trust and understanding.

We discussed Turkmenistan - Russian relations and their future and outlined the practical priorities of our cooperation.

Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made press statements.
Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made press statements.

We also confirmed the long-term strategic nature of our cooperation and expressed readiness to do everything in our power to strengthen and make use of the huge potential of partnership that is available in Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation.

We focused on strengthening global peace, stability and security. I would like to point out that Turkmenistan and Russia have similar or identical views on many international and regional political issues, which is an earnest of our successful cooperation on the global stage. We will continue to provide mutual assistance to each other at the UN and other respected international organizations, a practice that has proved to be very effective.

Our countries will continue to cooperate in the fight against modern global threats, such as terrorism, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. This cooperation will proceed at the bilateral level and also within the framework of international organizations.

We also held in-depth discussions on cooperation in Central Asia. In this context, we pointed to Russia’s regional importance as a major component of strategic stability in Eurasia, where large-scale energy, transport and environmental projects of global significance are being implemented. Turkmenistan has always upheld and will continue to uphold Russia’s vision in this sphere.

We also reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to our close cooperation in the Caspian Sea based on the principles of good-neighborliness, equality, mutual respect and consideration for the interests of all Caspian states.

Turkmenistan and Russia welcome and support the signing of multilateral agreements on Caspian cooperation in trade, the economy, transport and other areas. In this context, we noted the importance of using our countries’ port infrastructure on the Caspian Sea in Turkmenbashi and Astrakhan, and the ferry line linking them, as well as the planned Turkmen trade and logistics center in Astrakhan Region.

Turkmenistan and Russia both support the Afghan crisis resolution through political and diplomatic means on the basis of a broad nationwide dialogue and the leading role of the United Nations in that country’s integration into regional economic and infrastructure projects.

During the talks, we also noted the consistent and interested and, I would say, mutually beneficial nature of the trade and economic partnership between Turkmenistan and Russia, and confirmed our mutual readiness for its expansion, especially as regards diversifying and increasing the product range in mutual trade.

Energy, transport, telecommunications, agriculture, technology, services and several other sectors were singled out as priority areas.

Turkmenistan also welcomes the expansion of major Russian companies’ operation in the Turkmen market, emphasizing its long-term nature. In this context, we reaffirmed the importance of Turkmenistan’s trade and economic partnership with a number of Russian regions, something we are working on now.

The two countries’ cooperation in culture and the humanitarian sphere was also given the attention it deserves in the course of the talks. We reaffirmed our mutual readiness to expand it further, to promote contacts in culture, healthcare and sports.

We expressed appreciation for the standards of cooperation in research and education. This long-term and system-wide cooperation is growing stronger with every year, as you can see from the cooperation agreement signed during this visit between the leading universities and research centers in Turkmenistan and Russia.

This agreement offers great opportunities for research, student exchanges, as you have said, and the implementation of joint educational programs and projects. We highly appreciate and are grateful to Russia for its invariable support to the training of Turkmenistan professionals at Russian universities.

Ladies and gentlemen, this visit has confirmed that the Russian Federation is our reliable friend and a responsible and honest partner. We are grateful to Russia for its support to Turkmenistan’s political neutrality and international initiative on the current issues of global development. For its part, Turkmenistan always supports Russia’s constructive endeavors.

We are especially grateful to President of Russia Vladimir Putin for his great personal attention to cooperation with Turkmenistan. We are deeply satisfied with the results of this visit, during which we signed a large package of bilateral agreements in various spheres.

Turkmenistan and Russia have demonstrated yet again their resolve and striving for a close, multifaceted and long-term dialogue, which is in the interests of our peoples and is making a great contribution to maintaining and strengthening global peace, security and stability.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my respect and to say that I am honored to award a state decoration to the President of Russia. As I have said, Turkmenistan as a neutral country conducts an open door policy under the UN auspices, and we award this decoration in recognition of Mr. Putin’s contribution to our cooperation.

Mr. Putin is a wise, prominent politician, who is doing a lot on matters of stability and security. Therefore, let me award this decoration to you.

I congratulate you on my own behalf and on behalf of the entire nation, and I would like once again to wish you great success in your state activities and again wish all the best, prosperity and happiness to the entire great people of Russia.

Vladimir Putin:

First of all, I would like to thank you for this state decoration.

Let me note in this connection that this is an award to our entire big team that has worked for years to create, without any exaggeration, a new type of interstate ties. What I have in view is that we were part of a single state for many years but now we are building relations at the level of sovereign countries and members of the United Nations and, to my mind, we are doing this very honorably and successfully while overcoming various difficulties that we encounter along the way. I am confident that in the future we will continue acting as effectively as we have until now.

As for our joint work today, I would like to note that the talks were held in a very constructive atmosphere. We have noted that our views coincide or are very close on practically all international issues.

We have exchanged information on the key and most acute points on the planet, we have compared notes on [the situation] in the post-Soviet space, and we have discussed the situation in Central Asia and Afghanistan.

We have certainly prioritized the development of trade, economic and humanitarian ties. We have noted that we have many good opportunities in various areas: This concerns machine-building, transport infrastructure, healthcare, education, science and culture.

Today you saw the signing of a hefty package of documents in practically all of these areas. I am confident that all of this will be implemented under the guidance of the Intergovernmental Commission that has operated for several years and done so quite successfully.

I would like to thank our hosts for organizing today’s meeting and for the atmosphere that has been created for today’s joint work.

Thank you very much.


Vladimir Putin in Ashgabat. Russian-Turkmenistani talks.

Ashgabat hosts talks between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Vladimir Putin with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Vladimir Putin with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Vladimir Putin, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and other participants in the limited attendance talks discussed current issues of relations between Russia and Turkmenistan. Following the talks, consultations were held with the participation of the delegations.


Following the talks, the two presidents signed the Joint Statement of the President of the Russian Federation and the President of Turkmenistan, as well as the Strategic Cooperation Treaty Between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan. A package of intergovernmental and inter-agency cooperation documents was also signed.

Intergovernmental agreements were signed on cooperation in combating illicit trafficking of narcotics, psychotropic substances and their precursors; on the mutual establishment of migration agency offices; and on cooperation in industry, agriculture, sport, tourism. A protocol amending the Intergovernmental Agreement on Marine Transport of September 17, 2013 was also signed.

Vladimir Putin and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signing documents following Russian - Turkmenistan talks in Ashgabat.
Vladimir Putin and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signing documents following Russian - Turkmenistan talks in Ashgabat.
In addition, inter-agency documents were signed regarding cooperation in finance, healthcare, culture, standardization and metrology.

Vladimir Putin presented Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with a state award of the Russian Federation – the Order of Alexander Nevsky. The President of Turkmenistan was recognized for his significant personal contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries, and to stability and security in Central Asia.

Vladimir Putin presented the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with a state award of the Russian Federation – the Order of Alexander Nevsky.
Vladimir Putin presented the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with a state award of the Russian Federation – the Order of Alexander Nevsky.
In turn, the President of Turkmenistan awarded Vladimir Putin the Order for Contributions to Developing Cooperation.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented Vladimir Putin with the Order for Contributions to Developing Cooperation.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented Vladimir Putin with the Order for Contributions to Developing Cooperation.

The two presidents also made press statements.

Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made press statements.
Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made press statements.

Later Vladimir Putin took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the People’s Memory memorial in Ashgabat.

Beginning of meeting with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.


President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov:

Mr. Putin, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for accepting our invitation to make an official visit to hospitable Turkmenistan.

We attach great importance to your visit, which is taking place in the year of the 25th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Over this period, we have created a solid and strategic legal framework for cooperation. It is notable that we are cooperating now not only in the bilateral but also in the multilateral format in politics and on the international stage, as well as in trade, the economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

We highly appreciate the potential of our cooperation. We are glad that we have strengthened the contact between our parliaments, because legislative matters are vitally important for us. We view the further development of our capabilities in the interests of the peoples of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation as a strategic priority.

I would like to thank you for your personal contribution, for everything you are doing to strengthen the friendship between our nations and to wish you success and all the best to the great people of Russia whom you represent.

We are happy to welcome you to Ashgabat.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Thank you very much.

I am grateful to you for inviting me here.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin.

We agreed on this meeting long ago. We meet with you regularly. The last time we met was in Sochi nearly a year ago, and I hope we will meet again very soon at an event within the CIS framework.

I fully agree with your assessment of our relations.

But I would like to begin our conversation by congratulating you on the successful hosting of the Asian Indoor Games. It was a spectacular event. I know it took Ashgabat and the entire country six years to prepare for the games and they did a huge amount of work (we just discussed that with your colleagues), and most importantly everything that was built can continue to be used in the future. I know that you have plans to hold international events and competitions, and I am sure that the citizens of Turkmenistan will be able to use all this too.

Russian-Turkmenistani talks in Ashgabat.
Russian-Turkmenistani talks in Ashgabat.
It was a major event and you did a great job, congratulations.

As for bilateral relations, I think this meeting comes at a good time, because, unfortunately, due to a number of factors beyond our control, trade has declined somewhat, so we have to discuss what needs to be done to reverse the situation and develop our trade and economic relations so that they steadily improve as they have in years past.

Once again, let me thank you for the invitation. I am sure our work together will be interesting and substantial.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov:

Thank you.

You mentioned sports. We essentially want to host international events together with Russia: plans call for hosting a weightlifting competition next year, then track cycling in 2019, swimming in 2020, and others. So, we are already discussing these sports. Thank you for the praise.

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PHOTO:

The official meeting ceremony. Vladimir Putin with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
The official meeting ceremony. Vladimir Putin with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
The official meeting ceremony of Vladimir Putin in Ashgabat.
The official meeting ceremony of Vladimir Putin in Ashgabat.
Vladimir Putin with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat.
Vladimir Putin with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat.
The official greetings ceremony of Russian President in Turkmenistan.
The official greetings ceremony of Russian President in Turkmenistan.
Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov in Ashgabat, during Russian - Turkmenistani talks.
Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov in Ashgabat, during Russian - Turkmenistani talks.
Vladimir Putin at a meeting with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Vladimir Putin at a meeting with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Vladimir Putin with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat.
Vladimir Putin signing documents following Russian - Turkmenistani talks in Ashgabat.
Vladimir Putin signing documents following Russian - Turkmenistani talks in Ashgabat.
Vladimir Putin took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the People’s Memory memorial in Turkmenistan.
Vladimir Putin took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the People’s Memory memorial in Turkmenistan.


Vladimir Putin arrived in Turkmenistan

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin arrived in Turkmenistan at the invitation of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Vladimir Putin arrived in Turkmenistan.
Vladimir Putin arrived in Turkmenistan.
Official visit of Vladimir Putin to Turkmenistan will include talks, which will mainly focus on the key issues of developing bilateral cooperation between Russia and Turkmenistan in the political, trade, economic, scientific, education, culture, humanitarian and other fields, plus actual regional issues.


Following the Russian-Turkmenistani talks, a package of documents will be signed.

PHOTO:

Greeting of Vladimir Putin in Turkmenistan.
Vladimir Putin arrived in Ashgabat with the official visit.
Vladimir Putin arrived in Ashgabat with the official visit.

Vladimir Putin in Turkey. Russian-Turkish talks.

Vladimir Putin held talks with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan greeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan greeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a one-on-one conversation, after which Russian-Turkish talks continued in an expanded format.

Taking part in the talks on Russia’s side were:
  • Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov
  • Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office and Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov
  • Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
  • Energy Minister Alexander Novak
  • Chief of the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov
  • Deputy Agriculture Minister Yevgeny Gromyko
  • Special Presidential Representative for the Syrian Settlement Alexander Lavrentyev
  • Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev
  • Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller
  • Russia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkey Alexei Yerkhov


* * *

Press statements following Russian-Turkish talks.


President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan:

My dear friend, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you here.

Vladimir Putin with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Vladimir Putin with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

First of all, it is a pleasure to again welcome my friend, Mr. Putin, to my country, Turkey. During our meetings we discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, and our respective agencies have held a meeting as well.

It is for the fifth time that my dear friend and I have met this year. We often telephone each other to discuss issues on our agenda. Of course, such Russian-Turkish meetings were not held so often before, but we have now reached the level required for holding them. In addition, our ministers maintain close contacts with their Russian colleagues.

Thanks to our concerted efforts, our relations have grown stronger and our cooperation continues to expand. God willing, we will provide a new impetus to them soon.

Vladimir Putin during his visit to Ankara with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Vladimir Putin during his visit to Ankara with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

We have come to an agreement on preparing the political, economic, cultural and social issues for discussion at the seventh meeting of the High-Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council. Both Turkey and Russia attach great significance to these meetings. Next year, Vladimir Putin will come to Turkey again in order to attend the next meeting of this council.

Our trade increased in the first seven months of this year, and the number of Russian tourists has soared compared to last year.

Talks between Russia and Turkey in Ankara.
Talks between Russia and Turkey in Ankara.
We have also agreed that there are ways to further enhance our economic indicators. As you know, we have set the goal of increasing our trade to $100 billion. We hope to achieve good results regarding the critically important issues of our bilateral economic relations during a meeting of the Mixed Intergovernmental Russian-Turkish Commission.

Energy is a major part of our relations. We continue to implement the Turkish Stream and the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant projects. We attach great importance to their early implementation. We discussed these projects during our meeting. We believe that our concerned agencies will accelerate their implementation.

President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan
President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we also discussed the situation in Iraq and Syria. We attach great importance to Iraq’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and political unity.

Unfortunately, our region has become more fragile recently. It is unfortunate that the Kurdish Regional Administration in Iraq held a referendum, bringing about a regional crisis that nobody wanted.

This referendum is illegal under the Iraqi Constitution and international law. Nevertheless, and despite a friendly warning, the regional administration proceeded with the referendum. This was a big mistake. No one has the right to increase tension and create an explosive situation for personal short-term gain. I told President Putin that we must prevent steps that could result in even greater mistakes by the regional government.

Russian-Turkish talks in expanded format. Turkish delegation.
Russian-Turkish talks in expanded format. Turkish delegation.

During today’s meeting with my friend President Putin, we discussed the ongoing developments in Syria, as well as the outcomes of the last Astana meeting. In this respect, we talked about the efforts to make Idlib de-escalation zone operational. I am confident that the relevant bodies will work proactively on this matter.

We are satisfied with the Astana consultations to strengthen the ceasefire as a contribution to the ongoing political process in Geneva under the auspices of the UN.

We also agreed on the need to give even greater priority to confidence building measures as part of the Astana talks. We reaffirmed our firm commitment to engage in close cooperation to achieve a political settlement of the Syrian conflict.

I believe that today’s meetings with my friend Vladimir Putin were fruitful. We will continue to work together through telephone conversations and personal contacts.

Thank you very much.

I now pass the floor to Mr. Putin.


Russian President Vladimir Putin:

First of all, I would like to thank our friend, the President of Turkey, for his invitation.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have just completed another round of talks or, to be more exact, another meeting.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin
President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Press statements following Russian-Turkish talks.
This was by all means a working meeting, offering us an opportunity to have a detailed and frank exchange of views on matters on the bilateral agenda in various areas, as well as discuss further joint actions related to the settlement of the crisis in Syria.

If you don’t mind, I would like to begin with this topic.

We confirmed our readiness to abide by the final agreements reached in mid-September in Astana at the sixth International Meeting on Syria on the establishment of four de-escalation zones, including the largest one in Idlib province.

Let me remind you that the initiative to set up de-escalation zones in Syria was put forward during our meeting with Recep Erdogan in May 2017 in Sochi.

Russian-Turkish talks in expanded format. Russian delegation.
Russian-Turkish talks in expanded format. Russian delegation.
It has to be acknowledged that the implementation of this idea was quite challenging for the parties to the Syrian conflict, as well as for the guarantor countries in the Astana process: Russia, Turkey and Iran. However, despite all the challenges, we have achieved positive results.

I believe that these agreements are a major joint success for us, as well as for Mr. Erdogan, since he was among those who initiated this process.

Press statements following Russian-Turkish talks.
Press statements following Russian-Turkish talks.
In fact, the necessary conditions were put in place for ending the fratricidal war in Syria, the final elimination of terrorists and enabling Syrians to return to peaceful life and their homes. This is essential not only for the Syrian people, not only for the region, but for the whole world: we are putting in place conditions so that refugees can return home. This has critical importance in terms of achieving long-term political settlement in Geneva under the UN auspices.


Putin met with President of Guinea Alpha Conde

Vladimir Putin had talks with President of the Republic of Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union Alpha Conde.

Vladimir Putin and Alpha Conde in Moscow.
Vladimir Putin with President of Guinea Alpha Conde. Talks in Moscow.

During the meeting, Vladimir Putin awarded President of Guinea Alpha Conde a state decoration of the Russian Federation, the Order of Friendship, for his significant personal contribution to the development of the Russia-Guinea relations.

Vladimir Putin, Alpha Conde. Talks between Russia and Guinea in Moscow.
Talks between Russia and Guinea in Moscow.

Following the talks, the two presidents attended the signing of cooperation documents. Those included an inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in healthcare, medical training and science; several inter-agency documents on cooperation in epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases in the Republic of Guinea, cooperation in action against drug trafficking, psychotropic substances and their precursors, cooperation in higher education, science, research and development, and innovation. Additionally, memorandums of understanding on cooperation in agriculture were signed concerning the agreements on the extension of the Dian-Dian concession agreement of July 21, 2001 and the agreement on recovery, expansion and development of Kindia bauxite fields of November 3, 2000.


The presidents of Russia and Guinea made statements for the press.

* * *

Beginning of talks with President of the Republic of Guinea Alpha Conde.


Russian President Vladimir Putin:

Mr. President, friends.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Moscow.

Vladimir Putin presented the Order of Friendship to President of the Republic of Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union Alpha Conde.
Vladimir Putin presented the Order of Friendship to President of the Republic of Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union Alpha Conde.

We have met recently at an international event in China. Last year, you attended the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

It is gratifying that we have come a long way in the 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, which we will mark in October of next year.

Our trade is modest so far, but it is growing and has doubled recently. Russian investors are interested in the Guinean economy. One of them, Rusal, has invested over $300 million in Guinea.

Mr. President, we are pleased to welcome you as President of Guinea and also as Chairperson of the African Union.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting with President of the Republic of Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union Alpha Conde in Moscow.
Vladimir Putin held a meeting with President of the Republic of Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union Alpha Conde in Moscow.
Once again, welcome to Moscow.

President of the Republic of Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union Alpha Conde:

Thank you very much.

It is a great pleasure for me to visit Russia again.

President of the Republic of Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union Alpha Conde.
President of the Republic of Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union Alpha Conde.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. Putin, for the assistance provided in the fight against the Ebola pandemic. The Russian Federation was one of the first countries to get involved in the relief efforts during the crisis. Russia also opened a crisis center to conduct research into treatment of the Ebola fever in our country.

In order to expand our bilateral cooperation, we opened a joint research center for Kindia mineral deposits and I hope that the center's opportunities will only grow in the future.

I hope that our collaboration in healthcare will also expand. We rely on your assistance, as before, in developing and using the vaccine, and in training medical professionals in the use of these preparations in practice.

Ceremony of signing Russia-Guinea cooperation documents.
Ceremony of signing Russia-Guinea cooperation documents.
As we noted during our meeting in St. Petersburg, many Russian businesses are genuinely interested in investing in the Guinean economy. I truly count on your support in both retaining the companies already operating in our market and bringing more investors to our territory.

Since gaining independence from the French Republic, we have been tirelessly building up our tourist potential and believe that the opportunities are not yet exhausted.

Our cooperation is expanding in a wide range of areas. This includes construction of plants and various infrastructure projects. I hope that we will be seeing additional opportunities in the future.

As you rightly noted, Mr. Putin, we have yet much to achieve in our economic collaboration. I hope we will enter a new level and build up our cooperation to reach the heights available to us. Therefore, I suggest that we assign our partnership the status of strategic.

President of the Republic of Guinea Alpha Conde during the ceremony of signing Russia-Guinea cooperation documents.
President of the Republic of Guinea Alpha Conde during the ceremony of signing Russia-Guinea cooperation documents.

Guinea indeed has many assets and a wealth of diverse natural resources that can be explored. The cooperation potential is huge but we need to broaden and develop it. Unfortunately, there are not always sufficient financial means for these purposes.

So I hope that within the public-private partnership involving Russian investors, we can overcome this stumbling block and use our potential to the full.

We have already approved a development plan and a forward-looking development agenda until 2020. We are discussing opportunities for additional funding with the Paris Club. We hope Russia will participate in the talks of the consultative club on relations with the Paris Club. We also rely on the Russian Federation to participate in various concessions currently being developed in our country.

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