MOSCOW, November 25. /ITAR-TASS/. Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Luis Fernando Carrera will discuss in Moscow the development of the Russia-Guatemala political dialogues, as well as cooperation in various fields. He will visit Russia on November 26-28, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
On Wednesday, November 27, he will have a meeting with the Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
“Russia considers Guatemala as a promising partner in Central America,” the foreign ministry said. “The base for the inter-governmental relations was laid during first ever top-level contacts — the working visit of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to Guatemala in July 2007 and the official visit of Guatemala’s President Alvaro Colom in March 2010. In July 2007, Vladimir Putin participated in the 119th session of the International Olympic Committee, where Russia was granted the right to host the XXII Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.”
“Carrera Castro’s visit is in line with Russia’s policy to develop relations with Latin American countries, including the Central American countries,” the foreign ministry said.
“During the visit, the two presidents will focus on development of the trade and economic relations,” the source said. “Guatemala’s delegation will also feature ministers of economy, energy and mining.” During the visit, governments of the two countries are expected to sign an agreement on stimulation and mutual protection of capital investments.
“Russia is interested in development of mutual trade, which as yet is beyond of the two countries’ potential,” the foreign ministry said. “In January-August 2013, the Russian-Guatemalan trade volume began growing, and the growth made 73.5% year-on-year to $88.5 million.”
“The first step on the way to develop cooperation between regions and cities of the two countries was the agreement on establishment of brotherhood relations between the cities of Sochi and Guatemala, signed in July 2013,” the foreign ministry added.