MOSCOW, September 1. /TASS/. Moscow considers developments in Brazil the country’s internal affair and hopes that all processes there will take place within the constitutional framework, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday in connection with the decision to remove President Dilma Rousseff from her office.
"We reaffirm the immutability and consistency of our stance which we have stated before. What is happening in Brazil is this country’s internal affair," the ministry said. "It is imperative that all processes proceed strictly within the constitutional framework and conform with national legislation norms. We believe it is important to make sure that the course of events does not aggravate the rift in the society and a tough political standoff."
Moscow is interested in "a stable, democratic and dynamically developing Brazil playing an important role in the international arena," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "For us, Brazil is an important foreign policy, trade and economic partner. We actively cooperate at the UN, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and the G20 Group, including in the process of preparing the upcoming summits of the last two associations in Hangzhou, China. Ties in technology, humanitarian and other areas are constructive as well."
Russia highly appreciates the significant contribution made by Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff in developing the Russian-Brazilian cooperation. "This being said, we note that Michel Temer, while serving as the country’s Vice President, actively worked as a co-chairman of the Russian-Brazilian High-Level Commission on Cooperation. We proceed from the assumption that the policy of progressive development of ties with Russia enjoys the support of a wide array of political forces in Brazil," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"For our part, we will be working consistently to strengthen the Russian-Brazilian partnership and cooperation," the ministry added.
Brazil’s Senate earlier voted to impeach Rousseff. Michel Temer, the former Vice President, assumed office for a period until December 31, 2018.