Joint Statement by the Russian Federation and CELAC on the establishment of a Permanent Mechanism for Political Dialogue and Cooperation between Russia and CELAC

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the foreign ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), who met in New York on September 29, 2015 within the framework of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly,

Acting with due regard for the intention that CELAC expressed during summits and ministerial meetings with the Russian Federation, including a meeting between the foreign ministers of the Russian Federation and CELAC’s expanded “troika” in Moscow on May, 2013, to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest and to boost political dialogue and mutually beneficial relations, including the establishment of a permanent mechanism in the interests of the consistent development of the Sides,

Working to further the Russian proposal, which was approved at the Third Meeting of the CELAC Foreign Ministers on September 27, 2013, to establish a Permanent Mechanism for Political Dialogue and Cooperation between Russia and CELAC, and with due regard for the intention to further strengthen relations between the Sides in the spirit of respect for and commitment to the standards and principles of international law and the UN Charter, hereby resolve:

1. To launch the Permanent Mechanism for Political Dialogue and Cooperation, to be called the Russia-CELAC Mechanism, based on the principles of equality, comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation without any conditions and free participation and aimed at strengthening and diversifying cooperation between the Russian Federation and CELAC and at developing a political dialogue.

2. With these aims in view, the Sides shall:

a)      promote a political dialogue for assisting the establishment of a transparent, democratic, fair and equal world order based on the provisions of the UN Charter and the primacy of international law that will help maintain peace and international security and strengthen multilateralism, with a bigger role played by developing countries;

b)      provide an impetus to the growth and diversification of trade with a view to stimulating the exchange of large added value goods and services and interregional investment, including in infrastructure, communications, energy and other industries;

c)       develop programmes for cooperation and exchange of positive experiences in areas of mutual interest such as research, technology, industrial integration and education to help fight poverty and inequality and to promote the sustainable development of both regions;

d)      strengthen multilateral cooperation towards assisting the most vulnerable countries of the region, primarily the least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries, aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and also taking into account their concerns about the negative consequences of climate change.

This list is not exhaustive and can be augmented by mutual agreement of the Sides.

The Sides acknowledge that this mechanism will facilitate the positive use of the broad range of opportunities offered by Russia-CELAC relations.

The Sides have agreed to hold the meetings of their foreign ministers, with the agenda, timeframe and venue of these meetings to be coordinated in advance.

The Sides agree that the expediency of Russia-CELAC summit meetings will be determined by future agreements.