Official website of the President of Russia

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Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen!

I am sincerely pleased to welcome our respected guest and friend, the President of Brazil, to Moscow. I am confident this visit will prove important for developing cooperation on multiple levels between our peoples. Brazil is an influential and respected member of the international community and Russia's key partner in Latin America.

Today we held detailed and very productive talks regarding almost all aspects of our cooperation. The meeting's important result is the Joint Statement we just signed which contains our approaches to today's problems and the strategic objectives of our partnership.

We pointed out that Russia and Brazil share common democratic values and consistently support the formation of a just and multipolar international system. We support strengthening the UN's central coordinating role in maintaining stability and security, and developing consensual and adequate answers to today's threats.

I must point out that the affinity between our foreign policy approaches gives rise to new opportunities for Russian-Brazilian cooperation in international and regional affairs. We also count on Brazil's support regarding Russia's participation in Latin American international organizations.

Today of all the states of Latin America, Brazil is Russia's largest trading partner. The volume of trade has already reached two billion dollars and is developing at a very good rate. Almost all of the plans to which we agreed in November 2004 are being successfully implemented.

We also have good prospects, including in areas which we consider still insufficiently developed. Of course, first and foremost this refers to cooperation in the high-tech field – namely in energy, aviation technology and the space sector. It is precisely in these sectors that we intend to create a kind of technological alliance. And an important step in this direction was concluding the contract providing for a Brazilian astronaut to be sent to the International Space Station in 2006.

We consider that successfully concluding negotiations regarding Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization will act as an additional stimulus for Russian-Brazilian economic relations.

We will promote direct contacts between Russian and Brazilian regions and develop cultural cooperation.

We will yet further improve our cooperation in the international arena.

I am confident that all of this will take place not only for the good of Russian and Brazilian peoples, but that it will promote greater international stability and general security.

Thank you.

Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva: Your Excellency President Putin!

Brazilian and Russian ministers, members of the delegations from both countries, Brazilian and Russian journalists, my friends!

Being in the Kremlin today during my first visit to Russia is a source of huge satisfaction. My first words will be words of gratitude for the hospitable welcome you have given me and the members of my delegation.

Russia and Brazil share many similar traits. Our countries are both the size of continents; they have extensive natural riches and many industrial complexes. Our countries both began to industrialize late and therefore face similar challenges. It is necessary for us to modernize and to become more competitive. But first and foremost we must better satisfy our people's needs. The people of Russia and Brazil both have a deep-rooted national consciousness and the desire to create a place for themselves in today's world.

My dear President Putin, I recollect your visit to Brazil in November 2004 with gratitude. We meet at a moment when our countries' relations are very promising. We have never had so many common ties and projects. Our trade volume is beating records. Our cooperation in science and technology is developing. Cooperation in the energy sector, especially in the field of natural gas and using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is also developing. During your visit to Brazil we signed a memorandum on mutual understanding in the space sector. Lately our space agencies have managed to cooperate more closely in this strategically important sector. Next year the first Brazilian astronaut will be sent to the Russian segment of the International Space Station. This event is especially significant for our mutual relations and will give rise to even greater possibilities for Russian-Brazilian cooperation.

We pointed out considerable progress in our countries' cultural relations. Russian music, art, literature and dance are important factors in our countries' rapprochement. The Bolshoi Theatre's ballet school in the State of Santa Katarina is a unique educational institution outside of Russia, and is forming a new generation of youth who will forever be connected with your country. We are holding talks to open a musical school in the city of Fortaleza with the support of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory.

Mr President, it is important for us to enhance our political dialogue. There is a wide consensus on fundamental questions of international affairs. We have developed a fruitful exchange on fundamental questions on today's international agenda. We aspire to a safer, fairer, more prosperous world. We condemn terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and firmly believe in the necessity of giving new momentum to the struggle against famine and poverty on a global scale. We wish to count on Russia's participation in our efforts to elaborate and implement innovative mechanisms to finance the struggle against famine and poverty throughout the world. We share Russia's conviction that it is necessary to reform the United Nations, including its Security Council, to make this organization more legitimate, representative and effective.

Dear President!

Brazil's foreign policy sees Russia as a strategic partner. I am convinced that the struggle against terrorism, strengthening international democratic institutions, and making trade relations more balanced requires joint political efforts both from Russia and from Brazil. The results of discussions which take place in the UN, the WTO and other forums for multilateral cooperation confirm that only through joint efforts countries with developing economies can create a new political, trading and economic geography.

There are no historical disputes between Brazil and Russia. For this reason the task of constructing a promising world lies before us. If we join Russian and Brazilian knowledge of science and technology, industry, their peoples' desire to create a fairer world, and their peoples' working capacities then we will undoubtedly construct a new world – one without wars, terrorism or evil.

But to attain this we must work very hard towards a world in which all will have work and where all peoples share the desire to promote our countries' progress. Tomorrow when I return to Brazil I will bring with me greater confidence and hope, not only for the Brazilian people but also for the people of Russia. Most of all I will return confident that Russia and Brazil are undertaking very important steps towards the construction of a new world.

Thank you very much.

Mr Putin, if you will allow me, I would like to introduce our future astronaut. (Introduces first Brazilian astronaut Marcos Pontes).