THE INTERVIEW OF V.MOROZOV,
AMBASSADOR OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN MEXICO,
TO “EL PROTOCOLO” MAGAZINE

Q.: How would you estimate current condition of the relations between Mexico and your country?

A.: Russia and Mexico are connected by strong and old historical bonds. Official contacts between our countries were established as far back as in 1890. Our relations have quite a number of examples of showing sincere mutual liking, striking meetings of national cultures, mutual solidarity and support at the beginning of the 21st century when Russian-Mexican relations started to transform, some beneficial opportunities for natural motion towards each other appeared.

Today Mexico is our reliable partner in the international arena, first of all, in soloing such a key problem as formation of just and stable world order based on international law supremacy and in strengthening of the role of democratic multilateral mechanisms to control world processes.

We are united by our common devotion to the idea of ensuring the leading role of the UNO and the main responsibility of UN Security Council for maintaining peace and security in the world. We are both interested in consolidation of strategical stability, we would also like to find some collective answers to new threats and challenges.

We are inspired by basic principles of Mexican foreign policy, the point of which was expressed by Mexican national hero Benito Juarez in the 19th century: “The respect for others’ rights is peace”.

Q.: Mexico and Russia have already signed a whole number of agreements and treaties. Which of them, in your opinion, are the most important ones and what are the results?

A.: I think every document signed is a result of diligent work and at the same time realization of political will of the leaders of our countries. Therefore every agreement is important for us. The same attention is paid both to trade cooperation and cooperation in the field of science and new technologies. We proceed from the fact at the present stage main efforts along state and commercial structures should be turned to solving those problems that slow down bilateral cooperation including the spheres of energetic, transport, investment, tourism and some others.

Today some agreements able to deepen our economical cooperation with Mexico are still under consideration. First of all I mean the Air Transport agreement which may help solve a let of problems with trade and tourist exchange, and cooperation in the field of sea navigation, energetic and others.

As for the results, it in too early to talk about. We see insufficient diversification of cooperation, absence of efficient financial mechanism, specifically mutual guarantees of investments. This is the major problem. We intend to find the ways of solving these problems including the help at the highest political level.

Q.: In the light of the fact that the last year’s visit of President V.Putin was the first visit of Head of Russian State to Mexico, did it open any new perspectives in bilateral relations?

A.: It was the first visit of the Russian President not only to Mexico but also to Latin-American continent on the whole. Not only did the official visit open new perspectives in bilateral relations but it also played a historical role in Russian-Mexican interaction.

This visit was expected both in Russia and Mexico. The main purpose of the visit was to widen and consolidate available spheres of bilateral cooperation. One of the tasks of the visit was to work out conditions providing the increase in trade and economical interaction and the complete use of both countries’ potential.
It is safe to say that the visit was a success and all the purposes and tasks set were completely solved.

Presidents of Russia and Mexico had a substantial and frank dialogue, as a result both sides showed a great mutual interest in increasing bilateral political cooperation and interaction in world affairs. A number of documents determining the further development of Russian-Mexican relations in different spheres was signed. Particularly, the constructive approach showed that we really have good perspectives in this direction.

Q.: What are the most important aspects of bilateral trade relations?

A.: Russia would like to consider Mexico one of the main trade and economical partners in Latin-American region, the country with capacious market and high paying capacity. There are all the prerequisites for it. Our state and business structures should work more active. There are some ideas that could “push” essentially both trade and investment processes. Our business should bi orientated structurally. It is necessary to create joint council of businessmen, commercial and industrial chamber, special Customs regulation committee following the example of some Latin-American countries.

Q.: In what sectors are there the greatest possibilities to encourage mutual investment torrents?

A.: Unfortunately, the reserves position of both Mexican and Russian businessmen as regards investment cooperation doesn’t allow us to expect a break-through in this sphere in the near future. At the same time there are serious perspectives for developing contacts in this direction, in fuel and power complex, in tourism and mechanical engineering.

A reliable base for creating beneficial investment climate will become, as I have already said, the signing of the agreement on encouragement and mutual defense of investment. It will be worked out soon.

Q.: A short wish you would like to send to “El Protocolo” magazine in connection with its fifth anniversary?

A.: I would like to wish “El Protocolo” magazine “without any protocol” every success, inexhaustible energy, new plans in order to preserve topicality and be of great interest both for the available audience and for the future one.

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