Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Latin America

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev visited 4 Latin American countries in a week. On November 22-23 Dmitry Medvedev took part in the 16th session of the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit in Lima (Peru). Traditionally a summit ended up in photo session of all the participants in national costumes. 21 heads of the states were dressed in beige ponchos, Peruvian Indians’ clothing.

Peru.
On November 24 Russian President’s official visit started in Peru. The APEC conference with its leaders opened his first Latin American visit. Dmitry Medvedev was the first Russian president who attended Peru.

Medvedev’s official visit started with the hussar ceremony in the Plaza de Armas (Arms Squire) near the Presidential Palace of Lima. In the forecourt of the ancient palace the head of the Russian Federation was met with the hussar guard of honour dressed in national uniform of 19th century and armed with lances and sabres. The captain of the guard saluted Medvedev and led him to the main entrance where Alan Garcia was waiting for him. Military brass band performed Russian and Peruvian anthems.

Peruvian President Alan Garcia presented the Order of the Sun of Peru, the highest national award, to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Peruvian President called Russia “a wonderful country”. “Russia is a source full of inspired experience, and sometimes a laboratory of tragic experience as well” – noted Alan Garcia.
In his turn Dmitry Medvedev invited Garcia to visit Russia.

Brazil.
Medvedev’s visit to Brazil took place on the 180th anniversary year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Brazil. Brazil is one of the world leaders in biofuel production for the automobile engines. A part of the crop is being converted in ethyl alcohol. The head of the state-run Brazilian oil and gas giant “Petrobraz” showed to the Russian President samples with fuel from cane, cotton and soya.

Besides the official visits Medvedev attended the famous “Maracana” stadium in Rio de Janeiro. It was built for the Football World Championship in 1950 and is the second largest stadium. The arena “Mario Fillo” is an outstanding building and also is a temple of football.

Medvedev brought a football and a t-shirt of Brazil team for his 12-year old son Ilya.

Venezuela.
Hugo Chavez called Medvedev’s visit to Latin America “speed of the lightning visit” Medvedev visited Brazil for the first time during 150 years of bilateral relations between 2 countries.

Venezuela was preparing for his visit for several weeks. The mayor of Caracas, where the days of Russia had taken place, presented to Medvedev the keys of the city. The mayor’s choir sang the Russian anthem in Russian language.

“World nations are grateful to Russia for the struggle for multipolar world. And the positive moment is that you Mr.President is visiting Latin America, Your presence here is evident and we with all due respect for you sang the Russian anthem in Russian” – said Hugo Chavez.

Hugo Chavez presented the highest national award to Medvedev – Liberator’s Order. Hugo Chavez also asked Medvedev to buy a hat for Christine Kirchner, President of Argentina. Christine Kirchner’s visit to Russia is scheduled for December 8-9.

Cuba.
Cuba was the last country on Medvedev’s itinerary. Dmitry Medvedev was the fifth Russian leader who met with Fidel Castro. In 1963 Nikita Khrushchev met with Fidel Castro, in 1974 Leonid Brezhnev visited Cuba, in 1989 – Mikhail Gorbachev, in 2000 – Vladimir Putin.
At “Jose Marti” international airport of Havana Ricardo Cabrisas, Council of Ministers’ deputy chairman, and Foreign Affairs Minister Felipe Perez Roque met Medvedev. Medvedev met with the Chairman of the Cuban State Council Raul Castro by the monument to the national hero Jose Marti. The 150-meter-high tower and the statue of Jose Marti are situated on Revolution Square in the center of Havana.

The orchestra played the national anthems of the countries and the soldiers of the guard of honour laid a wreath at a monument. Medvedev made a tour of old Havana. Raul Castro himself guided him. President visited the first Orthodox Church in the Caribbean built in honour of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan. A church was consecrated in October during the Days of Russia; many Cuban leaders attended its inauguration. Medvedev presented the Icon of our lady of Vladimir.

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