The message read, in particular:
“Russia supports the broadest cooperation with MERCOSUR on the basis of our common approach to a modern and multipolar world order and our support for the primacy of international law and the central role of the United Nations in guaranteeing global security.
We place priority importance on the Memorandum of Understanding on establishing a mechanism for political dialogue and cooperation between Russia and MERCOSUR that was signed last year. This mechanism’s implementation has enabled us to establish regular political contacts that play a significant part in coordinating our positions on key issues on the international agenda.
The MERCOSUR countries account for the bulk of Russia’s trade with Latin America. We believe that the real conditions are in place today for expanding our relations on a mutually complementary basis and making use of the active interest in our business communities to carry out important industrial and investment projects. In this context, we think the signing of an economic development cooperation agreement in the near future is particularly relevant.
I am sure that consistent and all-round development of relations between Russia and MERCOSUR will help to strengthen international and regional stability and contribute to the prosperity of our countries and our peoples”.
The summit is taking place on December 17–18 in Montevideo (Uruguay).