The talks began with a meeting of the two leaders in a restricted format and continued over an official breakfast attended by members of both delegations.
Vladimir Putin and Nicolas Maduro discussed the current state and prospects for the development of Russian-Venezuelan cooperation in the political, trade and economic, financial, scientific and technological, as well as humanitarian and cultural areas. They also exchanged views on pressing matters on the international and regional agendas.
Taking part in the restricted format talks on the Russian side were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister – Head of the Russian part of the Intergovernmental Russian-Venezuelan High-Level Commission Dmitry Chernyshenko, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, and Chairman of Rosneft Management Board Igor Sechin.
Following the Russian-Venezuelan talks, the two Presidents signed the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on Strategic Partnership and Cooperation.
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Beginning of Russian-Venezuelan talks in a restricted format
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends,
I am delighted to welcome you to Moscow. We have already met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, but I am extremely grateful to you for taking the time to come to the celebrations of Victory in the Second World War. In our country we call it the Great Patriotic War. Victory over Nazism is a special day for Russia and the Russian people.
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This year not only marks the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory but also the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries. The celebrations are over, but we have not forgotten this landmark event.
I would like to point out that our relations are based on the Treaty on Strategic Partnership. It offers a solid foundation for our cooperation, and we have achieved tangible results working on this foundation.
Of course, our mutual trade, which is estimated at $200 million, falls short of our aspirations, but the trend is very positive: last year, our trade increased by 64 percent, which is a sign of good progress.
We have promising and well-defined areas of cooperation, and our colleagues are actively working in all of them, including energy, transportation, the pharmaceutical industry, logistics, healthcare and, of course, humanitarian initiatives.
Overall, we are satisfied with how our bilateral contacts are progressing, thanks in large part to the personal attention you devote to this relationship.
We remember our friend Hugo Chavez very well. He was a remarkable leader, not only for your country but for all of Latin America. He was without question a friend of Russia. Today, you are continuing his mission, and we wish you every success. We will have the opportunity to discuss all the areas of cooperation I just mentioned.
Welcome, Mr President.
President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro (retranslated): Thank you very much.
President Vladimir Putin, I remember well visiting the Kremlin alongside Comandante Hugo Chavez. It happened more than once as we began to develop these strong and reliable bonds of friendship – friendship that has stood the test of time. We have succeeded in raising our relationship to a high level.
On behalf of the people of Venezuela, I would like to express our deep admiration and respect as you mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The Soviet people made an extraordinary effort to put an end to a horrific and unlawful war brought about by fascism 80 years ago.
Had that not been achieved, humanity would have entered a period of crime and deep crisis. Owing to the Great Victory of the Red Army 80 years ago, to the courage and heroism of the Soviet people, and to the sacrifice of 27 million lives, Europe – and indeed all of humanity – was saved.
Today, we find ourselves at a crucial crossroads. This is a most fitting moment: 80 years of our bilateral relations, and 80 years since that historic Victory. We now have the opportunity to give fresh impetus to our cooperation and take a significant leap forward across the board.
In the coming years, thanks to the treaty we are set to sign, we will see how relations are prospering between a great Russia, which today plays a pivotal role on the global stage, and Venezuela, which follows the ideals of Bolivar and Hugo Chavez.
We are honoured to be able to share this significant date with you and to join in commemorating the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. We also see this as a Victory.
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