MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Russian Foreign Affairs minister on South American tour

Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov

Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov and a delegation of businessmen arrived Tuesday in Peru for an official one day visit to hold talks with President Alan García and sign several cooperation agreements.

In a short release the Peruvian government underlined the "good relations" with Russia and both countries commitment to "trade cooperation". "The purpose of Lavrov's visit is developing Russia and Peru's potential for greater mutual economic and commercial cooperation" said a spokesman for the Russian delegation. "Russia and Peru share a common approach towards many of the world's problems" with both countries supporting a strengthening of the United Nation's role in international affairs. Other issues in the agenda include global anti terrorism combat, organized crime and drug-trafficking as well as the possibility of purchasing spares and maintenance equipment for the Peruvian Armed Forces, mainly the Air Force, which has a fleet of Soviet fighter planes and helicopters. Lavrov and Peruvian Foreign Affairs minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaúnde will be signing the cooperation agreements during a ceremony where the Russian diplomat will be awarded the "El Sol del Peru" order. Bilateral trade was only 80 million US dollars in 2006 with Peru exporting mainly fish meal and other fishery produce and metals, while Russia sells fertilizers and some basic industrial goods. From Lima Levrov flies to Paraguay where he will be meeting President Nicanor Duarte and Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez with a long agenda of issues for the development of bilateral ties, including the establishment of a Russian Embassy in Asuncion. Levrov's next stop is Uruguay to hold meetings with President Tabare Vazquez, Vice President and president of the National Assembly Nin Novoa, as well as Foreign Minister Reinaldo Gargano. The visit is projected to promote Russian-Uruguayan cooperation and trade