Joint Statement by the Russian Federation and CELAC on the
establishment of a Permanent Mechanism for Political Dialogue and
Cooperation between Russia and CELAC

The
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the foreign
ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
(CELAC), who met in New York on September 29, 2015 within the framework
of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly,

Acting
with due regard for the intention that CELAC expressed during summits
and ministerial meetings with the Russian Federation, including a
meeting between the foreign ministers of the Russian Federation and
CELAC’s expanded “troika” in Moscow on May, 2013, to strengthen
cooperation in areas of mutual interest and to boost political dialogue
and mutually beneficial relations, including the establishment of a
permanent mechanism in the interests of the consistent development of
the Sides,

Working
to further the Russian proposal, which was approved at the Third
Meeting of the CELAC Foreign Ministers on September 27, 2013, to
establish a Permanent Mechanism for Political Dialogue and Cooperation
between Russia and CELAC, and with due regard for the intention to
further strengthen relations between the Sides in the spirit of respect
for and commitment to the standards and principles of international law
and the UN Charter, hereby resolve:

1.
To launch the Permanent Mechanism for Political Dialogue and
Cooperation, to be called the Russia-CELAC Mechanism, based on the
principles of equality, comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation
without any conditions and free participation and aimed at strengthening
and diversifying cooperation between the Russian Federation and CELAC
and at developing a political dialogue.

2. With these aims in view, the Sides shall:

a)     
promote a political dialogue for assisting the establishment of a
transparent, democratic, fair and equal world order based on the
provisions of the UN Charter and the primacy of international law that
will help maintain peace and international security and strengthen
multilateralism, with a bigger role played by developing countries;

b)     
provide an impetus to the growth and diversification of trade with a
view to stimulating the exchange of large added value goods and services
and interregional investment, including in infrastructure,
communications, energy and other industries;

c)      
develop programmes for cooperation and exchange of positive experiences
in areas of mutual interest such as research, technology, industrial
integration and education to help fight poverty and inequality and to
promote the sustainable development of both regions;

d)     
strengthen multilateral cooperation towards assisting the most
vulnerable countries of the region, primarily the least developed
countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing
countries, aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and also
taking into account their concerns about the negative consequences of
climate change.

This list is not exhaustive and can be augmented by mutual agreement of the Sides.

The
Sides acknowledge that this mechanism will facilitate the positive use
of the broad range of opportunities offered by Russia-CELAC relations.

The
Sides have agreed to hold the meetings of their foreign ministers, with
the agenda, timeframe and venue of these meetings to be coordinated in
advance.

The Sides agree that the expediency of Russia-CELAC summit meetings will be determined by future agreements.