This morning in Moscow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heraldo Muñoz, met with the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov, in an official visit to Russia of the Secretary of State of Chile. "We had a very positive exchange of views on various bilateral, regional and global issues," said Minister Muñoz.
During the meeting, the ministers discussed various issues of multilateral concern where they highlighted the interest of both countries to strengthen political dialogue and cooperation on issues concerning the international, regional and bilateral agenda. In the same vein, they agreed to establish a mechanism for political consultations to deepen relations between the two countries. "It will give bilateral relations a continuity that will be highly profitable."
The authorities also discussed the situation in Venezuela, the role of UNASUR, the UN Security Council and the next CELAC-EU Summit to be held in Brussels.
With regard to the situation in Venezuela, the Chilean Secretary of State said that Chile and Russia agree "that UNASUR can play a constructive role for a dialogue between the government and the opposition."
The two foreign ministers exchanged views on CELAC and its relationship with the Russian Federation. "We are hopeful that CELAC with have a dialogue with Russia, as they do today with the European Union and with China," he remarked.
Foreign Minister Muñoz also noted that trade between the two countries is US $ 800 million.
As part of his agenda in the Russian capital, Minister Heraldo Muñoz laid a wreath at the monument of the Unknown Soldier.
During the afternoon, he met with the President of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Viktor Khristenko, where they arranged the signing of a memorandum of understanding, which will take place in late June in St. Petersburg. The Secretary of State made a positive assessment of this meeting, saying that "this is a big step, allowing us to glimpse the possibility of reaching a free trade agreement with these countries."