Russia is exploring the possibility of participating in the construction of an interoceanic canal in Nicaragua. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who is also co-chairman of the Russian-Nicaraguan Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, said that the Russian side is considering ways to participate in the project. The Grand Interoceanic Canal will connect the Atlantic Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean via the San Juan River, Lake Nicaragua and part of the landmass. The new waterway will be wider and shorter than the 100-year-old Panama Canal. The main investor of the project is the Chinese group of companies HKND. The cost of the work is estimated at $ 40 billion. As announced by the Nicaraguan authorities, the construction of the canal should begin at the end of this year 2014.

Uruguay's Vice-President Danilo Astori visited Russia. According to the Uruguayan guest, he is very pleased with the growth of trade and economic ties between the two countries. However, the existing opportunities for cooperation are still far from being exhausted. "A variety of economic associations, which include both us and Russia, could expand mutually beneficial ties, including investment," Astori said. - In our region, and especially in Uruguay, there is a need for investment in infrastructure - transport, communications, port services, energy... These are all areas in which Russia has a wealth of experience. I would not like to ignore the cultural sphere, which definitely gives greater strength to relations between countries and regions. Here I will mention the mutual study of languages, history, and traditions. There is also a concrete example: the management of our national Ballet will definitely sign an agreement with the Bolshoi Theater of Russia. I hope that during my current visit I was able to advance the process of concluding such an agreement, which is very important for both countries."

Bolivian President Evo Morales has expressed his country's desire to make Russia a partner of developing countries that are members of the G-77. The Bolivian leader made this proposal at the group's summit, which was held in Santa Cruz in July this year under his chairmanship. The summit focused, among other things, on China's joining this major organization as a special partner. According to Morales, " the G-77 now has 133 countries in its ranks, plus China. And my great desire is for Russia to join us as well."

The Group was founded on June 15, 1964 by developing countries to protect and promote their own economic interests. Initially, it had 77 participants, but now it includes 133 States. Currently, it is the largest interstate organization operating within the framework of the UN and its bodies. According to observers, the summit in the "G-77 plus China" format was very successful.

Mexico went to the Russian regions. Construction of the automobile components plant of the Mexican company "Nemak" begins in Ulyanovsk, and a solemn workshop has already been held.-

monia laying the foundation stone of the enterprise. The plant will produce parts for the Russian automotive industry. The start of production is scheduled for 2015. The total investment in the project will amount to 2.2 billion rubles. The company will be able to produce up to 500 thousand tons. details per year.

The leaders of Gazprom and the Uruguayan company ANCAP have agreed to jointly produce hydrocarbons onshore and offshore in this South American country. This decision was officially announced by both sides. In addition, Gazprom employees discussed training of Uruguayan specialists in both the gas and oil sectors. According to ANCAP Director Juan Gomez, they also agreed to study the seismic situation in Uruguay and the possibilities of building new gas pipelines. The two companies also plan to transfer Gazprom's technology for producing liquefied natural gas for refueling cars to Uruguayans. After signing the agreement on mutual understanding, the parties will work on specifying projects and concluding contracts.

The Federal Agency "Rosselkhoznadzor" is holding consultations with embassies of Latin American countries in connection with the intention of the Russian Federation to step up food cooperation with this region. Russia is already starting to import large volumes of fish, dairy products, including butter, cheese and powdered milk, as well as beef and pork meat from Brazil. Rosselkhoznadzor warned that food imports from Brazil and other Latin American countries will be possible only if there are guarantees from the veterinary and sanitary services of the countries of origin of the products. Of course, inspections and controls will be carried out by Rosselkhoznadzor.

Consultations are held at the Embassies of Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador and Argentina in Moscow. Thus, all quantitative restrictions on the supply of food products to all Brazilian enterprises have been lifted. Russia is taking similar measures to protect its national interests in response to sanctions imposed by countries that have banned their producers from cooperating with Russia. Our country has stopped importing food from these countries. First of all, we are talking about the United States, 28 EU countries, Canada, Australia, Japan and a number of other states that have declared an embargo on Russia in connection with the return of Crimea to the Russian Federation and the crisis in Ukraine.

Mexico will supply Russia with seafood. Such plans also exist for other countries of the Customs Union-Belarus and Kazakhstan. According to Rosselkhoznadzor, the prospects for trade were discussed at a meeting of the service's management with the head of the Mexican sanitary Service, Alvaro Perez Vega. Mexican Ambassador to Russia Ruben Beltran Guerrero took part in the talks. According to the press release, representatives of the Mexican side stated that the Mexican government is interested in developing new markets for marine products. Every year, Mexico exports 45,000 tons of such goods to the European Union, as well as to Costa Rica, China, Guatemala, El Salvador, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam. Representatives of the Rosselkhoznadzor, in turn, familiarized their Mexican colleagues with the requirements that are imposed on the supply of seafood, and handed over a list of issues for starting consideration of the export procedure to the territory of the Customs Union. After receiving an official response from the Mexican Veterinary Service, the parties will continue to work in this direction.

ALEXANDER MOISEEV, Editor-in-Chief of the NK SESLA newspaper "El RusoLatino" (cuba2006@inbox.ru)

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