"We are convinced that the role of Latin America in Russia's foreign policy will steadily increase. Vladimir Putin's coming visit to Mexico City and the APEC forum in Chile is a confirmation to that," Lavrov told a press conference after talks with his Ecuadorian counterpart.
Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Patricio Zuquilanda, who is in Moscow on a visit, gave his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov an invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Latin America, he told journalists Wednesday.
"I gave an invitation for Putin to Latin America, in particular, to Ecuador, which is the gate to the whole Latin America," Zuquilanda said.
By the estimate of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, bilateral relations are developing successfully. He said this on Wednesday while starting talks with his Ecuadorian counterpart Patricio Zuquilanda.
"Our bilateral relations are developing successfully and I hope we will discuss these issues today, as well as the international agenda," Lavrov said.
He said this is the first visit to Russia by the Ecuadorian minister for the whole history of bilateral relations that have lasted for almost 60 years.
"It's gratifying that you have brought to Moscow a large group of Ecuadorian businessmen with you," Lavrov said.
He recalled that Zuquilanda visited St. Petersburg, where he had an extensive program.
The Ecuadorian minister said they were getting ready for a long time to make a political decision to pay a visit to Russia.
"I have studied the history, politics, economics of your country," Patricio Zuquilanda said.
