Alexander Yakovenko, official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Russian journalists that at the meetings with the Rio Group (Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, Guatemala, Columbia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, El Salvador, Uruguay, Chile and Ecuador) foreign ministers the sides confirmed their resolve actively to interact in the struggle of the international community against international terrorism.
The Rio Group foreign ministers expressed deep condolences and solidarity with the people of Russia over the terrorist act in Beslan.
In the context of measures to prompt economic and social development, they discussed results of the world leaders' meeting on the struggle against hunger and poverty, held in New York on September 22, 2004.
They considered ways of carrying through the Rio Group's initiative to establish international innovative financial mechanisms to assist Latin American countries in strengthening democratic power institutions, conduct socially-oriented projects, Alexander Yakovenko said.
He noted that, at the meeting with Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, mutual interest was confirmed in the further development of bilateral cooperation, which has recently assumed a truly partners-like nature.
To Alexander Yakovenko, at the meeting with Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Derbez, the sides stated the coincidence or proximity of Russia's and Mexico's approaches to the majority of international and regional problems.
Special attention was given to reform of the United Nations. The two foreign ministers believe that a reformed UN will be more efficient, Alexander Yakovenko said.
