CELAC and Russia Sign Deal to Strengthen Ties

The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, known as CELAC, signed an agreement with the Russian Federation to create a permanent mechanism for political dialogue and cooperation with the aim of promoting trade, investment and sustainable development.

The declaration was signed Tuesday by the foreign ministers of Russia and the member states of CELAC, a regional integration organization comprised of all the states in the Western Hemisphere with the notable exception of Canada and the United States. 

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The establishment of cooperation mechanisms with Russia has been a long-standing priority for CELAC, which has also been pursuing greater cooperation with China.

In addition to the creation of a permanent mechanism for cooperation, the deal is also aimed at promoting the exchange of experiences in areas such as science and technology, education, among others, with the goal of reducing poverty and inequality.

The deal also specifies “an increase in multilateral cooperation in support of the most vulnerable countries in the region, especially the least developed countries” with an eye toward sustainable development. 

Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño said the deal represented “the excellent moment that bi-regional relations are alive, while demonstrating the relevance of the CELAC in the international arena." Ecuador currently occupies the pro-tempore presidency of the regional bloc.

Under Ecuador's leadership CELAC has sought to occupy a more prominent place in the international area. During an address earlier this week, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said CELAC's 2020 Agenda could serve as a point of reference for the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, developed to replace the Millennium Development Goals.