09 June 2004 14:45
Mexico: Visiting Russian president pledges to promote exchange of technology
recommends to Fox the opening up of the energy sector" published by Mexican newspaper El Financiero web site on
8 June; subheading as published
With a pledge to promote mechanisms which will foster the exchange of technology, Russian President Vladimir Putin
has recommended to the Mexican government that Mexico should become more open to private investment in the energy
sector. He cited this as a factor that could trigger economic growth and development.
President Fox immediately agreed with this comment and said that his efforts in Mexico have focused specifically on
that openness, because this is the policy that prevails in every nation with the exception of Mexico.
During his historic state visit to Mexico, Putin obtained Mexico's support for Moscow's entry into the WTO.
Speaking at the official [presidential] residence of Los Pinos, Putin said that "interest in Mexico is caused not
only and not so much by the popularity of Mexican telenovelas [soap operas] but also by the growth of its economic
potential, by the consolidation of its sovereignty in the international arena and by its prestige in the
world."
Speaking about energy, he said: "If this sector becomes more open and had appropriate guarantees provided by the
government of Mexico, it would be better for investors. In our opinion, Mexico is a safe partner and I can say that with
full certainty: our leading energy companies and first of all the Gazprom company, have established initial contacts
with their partners in Mexico and are showing an interest in pursuing cooperation in this area."
The right side
In response, during the joint news conference which the two presidents held at Los Pinos, Fox Quesada answered:
"I believe that Russia is on the right side in the area of energy. It is on the same side as all the other
countries. Really, the one country that is the exception in this area is Mexico."
Fox said that "Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Russia, the United States, Canada, all of Europe and all the
other countries operate under the system - in the best of cases - of total openness to investment. At the same time they
always retain control of their energy resources, maintain their sovereignty and fulfil their responsibility to their
citizens and to their nations so that they will be able to provide energy sources for the future."
In addition to a political declaration that the two presidents signed about working together to strengthen the Untied
Nations, fighting organized crime and terrorism, as well as assessing high oil prices, both presidents spoke about the
advantages of setting up Russian military equipment plants in Mexican territory. It was said that negotiations are well
advanced to establish a major maintenance centre for helicopters for diverse uses in Veracruz. In that plant Mexican
capital would be associated with Russian companies.
On this point, Vicente Fox reported that "in the area of investments we have presented two projects to President
Putin. These projects are being developed by the companies involved and through our embassies. One project is for a
maintenance plant for helicopters of Russian manufacture, many of which are in use in Mexico and also in Central America
and South America.
"What we want to do with this project," he explained, "is for the Russian helicopter manufacturer to
be able to open more markets by being able to offer specialized maintenance and training and advanced training for the
helicopter pilots."
[El Financiero web site] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
