"We will be able to open representative offices in all new regions of Russia"
Nicaragua is interested in importing Crimean wine and other goods from the republic, as well as distributing them in the markets of Central American countries. They also intend to open honorary consulates in Managua in the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions, Laureano Ortega Murillo, special representative of the President of Nicaragua for the development of relations with the Russian Federation, told Izvestia. On September 22, agreements on trade and economic cooperation between the new regions of Russia and the Republic of Nicaragua were signed in Moscow with the participation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Managua was the first country to internationally recognize these territories as part of the Russian Federation. About the development of relations between Nicaragua and the Russian regions — in an exclusive interview with Laureano Ortega Murillo "Izvestia".
"We already have experience of cooperation with Crimea and Sevastopol"
— On September 22, Nicaragua signed five documents: agreements with the DPR, LPR, Kherson region, Zaporizhia region and Sevastopol on trade and economic cooperation. Have specific projects for cooperation been discussed with the heads of the new regions of the Russian Federation? What is your country interested in and what can Russian entities offer?
— We have yet to determine the areas of cooperation. We have just signed these comprehensive agreements, and in the next stage we will identify specific sectors in which we can implement projects in the short and medium term.
Laureano Ortega Murillo, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Nicaragua for Cooperation with the Russian Federation, and Leonid Pasechnik, Head of the LPR, at the signing ceremony of cooperation agreements at the Reception House of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow
At the same time, we already have experience in cooperation with the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. We are working together to export Nicaraguan products to this region, as well as to identify products that we could import from there. For example, we are interested in excellent quality Crimean wine. It can be supplied from Nicaragua to other Central American markets. There are 6.8 million inhabitants in Nicaragua, and 50 million in the entire Central American region, which provides a higher return on investment.
— Does Nicaragua have plans to open honorary consulates in the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions?
— We already have our honorary consulate in Crimea (opened in November 2020. — Izvestia). We became the first country to receive such an honor. We will also be able to open representative offices in the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions. This will allow us to have a direct connection with these regions, communicate more and better coordinate joint work.
— During the signing ceremony of the cooperation agreements on September 22, you invited the heads of the new regions and Crimea to visit Nicaragua. Are you or your colleagues ready to visit these regions of the Russian Federation?
— Of course, with great pleasure. We discussed this today with the heads of the regions. We have invited them and their delegations to visit Nicaragua, and we will prepare visits to these regions of the Russian Federation in order to enhance the exchange of experience and opinions, identify areas of cooperation and get to know the people living in these regions better. We know that they are a heroic people, and the lands on which they live are distinguished by a rich history and beautiful nature.
"Nicaragua and Russia have a long history of cooperation"
— Is Nicaragua interested in developing only economic ties, or is there a desire on the part of Managua to strengthen military cooperation with the Russian Federation?
— Nicaragua and Russia have a long history of cooperation, starting with the first stage of the revolution in our country in the 1980s. Then it was cooperation with the USSR, it lasted all these years, and then only intensified since 2007, when Daniel Ortega returned to power. Military cooperation with the Russian Federation is important for us, but I will not be able to give more details because they are under the authority of the army.
— Will Managua promote the recognition of new territories within the Russian Federation on international platforms so that other states, in particular in Latin America, follow your country's example?
— Nicaragua has a clear and understandable position on this issue. Our co-presidents expressed it in a letter dated July 30, which was sent to Vladimir Putin. This letter reflects the brotherly spirit, solidarity and full recognition of the reality in which, thanks to the will of the people, they were reunited with Russia. We respect their democratic choice. As for other countries, each government must make its own decision. We demonstrate with our own that we clearly stand behind Russia.
— Do you think this signing can become an example for other countries in Latin America?
— We hope that it will be so.
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