Russian President speaks at the opening of the international parliamentary conference "Russia - Latin America"

On Friday, 29 September, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at the opening of the international parliamentary conference "Russia - Latin America", which is taking place from 29 September to 2 October in Moscow.

In his address, he welcomed the intentions of a number of Latin American states to join the activities of the BRICS alliance as full members or partners. The Head of State emphasised that the bloc is a platform for coordinating positions and adopting mutually acceptable solutions based on the principles of sovereignty, independence and respect for each other.

He also expressed the wish that the countries of the Latin American region develop progressively and dynamically, strengthen their positions in the global economy and politics. Putin noted that Russia, for its part, is ready to build cooperation within the framework of integration associations of the Latin American region, such as the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of the Americas and the South American Common Market. In addition, the Russian Federation will establish partnership relations with these states on a bilateral basis.

Putin also reminded about the upcoming Russian presidency in BRICS next year.

The next summit of BRICS leaders will be held in Kazan.

According to the president, the country will make every effort to make the group feel like a majority not only in terms of the number of inhabitants of the countries, but also in terms of its development prospects.