Russia: “Bolivia is one of our key partners and allies in the Latin American region”

The Russian diplomatic mission expects the president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, to visit Russia this year, stated the Russian ambassador to the Andean country, Mikhail Ledeniov.

He added that Bolivia is “one of our key partners and allies in the Latin American region.”

“Our agenda includes a big visit from President Arce; he has the invitation to travel to Russia. We hope that the visit will occur during the year,” Ledeniov said in an interview with Sputnik.

He added that the presidents of both chambers of the Bolivian Parliament could also visit Russia in the first half of the year.

In this context, the diplomat noted that relations between the two countries are developing positively.

“Bolivia is one of our key partners and allies in the Latin American region,” Ledeniov stressed.

He continued that the two countries had similar approaches to international organizations during the past year.

“Bolivians abstained or voted against anti-Russian initiatives and resolutions” and, on several occasions, supported Russian candidates for various positions in international organizations.

RUSSIA AND BOLIVIA BREAK THE DOLLAR HEGEMONY

Russian and Bolivian companies began conducting business transactions in their national currencies, the ruble and the Bolivian, breaking the dollar’s hegemony, Ledeniov reported.

“Financial operations can now be carried out directly in national currencies,” he commented.

Ledeniov pointed out that Banco Unión, Bolivia’s largest bank and Gazprombank of Russia, opened direct correspondent accounts in rubles and Bolivianos.

He remarked that the agreement was made possible after a series of telematic meetings between the two central banks in 2022.

“This already facilitates the operations of Russian companies in the market,” emphasized the Russian ambassador, whose country faces numerous sanctions from the United States and European countries due to the operation in Ukraine.

Ledeniov also highlighted the interest of Bolivian companies in exporting tropical fruits and minerals.

“In particular, it is about the possible export of tropical crops [bananas, mangoes, and papaya], soybeans, local wines, singani, a typical alcoholic drink, and coffee (…) Apart from lithium, other minerals are also produced here, such as tin, gold, and silver,” he noted.

Bolivian companies, he said, are intensifying consultations with the Embassy to establish contact with Russian companies.

Currently, he stressed it is urgent to find solutions to logistical problems and establish these new contacts.

“I hope that the Bolivians will present their proposals in this regard during the next meeting of the Russia-Bolivia Intergovernmental Commission, which we hope will be held this year,” he noted.

According to Bolivian Foreign Ministry data, trade with Russia amounted to more than US$120 million between January and November 2022.

The US sanctions, the diplomat noted, “in general, did not affect trade exchange”.The ambassador also referred to Russian collaboration in the health sector for the early detection of diseases.

“There is a project for early diagnosis of diseases, which is a very current issue for Bolivia. The country has areas that are difficult to access and complicated to build and manage a stationary hospital.”

“Still, various mobile diagnostic methods can be used with different technologies and special vehicles. This project is now in the negotiation phase, and I hope an agreement will be reached,” he said.

Ledeniov also advanced that the two countries may soon sign a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in sports.

“The memorandum on cooperation in the sphere of sports and physical education is almost ready for signing. It envisages personnel preparation, training, and sports competitions. I hope we can sign it soon,” he said, adding that the South American country has good sports centers.

In addition, he said, Bolivia is a highland country, and it could be interesting for Russian athletes to train here in high altitude conditions.

At the beginning of January, the Russian Federation Council (Senate) president, Valentina Matvienko, met with the Bolivian president, Luis Arce, in Brasilia.

During the meeting, Matvienko said that Russia intends to deepen and broaden its relations with Bolivia and that the two countries share the same vision of a future in a fairer multipolar world.

With information from Sputnik