Russian President Visits Mexico

June 7, 2004
By Morgan Lee
Associated Press

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Vladimir Putin, the first Russian head-of-state to visit Mexico, said Monday the two major oil producing nations should share knowledge on oil exploration and the energy sector.

Putin said his nation's trade with Mexico is below what it should be and there was potential for cooperation also in nuclear energy and Russian help in building hydropower stations.

Mexico, which largely spurned Russian military equipment during the Cold War, has also begun to adopt some Russian arms, which are less expensive than those sold by the United States or most European suppliers.

Putin and Mexican President Vicente Fox signed a written initiative "toward a new era of cooperation."

Mexico and Russia are among the world's biggest non-OPEC oil producers.

"I believe Russian experts, just as much as Mexican experts, are interested in this area," the Russian president said, referring to the potential for sharing technical knowledge on oil exploration, processing and transportation.

The Mexican president said he hopes Russian interests will bring to this country a plant that would assemble heavy machinery for the military and construction industries, noting that factory was intended for Ciudad Sahagun, about 50 miles northeast of Mexico City.

Mexico's air force and navy operate at least 56 Russian-made transport helicopters, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Russia and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1891. On Monday, Fox recalled the Soviet Union as a source of inspiration for Mexican muralists Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros.

"Geographic distance has never been an obstacle for our countries to know each other better," Fox said.

Both countries rely heavily on oil production and have shared misgivings about the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Putin was scheduled to depart Mexico Tuesday to attend the 30th annual economic summit in Sea Island, Ga., of the world's seven richest industrial countries and Russia.

Mexican and Russian officials signed agreements on the extradition of convicts, the evasion of double taxation, interbank cooperation and cultural affairs.

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/lateststories/index.ssf?/base/international-3/10866596415740.xml