Vladimir Putin: Prime Minister Aznar, Spanish colleagues, I want to welcome you once again to Moscow.
We have just discussed in detail all the aspects of bilateral relations between Spain and the Russian Federation. I am glad to see how quickly the links between our Governments are developing and the increase in inter-parliamentary contacts. One can only welcome more inter-parliamentary exchanges, and we shall encourage in every possible way the development of contacts between the Russian Parliament’s two chambers and the Parliament of Spain.
Mr Aznar, we appreciate your efforts to support the development of Spanish-Russian economic ties. The Russian-Spanish business seminar you will speak at today ought to play a positive role in this endeavour.
Bilateral business contacts have received a boost from the decision by Spain’s state-run export credit insurance company to place Russia in a higher insurance-risk category and to raise the insurance-guarantee limit for Spanish projects being implemented in Russia.
The accords reached yesterday on converting Russia’s debt liabilities into insurance guarantees and paying off part of the debt by means of Russian commodity deliveries to Spain is a positive step in bilateral economic cooperation.
We would like to welcome Prime Minister Aznar and his colleagues to the capital of Russia and are confident that your visit, Mr Aznar, will promote ties between our countries in all areas.