Lavrov, Nicaragua’s president to talk new prospective projects

MANAGUA, March 25. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is due to meet with Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega on Wednesday during his visit to the country to discuss the prospects of strengthening bilateral ties in a changing environment. The Russian Foreign Ministry says that the landmark visit of President Vladimir Putin to Nicaragua’s capital Managua in July 2014 gave a significant boost to developing cooperation between the two countries in various areas. "The talks will focus on prospects for the development of bilateral political dialogue, the most topical international problems, the issues of practical cooperation in various spheres, and strengthening the legal framework of bilateral relations," the ministry said. Russia and Nicaragua have a common vision of a fair world order, solidarity and mutual support in international affairs, the ministry said. "Closer partner relations between Russia and Nicaragua require a wider legal framework. The two countries are working on a number of draft bilateral agreements on cooperation between customs services, in the areas of education, public health, finance, veterinary and phytosanitary security," the Russian foreign ministry said. Fight Against Drug Trafficking Moscow notes that the cooperation with Nicaragua in the sphere of combating drug trafficking is very efficient. Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN) has launched courses for the anti-drug agencies of the Central American countries, the ministry said. Russia also has decided to establish a permanent regional training centre of the FSKN in Managua, it added. The Nicaragua Canal There is much speculation in Western media on the construction of the Nicaragua Canal, a shipping route to connect the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean. The ambitious project is being developed by a Hong Kong company. In December last year, it was reported that the construction works had been launched. "Our /Russian/ companies are also interested in joining this project," a source told TASS, adding that that this could be transport services and recreation development. "So if they turn to us, we’ve got something to offer," the source said. US media reports claim that Russian vessels will protect the canal. Meanwhile, Lavrov said the security issue was not discussed during the early stage of the project. Russian Warships at Latin American Ports Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu said during his Latin American tour in February Moscow and Nicaragua signed an agreement on easing rules to allow visits of Russian warships to the ports in the country. Moscow stresses that the Russian side does not violate any international rules and does not pose any threat. Read more