New clout for Eurasia union as Latin America eyes partnership

BOGOTA, March 25. /TASS/. Eurasian Economic Union, the new Russia-led political and economic bloc formed together with Kazakhstan, Belarus and Armenia, looks set to play a growing role on the world stage, judging by nations seemingly knocking at the door. Colombia, Peru and Chile are potential partners with the widening regional assembly formed by Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Armenia - now with Kyrgyzstan set to join later this year, according to Russia's Foreign Ministry. More global clout was emerging over the horizon as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov set off for Colombian capital Bogota for talks with President Juan Manuel Santos and Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin. It's the first such trip since 2008 and marks 80 years since Russia and Colombia established diplomatic relations. The journey brings Russia and Columbia together anew less than a year since head of state Vladimir Putin and Colombian counterpart Santos met for the first time on sidelines of the BRICS summit in Brazil, another emerging regional force assembling Brazil together with Russia, India, China and South Africa. Plans to establish a regional free trade zone may reach the agenda for Wednesday discussions, an informed source told TASS. "This will allow these Latin American countries to significantly expand their exports," the source said. Stronger economic ties with Colombia are thought realistic for Russia, which has levied agricultural sector sanctions against the West in response to penalties imposed over events in Ukraine - now seeking alternative food providers to fill gaps resulting from its food embargo. Russia's August ban bars imports of meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables from the United States, the 28-nation European Union, Canada, Australia and Norway for one year. Since then, Moscow has been in talks with Latin and South American countries, the Middle East and Asia to replace prohibited produce. Wednesday talks will focus on energy and technology co-operation, and battling the drugs trade. Wider perspectives, too, for partnerships within international organisations such as the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, South America's Pacific Alliance comprising Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, and inside the United Nations. Prospects for military and technical co-operation alongside deepening cultural and tourist ties between Colombia and Russia may also reach the agenda, say Russian Foreign Ministry sources. Read more