Russian, Brazilian leaders to discuss energy and aviation projects

14.05.2010 10:31

The Russia and Brazil presidents will meet in Moscow on Friday to discuss joint projects in the energy and aviation industry, as well as the use of national currencies in reciprocal payments, a Kremlin source said.

Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will discuss the participation of Russian companies in projects to build hydroelectric and thermal power stations in Brazil and the possible production of Embraer ERJ-145 regional airliners in Russia.

"Special emphasis at the forthcoming talks will be placed on boosting bilateral cooperation, including the implementation of large-scale joint projects in high-tech spheres," the source said.

Shortly after da Silva's visit to Moscow began on Thursday, the source announced that the Russian energy giant Gazprom planned to open a regional office in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro by the end of 2010.

In 2008, Medvedev said Brazil was chosen for the creation of Gazprom's regional office as it is more centrally located in Latin America.

The two leaders will also discuss bringing bilateral trade, which stood at $4.6 billion in 2009, to the pre-crisis level of $6.8 billion. Trade between the two states quadrupled in 2004-2008, but dropped 32% last year.

"Developing a mechanism to use national currencies in reciprocal payments has crucial importance in boosting trade and economic cooperation," the source said.

This will be the second meeting between the Russian and Brazilian leaders in the past month. In mid-April the two presidents met in the Brazilian capital during the summit of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China).

Source : Rianovosti