Russian President Backs Caribbean Region

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 13, 2001

Russian President Backs Caribbean Region

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his support for the Caribbean region and an interest in cooperating with the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), said an official communique received at the third ACS Summit here Wednesday.

In the communique, Putin said his country is paying "close attention to the consolidation of this organization which intends to raise their voices in world affairs and in the regional integration process."

The Russian president hailed the efforts by the ACS members to cope with social and economic problems in the region.

"We are pleased with their negotiated position towards today's the serious problems, especially on the need to join efforts to seek answers to new threats and challenges, as well as the build-up of more fair and democratic international relations in the 21st century," he said.

As an observer to ACS, Putin said Russia was looking forward to establishing dynamic ties with ACS. In order to achieve this objective, the Russian leader proposed holding a meeting of experts from these countries.

The ACS two-day meeting was officially opened Tuesday on Margarita Island, 330 kilometers north of the Capital.

The heads of State and representatives from ACS's 28 members, including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, ACS Secretary-General Jamaican Norman Girvan, and Cuban President Fidel Castro attended the meeting.

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