Question: In connection with the forthcoming visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Honduras Mireya Agüero de Corrales to Russia, could you please tell us, how do our relations with this country of Central America stand?

Answer: First of all, I will note that the visit of Mireya Agüero de Corrales to our country is the first official visit,in the history of our bilateral relations,by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Honduras to Russia, and will take place from the 12 to 16 October. We expect that it will provide a significant impulse to the development of the entire set of bilateral ties.

The visit fits in with Russia's policy for the extension of cooperation with the countries of Latin America, including Central America, to provide it with a substantial and focused nature.

Diplomatic relations between our countries were established on 30 September 1990. Since 1993, Moscow and Tegucigalpa accredit ambassadors with combined duties – the Ambassador of Russia to Nicaragua and the Ambassador of Honduras to France. In 2013, the Government of Honduras made a decision to establish an embassy in Russia, the opening ceremony of which with the participation of Ms. Mireya Agüero de Corrales will take place of the 14 October. Thus, from now on all the countries of Central America will have permanent diplomatic representation offices in Moscow.

Question: What topics will be at the centre of attention of the negotiations with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Answer: The ministers will discuss prospects of development of the Russian-Honduran political dialogue, extension of cooperation in different areas, strengthening of the contractual legal framework in our bilateral relations, as well as the most topical issues on the international agenda.

As a result of their negotiations, Sergey Lavrov and Mireya Agüero de Corrales will sign a Joint Statement.

Question: What is the contractual legal framework of Russian-Honduran relations?

Answer:The extension of the contractual legal framework of our bilateral relations is one of the most important themes in our joint work with the Honduran party. In September 2005, the foreign ministers of Russia and Honduras signed a Declaration on the foundation of relations between our two countries.Currently, the work is being carried out to coordinate the Agreement on the foundation of relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Honduras.

The intergovernmental trade Agreement (1987), the Agreement for cultural, scientific and technical cooperation (1994), the Agreement on visa-free travel using diplomatic and business passports (1999) are already in force between our countries.

The intergovernmental agreement on the cancellation of visa requirements for reciprocal travel of the nationals of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Honduras, which it is envisaged will strengthen contacts between our business circles, develop bilateral scientific, cultural and humanitarian ties, is at the coordinationstage.

Question: What is the place of interaction in the trade and economic area in our bilateral cooperation?

Answer:During the visit, special attention will be devoted to the extension of bilateral trade and economic relations. Foreign trade turnover of Russia with Honduras in 2012 (according to data of the Federal Customs Service of Russia) achieved 51.6 million US dollars, and it reached almost 43.2 million dollars in the first half of 2013. In the structure of Russian export, more than 80% accruesunder mineral fertilisers, but as to import – food (coffee, melons) and textile articles (clothes) prevail for 95%.

The setting-up of contacts between businessmen of our countries is important to increase the efficiency of our trade and economic interaction. For that purpose, Mireya Agüero de Corrales will hold meetings at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia and the National Committee contributing to economic cooperation with the countries of Latin America, at which representatives of Honduran and Russian business circles will participate.

Question: How effective is the development of cooperation in the humanitarian area?

Answer: Cultural ties between Russia and Honduras have unfortunately not acquired a sustainable nature yet. In 2003, artists of the Bolshoi Theatre successfully toured the capital city of Honduras Tegucigalpa and the second most important city of the country San Pedro Sula. The set-up of cooperation in the area of culture is one of the topical issues on our bilateral agenda.

We attach great importance to the activation of links in the sphereof the higher education establishments of Russia and Honduras and we speak in favour of the renewal of cooperation in the preparation of Honduran students and postgraduates. Mireya Agüero de Corrales plans to meet heads of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, and make a speech to students and teachers of the PFUR, in which 141 Honduran nationals have received higher education, 21 of whom received postgraduate education and a scientific degree. In total, more than 300 Honduranshave studied in higher education establishments in our country.

11 October 2013