Mexican Ambassador: Russia Has All Means to Overcome Economic Difficulties

Mexican ambassador to Russia Ruben Beltran claims that Moscow has everything it takes to overcome the economic difficulties it currently faces.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moscow has everything it takes to overcome the economic difficulties it currently faces, Mexican ambassador to Russia Ruben Beltran told Sputnik Friday.

"Russia has all the elements and relations [needed] to successfully counter the current economic crisis," Beltran said.

In 2014, Russian economy experienced a slowdown caused by the sharp decline in global oil prices, and, partly, by the Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over its alleged role in the escalation of Ukrainian crisis — a claim that Moscow has repeatedly denied. In spring 2015, however, the Russian rouble began to strengthen against the dollar and the euro and Russia's Finance Minister Anton Siluanov stated that the recession had passed its peak.

Tense relations with the West prompted Russia to strengthen its cooperation with its partners from BRICS, Latin America and Asia.

"Many are talking about Russia’s turn towards China, but we see that Latin America is also playing a very important role in these relations and we also see that countries such as Myanmar and Bahrain have very promising relations with Russia and so do some of the German companies," Beltran said.

Beltran added that Russian business circles are "developing appetite" for strengthening ties with the countries of Latin America.

He also noted that Mexico and Russia are bonded by "very close friendship" and this should be celebrated, especially given the fact that the year of 2015 marks 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.