On Monday 5 October 2015, Prime Minister Bettel met with Russian Prime Minister Medvedev in Sochi, along with Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Rogozin, and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Alexey Likhachev.
Discussions focused mainly on bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Russia and the strengthening of economic ties between the two countries. With regards to cooperation in the field of culture, research and education, Xavier Bettel also raised the multiannual programme of the 2016.2018 cultural agreement between Russia and Luxembourg to be signed in the near future. This agreement provides scholarships for Russian students who wish to pursue their studies at the University of Luxembourg.
The following day, Tuesday 6 October 2015, the Prime Minister then met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in order to take stock of major European and international agendas, as well as security issues. The two politicians discussed the situation in Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
On the situation in Syria, the Prime Minister stressed that the actions against extremism should be done in close consultation and through a close clollaboration between all stakeholders, commenting "There is a common enemy, which is terrorism and Islamic State. We need to find common ways to fight them". This followed the news that President Putin was sending ground forces into Syria to eliminate militants.
Xavier Bettel's visit ended with a working lunch offered by the Russian President, who was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Rogozin, Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexey Meshkov, and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Alexey Likhachev.
Photos by SIP / Charles Caratini (Top L-R: President of Republic of Russia, Vladimir Putin; Luxembourg Prime Minister, Minister of State, Xavier Bettel)
