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Working visit of Prime Minister Juncker in the Russian Federation
| The Prime Minister of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, accompanied by the Minister of Economy, Mr Etienne Schneider, undertakes a working visit in the Russian Federation from September 25th – 27th, 2012. | ||||
Moscow, September 25th, 2012
| During their first day in Moscow, Prime Minister Juncker and his official Delegation met with the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mr Dmitry Medvedev in his official Residence “Gorki”. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and the Minister for Finance Anton Siluanov participated at the meeting. Both delegations welcomed the negotiations of the non double taxation agreement which was signed during the visit of the Minister of Finance of Luxembourg, Mr Luc Frieden, in Moscow last November 21st, 2011. The ratification of the agreement by the Douma is foreseen in the coming months. Bilateral relations were also discussed and both delegations agreed to further develop the cooperation in the areas of eco-technologies and the technologies of information and communication where Prime Minister Medvedev expressed his wish to benefit here from the Luxembourg know-how. A direct flight linking Moscow to Luxembourg was also mentioned in order to improve the investment climate between both countries. The negotiations will be launched in the coming months. |
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| Regarding the issue of liberalisation of visas between the European Union and the Russian Federation, Prime Minister Juncker indicated that the Luxembourg government hopes that the visa procedures will be eased , and this in particular for the service passports. Both Prime Ministers convened that a bilateral agreement between the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and the Russian Federation will be negotiated, in case no agreement will be reached between the European Union and Russia. This aspect is of great importance to the Luxembourg cargo airline Cargolux. | ||||
| The Prime Minister and his official delegation was than received by the President of the Russian Federation, Mr Vladimir Putin, at the Kremlin. The “strategic partnership” between Luxembourg and Russia was welcomed and the Russian President reiterated his invitation to Their Royal Highnesses the Grand-Duke and the Grand-Duchess of Luxembourg to do a State Visit in Russia at the beginning of 2013. The transcript of the Press conference at the Kremlin can be read on the website of the Kremlin. |
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Tambov, September 26th, 2012
In Tambov, the Prime Minister and his official Delegation were received by the Governor of the Tambov Region, Mr Oleg Betin. For this visit, Mr Juncker was also accompanied by a delegation of the Association of the Veterans of Tambov.
In Tambov-Rada, the Prime Minister inaugurated a monument in memory of forcibly recruited young Luxembourgers during the Second World War who died in captivity in Tambov and Kirsanov. In his speech Mr Juncker recalled that 70 years ago, on August 30th, 1942, the Nazi occupation in Luxembourg announced the forced recruitment in the German army. He also thanked the authorities of Tambov for their constant and valuable assistance which represents the strong link between Luxembourg and the Tambov region.
In his speech, the President of the Association of the Veterans of Tambov, Mr Gaston Junck, paid a tribute to his comrades of which “200 remain in the land of Tambov”.
The monument is a stone carved in sandstone of Luxemburg with a cross in Corten steel and a plate representing the borders of the country with the following inscription (in Luxemburgish)
"1943-1945
Tambov - Kirsanov
Als Erënnerung un eis zwangsrekrutéiert Jongen, Affer vum Nationalsozialismus.
Dir sidd net vergiess!
D'Lëtzebuerger Regierung"
The Prime Minister and the representatives of the Association of Veterans than met the students at the State University of Tambov.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Tambov region. This agreement encourages the development and the diversification of the economic and trade cooperation.
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Kazan, September 27th, 2012
On the third day of the visit in Russia, the Prime Minister and his Delegation were received by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mr. Rustam Minnikhanov. The program also included a business seminar and round-table discussions in order to strengthen the economic and financial cooperation.
The discussions between Prime Minister Juncker and President Minnikhanov focused on the strengthening of bilateral economic relations between Luxembourg and Tatarstan. Mr Juncker indicated that he was highly impressed by the economic performance of Tatarstan and expressed the wish of the Luxembourg government to target a bilateral strategic economic partnership.
A delegation of representatives of Luxembourg companies travelled to Kazan to participate at this multi-sectoral trade mission in the presence of the Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, Mr Etienne Schneider, and the Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg, Mr Robert Dennewald.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Commerce of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tatarstan was signed.
This trade mission is a follow-up of the working visit of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan to Luxembourg on April 10th, 2012.
Interview mit Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker on Russia Today