On Sunday, October 1, the round table discussion on the topic “Development of humanitarian ties between Russia and Latin America: contribution of the parliaments” was held as part of the events of the First International Parliamentary Conference “Russia – Latin America”. Members of the parliaments of the Latin American countries, their Russian colleagues, as well as representatives of relevant ministries and departments, experts, representatives of university and cultural communities, took part in the discussion.
“The development of humanitarian ties is at the core of all other aspects of cooperation,” emphasized the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Ivan Melnikov
Melnikov 
Ivan Ivanovich .
He stressed that “geographically we are located quite far away, but our nations quite quickly find a common language; great impressions and sympathies remain after each contact: either it is a professional cooperation or a simple tourist trip!” Ivan Melnikov called on the round table participants to develop concrete steps that “will reach a new quality and level of humanitarian cooperation.”
Education and healthcare cooperation
The Special Representative of the President of Nicaragua for Russian Affairs Laureano Ortega Murillo noted the successful development of humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Nicaragua, and that is very important for his country.
“A significant number of students from Nicaragua study in Russia, and they always proudly remember that,” he said. Laureano Ortega Murillo also noted the importance of the healthcare support that Russia provided to Nicaragua.
According to Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky, 53 thousand Latin American students received education in the Russian Federation. According to him, 5 thousand people from the countries of the region are studying in Russia now.
“We currently have seven bilateral intergovernmental agreements on education recognition with Latin American countries. For the first time, the issue of preparing draft agreements with Argentina, Haiti, Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and Paraguay is being considered,” added Konstantin Mogilevsky.
“We should strengthen our cooperation in the field of science, new technologies, culture in our multipolar world, where there will be a just world order and equality for all,” said Ángela Espinoza Torres, the head of the Commission on Education, Culture, Sports and Media of the National Assembly of Nicaragua.
The head of the Commission also noted the need to “decolonize the education system and introduce certain transformations into it in a humanistic manner.”
“Interparliamentary relations with the Russian Federation are characterized by a long duration; they have a great future, which our nations need. For us, this is a great example to follow, especially in healthcare. This is a long history of cooperation with professionals,” said Estela Cristina Luna Morales, head of the Commission on Health and Sports of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba.
According to her, there was signed a number of documents between Russia and Cuba in that area and there was organized an exchange of specialists, in particular doctors. In addition, Russia regularly provides assistance to Cuba by supplying medicines and medical equipment.
The member of the Congress of the Republic of Peru Karol Ivett Paredes Fonseca also noted the importance of cooperation in the field of healthcare, emphasizing the unique experience of Russian doctors, including in helping victims of disasters and emergencies. “Russian doctors can operate even at an altitude of 5 thousand meters,” the parliamentarian said.
Sport cooperation
The Deputy Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation Andrey Fedorov, speaking at the round table, invited parliamentarians from Latin American countries to take part in the International Parliamentary Games, which will take place from October 26 to 30. “This is a large-scale event which is held our country for 10 years,” he said.
According to him, the modern world faces blatant sport discrimination, the unlawful exclusion of athletes from significant international events. However, Russia continues organizing and holding sport competitions in various formats.
On September 29 — October 2, the First International Parliamentary Conference
“Russia – Latin America” is being held in Moscow at the initiative of the State
Duma. More than 200 participants, including parliamentarians from different
countries of Latin America and the Caribbean Region, representatives of the expert community, public figures and diplomats are expected to take part in the Conference. They plan to discuss with their Russian colleagues relevant issues
of the international parliamentary agenda.
On Friday, September 29, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin addressed the Conference participants.
The following round tables will be held as part of the events of the Conference:
- Equal and mutually beneficial economic cooperation: role of the parliaments
- Development of humanitarian ties between Russia and Latin America: contribution of the parliaments
- Just multipolar world: role of the parliamentary diplomacy
- Security for all: position of the parliaments
On October 2, the plenary session of the International Parliamentary Conference “Russia – Latin America” will be held at the State Duma (the Pillar Hall of the House of the Unions) on the topic “Cooperation for a just world for all”.
