Упрощенная HTML-версия
Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
»
Author : Yury Korchagin
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Spain
This interview was conducted by International Affairs' commen-
tator Alexander Moiseyev.
Local public opinion polls show that Spaniards cite un-
employment, corruption, and the economic situation
among the country's main problems. The statements
that are made by the country's leadership and political
party leaders suggest that there is an understanding
about the need to deal with these problems. And quite
a bit has already been done. So my forecast for the prospects of the country's development is
optimistic.
The Bilateral Tourism Year covers 2016 and 2017. Russia and Spain are expecting positive results
from it. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to demonstrate to the Spanish people Russia's
unique tourism potential, its beauties, and investment opportunities. Thus we hope to increase
the flow of tourists from Spain and to attract its entrepreneurs to our country. The first results
are convincing: The number of visas issued to Spanish people since the beginning of the year
has increased by 25% year on year.
By the way, recently, Russia, guided by the principle of reciprocity, took measures to facilitate
the visa regime for Spanish citizens who may now receive multiple visas for terms of up to six
months.
I would like to point out that in addition to its economic, educational, recreational, cultural, and
other components, tourism has also another: a linguistic component. The more Russians come
to Spain, the more Spanish people want to study the Russian language. After all, new jobs are
being created in the services sector and those fluent in Russian will have a competitive advan-
tage.
Our relations maintain positive dynamics, as they have always been built on consideration for
each other's interests and mutual respect.
I am convinced that the business community certainly does not want its interests to become
hostage to the political situation of the moment. Therefore, entrepreneurs are considering ways
of addressing business cooperation problems, among other things by putting forward successful,
internationally recognized entrepreneurs as economic interaction coordination leaders.
The current state of trade and economic relations is a good illustration of what the illegitimate
sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia have led to.
Cultural exchanges are an important element of our relations. A significant contribution is made
by the Russian Center of Science and Culture led by a representative of Rossotrudnichestvo
[Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and
Positive Dynamics of Russia's Relations With Spain