Luxembourg, Russia Commemorate 130th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations

On Tuesday 9 March 2021, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the Grand Duchy.

During this telephone interview, the Russian President and Luxembourg Prime Minister highlighted the bonds of friendship and mutual respect that have been forged between the two countries since 1891, both at the political, economic and social levels as well as in the cultural and educational fields. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel noted: "These historical ties, rich and deep, constitute a solid basis for building our future cooperation".

The two leaders also took stock of existing cooperation between Russia and Luxembourg and discussed the possibilities of future cooperation. Tackling climate change was deemed a common challenge, in which the field of green finance plays a crucial role. Luxembourg's Prime Minister pointed out: “Luxembourg has become a leading international player in green, social and sustainable finance. As such, it can serve as an ideal interface for Russian entities seeking access to international green capital markets, respectively to channel investments in projects of a sustainable or socially responsible nature".

Discussions and projects in the fields of innovation and the digital economy as well as space resources were also viewed as promising. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel stated: "The world of tomorrow will be radically different and we are beginning to see the consequences linked to the digitalisation and artificial intelligence of our civilisation. I am therefore also thinking of technological and innovative companies - so many in Russia - for which Luxembourg could serve as a gateway to test, launch and market their products and services within the single European market, comprising 450 million consumers”. He added that “in recent years, Luxembourg has become a player recognised worldwide for its ambitions related to the exploration and peaceful and sustainable use of space resources. Russia, for its part, is a historical pioneer in space, with rich and multiple skills. It is an area which lends itself to cooperation".

The Russian and Luxembourg leaders then took stock of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic at the international and national level.

Another point on the agenda was the duty to remember. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel confirmed the importance that Luxembourg attaches to setting up a remembrance place dedicated to Soviet citizens deported to Luxembourg as forced labourers during the Second World War, as agreed with the Russian Prime Minister, Dimitry Medvedev, during his visit to Luxembourg.

This exchange also focussed on relations between Russia and the European Union (EU). Prime Minister Xavier Bettel stressed the importance which the EU attaches to respect for the rule of law, including in the framework of cooperation with Russia, as well as to the role and activities of civil society. Luxembourg's Prime Minister also spoke in favour of continuing collaboration to find common solutions to the great challenges of our time and particularly encouraged the Russian authorities to facilitate the implementation of the Minsk agreements to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.