Mr Minister,

Colleagues,

We are very glad to see you in Moscow. Our bilateral relations are developing consistently. We can see no serious problems. There are only issues we have to address to make our relations even more substantial.

We are nearing memorable dates in our bilateral ties: the 85th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries will be marked in August. Next year, in 2021, we will mark the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Luxembourg and the Russian Empire.

The two countries’ government members meet regularly and discuss matters related to economic cooperation and humanitarian affairs. In the international sphere, we appreciate Luxembourg’s balanced and sensible position against escalating unnecessary tensions between Russia and the European Union.

You and I have been working for a long time and remember better times in relations between Russia and the European Union. We have not forgotten that you, Mr Minister, stood at the origins of a very large and promising project between Russia and the European Union, which was implemented in the form of four roadmaps to create four common spaces. And I have no doubt that this work was not in vain, that the Russian-EU relations will normalise and the work to create four common spaces will remain in demand.

Speaking of memorable dates, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Victory in World War II and the establishment of the United Nations. We have invited Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg to attend the celebrations on Red Square in Moscow on May 9. We hope he will be able to accept our invitation.

It is vitally important, despite the changed context of the Russian-EU relations, that our ties with many EU member countries, including Luxembourg, continue developing consistently. We will focus on this.

We are very glad to see you. Welcome.

Source: MFA of the Russian Federation