Russia looks forward to deeper Jamaica ties

Jamaicans are today being urged to celebrate with Russia as that nation commemorates the 10th anniversary of its 'Professional Day'.

The call, from Russian Ambassador to Jamaica Vladimir Polenov, comes as the two nations continue to strengthen a four-decade-old relationship that has withstood the test of time.

Russia's Professional Day was first recognised in 2002, which marked the 200th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Polenov asserts that celebra-tions are appropriate because of the success both countries have had in maintaining their long-standing diplomatic ties.

Polenov noted that 2015 would mark 40 years since the two countries - one huge and developed, the other small and developing but nonetheless courageous - established diplomatic relations.

He noted that this was underscored when Russia not only supported a Jamaican draft resolution, on behalf of CARICOM states, on the legacy of slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, but also joined with the island as co-authors during the last United Nations General Assembly.

"We want to commemorate this date by preparing newly beneficial projects between our two countries," said Polenov.

The ambassador said his country was now looking forward to significantly increasing the dynamics of the relationship between the two countries. He stressed that both countries needed serious and productive efforts, involving various strata of government, as well as politics and the social sphere.

"It may be assumed that we have a strong prerequisite for that," said Polenov. "We set up a stable regular bilateral dialogue as well as intense collaboration within multilateral fora."

Polenov noted that in June of 2013, the Jamaica-Russian Friendship Society was born.

"We hope that this will gradually become an important additional channel of cooperation in the cultural and educational sphere," he declared.