Partnership with UNDP to help Russia shape country’s positive perception

Cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will help Russia to create the country’s positive perception in the world and develop friendly ties with the recipient counties, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told reporters on Tuesday. He noted that Moscow was going to make the most of the potential of Russian producers during the implementation of joint projects.

Gatilov recalled that an agreement on setting up the $25 million Russia-UNDP trust fund had been signed on June 11 in Moscow.

"The conclusion of these agreements marked the transition of Russia’s cooperation with the UNDP to the dimension of strategic partnership," Gatilov said. He added that the two sides had accumulated the "substantial experience of cooperation" on the projects in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia and Belarus, as well as on providing humanitarian assistance to Syria, the Philippines, Cuba and Pakistan. The CIS member-countries will be a priority for Russia during the implementation of future trust fund programs, the diplomat noted.

"Thanks to cooperation with the UNDP Russia received an additional opportunity to develop friendly ties with the recipient countries and shape the positive perception of our country in the world. The potential of Russian producers will be used during the implementation of joint projects," Gatilov said. He added that Moscow hoped "to promote the Russian language and the national education system.".