Russian Deputy PM Patrushev calls for removing barriers in int'l agrifood trade

MOSCOW. Aug 5 (Interfax) - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev has called for removing barriers obstructing international trade in agricultural products to improve the food security of countries and reaffirmed Russia's commitment to developing international relations in the spirit of partnership.

Speaking at the Third UN Conference of Landlocked Developing Countries in Turkmenistan on Tuesday, Patrushev described the event as a key platform for working out mechanisms for addressing problems of such countries, the deputy prime minister's press service said in a statement.

Russia "reaffirms its commitment to developing international relations in the spirit of partnership" and "stands ready, with the UN's involvement, to share its record of overcoming difficulties related to ensuring equal trade and economic conditions for all countries," Patrushev said in his remarks.

Among the key problems of landlocked developing countries are logistics, food security, and availability of water resources, Patrushev said. "The deputy prime minister underscored that logistical issues can be resolved primarily through building sustainable logistical chains. Russia possesses considerable transit capability and consistently favors active international cooperation in developing transport corridors," it said.

"Barriers obstructing international trade in agricultural products should be eliminated in response to the food security challenge," Patrushev said.

"Russia is among the key exporters of food, including cereals, vegetable oils, and fish. The deputy prime minister reiterated our country's readiness to increase deliveries of food to the global market, share its record of using advanced technology in the agrarian sector with its partners, and help train professional specialists," it said.

Patrushev also said Russia "attaches special significance to the condition of bodies of water and their prudent use," considering that the basins of 70 rivers on its territory are transboundary ones, and work on them is coordinated under intergovernmental agreements, it said.