Spanish construction companies may be drawn to prepare 2018 World Cup - Zhukov
MOSCOW. Jan 17 (Interfax) - Russia wants to cooperate with Spain in the hi-tech and construction sectors, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov has said.
"We are very much interested in Spanish achievements in various areas of the advanced-technology sphere," he said at a news conference on Monday after talks with Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez.
"It's an open secret, I think, that Spain has an extremely well developed system of high-speed railway services. We are interested in cooperation in this sector and also in the area of power supplies. Spain's alternative energy sources are one of the world's most advanced," Zhukov said.
The Russian deputy prime minister also said that Russia would like Spain to take part in building infrastructure facilities for the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia.
"We will be happy to draw Spanish companies, experienced in implementing such projects, in building infrastructure and large stadiums," he said.
Zhukov expressed the hope that a stronger Russian-Spanish partnership, including in the economic and scientific-technical spheres will facilitate events of the Year of Spain in Russia and Year of Russia in Spain in 2011.
The Russian-Spanish cross-years will see 350 events, Zhukov said, making special mention of the St.Petersburg economic forum in June, to be attended by the Spanish prime minister and the Russian-Spanish innovation business forum in Madrid in May 2011.
Zhukov also said that he had asked the Spanish foreign minister to help organize a friendly football match between the Russian and Spanish national teams.