Archive for February 2012
This September, Russia will play host for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit for the first time. At the venue, which will be staged on Russky Island near Vladivostok, 85% of preparation work has been completed and inspected. In the run-up to the September meetings, discussions have already been launched. On January 30, the First APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting began and will run through February 19 in Moscow. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov.is chairing the first in a series of meetings.
President Medvedev has outlined Russia’s agenda for the APEC Sumitt in his article “Integrate to grow, Innovate to Prosper.” While the major outcomes of APEC 2011 Leaders Declaration were strengthening of regional economy, promoting effective market-driven innovation policy, enhancing enterprises participation in global production chains, trade and investment in environmental goods and services, this year Russia decided to go even further and add focus on food security, reliable supply chains through transport infrastructure investment, fighting terrorism, and military-political stability. According to U.S. Secretary Timothy Geithner, Russia’s agenda for the September summit has gained the support of the US side. China, Thailand, and Indonesia, which will take over APEC rotating chair in 2013, are also largely supportive of Russia’s programs.
