The APEC forum launched several Russian-advanced initiatives last year-suffice it to mention a dialogue on non-ferrous metals, and anti-terror team efforts. A declaration expected for adoption this year will get such contacts on a practical footing. An anti-corruption document will also be passed, said the Foreign Minister.
President Putin will meet delegates of the APEC Business Summit to discuss links between business communities. Preceding the event will be conferences of Foreign and Trade ministers. They will take stock not only of economic matters but the ways to hit targets the APEC heads of state have posed to the CTTF, Counter Terrorism Task Force, Mr. Lavrov went on. In particular, the conferees will analyse draft understandings to enhance transport and export/import safety-in particular, to rule out biological terrorism.
Vladimir Putin has many bilateral conferences with the world's top-notch national leaders scheduled for the APEC summit. US President George W. Bush will be among his partners in those contacts.
Once in Latin America, President Putin will pay official visits to Chile and Brazil. More than twenty agreements have been drafted for the occasion. They concern space efforts, civil-oriented nuclear power industry, contacts in many fields-research, technology, sports, culture and banking. Certain upcoming treaties and understandings will prevent capital taxes dodged, said Sergei Lavrov.
With the APEC summit on, Russia intends to sign several bilateral agreements on joining the World Trade Organisation, announced Maxim Medvedkov. He heads the commercial negotiation department at Russia's Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
"It is hard to say now just how many these will be-it may be five or more. I can say one thing for sure--e are about to finish talks with Chile and Taiwan," said Mr. Medvedkov, who leads the Russian delegation to Geneva-based negotiations on Russia joining the WTO.
He refused to offer the media whatever details of negotiations with Taiwan or any other country before relevant official agreements are signed.
The Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit will gather in Santiago, Chilean capital, November 17 into 21. Sergei Lavrov and Hermann Gref, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, are expected to represent Russia in a conference at the level of Foreign and Trade ministers.
The ad hoc team for Russia to join the World Trade Organisation opened informal consultations in Geneva today. They are to last into Wednesday, November 17, to be followed by an official session the next day. The session will analyse a third version of the team's summing-up paper.
