According to the Russian minister, the gathering discussed a whole number of initiatives to boost the economic development of the region, to create educational opportunities here (specifically, to provide access to education for girls and women), and to foster democratic liberties and electoral systems.
For all these issues to be solved, the [MENA] economies will have to be liberalized somewhat. This will raise investor confidence in them, opening the way to loans where they are most needed, Mr. Kudrin said.
Russia has long-standing ties with the region at hand, and is a creditor to many of its nations, such as Algeria, Yemen, and Syria, the minister said. "Moscow is willing to settle financial relations with them and reschedule their debts," he added.
On the other hand, some of the countries in the region, such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, boast ample financial resources, and it would be only fair if such countries used their potential for supporting their poorer neighbors, the Russian minister pointed out.
In Mr. Kudrin's judgement, financial institutions existing in the area are not up to the task just yet. What Russia is pushing for is more effective use of local and outside resources to solve the numerous problems facing North Africa and the Middle East. Another task is to get up and running a whole number of new financial institutions, such as the International Financial Corporation, he said, adding that Russia would decide some time soon whether its involvement in this project was feasible.
The minister also reported that Russia had come out with an initiative to support educational programs in MENA countries. A lot of young people from the area, including Moroccan nationals, come to this country for their college and university studies, he said. Now Russia is offering not just academic programs at its own educational institutions, but also technical assistance in training specialists on the ground.
Speaking of prospects for expanding economic cooperation with MENA countries, it has to be noted that some of them (Egypt, Turkey and Morocco) have become a popular destination with Russian tourists, Alexei Kudrin said.
According to RIA Novosti's interviewee, Russia is willing to contribute to the settlement of problems raised at the Forum for the Future. In 2006, this country takes up the initiative of tending to all these programs as the holder of the rotating G8 presidency, he announced.
