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Russia to Boost Energy Cooperation With Japan, Other Asia-Pacific Countries

Posted on: Sunday, 20 November 2005, 12:00 CST

Text of report by Russian news agency ITAR-TASS

Tokyo, 20 November: Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed Russia's interest in developing cooperation in the energy sector with Asia-Pacific countries, including Japan.

Speaking about the outcome of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit which ended in Pusan, South Korea, yesterday, the Russian president told journalists in Tokyo that "plans for cooperation in the energy sector are coming to the fore" for APEC member states. "We understand our partners' interest and will work on this issue together with all our partners in this region," Putin said.

He stressed that energy issues "will be among the key topics" at the talks in Japan.

The Russian president believes that one of the most important results of the APEC summit is that its participants confirmed their "readiness to cooperate in Asia". "For Russia is it quite important, in view of our plans to develop the Far East and Siberia," Putin stressed.

He said this cooperation was important for Russia, "taking into account our partners' interest in building relations with Russia, and not only in the energy sector, although that is coming to the fore, but, for instance, in high-tech industries - space and nuclear energy".

The president also said he was satisfied with the discussion of issues "on the development of principles of freedom in economic relations and trade" at the APEC summit. He said: "This was particularly important in view of Russia's completing talks on WTO membership".

Putin reminded journalists that all heads of state at the APEC summit had "confirmed their commitment to the fight against terrorism". "We all understand how important this is for our countries," he added.

Source: BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific

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