Finance Ministry posts 2002 debt payment figures

According to materials prepared for an enlarged meeting of the Board of the Finance Ministry, last year Russia paid off $13.5bn to foreign creditors, including $7.6bn in debts and $5.9bn to service foreign debts. In 2001 Russia paid off $14.8bn, including $8.5bn in debts and $6.3bn in interest rate payments. In 2003 Russia is expected to pay $17.3bn, including $10.8bn in foreign debts and $6.5bn in interest payments.