Moscow possible candidate for Expo-2010

Moscow is one of the main candidates to be allowed to hold the World Expo-2010 universal exposition, Carmen Sylvain, head of the visiting delegation of the Bureau of International Exhibitions (BIE) told a Saturday press conference after her talks with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov. The BIE visiting delegation arrived in Moscow Friday, May 3. The purpose of the visit is to get acquainted with the Russian project Expo-2010 and to estimate the degree of this country's conformity with the BIE demands. Answering journalists' questions, Sylvain noted that the issue of Moscow's chances to host the world exposition in 2010 was too early to address yet. The visiting delegation has just started its acquaintance with the Russian capital. "However, the Bureau is really interested in Moscow's candidature," Sylvain stressed. "We know Moscow and Russia have repeatedly held different expositions on a global scale, but have never hosted the World Universal Exposition," she said. The BIE visiting delegation will stay in Moscow until May 8. The delegation's members are to hold 6 plenary sessions, with 12 issues usually discussed by all candidates. In particular, the Russian side is supposed to reveal the topic of EXPO-2010, the motives underlying Russia's decision to be nominated, familiarize the BIE delegation with the political, economic, and social situation in the country, present its advertising strategy for the exhibition promotion etc. The delegation members will get acquainted with the All-Russia Exhibition Center, the possible venue of EXPO-2010, with the Moscow City and other objects of the Russian capital. The venue of EXPO-2010 will be defined next December. Sylvain reported 88 BIE member countries would vote for it.