Deputy Russian Prime Minister Alexei Gordeev to Visit United States And Canada

Deputy Russian Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeev is to pay a working visit to the United States and Canada April 30 -- May 11 on orders from the Russian Federation's President and Prime Minister. This was disclosed to reporters at the Government House April 29 by Gordeev himself.

Gordeev is to meet several high-ranking US officials, including Vice-President Dick Cheney, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, Commerce Secretary Don Evans, as well as Deputy State Secretary Richard Armitage.

The concerned parties will attach priority to strategic partnership in such areas as the agro-industrial sector and the food sector, also focusing on interaction in the field of science and the personnel-training sphere. Russia's admission into the World Trade Organization will become an especially important aspect of the talks, Gordeev noted.

Gordeev intends to meet representatives of big-league US companies, which turn out farming machinery, grain harvesters and tractors included.

Most likely, the possibility of setting up joint ventures in Russia, as well as investment opportunities, will be discussed in the course of talks with corporate chief executive officers, Gordeev went on to say. According to Gordeev, the US side has become interested in Russia's farming-machinery market a long time ago.

We've been negotiating investment for joint ventures, i.e. farming-machinery factories, on Russian territory for quite a while now, Gordeev pointed out. Several construction sites have already been chosen, Gordeev stressed.

Russian minister would like to take part in an international conference dealing with the global food-safety system during his Canadian tour. Gordeev is to deliver a report at that conference.

Moreover, Gordeev will discuss compliance with Russian veterinary legislation by US meat-and-poultry exporters. This is seen as yet another important aspect of his North American trip.