Russia, US hold first meeting in Veliky Novgorod as part of "Leaders" project

The first Russian-American meeting opened at Beresta Palace hotel in Veliky Novgorod (Russia's Northwest, 200 km southeast off St Petersburg). The meeting is part of the Leaders project.

Prominent political and public figures of Russia and the United States, among them William Cohen, Yury Baluyevsky, Rod Blagojevic, Elizabeth Dole, Konstantin Kosachev, Harry Lock and Mikhail Margelov, will take part in the meeting, report Russian organizers.

There are three working meetings on the program. Participants are expected to discuss international security, globalisation and other burning issues of the modern day.

Beresta Palace is also hosting an exhibition of photographs by RIA Novosti correspondents entitled Russia - America: Yesterday and Today. The exhibit is featuring photographs shot in the 1960s and modern photographs.

The Veliky Novgorod meeting will round off on Sunday afternoon after a news conference.

The Russian Federation Council's international affairs committee, RIA Novosti news agency, Civil Club non-profit organization promoting the development of civil society, Cohen Group non-government organization, and the Veliky Novgorod administration are the initiators of the summit meeting, reports the organising committee.