Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arrives in Paris to Attend G-8 Session

Russian Vice Premier and Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin arrived in Paris late in the evening on Thursday where he will take part in the meeting of the Finance Ministers and the heads of the Central Banks of the Group of Eight Countries (G-8). On arriving in the French capital he told reporters that the participation of Russia in the session of the G-8 Foreign Ministers is important for preparing the summit of the world's most industrialised states in Russia in 2006.

As Alexei Kudrin told Russian reporters, at this meeting he will take part in the discussion of such important issues as the fight against financing terrorism and against the laundering of money, as well as Russia's support of the poorest countries, above all in Africa.

According to him, the Russian presence at this meeting in Paris "testifies to the expansion of Russia's participation in the format of the work of the G-8 Finance Ministers. Alexei Kudrin underscored that at the present time Russia is attracted to drafting decisions on a number of important financial problems.

The aim of the conference of the G-8 ministers is to work out a feasibility study for the coming G-8 summit which will take place early in June, this year, in the French town of Evian.

Russia, on a par with other countries, participates in the preparation of this important international event. According to Alexei Kudrin, it is important for Russia to know the points of view of the G-8 Finance Ministers on the fight against international terrorism.

In this aspect, Russia is ready to present its conclusions on several problems. Alexei Kudrin underscored the special role of Russia in the exchange of information with the interested states on the fight against financing terrorism. As a result of this work, he pointed out, our Western partners, including the United States, have recognised as terrorist a number of organisations acting in the territory of Chechnya.

The information, granted by Russia, said Alexei Kudrin, made it possible to arrest abroad several members of such organisations suspected of money laundering or financing terrorism.