European Commission High-ranking Representatives To Visit Moscow Early In December

High-ranking representatives of the European Commission (EC) - External Relations Commissioner Christopher Patten and Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy - will pay an official visit to Moscow December 4-6 to discuss trade and other economic contacts, the EC Russian representation reported. On December 5, the EC commissioners will meet deputies of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house. Moreover, the first session of an ad hoc group on common European economic space will be held under the co-chairmanship of Russian vice-premier Viktor Khristenko and Christopher Patten. On the same day, Pascal Lamy will meet Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref, leaders of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, as well as make an appearance at the Diplomatic Academy. Moreover, on December 5, Patten and Lamy will meet Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov.