Putin Arrives In Berlin To Attend Investment Forum

The fourth investment forum Moskva-Invest-2001 got down to work on Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the opening ceremony at which he emphasised the importance of foreign businessmen receiving accurate information about the state of the Russian economy. The president stressed that the choice of Berlin to hold the forum pointed to Germany's standing as Russia's long-term and respected partner. Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and ex-President of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev were also present at the opening, while Mayor of Berlin Klaus Wewereit welcomed the foreign dignitaries. The Moscow International Business Association organised the forum, which has been held in previous years in London (1998), Moscow (1999) and Tel Aviv (2000). The forum aims to give Russian business leaders the opportunity to speak directly to foreign businessmen, and present their new projects, which will be advantageous to the foreign firms and local territories alike.