Vladimir Putin, Tony Blair greet participants in "Russia - the Year 2001" Forum

President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Prime Minister of Great Britain Tony Blair have sent messages of greeting to participants in the International Economic Forum "Russia - the Year 2001" opened in London. In his message the Russian president stated that the forum provides a unique opportunity to establish and expand contacts between business circles of Russia, Great Britain and other countries of the world. The development of long-term partnership with the Great Britain is a priority task of Russia's foreign policy aiming at full-fledged integration into world community. Currently there are every grounds to achieve this strategic objective, the Putin's message stresses. In his turn, British premier Tony Blair greeted the forum's efforts to establish a dialogue between business representatives of Russia and the United Kingdom. Mr Blair paid attention to the need to discuss the pace of Russian economic reforms and prospects for further strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations. The Great Britain "actively supports the Russian government strive to modernise the economy and to further improve conditions for business development in Russia," the message of the British premier notes.

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