APEC to examine Russian fuel-and-energy projects

The 34-th session of the General Assembly of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which took place in Tokyo April 6-13, has established the APEC special committee and its financial fund for the purpose of promoting the most interesting and significant inter-state economic projects. This was disclosed to reporters here the other day by Khabarovsk-territory governor Victor Ishayev, who headed the Russian delegation at the APEC General Assembly's session. Ishayev also chairs the Russian national committee for Pacific economic cooperation, as well as the council of the Far East -- Trans-Baikal Region inter-regional economic-interaction association that comprises the Russian Federation's constituent members. Ishayev became the first-ever Russian-delegation chief to address the APEC General Assembly's plenary session, informing its delegates about the 2000-vintage Russian economic performance, the relevant national economic-development strategy, as well as specific regional-cooperation proposals. The Russian delegation has suggested well-substantiated projects stipulating the development of the Siberian and Far Eastern fuel-and-energy sector with the help of the concerned Asia-Pacific countries, Ishayev went on to say. The Russian delegation negotiated with representatives of big-league foreign companies, discussing possible joint production of tin and copper concentrates, as well as their subsequent enrichment, Ishayev added. In his words, the sides also discussed cooperation in such areas as communications and air traffic. APEC top executives would be expected to confer once again in Shanghai in October 2001.

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