In 2006 Great Eight Will Meet in Russia

In 2006, the Heads of State of the Great Eight will meet in Russia. This is what Russia's President, Vladimir Putin said after the first day of the summit in Kananaskis, Canada. According to Russia's President's press service, Mr. Putin calls this a good sign. 'Russia's role keeps becoming more important', the President said, 'and what is the best, the very quality of our country's relations with the world's leading industrial countries is changing'. He also said that the first day of the summit had passed in 'a very business-like atmosphere'. The President especially noted the discussion of the further development of world economy that had been held.

Mr. Putin informed his G8 colleagues about Russia's economic situation, what had been done, and what was planned for the future. The participants of the summit issued a joint statement, saying, among other things, 'The world is changing. Russia has demonstrated its ability to play a major role in the resolution of the world's problems we are all facing'. The leaders agreed that their decisions acknowledged 'the significant economic and democratic reforms that took place in Russia over the past years, many of them during President Putin's leadership'.