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Russian PM Describes World Summit Results as "Extremely Positive"
September 5, 2002
RIA Novosti

Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has used his Africa tour to voice Russian support for projects involving many African countries. And the World Development Summit proved a suitable venue at which to compare notes with other leaders on world and European issues, the official Russian news agency has said. The following is the text of the report:

Dar-es-Salaam, 5 September: Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov is continuing his trip round Africa, a first for the Russian government, with a visit to Tanzania.

During the period 1-4 September, he made a one-day visit to Ethiopia and took part in the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa. Kasyanov sees the results of the trip and the talks during the summit as "extremely positive", sources in the Russian delegation told RIA.

Russian backing offered for African projects

Throughout his visit to Africa, Kasyanov has emphasized Russia's interest in cooperating with African countries in economy, science, culture and ecology.

On behalf of the Russian government, Kasyanov supported the aspiration of African countries to sustainable development. Kasyanov noted in particular that Russia had lately written off 35 bn dollars of the African countries' external debt.

Speaking at the summit, Kasyanov said that Russia is prepared to cooperate in projects in health care and education. Russia is ready to grant 1,000 stipends for students from African countries.

Kasyanov said in Johannesburg that Russia - a country with 20 per cent of the world reserves of fresh water - can help with the technology to solve problems with drinking water. He also spoke about the need for environmental protection and added that Russia is prepared to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

At the summit he announced an initiative to cut import taxes and provide access to goods from developing countries to the markets of Europe.

While in Africa, Kasyanov has had talks with the leaders of Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania and Togo. His visits will result in a meeting of bilateral intergovernmental commissions in Ethiopia and South Africa which will discuss implementing joint projects in the fuel and energy complex, the extraction of natural resources, health care, education and culture as well as deliveries of Russian goods to the abovementioned countries.

Kasyanov uses summit to resolve European issues

Kasyanov also had many meetings in the framework of the World Summit on Sustainable Development related not only to African theme, but to urgent issues of European and world foreign policy.

At his meetings with European leaders Kasyanov devoted a lot of attention to solution of the Kaliningrad problem and to the proposal of Russian President Vladimir Putin of a non-visa regime between Russia and the EU.

Kasyanov discussed with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and French President Jacques Russia's cooperation with NATO, the G 8 and WTO, and issues of bilateral cooperation. The issues discussed included a global partnership for the elimination of chemical weapons and the scrapping of nuclear submarines.

When Kasyanov met Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, the Norwegian side presented its position on joining the global partnership scheme. Kasyanov and Bondevik discussed important issues related to ecology, fishing and the continental shelf in the Barents Sea.

Considerable time during Kasyanov's talks was devoted to economic cooperation, and in particular to supplies of Russian agricultural product to European markets. Kasyanov discussed these issues with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Netherlands Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende. The sides spoke in favour of creating a single economic space and of cooperation in the Baltic Sea and the North.

During his meetings in Johannesburg, Kasyanov outlined the firm position of the Russian leadership concerning an Iraq settlement saying that it should be solved within the legal and diplomatic framework.

He discussed the situation in the Middle East with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres as well as Russian-Israeli economic, scientific, technical and cultural ties. An agreement was reached to have a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on the above questions in November.

Kasyanov paid special attention to issues related to the situation in the Balkans. He met Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, Macedonia President Boris Trajkovski and Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano. Kasyanov discussed with them not only the political situation in the Balkans, but also investments in the Yugoslav and Macedonian economies, the travel business in particular.

The Yugoslavian and Macedonian presidents noted Russia's major role in supporting the territorial integrity of these countries and in promoting a suitable settlement.

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