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Medvedev, Cameron sign declaration on partnership for modernization

Russia and the U.K. have pledged to support and encourage efforts geared towards the improvement of the business climate for trade and investment activities

MOSCOW, September 12 (Itar-Tass) —— Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday signed a declaration on a partnership for modernization.

The declaration states that the parties recognize the importance of and the need for modernization and cooperation in the area of innovative development and the creation of advanced environment-friendly technologies that would help to improve living standards.

Under the declaration, Russia and the U.K. have pledged to support and encourage efforts geared towards the improvement of the business climate for trade and investment activities. Specifically, the parties recognized the intention of the Russian government to set up an international financial centre in Moscow, which is to contribute to the modernization of the Russian economy and promote cooperation with other countries in the financial sector, the declaration said.

Apart from that, the two states pledged support free movement of scientists, students and teachers in the interests of economic modernization.

 Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday he would like to see more investments coming from the United Kingdom.

“Last year, Great Britain ranked first among our trade and economic partners in terms of current investments, which stand at about 40 billion U.S. dollars, although investments to the real sector of the economy are still very moderate,” Putin said at a meeting with visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron.

This is the first Russian visit by the British head of government in the past five years, Putin noted. And Cameron said he hoped the visit would be a good possibility to reinvigorate relations. He highly appreciated his meetings with the Russian president and other politicians.

Among topics for discussion along with economic issues the British Premier listed cooperation in the preparation for the Olympic Games, as well as export and import of technological solutions.

Putin also praised Russian-British trade and economic ties as successful. “Last year, trade turnover grew by 25 percent, and in the first six months of the current year – by another 50 percent,” he added.

“Last year, Great Britain ranked first among our trade and economic partners in terms of current investments, which stand at about 40 billion U.S. dollars, although investments to the real sector of the economy are still very moderate,” Putin said at a meeting with visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron.

This is the first Russian visit by the British head of government in the past five years, Putin noted. And Cameron said he hoped the visit would be a good possibility to reinvigorate relations. He highly appreciated his meetings with the Russian president and other politicians.

Among topics for discussion along with economic issues the British Premier listed cooperation in the preparation for the Olympic Games, as well as export and import of technological solutions.

Putin also praised Russian-British trade and economic ties as successful. “Last year, trade turnover grew by 25 percent, and in the first six months of the current year – by another 50 percent,” he added.