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G8 summit to adopt brief final document, several action plans – Vadim Lukov

There will be about a dozen action plans, including five devoted to Deauville partnership

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Itar-Tass) —— The G8 summit is to adopt a brief final document and a dozen or so action plans, Russia’s deputy permanent representative in the group, Vadim Lukov, has said.

"The final document of the summit will be short. However, since it is accompanied by a large number of specific agreements, it will be a multi-tier one. So-called action plans will be adopted," Lukov told a news briefing in Washington shortly before the G8 summit.

There will be about a dozen action plans, including five devoted to Deauville partnership. Also, the summit will adopt action plans for food security and energy.

With regard to the context of the meeting Lukov said it is being held against the backdrop of a difficult situation in the euro area. Every month sees a downward revision of the euro area economic development forecast.

"The impact of reports from Greece arouse concern," he said, adding that, he was referring to the Russian financial market as well.

"This situation has a negative impact on the forecasts of world economic development. The situation in the economies of participating countries will be a major factor that will be discussed at the summit," he added.

Lukov predicts a fruitful discussion on the economy. Basically, it will focus on measures of economic growth and fiscal consolidation. He said that all eight countries shared the need to achieve the goal of boosting economic growth and employment, but it is necessary to give thought to structural reforms, including those of pensions and health care.

"The second theme is the role of international trade. The summit will give a strong signal to the international community against increasing protectionism in world trade," said Lukov.

In his opinion, Russia, which will soon ratify the agreement on accession to the WTO and become a member of this organization, will take a greater part in the discussion of this issue than before.

Another issue to be raised by the leaders of the Group of Eight will be women's wider participation in and access to governance. He drew attention to the "disturbing trend" towards a reduction of the role of women in some countries undergoing political and social transformations in the Middle East and North Africa. "This trend must be brought to an end," he stressed.

As he dwelt on international themes, Lukov said that in focus there would be the situation in Iran, particularly, Iran's nuclear program, the development of Afghanistan in light of prospects for the withdrawal of foreign troops from that country starting from 2014, international terrorism, the fight against piracy, and the Syrian problem.

"On the Iranian nuclear issue certain progress has been made, for instance, the resumption of negotiations between the sextet of international mediators and Tehran. Today, it is important to refrain from acts that may lead to an escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf and that can create negative consequences for progress in these negotiations," said Lukov.

About the DPRK he said that country should refrain from actions such as missile launches.