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Putin thanks volunteers who helped organize APEC summit in Vladivostok

According to the Russian president, it was decided to award about 500 volunteers with a sea voyage to Japan’s Yokohama

VLADIVOSTOK, September 9 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked volunteers who helped organize the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Russia’s Far Eastern city of Vladivostok.

“All of our guests noted the high quality of work, you have managed to create a very favourable business atmosphere,” he said. “You have helped me and my colleagues a lot at this big international event.”

According to the Russian president, it was decided to award about 500 volunteers with a sea voyage to Japan’s Yokohama. He said he had agreed to settle visa formalities issues within two days at his Saturday meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. In his words, the Japanese prime minister looked rather shocked by the amount and the time limit for such work. “Today however, he said they are working hard, issuing visas,” Putin noted.