MOSCOW, November 5 (Itar-Tass) —— With a view to further intensifying Russia’s participation in the Asia-Europe Meeting, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a resolution determining that Russia’s annual voluntary contribution to forum’s specialised fund will be 150,000 U.S. dollars from 2013.
The contribution will be paid out of the budget.
The ninth Asia-Europe Meeting focusing on global economic and financial development in post-crisis period, regional and international problems is taking place in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Medvedev is leading the Russian delegation to the meeting.
The main topics include the fight against terrorism and piracy, sustainable development, recovery from the global financial crisis, the fight against poverty, and migration.
The summit will adopt the Chair’s Statement and the Vientiane Declaration on the strengthening of partnership for peace and development, which will reflect agreed positions on key issues concerning global security and multifaceted cooperation between Europe and Asia.
Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, government first deputy chief of staff Sergei Prikhodko, Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, Federal Agency for Tourism Head Alexander Radkov, United Aircraft Corporation President Mikhail Pogosyan, and Vimpelcom Vice President Pavel Borodin will accompany Medvedev on the trip.
The head of the Russian government will also meet with Laotian President Choummaly Sayasone and Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong. The talks will focus on trade and economic cooperation, and joint work of the business communities of the two countries, as well as the advancement of Russian projects in such fields as railways, telecommunications, mining, and hydropower generation.
The sides will also discuss Laos’ intention to buy Russian Sukhoi SuperJet passenger planes.
The source did not rule out that the writing off of the Laotian debt to Russia may also be discussed. Five years ago, Russia wrote off 70 percent of the debt under an inter-governmental agreement. The current debt is about 400 million U.S. dollars.
“The Laotian side may raise the question of converting the debt into investment projects with Russian participation,” the source said.
After that Medvedev will travel on to Vietnam where he will have talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung. He is also scheduled to meet with Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the parliament speaker.
Medvedev will be received by President Truong Tan Sang.
ASEM currently has 48 partners: 46 countries and 2 international organisations. The partners are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, European Commission and ASEAN Secretariat.