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Putin to meet with Dutch premier, deputy Chinese premier on sidelines of Petersburg economic forum

The president will meet with the leaders of the G20 business summit

MOSCOW, June 20 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the Petersburg International Economic Forum. On Thursday afternoon, he will hold talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte who will stay as an honorary guest of the forum, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said. The president then plans a brief meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.

Putin will attend the signing of the agreement to create a unified transport/logistic company between Russian Railways and the national railway companies of Kazakhstan and Belarus. Ushakov said the document envisioned joint measures to develop the transport infrastructure of the three countries.

On the sidelines of the forum, the president will meet with the leaders of the G20 business summit, in which CEOs of the largest corporations of these countries are participating. "It is a good opportunity for the president to directly communicate with representatives of business circles and discuss the list of recommendations for the leaders, drawn by entrepreneurs," Ushakov said.

On Thursday evening, Putin will meet with leaders of the G20 youth summit. In conclusion of the first day of the forum, the president will receive, in the Konstantinovsky Palace, members of the international expert council of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and world's leading infrastructure funds.

Putin will address the summit of energy companies on Friday, June 21. Taking part in the forum will be CEOs of large companies, including BP, General Electric, Shell and ExxonMobil.

The Russian leader will participate in opening a plenary session of the Petersburg International Economic Forum. "In his address, the president plans to touch upon the key world economy problems, issues of Russia's G20 presidency and the efforts made by the leadership of our country towards increasing the dynamics of economic growth and increasing the business and investment climate," Ushakov said.

The Kremlin press service earlier reported that the head of the Russian state planned to have talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, invited to the forum as a guest of honor.

More than 4,700 people, including 190 CEOs of world and 430 CEOs of Russian companies have registered as forum participants, director of the presidential expert department Ksenia Yudayeva told reporters. In all, representatives of 2,000 firms and companies will attend the forum. The Petersburg forum will bring together participants from 89 countries of the world and 59 Russian regions.

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