Russian PM thanks PNG for hospitality

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev took part in the Apec CEOs’ Summit, the Business Advisory Council, Leaders’ Summit and a meeting of the Apec leaders with Pacific Islands nation leaders in Port Moresby at the weekend.
He thanked PNG for its hospitality and good organisation of the Apec CEOs’ summit, a forum that provides an opportunity for direct communication with leading business representatives in the Asia-Pacific region.
Medvedev, in his summit address, said: “This kind of dialogue is highly relevant at the moment, perhaps more than ever, given the complex and sometimes unpredictable situation that has developed in the global economy.
“The Asia-Pacific region is at the epicentre of global processes and is not protected by immunity. Russia is a part of this region, a country that sees its present and future closely connected with the Asia-Pacific region and believes that it is essential to rely on common agreed positions to overcome these challenges.
“The global economy needs clear and transparent rules of trade.
“Therefore, a key goal is to combine efforts to improve the effectiveness of the World Trade Organisation and its regulatory role.
“Russia strongly believes that transparent WTO rules incorporating the specifics of each Asia-Pacific nation, each Apec economy, are essential for creating an Asia-Pacific free trade zone, making it a truly open market rather than a narrow-format system of collective protectionism.
“Second area for cooperation is building infrastructure links within the region. Nevertheless, to successfully trade and invest, we need a developed transport infrastructure and supply chains. Russia is working to improve transit routes crossing its territory.
“We have also initiated projects to integrate remote areas of the Asia-Pacific region within the Apec.
“Third area is efficient use of the available energy resources, which is essential for the implementation of a sustainable and comprehensive development agenda in the Asia-Pacific region.