MOSCOW, June 2 (RIA Novosti) - The St. Petersburg international economic forum is continually improving its work standards and quality each year, which makes it an international-level event, Russia's finance minister said.
"The significance of such forums like the St. Petersburg forum is defined by the participants and the growing role of Russia in the international labor market and world economy," Alexei Kudrin said.
Firstly, according to Kudrin, the St. Petersburg forum has become "the forum of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). We hope that the presidents of Georgia and Ukraine will attend the forum and this demonstrates our readiness to build friendly relations with our neighbors," the finance minister and also a deputy prime minister said.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum due on June 6-8 is an annual event held supported by the Russian president, bringing together politicians and business leaders. Russian news agency RIA Novosti is the general information sponsor of the forum.
Secondly, key ministers from European Union member states will attend the forum, which signals the growing importance of the event for Europe. This comes prior to preparations for a new Partnership and Cooperation agreement between Russia and the EU, which has recently been given the green light, the minister said.
"Thirdly, Russia is a BRIC country (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and a state which is expected to significantly improve its positions in the world economy. These circumstances bring the St. Petersburg forum to the international level," Kudrin said.
Last year, St. Petersburg held seminars for international business leaders in line with the Davos Economic Forum. "This means that global business leaders are ready to discuss issues on the international agenda at the forum in a comfortable environment together with top politicians," the minister said.
"It is very important for such forums that everyone wants to visit the city where they are being held. And St. Petersburg fits the role well," Kudrin said.
