MOSCOW, July 25 (RIA Novosti) - Chechen leaders are insisting on the creation of a special economic zone in the republic, Chechen President Alu Alkhanov said at a press conference in Moscow Monday.

"Special economic zones should be created in Chechnya as well," Alkhanov said. "We will insist on that. I believe that such a zone should exist in Chechnya."

He also said a proposal to create a special economic zone would be included in a treaty on the demarcation of powers between the federal center and the republic.

"We insist that the Chechen Republic should be a free or special economic zone," he said. "This will be an economic zone rather than an offshore area. Its goal will be to contribute to investment inflow."