Vladimir Soloveichik said the administration of Russia's second city had given its permission to hold the summit, which will finish July 15, when the Group of Eight starts its meeting. He said about 1,500 people including 500 foreigners were expected to take part in the summit starting July 12.
"The main aim for us is to hold a 'counter-summit' without scandals and disorder, to show that leftists and human rights movements have organizational potential," Soloveichik said. "Moreover, it is important for us to develop relations with 'leftist' movements in Europe and stimulate citizens' activity in the sphere of protecting their rights."
Yury Isakov, Russian foreign ministry's ambassador-at-large, said earlier that Russia as the organizer of the July 15-17 G8 summit was in constant contact with representatives of non-governmental organizations.
"It is 100% certain that antiglobalists will hold protests," Isakov said. "It is hard to say now what shape they will assume."
He added that services responsible for security at the summit were aware of the antiglobalists, and that if protests turned violent then their activities would be stopped.
