APEC summiteers begin talks at small pond with fish.

13/11 Tass 59

YOKOHAMA, November 13 (Itar-Tass) -- The participants in an
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which is being held in
the Japanese port city of Yokohama, began talks around a small pond with
coloured fish. The first working session of the summit is held in a hall
of the Intercontinental Yokohama Grand Hotel built in the shape of a
gigantic sail on the coast of the Tokyo Bay.
Before the meeting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hugged Peruvian
President Alan Garcia Perez. Then he exchanged lively friendly remarks in
English with U.S. President Barack Obama and patted him on the shoulder.
Dmitry Medvedev also welcomed cordially Chilean President Sebastian
Pinera, with whom the Russian president is planning to hold a separate
meeting later on Saturday.
The summiteers are sitting around an artificial pond in the hotel
hall. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is sitting to the right of
Dmitry Medvedev, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong - to the left
of the Russian president.
The talks at the meeting are held behind closed doors and in a free
atmosphere so that the APEC leaders can raise any issues.
After the first working session the APEC summiteers will speak with
regional business captains. Then the Kabuki theatre will give a
performance and a photo session will be held. The Japanese prime minister
will give a dinner on Saturday afternoon in their honour.
The APEC brings together 21 countries and the territory of Asia and
the Pacific basin. The APEC states account for 53% of world production
output and more than 44% of world trade.
-0-baz/kud