BRICS summit to discuss investments, climate, int'l efforts

MOSCOW, April 12 (Itar-Tass) -- Investment cooperation, climate
changing and international efforts are the main items on the agenda of the
coming third BRICS summit to be held in China, Arkady Dvorkovich,
assistant to the Russian President, said at a briefing for journalists on
Tuesday. According to his information, President Dmitry Medvedev leaves
for a long visit to China, which will last from April 12 to April 17.
On Wednesday Medvedev is expected to have bilateral meetings with
Chinese President Hu Jintao and with other BRICS leaders - the Indian
Prime Minister and the presidents of Brazil and South Africa.
Dvorkovich reminded that this is going to be a special summit because
of the participation of South Africa in it. "Now BRICS leaders represent
countries of the four continents - Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia.
This means the expansion of geography and of the economic structure, as
well as new cooperation opportunities," he said.
"The BRICS leaders will discuss the international situation in
general, the situation in Japan after the natural calamity, as well as
possible steps to be taken by the partners, including help to Japan and
the minimizing of consequences," he continued.
Talks on climate will be a special item on the agenda. "The countries
have not reached agreement on the matter, but the summit gives a chance to
record the difference of approaches and try to find a common ground," he
added.
According to Dvorkovich, a major part of the summit will be devoted to
bilateral cooperation. "The first meeting of sister-cities, a meeting on
cooperation of local administrations, meetings of public health ministers
and joint work of the ministries of trade are scheduled for the current
year," he said. "Some proposals have been made on cooperation in the
sphere of scientific research and high technologies."
Medvedev will attend the Boao economic forum in China and will make a
report there, the same as other BRICS leaders, who were invited to take
part in it.
Dvorkovich said Moscow expected the Chinese leader to attend the
St.Petersburg international economic forum.