Putin, Xi Jinping to discuss Power of Siberia 2 project in meeting in Bishkek - Kremlin

MOSCOW. Aug 28 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss the Power of Siberia 2 project and possible finalization of the agreements on it in a meeting in Bishkek at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said.

"The issue will be discussed bilaterally. It will be discussed not only at the level of the Eastern Economic Forum, but also in the meeting with the Chinese leader, which will take place on August 31," Ushakov told reporters, responding to a question from Interfax as to whether finalization of the agreements between Russia and China on the Power of Siberia 2 project is possible during the upcoming visit by the Russian president to the SCO summit in Bishkek and at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

Putin will also meet with Chinese State Council Deputy Premier Ding Xuexiang on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, Ushakov said. Ding Xuexiang is well-informed in issues concerning practical cooperation between Russia and China as he chairs two intergovernmental commissions - on investment cooperation and energy cooperation, he said.

"So it is quite logical that we will meet with him and discuss issues relating to bilateral economic cooperation," Ushakov said.

"Besides, the 8th Russian-Chinese meeting on energy will take place on September 4, also at the Eastern Economic Forum and also in Vladivostok. It is called the 8th Russian-Chinese Energy Business Forum," Ushakov said.

It is a site for annual communication between Russian and Chinese businessmen, who engage, among other things, energy issues, he said.

Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin, who is secretary of the presidential commission on issues relating to the strategy of development of the fuel and energy sector and ecological safety, will read Putin's welcoming address to the business forum participants at this event.