Putin to attend CICA in Shanghai
MOSCOW. May 16 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in Shanghai (China) on May 20 to attend a Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and hold a number of meetings with Chinese leaders, as well as those from Mongolia, Afghanistan and Iran.
In addition to Putin's bilateral meetings, a whole host of inter-state and other documents are expected to be signed, his aide Yury Ushakov told reporters ahead of the visit. The Russian delegation has prepared a record number of agreements - over 40 - for the China visit, he said.
"Very many bilateral intergovernmental, interdepartmental and corporate documents have been prepared for this visit. I would say that it will be a fantastic package, we have already counted about 43 documents by this stage. Part of them, mainly state ones, will be signed immediately after talks (with Chinese leader Xi Jinping)," Ushakov said.
Asked by reporters whether a gas contract will be signed between Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), he said such an agreement is currently in the making, but any forecast would be premature.
The problems in the Russian-Ukrainian relations have affected talks over a gas contract with China, Ushakov said. "Obviously, they do affect them to some extent," said the presidential aide, responding to a relevant question.
After talks with the Chinese leader, a joint statement will be issued over a new stage in the partnership and strategic interaction between the two countries, Ushakov said.
Furthermore, during the formal high-level visit both the Russian and Chinese leaders are expected to hold a meeting with the Russian and Chinese business elite, during which business cooperation agreements will be signed.
Apart from business representatives, the Russian delegation will include government officials, in particular, Arkady Dvorkovich, Sergei Lavrov, Aleksandr Galushka, Igor Slyunyayev, Nikolai Fyodorov, Aleksandr Novak and a number of regional governors.
"In 2013 bilateral trade reached a high level at $88.8 billion, and prospects for this year are quite good. Judging by the growth rates in the first quarter of this year, we can reach a landmark level of $100 billion by the end of 2014," Ushakov said.
During his visit to Shanghai, Putin will attend the opening of a naval exercise.
Putin is also planning to meet with the leaders of Mongolia, Iran and Afghanistan, Ushakov said.
Later the Russian head of state will attend the CICA summit that includes 24 countries, nine observer nations and four international organizations. In 2014-2016 the CICA is led by China.
"The upcoming summit will be held under the slogan of strengthening dialogue, mutual trust and coordination in the name of a new peaceful and stable Asia oriented towards cooperation," Ushakov said.
A declaration will be signed after the summit to reflect agreed upon positions on key global and regional security issues, sustainable development and deeper cooperation in the CICA framework.