Russian President Discusses with Chinese and Mongolian Officials the Enhancement of Economic and Energy Partnership and Cooperation

Moscow, Sept 2 (KUNA) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks today, Wednesday, with Chinese State Council Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Gankhuyag to discuss ways to enhance partnership and economic and energy cooperation. The Russian presidential office said in a statement that the meetings took place on the sidelines of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum, which kicked off yesterday, Tuesday, in the Russian city of Vladivostok and will run through Friday under the theme “The Far East: Development for the Benefit of the People.” The statement quoted Putin as affirming during his meeting with the Chinese official that Russia-China relations are “unparalleled” and are developing across all areas on the basis of mutual support, adding that he expected a new record in bilateral trade volume by the end of this year and deeper cooperation in the energy sector. During his meeting with the Mongolian prime minister, Putin stressed that Russia-Mongolia relations had reached a “comprehensive partnership” level, expressing confidence that the Mongolian delegation’s participation in the forum would contribute to the development of bilateral ties. The two meetings come as part of Moscow’s efforts to strengthen economic, investment, and energy cooperation with its Asian partners and to expand the role of the Russian Far East into a hub for trade, investment, and regional cooperation. In a related development, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev announced that Putin had named the Russian gas pipeline project to China via Mongolia, previously known as “Power of Siberia 2,” as “Power of Baikal.” The project aims to transport 50 billion cubic meters of gas annually. (End) D.A.N. / A.M.S.