"Rossiyskaya Gazeta": "SWISS WATCH - VISIT"
Tomorrow, Prime Minister Putin will open the World Economic Forum in Davos
The World Economic Forum in Davos will start tomorrow, January 28, and for the first time this prestigious event will be opened by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who will present a half-hour opening speech.
Every year, heads of state, prime ministers, heads of the largest financial institutions and corporations, and authoritative international public and business figures gather in this Swiss mountain resort to discuss the world's most important issues. The main topic of this year's forum is Shaping of the Post-Crisis World (last year's topic was Global Balance of Power Shift).
It appears that Davos-2009 may become an ideal place to search for global anti-crisis measures. Organizers have already warned the 1400 registered participants (a record number in the forum's history) that this year they will need to work really hard. The "delegates" will focus on several key issues, including the stability of the financial system, the resumption of global economic growth, and the issues of long-term effective global, national, and regional government. The forum will last until February 1.
Prime Minister Putin will bring a large team of Russian businessmen and bankers with him to Davos, from such companies as Lukoil, Bazovy Element, Vympelkom, VTB, and many others. Mr Putin will speak immediately after the greeting remarks of Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz and Davos Forum Chairman Klaus Schwab. Traditionally, there is only one opening speaker at the forum. In 2006, the forum was opened by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and in 2008, by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "Putin is one of the world's major leaders, and Russia is a key strategic partner for many countries and a leading energy supplier," Matthias Lüfkens, Associate Director of the World Economic Forum's Communication Team, said in explaining why Mr Putin had been invited to open the event. "We expect that he will present his vision of the economic crisis, how it is perceived in Russia, and how to overcome it."
The Russian Prime Minister will be given an opportunity to not only present his speech, but also engage in discussions with the participants. After the speech, Mr Putin will be answering questions for about half an hour. The discussion is likely to be very interesting, considering that European politicians and businessmen will be attending the forum. They will most likely ask the Prime Minister about the transit of Russian gas to Europe.
As far as the U.S. participants in the forum, President Obama's economic advisor Larry Summers, Treasury Secretary nominee Timothy Geithner, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Head Sheila Beir have cancelled their trips to Davos. The U.S. will be represented by Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett. Over 40 world heads of state and government have confirmed their participation in the forum. Among them are German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Premier of China's State Council Wen Jiabao. Mr Putin had a chance to meet Chancellor Merkel during his recent visit to Berlin, while bilateral negotiations with the Chinese leader are expected at the forum.
By Pier Sidibe
