RUSSIA: SWISS PRESIDENT SIGNS FINANCIAL AGREEMENT DURING VISIT
German/Russian/Nat
Swiss president Flavio Cotti is continuing his trip to
Russia, and has signed an agreement which should bring vital financial help to the cash-strapped nation.
On his arrival in
Moscow, Cotti discussed business issues with
Russian prime minister Yevgeny Primakov.
The two leaders then signed joint agreements on technical and financial cooperation.
The eminent visitor from wealthy
Switzerland was a welcome sight to the
Russians in the midst of their economic crisis.
But Cotti's visit was overshadowed by the decision of a
Geneva court last week to acquit an alleged
Russian Mafia boss of charges of belonging to a criminal organisation.
Sergei Mikhailov was accused of heading the infamous '
Solntsevo'
Mafia group.
Speaking to journalists in Moscow, Cotti said the court's verdict must be respected.
SOUNDBITE:(
German)
"The court answered fully. I don't want to in any way make judgements about personalities or situations. Our courts always work to follow justice and we recognise that justice."
SUPER CAPTION: Flavio Cotti,
Swiss President
Cotti began his Russia visit in
St Petersburg on Tuesday (
December 15).
He told regional officials there that
Swiss private industry remains interested in
Russian markets despite Russia's financial woes.
Arriving on Wednesday (
December 16) in Moscow, the traditional wreath laying ceremony at the Kremlin
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was the first of his official engagements.
Later in the day he met Russian premier Yevgeny Primakov.
After the two signed agreements on financial and technical cooperation, Primakov said his main concern was in securing an inflow of capital into Russia.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"
We are developing our real economy. We are extremely interested in foreign investment in the most direct form, in industry, in agriculture and in the banking system".
SUPER CAPTION: Yevgeny Primkov, Russian premier
For his part, Cotti insisted that a full and open dialogue with Russia was vital for the security of
Europe and the world.
Cotti will wrap up his three-day visit on Thursday (
December 17), when he is scheduled to meet
President Boris Yeltsin,
Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and other
Russian leaders.
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