Medvedev wants Siberia, Far East integrated into APR.

MOSCOW, November 13 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
said Siberia and the Far East of the country shall be integrated into the
markets of Asia and the Pacific Rim.

"Russia wants Siberia and the Russian Far East to be directly involved
in regional integration. We did not join APEC empty-handed. We have much
to offer our partners, not just abundant reserves of oil, gas and various
minerals, biological resources and fresh water, but also the no less
competitive asset of the science and technology, industrial and
intellectual potential that the eastern part of our country possesses,"
the president said in a article headlined APEC: Toward a Stable, Safe and
Prosperous Community. Medvedev leaves fore APEC summit in Singapore on
Friday.
The president said preparations for Russian presidency in APEC in 2012
is a major priority.
"We are open to diverse and mutually beneficial cooperation in the
Asia-Pacific region. Our main reference point in this area is the
preparation for Russia's chairmanship of the forum in 2012. This honorary
mission carries with it great responsibilities and comes with many
obligations. We will do everything necessary to ensure that the APEC
summit in Vladivostok is productive and of the highest quality," Medvedev
said.
"Russia has built up invaluable experience of cooperation with its
APEC colleagues since we joined the forum in 1998. We have always been
actively involved in resolving the issues of greatest urgency and concern,
not only at the summits and ministerial meetings, but also through the
ongoing painstaking work in the forum's various expert committees and
groups. As in the other international organisations, we seek to be a
reliable and responsible partner within APEC," the president said.


.Medvedev welcomes APEC post-crisis development discussion.


MOSCOW, November 13 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
welcomed APEC intention to discuss post-crisis development at the upcoming
summit in Singapore.
"Although the world has not put all the economic difficulties behind
it yet, the forum will nonetheless examine optimum models for APEC's
economic development in the post-crisis period. I think this is a
far-sighted and effective decision, for we need to prepare in advance for
the next stage in global economic growth," the president, who will
participate in the forum, said on Friday in an article headlined APEC:
Toward a Stable, Safe and Prosperous Community.
"Like the other APEC leaders, I share the view that economic growth
should be not only sustainable but also universal. We need to bring growth
to all countries and all economic sectors, and bring its fruits to all
members of society, above all the most vulnerable groups - children and
the elderly, unemployed people, and people with disabilities," he stressed.
"I think the corporate social responsibility concept currently being
discussed actively in APEC is vitally important. It has particular
relevance for the companies and financial institutions receiving state
support during the economic downturn period," the president said.
Medvedev said he shares the predominant view in APEC on protectionism
in global trade.
"This kind of state support should be targeted and only a temporary
measure. Each country makes a priority of supporting its own producers of
course, but excessive protectionist barriers that create hothouse
conditions for unprofitable businesses run counter to the principles of
free competition and ultimately do more harm than good to a country's
business development," he stressed.
Medvedev said Russia is ready to participate in continued regional
economic integration and cooperate on other issues on the APEC agenda.
"We will work with our partners on enhancing economic legislation,
carrying out structural reform, ensuring transparency and preventing
corruption, developing small businesses and micro-enterprises, and
activating public-private partnerships," the president said.
"We will continue to build up cooperation on guaranteeing food,
energy, transport, environmental and information security throughout the
APEC region. Our work together on guaranteeing personal security and
emergency situation management is also set to move to a new level. The
fight against international terrorism, organised crime, drugs trafficking,
human trafficking and piracy continues to call for our closest attention,"
Medvedev stressed.

.Pakistani security building destroyed by blast.

ISLAMABAD, November 13 (Itar-Tass) -- A blast destroyed Pakistani
security building in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Friday, local
media said.
Police said the blast was caused by a bomb and eye witnesses were
quoted as saying at least two people were killed.
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