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Blair Arrives in Moscow to Expand Economic Ties
British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Moscow on November 20 evening for a brief visit to strengthen economic ties with Russia.
He will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov.
On November 21 afternoon, Blair and Putin will discuss bilateral economic relations, in particular plans for bigger British investment in Russia, as well as international issues of common interest, the Interfax news agency cited British Ambassador to Russia Roderic Lyne as saying.
Their meeting is expected to last for over three hours, and will be followed by talks, in which more Russian and British officials will take part. Putin and Blair will then have a working lunch together. Blair will leave Moscow late Tuesday.
Lyne said Britain and Russia have established good political relations this year, but London believes economic relations between the two countries are developing at too slow a pace.
The ambassador said some of the biggest British companies, primarily oil firms, want to invest more in Russia but are not sure Russian law can provide good protection for their money. The United Kingdom would like to start tackling the problem during Blair's current visit, he said.
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