Д.Медведев.Пресс-конференция G8.09.07.08.Part 1

Press Conference following the G8 Summit.Part 1
July 9, 2008
Toyako, Hokkaido, Japan

Пресс-конференция по окончании встречи глав государств и правительств «Группы восьми»
9 июля 2008 года
Япония, Хоккайдо, Тояко-онсэн

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV: Ladies and gentlemen,

A few words before we go into the actual press conference. First of all, I would like to thank our Japanese colleagues for the excellent organization of this meeting, for the preparation and very successful conduct of the summit. In my opinion, this contributed a great deal to the results of the summit and the negotiations here in Hokkaido. Let me say from the start that I assess the results of our work as very satisfactory, indeed very good.

The agenda has been very full and we have indeed discussed pressing issues that matter for a very large number of people, not only for the member states, but for the huge number of people living on our planet.

First, as you know, we discussed the state of the world economy where the sharp growth of food prices has caused universal concern. The G8 heads of state were one in stating that comprehensive measures to strengthen food security in the world are needed to stabilise the problem. We are talking about emergency food aid and a long-term package of anti-crisis measures. By the way, our country will contribute to the solution of this problem by substantially increasing agricultural production and food supplies both within the country and in world markets. The main problem, at the end of the day, is an overall shortage of food.

Our initiatives for holding meetings of agriculture ministers and eventually a grain summit have been approved. We have taken a fairly careful and balanced approach to the production of bio-fuel which, on the one hand, is a positive track for energy development, but on the other hand, impairs the state of food security, and to the development of genetically modified foods which, of course, meet some food challenges, but on which humanity has not yet achieved a consensus.

Serious attention has been paid to global energy security. In the context of the sharp growth in energy prices, the situation in the commodity markets remains very complex, which bears out the relevance of the decisions worked out two years ago in St.Petersburg during a similar G8 summit. I am referring above all to the interdependence between energy producers, energy consumers and transit states. The summit heard national reports on the implementation of these principles and we believe that they can form the basis for working out additional measures for the further development of energy cooperation.

We are looking at the development of new energy technologies based on the model of energy efficiency. Russia will work vigorously in these areas because for us the issue of energy boils down to a large extent to the issue of energy efficiency. We have very large reserves of energy, especially fossil fuels, but at the same time we must work to enhance the energy efficiency of our economy, which will ultimately contribute to the solution of the global task connected with climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In this vein, another topic discussed was countering climate change. Today the discussion continued with other nations joining in. It was a very fruitful discussion. As I see it and I draw these conclusions based of my own impressions now today nations are aware of the danger of ongoing greenhouse gas emissions and are moving from general statements that it would be a good idea to address climate issues to working out very concrete decisions. Naturally, each country has its own situation and economy. Nevertheless this issue has left no one indifferent.

We support the stepped-up efforts of the world community to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and assist the economic development of Africa. The African theme is traditionally high on the agenda of these summits. This time, too, as a follow up to the earlier decisions, we have considered additional measures to maintain peace and stability in Africa and in the developing countries on other continents. Russia is ready to increase its participation in this area and to increase aid to African countries. In particular, we want to assist in strengthening the peacekeeping potential and in developing the health and education system. Especially since the latter two tasks are common with our national priorities.

Another topic was the inadequacy of existing international institutions in the face of the realities that have recently emerged, including the negative processes that we witness, and it is our common goal to provide a consolidated response to these challenges.

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