RUSSIA: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledge co-operation at APEC summit.

Record ID: 574133

  • Title: RUSSIA: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledge co-operation at APEC summit.
  • Date: 8th September 2012
  • Summary: VLADIVOSTOK, RUSSIA (SEPTEMBER 8, 2012) (REUTERS) CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER WALKING IN AND SHAKING HANDS WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN/PUTIN SHAKING HANDS WITH CANADIAN DELEGATES APEC SIGN ON WALL PUTIN, HARPER AND DELEGATES GETTING SEATED PUTIN AND HARPER SEATED FOR MEETING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYING: "We share a big interest in our co-operation in the Arctic. I hope that we will be able to work effectively in the near future within the framework of the structures we created and the prospect our experts and specialists outlined." CAMERAMEN (SOUNDBITE) (English) CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER SAYING: "You are correct in observing that although our relationship has expanded, we have not in any way seen the potential results come to pass yet. So you and I will talk about what we can do to further those relations as well as a range of other issues. We will be talking about international peace and security issues and some of the common challenges and experiences as Arctic nations. So once again thank you for hosting me and I look forward to our discussions here." CANADIAN DELEGATES SEATED/MEETING IN PROGRESS
  • Embargoed: 23rd September 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Russian Federation
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: Economy
  • Reuters ID: LVABAR0KUSJBGHWNOUTAUUCJFMCC
  • Story Text: Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Russia's Pacific port of Vladivostok on Saturday (September 8).
    Both leaders agreed to tap the potential of bilateral co-operation.
    "We share a big interest in our co-operation in the Arctic. I hope that we will be able to work effectively in the near future within the framework of the structures we created and prospect our experts and specialists outlined," Putin told Harper through a translator.
    The Arctic is estimated to hold at least 32 percent of the world's undiscovered oil and gas reserves and the region is becoming more accessible as global warming melts sea ice.
    "You are correct in observing that although our relationship has expanded, we have not in any way seen the potential results come to pass yet. So you and I will talk about what we can do to further those relations as well as a range of other issues. We will be talking about international peace and security issues and some of the common challenges and experiences as Arctic nations. So once again thank you for hosting me and I look forward to our discussions here," said Harper.
    In what could be a prelude to talks between Putin and Harper, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Friday (September 7) that Canada has suspended diplomatic relations with Iran, closing its embassy in Tehran and giving all Iranian diplomats in Canada five days to leave the country, calling Iran the biggest threat to global security.
    Russia has continued to maintain strong business ties with both Tehran and Damascus, especially in shipping, despite Western pressure to isolate them.
    A permanent U.N. Security Council member with veto power, Russia says it opposes further sanctions beyond the measures approved in four Security Council resolutions, the most recent in 2010.
    Harper is in Vladivostok to attend the APEC leaders' summit.
    This year's main focus will be on boosting regional trade and ensuring co-operation to promote growth in the Pacific Rim region.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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