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On June 15–16, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Naryshkin was in Ukraine on a working visit. In Kiev, during the 13^th World Russian Press Congress, Mr Naryshkin met with President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych. “We discussed a set of bilateral cooperation issues ahead of the upcoming meeting of the interstate commission, which is chaired by the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine,” Sergei Naryshkin noted. He and the President of Ukraine, as well as Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Ukraine Sergei Levochkin, also discussed holding the Economic Forum of Russian and Ukrainian Regions, which will take place in autumn of 2011.

At the opening of the 13^th World Russian Press Congress, Sergei Naryshkin read the President of Russia’s greetings to forum participants. In his telegram, Dmitry Medvedev particularly emphasised that the World Congress is occurring 70 years after the start of the Great Patriotic War. “In this regard, I feel that the initiative by the World Association of Russian Press to create a database on the history of the Second World War is very useful,” the President of Russia’s message states.

Speaking at the congress, Sergei Naryshkin noted that the Russian-language media are actively asserting the interests of their compatriots, informing people about life and accomplishments in Russia. “The Russian language will continue to play an exceptional role in the development of humanitarian dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding throughout the entire CIS, and the forum was and continues to be a good platform for sharing experience and new ideas, as well as discussing promising modern projects,” noted the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia.

Participants in the congress, which was held in Kiev and Odessa, included editors-in-chief and heads of Russian and foreign media, leading journalists and publishers, electronic media representatives, government and public figures, experts and scientists from leading institutes, and leaders of Russian communities abroad.

Within the framework of his working visit, Sergei Naryshkin also went to Odessa, where he had meetings with Chairman of Odessa Regional State Administration Eduard Matviychuk and Mayor of Odessa Alexei Kostusev. “We discussed prospects for cooperation between Odessa and Russian regions. Odessa has a good economic future and great potential. The regions of the Russian Federation are interested in effective cooperation with Odessa,” Sergei Naryshkin emphasised following the meeting.

Sergei Naryshkin also met with Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa and Izmail at the Holy Dormition Monastery in Odessa.