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The Council discussed Russian foreign policy and the opportunities for regional participation in border partnership—in particular, with the United States and the countries of Europe, China, the CIS, Central Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

As he addressed the meeting, Mr Putin said that foreign policy should, first of all, pursue the interests of the Russian nation, improve the quality of life and raise the standard of living, promote contacts with citizens of other countries, and facilitate border crossing and employment abroad.

The President stressed that the search for new tools of effective practical cooperation with regions should be the primary goal of the Foreign Ministry and other federal agencies. He approved the Council members’ proposal to establish a consultative council of regional governors affiliated to the Foreign Ministry.

As he turned to the development of interstate relations, Mr Putin said that a free trade zone had practically taken shape in the CIS, as Russia had signed bilateral treaties with all CIS countries, except Ukraine. He emphasised that a number of export/import commodities were of special importance to Russia for budget formation.

He referred to the United States and the European Union as Russia’s trusted partners and to China as its strategic partner. He said that the Russian-Chinese border delineation problem would be settled quite soon and that Russia should work for a mutually acceptable settlement promoting its national interests.

Mr Putin also mentioned other problems, including transit to and from Kaliningrad and personnel training in the regions in connection with Russia’s upcoming membership in the World Trade Organisation. He called on the governors of interested regions and the heads of relevant agencies to resume the discussion of the rules and standards of nuclear security and the disposal of nuclear waste.

Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Alexander Dzasokhov, President of North Ossetia-Alania and head of a working group, made reports to the meeting. Governor Anatoly Guzhvin of the Astrakhan Region, Governor Viktor Ishayev of the Khabarovsk Region, Governor Yury Yevdokimov of the Murmansk Region, Governor Oleg Bogomolov of the Kurgan Region and Governor Ravil Geniatulin of the Chita Region took part in the discussion.

Mr Putin summarised the meeting with instructions to the Government and his Executive Office. In particular, he ordered the organisation of efforts to form the legal mechanism of coordinating foreign political and economic activities of regional and municipal ruling bodies. He ordered Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov to draft and approve a list of measures for the implementation of the concept of border cooperation. Presidential Executive Office Head Alexander Voloshin was ordered to elaborate on proposals for the establishment of the Alexander Pushkin Foundation, which is to be under the President’s patronage. The new organisation will be responsible for partnership with foreign public, cultural and research organisations.