MOSCOW (voa) – Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who is leading a large Canadian trade delegation to Russia and Germany, has arrived in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin and other officials.
Mr. Chretien’s arrival in the Russian capital was delayed when the illness of a security officer on the plane forced the captain to make an unscheduled landing in Stockholm, where the officer was hospitalized.
The Canadian leader’s five-day visit to Russia is aimed at strengthening economic and trade ties.
“Together with our historic Team Canada 2002 trade mission to Russia, today’s agreements are firm steps toward a greater partnership with Russia. The Canada-Russia Action Plan is a concrete indication of our commitment to bring our relationship with Russia to a new level,” said the Prime Minister.
The talks are expected to focus on Russia’s efforts to gain admission to the World Trade Organization and the upcoming G-8 summit of the world’s leading industrialized nations in Alberta, Canada in June.
Russia’s ITAR-TASS news agency says Mr. Chretien is also likely to discuss disarmament and weapons non-proliferation issues with his Russian hosts.
The Canadian leader is also scheduled to meet with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and visit the cosmonaut training center in Star City outside the Russian capital, before heading to Germany Sunday.
