Russia has a wealth of experience and the requisite base for precluding and clearing up the consequences of natural disasters. Russia joined the APEC three years ago, which gave a powerful boost to our cooperation. The region will always need Russia, both to maintain stability and security, and to ensure a balance of interests of all sides. We are ready to cooperate with all countries of the region, big and small, economically advanced and those who are only striving to attain this level. Russia joined the APEC because this fit in with its desire to more energetically contribute to Asia Pacific cooperation.
Many Asian countries regard Russia as a reliable economic partner.
And we are working to expand the range of such countries. Russia's initiative on the joint creation of an innovative reactor technology and a natural safety nuclear cycle, advanced at the UN Millennium Summit, fully concerns APEC countries, too. For these problems worry not only those countries that face the nuclear wastes disposal problem, but also anyone who wants to build up its economic might by using cheap electricity. Russia suggests modern technologies which fully exclude the use of enriched uranium and pure plutonium for the global power generation industry. This is especially important in view of the nuclear weapons' proliferation.