Sunday, September 11, 2011

Prime Minister David Cameron begins Russia visit

David Cameron David Cameron believes he can "progress" relations between Russia and the UK
Prime Minister David Cameron is in Moscow for talks aimed at rebuilding relations between the UK and Russia.
He said he believed the countries could make "progress" and work together to boost their "prosperity and security".
Relations were strained by the 2006 murder of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko in London and Russia's refusal to extradite the prime suspect.
The one-day visit is the first for talks by a UK leader since 2005. It is expected to focus on business links.
BP chairman Bob Dudley is among 24 senior executives travelling with Mr Cameron and some £215m of deals could be sealed, creating an estimated 500 UK jobs.
In addition to talks with President Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Cameron is expected to meet Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who could take over the Kremlin again in elections next year.
The diplomatic row that followed the death of Mr Litvinenko has resulted in Mr Putin not having any substantive discussions with a British minister or official for more than four years.
Speaking before travelling to Moscow, Mr Cameron said Russia was an "important partner" for the UK.
"Although our differences in recent years are well known, we face many similar challenges and both the president and I believe that we can make more progress by working together on matters of real importance for the prosperity and security of people in both countries," he said.
BBC Moscow correspondent Daniel Sandford said although the trip was a sign of a defrosting of relations, "it is not a complete thaw".
Downing Street has made it clear that the Litvinenko case will be raised at some point during the visit.
Mr Litvinenko's widow, Marina, told the BBC's World Today programme she wanted to see those responsible for her husband's death brought to justice because until then "we will not have a normal progress of the relationship between these countries".
"It's not just for me, it's for our son, it's for my family and all our friends. I think it is very important," she said.
Mr Litvinenko, an outspoken Kremlin critic and former security official who had moved to the UK, was fatally poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 in 2006. His death led to both the UK and Russia expelling diplomats.
Moscow has refused a long-standing request from the UK to extradite the prime suspect in the case, Andrei Lugovoi, a former KGB officer who is now a member of the Russian parliament and has always denied involvement.
Ahead of the visit, in a letter to the Sunday Times, the prime minister was urged by four former foreign secretaries to challenge President Medvedev over a perceived failure to protect business against corruption and to address the Litvinenko issue.

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