Medvedev, Obama to discuss arms deal in Copenhagen.

COPENHAGEN, December 18 (Itar-Tass) -- The Presidents of Russia and
the United States, Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama, will meet on the
sidelines of the climate summit in Copenhagen on Friday to discuss a new
strategic arms reduction treaty that is to replace START that expired on
December 5.
But no new deal will be signed in Copenhagen, Moscow and Washington
said.
"The presidents plan to meet after the end of the summit. They will
discuss actual bilateral relations, including preparations of a new treaty
that is to replace expired START," a Kremlin official said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said no new deal is expected to
be signed. "That will hardly happen in Copenhagen," he said adding a lot
of technical work remains to be done.
"The negotiations are progressing, we are advancing to the goal,"
Lavrov said.
"Many principal questions have already been coordinated. However,
several issues are to be settled yet. The most important thing is not to
conceal what had been agreed upon. We hope it will be so," the Russian
foreign minister said.
"The key principles are to agree on maximum possible reductions on
strategic offensive arms. The other thing is that it is necessary to
create such mechanisms, which would be adequate for a new treaty rather
than the expired one and be easier and less costly," the minister said.
"It is high time to get rid off unnecessary suspiciousness,
particularly in the situation, when the two presidents stated they want to
see a new quality of relations between Moscow and Washington -
trust-based, mutually respectful and equitable," Lavrov said.
Earlier, Medvedev's foreign policy aide Sergei Prikhodko told Tass the
content of the new treaty is much more important than the signing date.
"The signing date is certainly important, but thorough work on the
treaty contents: is much more important," Prikhodko said.
"The leaders are inclined to constructive work and intend to complete
it within the maximum short time," he said. "As soon as that happens, the
presidents will meet and sign the document."

.Medvedev to attend climate summit.

COPENHAGEN, December 18 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev arrived in Copenhagen late on Thursday to attend the United
Nations Climate Change Conference and express the Russian position on the
problem.
On the eve of the summit Medvedev said international cooperation on
the problem was "vitally important."
"The largest world economies, which means the largest emitters of
greenhouse gases, such as the United States, China, India, Russia, Brazil
and others, should simultaneously assume the necessary obligations and
rigorously fulfill them," he said. "Our disparate efforts will be
fruitless and senseless," the Russian leader stressed.
Medvedev called for different emission obligations of developed and
developing states which should not impede economic development.
"It is clear that emerging economies will have a larger need for
energy resources than industrialized nations," he said.
"We should take into account our national interests, how we see the
development of our economy in the coming years, but at the same time
realizing our joint responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions with other
major emitters," the president said.
Medvedev recalled that Russia leads the world in emission reductions.
"Our contribution should be taken into account by the international
community. However, we are ready to set ourselves a new challenge," he
said and specified it would include cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25
percent by 2020 against 1990.
"This is a very substantial reduction. Between 1990 and 2020 Russia
will reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30 billion tons.
This is a very significant contribution to the world's joint effort," he
said.
The task can be achieved by promoting energy efficiency and overall
modernization of the national economy, according to Medvedev.
"We plan to increase energy efficiency of our economy 40 percent by
2020," the president said.
Medvedev's economic aide Arkady Dvorkovich said any agreements that
might be reached in Copenhagen will only make sense if all the countries
take certain commitments.
"We believe it can be only a global agreement," he said, adding "We
won't be taking the commitments that may restrict our economic growth"
that is planned at 5 percent annual.
As for emission quota trade that can bring millions of dollars to
Russia, Dvorkovich said it is company rather than government business.
"We prefer companies to do it between themselves, without the
governments' involvement," he said.
However the issue would be "topical only if selling emission quotas
makes a real contribution and helps promote the signing of global
agreements."

.Medvedev meets Lebanese premier.


COPENHAGEN, December 18 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev met new Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on the sidelines of
the climate summit in Copenhagen late on Thursday.
"I am glad to get acquainted with you. I hope we shall discuss not
only climate issues, but bilateral relations as well," Medvedev said.
He congratulated Hariri with the final formation of the government. "I
hope it will facilitate solid and good relations between our countries,"
the president said.
Hariri thanked the Russian leader for the meeting. "The fact that you
expressed readiness to meet us at the latest time confirms that you and
the whole leadership of your country are interested in bilateral
Russia-Lebanese relations," he said.
"Naturally, we know how busy you are with numerous issues, including
climate change. But we also know that Russia always supported our country
in various situations, both simple and complicated, and we hope bilateral
cooperation between our countries will continue to develop," Hariri said.
"Right you are," Medvedev responded.
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