Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will focus on Russia's recent economic changes, a presidential aide said Thursday.

"[Medvedev's speech] will be mainly dedicated to Russia and the way we have changed," Arkady Dvorkovich said at a press conference held at RIA Novosti.

He said during the forum, due June 17-19, the president will meet with leading energy company executives. Medvedev will also meet with leading financiers to discuss the establishment of an international financial center in Russia.

The program of this year's forum is divided into three areas: "Global Economy: Managing the Recovery," "Russia – Today and Tomorrow," and "Looking into the Future."

The focus will be on modernization and participants are expected to discuss opportunities provided by the global economic crisis.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to arrive at the forum on June 18. It is planned that he will have a meeting with Medvedev.

Russian Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina said Thursday during a video conference between Moscow and St. Petersburg organized by RIA Novosti that some 2,500 people are expected to attend the forum.

"This year we received confirmation from various large international and Russian companies. The degree of participation and interest is very high," she said, adding that this year the forum has 24 partner companies and two general sponsors – savings bank Sberbank and energy giant Gazprom.

RIA Novosti is the forum's main information partner.

Nabiullina said that at the forum Russia will hold business dialogues with the European Union, former Soviet states, the United States and India. She said gas issues will also be touched upon.

News source: RIA Novosti
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