ON THE OUTCOME OF THE BIG EIGHT SUMMIT

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a high assessment to the results of the Big Eight summit.

The head of the Russian side noted that the G8 members are united by long-term strategic interests, and that issues can be discussed in a confidential atmosphere facilitating the adoption of mutually acceptable decisions.

In Putin's opinion, the strengthening of the international antiterrorist coalition and creation of a group for counterterrorist action is one of the main results of the G8 Summit.

Russia will take an active part in the work of this group, with the primary attention to be paid to the CIS space and the zone of action of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

President Putin also noted the great importance of the document adopted in Evian on the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.