On January 23-26, 2003, Grigory Yavlinsky will participate in the meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which this year will be conducted under the slogan "Creating Trust".

This is the twelfth time that Grigory Yavlinsky has participated in the meetings of the Davos Forum.

Referring to the prospects of the so-called "Russian Issue", trust in the statements of the Russian delegation has been on the decline since the mid-1990s. The default in 1998 put an end to such trust. The period,when Russia was trusted and significant deals were struck and multi-billion programmes were adopted with Russia following discussions in Davos, is over. The present situation in the economy, legal system and level of corruption do not facilitate any possibility of an improvement in the situation.

"Time and effort on our part is required, to revive interest in Russia," noted Yavlinsky.

"Russians should come to Davos like all other participants of the Forum to explain Russia's investment appeal, Russia's economic specifics and prospects, formulate mid-term and long-term goals and learn about the requirements of the economic community in our investment climate." This is how Yavlinsky formulated the tasks facing Russia's representatives at the World Economic Forum.

On January 24, 2003, Yavlinsky will speak at the first plenary meeting "Stumbling Blocks on the Way to Europe"; at 12.30-14.14 he will participate in debates (which will be broadcast live via the BBC World Service) "Iraq: Is the War Necessary or Inevitable?" On the evening of January 24, 2003, he is also invited to discuss the economic and geopolitical consequences of the fight with international terrorism, in particular, a possible war in Iraq.

On January 25, 2003, Grigory Yavlinsky will participate in the interactive discussion "Prospects of US World Leadership" and in the meeting devoted mainly to Russia's problems "Russia and Europe: Is It True Love?"

See also:

the web-site of the World Economic Forum http://www.weforum.org