OREANDA-NEWS. April 29, 2008. Officials from the Governments of the United States and Russia met for the inaugural session of the U.S.-Russia Economic Dialogue at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. The launch of this dialogue fulfills a commitment agreed to by President Bush and President Putin in the U.S.-Russia Strategic Framework Declaration announced at their April 6, 2008 meeting in Sochi.

The dialogue was hosted by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs, Reuben Jeffery, and by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Andrey Denisov.

The session included discussions concerning the U.S. economy, U.S. and Russian trade and investment policies, and growth and efficiency in energy markets. Officials from the National Security Council, Council of Economic Advisors, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Commerce, and U.S. Department of the Treasury took part. The Government of Russia was represented by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, and Ministry of Finance.

This and future sessions of the U.S.-Russia Economic Dialogue provide a regular forum for strengthening American-Russian economic and business interaction, helping to create conditions that will enhance trade and investment relations, improve contacts between the business communities, and increase prosperity.