OREANDA-NEWS. The first joint meeting of the Russian-Swedish-Business Council was held at Vnesheconombank. The meeting was co-chaired by Vnesheconombank Chairman Vladimir Dmitriev and Ericsson President and CEO Hans Vestberg.

In the attendance of the meeting were such distinguished guests as Russian Minister of Industry and Trade - Chairman of the Russian Part of the Russian-Swedish Supervisory Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation Denis Manturov, Swedish Ambassador to the Russian Federation Veronika Bard-Bringeus, representatives of Russian and Swedish ministries and institutions. The meeting was attended by Prince Daniel of Sweden who was on a private visit to Russian.

In the course of the meeting the parties expressed their mutual interest in enhancing Russian-Swedish relations, promoting multilateral practical cooperation between the two countries and establishing a constructive business dialogue.

As part of the meeting its participants signed a Memorandum on Cooperation between the Russian and Swedish Parts of the Russian-Swedish Business Council. The Memorandum sets forth basic principles of interaction between business circles of the two countries. On behalf of Russia the Memorandum was signed by Vladimir Dmitriev and on behalf of Sweden - by Hans Vestberg.

The Memorandum states the parties' intention to render all-round assistance to Russian and Swedish institutions and companies in establishing and strengthening direct business contacts as well as their intention to engage members of the Council for participating in joint projects to be implemented on the territory of Russia and Sweden.

The parties are to render all-round assistance in expanding and enhancing mutually beneficial trade-economic, scientific-technical and humanitarian ties between Russian and Swedish institutions and companies and contribute to increased investments of the two countries.

The Russian-Swedish Business Council is a nongovernmental public organization. The Council's activity is to be undertaken on a pro bono basis uniting Russian and Swedish companies and institutions irrespective of ownership type. Vnesheconombank and Ericsson Concern respectively are to be responsible for coordinating activities of the Council's Russian and Swedish parts and managing its executive bodies.