Russia is about to join World Trade Organization in 2006. Talks on Russia's proposed membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have been "making good progress" say those behind the negotiations.

The Russian stock market grew 88 percent in 2005, setting a new world record which is impressive performance. In Europe, significant growth was seen in the Polish and Hungarian markets...

Russia has taken over the chairmanship of the G8 group of nations for the first time. Russia, as the presiding country, regards it as its duty to give a fresh impetus to efforts to find solutions to key international problems...