Press Releases

Ambassador of the United States of America Visits Russian Far East

August 26, 2006

On August, 25, the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Russian Federation William J. Burns made his first visit to the Russian Far East, during which he traveled to Sakhalin oblast and Vladivostok.

During the course of his visit the Ambassador met with Governor of Sakhalin oblast Ivan Malakhov and Governor of Primorskiy Kray Sergey Darkin. The parties discussed the regional development of Sakhalin and Primorye, opportunities for attracting additional American investment, and a number of other issues concerning the development of greater ties between the United States and the Russian Far East.

The opening of the consular agency in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk was one of the most important events of the Ambassador's visit. This event highlights the interest of American businesses and government in the region and comes as a direct result of the increasing numbers of American businesses and citizens on Sakhalin Island. During the opening ceremony the Ambassador presented the new U.S. consular agent to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Mrs. Jocelyn Baker.

During his visit Ambassador Burns also discussed the recent opening on Sakhalin of a representational office of FRAEC (Foundation for Russian-American Economic Cooperation). This foundation with headquarters in Seattle has long been known in the Russian Far East as the administrator of numerous programs in the field of development of small and medium business, and also as one of the active organizers of international economic fora.

The visit also included meetings with U.S. business representatives working in the region. Ambassador Burns toured the Exxon Mobile oil platform in Chayvo one of the largest American investment projects in the Russian Federation. In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Ambassador Burns met with representatives of small and medium size Russian businesses that receive assistance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In Vladivostok the Ambassador met with the heads of international companies during an informal meeting of the Vladivostok International Business Association (VIBA).

The Ambassador also met with students and faculty of local universities and with alumni of U.S. government sponsored professional and academic exchange programs. On August 25, Ambassador Burns attended a presentation of civic projects devoted to the struggle against corruption that were prepared by Vladivostok high school and university students as part of the Primorye School of Human Rights Program.

In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk the Ambassador opened a photo exhibition on the history of Russian-U.S. presidential summits. In Primorye's regional Arsenyev museum, Ambassador Burns opened an exhibition of works of Russian and American sculptors. This is the first exhibit in the Russian Far East featuring the works of American sculptors.

Ambassador Burns attended the opening ceremony of the 4th International Vladivostok Film Festival entitled "Pacific Meridian in Vladivostok." Prior to catching a flight back to Moscow Ambassador Burns went on a boat tour of Peter the Great Bay organized by the Maritime State University. During the tour he met with students of Vladivostok's leading universities.