G8 first working session begins

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-06-07 17:24

HEILIGENDAMM -- Leaders from the Group of Eight (G8) leading industrialized countries began the first working session of their annual summit focusing on economic growth and climate change on Thursday in the northern German Baltic resort of Heiligendamm.

The leaders will be discussing ways to achieve balanced worldwide growth and improve the transparency of financial and capital markets.

During a working lunch, the leaders will talk about current foreign policy issues, including the conflicts in the Middle East, nuclear non-proliferation, and future status of Kosovo.

The afternoon working session will be dealing with climate change and energy efficiency followed by a working dinner expected to focus on the G8's Africa Policy.

US President George W. Bush will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit in the afternoon.

US-Russia relations have recently been severely strained by the US planning to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe.