MOSCOW, June 30 (RIA Novosti) - It would be impractical to expand the current G8 format, a presidential aide said Thursday. While answering a question on China's possible accession to the group of the world's eight most industrialized nations, Igor Shuvalov, said that there was no reason to enlarge the organization.
Shuvalov, who is also Russia's representative, or sherpa, to the G8, said China, India, Mexico, South Africa and Brazil, had been invited to discuss climate change in the outreach format at the G8 summit in Scotland on July 6-8.
The presidential aide said it was necessary to start a dialogue with these countries, which have not yet signed up to the Kyoto protocol, on a joint action plan to reduce harmful emissions.
He said these countries had a significant influence on the world economy, and were posting high rates of economic growth, despite a relative lack of high-tech equipment.
Global climate change and assistance to Africa will be top the agenda of the summit in Scotland. "Those items were chosen by Britain, the chair-country," Shuvalov said. He added that the sherpas had been working energetically in the first half of the year, and reporting to their presidents and premiers about the proposals.
The presidential aide said that on Wednesday Vladimir Putin had held a meeting on preparations for the summit. The agenda included some controversial issues.
"The draft documents to be adopted at the summit will be approved in Friday or Saturday," Shuvalov said.
"In general, we are prepared for the summit," Shuvalov said, before adding that Russia was preparing calmly for next year, when it assumes the rotating G8 chair.
