MOSCOW, December 31 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Foreign Minister said the country would next year try to increase the share of refined products in its oil exports, now dominated by crude. Sergei Lavrov said Russia would try to live up to its reputation of a reliable supplier of hydrocarbon fuels to global markets and to diversify the geography of its exports.
The minister said Russia's presidency in the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations, beginning January 1, 2006, would not bring any dramatic changes to the country's foreign or domestic policies and that it would continue working toward compromises and mutually acceptable arrangements with partners.
He said Russia would use its G8 presidency to promote an agenda dominated by issues of energy security, education, and prevention of bird flu and SARS pandemics.
