As the host of annual summit of the Group of Eight industrialized nations this weekend, Russia is taking the first-ever chance to showcase its rise not only as an energy giant but also a major player on world stage.

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that the Summit agenda will focus on three areas of global concern: energy security, education and the fight against infectious diseases.

 

Amid world concerns about spreading of some epidemics such as bird flu, Putin proposed to create a global system to monitor dangerous diseases and called for regular interaction between experts from different states.

 

As for the issue of education, the Russian president urged his G8 partners to focus on ways to improve the quality and effectiveness of national education systems and professional training.

 

"We must find tools for encouraging the international business community to increase investment into this sector," said Putin.

 

The summit would also cover the issues such as counterterrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the settlement of regional conflicts, the development of global economy as well as protection of environment.

 

Undoubtedly, energy security is the most important issue because it is one of the few areas of global concern in which Russia is still a major player, according to some analysts.

 

Russia holds the world's largest reserves of natural gas and remains the second-largest exporter of oil. The country provides about a quarter of the gas and 18 percent of oil consumed in the European Union (EU).

 

The G8 includes four individual EU member states Germany, Britain, France and Italy as well as the US, Canada and Japan.

 

"We plan to urge our partners to redouble efforts to ensure global energy security. We believe it is crucial to find a solution to a problem which directly influences the social and economic development of all countries," said Putin.

 

However, Russia and the other G8 nations are widely divided on the definition of energy security. The western countries only want Russia to be a safe energy supplier while Russia demands more.

 

"Russia wants to achieve security of demand, the others in the group want security of supply," said EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.

 

The G8 leaders are expected to sign a conclusion calling for enhancing international energy cooperation. However, Russia's differences with the West over energy will not be easily overcome, warn analysts.

 

The Kremlin in this May came under criticism from US Vice President Dick Cheney for using its energy reserves as "tools of intimidation and blackmail". He also criticized the rollback of Russia's democratic process.

 

Before arriving in St. Petersburg for a dine with Putin on Friday, US President George W. Bush said in Germany that he would raise concerns about freedom privately but he added that he would not lecture his Russian counterpart.

 

Bush's comments came two days after President Putin accused Western critics of Russia's record on democracy of using "colonialist" rhetoric.

 

In TV interviews to foreign media, Putin said it was unacceptable for the West to use the issue to interfere in Russia's affairs.

 

However, observers believe that a confronted summit is unlikely because the American needs Russia's help on a series of other major issues like the escalating nuclear crises in Iran, the Middle East and the Korean peninsula.

 

Even the most powerful club as well needs help from less developed countries to address critical challenges facing the world. As the previous years, key leaders from some of the most important developing countries are invited to attend a roundtable meeting with the G8 leaders.

 

These leaders include Chinese President Hu Jintao, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh, Brazilian President Lula da Silva and South African President Thabo Mkebi.

 

The discussion would be helpful for the international community to enhance cooperation in dealing with trade, climate change, poverty-relief and other development issues, said analysts.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 15, 2006)