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	03.12.06 Victoria Panova G8 research group, University of Toronto, Director for Russia
	03.12.06 Mona Bricke German NGO Forum Environment and Development
	03.12.06 Nigel Martin Montreal International Rorum (FIM)
	02.12.06 John Kirton Head of G8 Research Group, University of Toronto
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News

Russia to host world religions summit in July - patriarch

Novo-Ogaryovo, April 19, Interfax - The world summit of religious leaders will take place July 3-4 in Russia, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and all Russia told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

Six catholic cardinals, the Archbishop of Canterbury, a number of Muslim religious leaders and the chief rabbi of Israel have agreed to attend, Alexy II told the president.

"This will be a truly inter-confessional and inter-religious summit," the patriarch said.

Putin related that during his latest visit to Azerbaijan, the Muslim leader of that country confirmed he would attend the summit.

As Russia presides over the Group of Eight, the religious leaders believe it necessary to remind the public that they speak for cooperation and against pseudo-religious ideas that divide people, against terrorism and violence, and for strengthening the moral base of life and strengthening the family, Alexy II said.

"I think that it would be useful to attract G8 attention to the common opinion of religious leaders on these questions," the patriarch said.

Moreover, he told the president about the recent World Russian People's Assembly in Moscow.

Participants of the assembly "did not spoke against anybody, but they said that they are for freedom and human rights," the patriarch said. "One should remember and know that there are moral landmarks that everyone must observe. Freedom must not be confused with permissiveness," Alexy II said.

Expert opinion

	02.12.06 Halter Marek Le College de France
	02.12.06 Olivier Giscard d’Estaing COPAM, France
	02.12.06 Mika Ohbayashi Institute for Sustainable Energy Poliсy
	02.12.06 Bill Pace World Federalist Movement - Institute for Global Policy
	01.12.06 Peter I. Hajnal Toronto University, G8 Research Group