Minister for International and Foreign Economic Relations of Sverdlovsk Region Viktor Koksharov took part in a press conference that was hosted by TASS Ural and devoted to the preparations the region has been making for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. According to Mr. Koksharov, an ad hoc working team consisting of the Putin administration executives and representatives of a number of federal authorities has recently visited Yekaterinburg and found the city quite suitable for holding such a high-profile event.

The summit has been scheduled for 2009, and by this time, the city’s highways are expected to be much improved. Some new buildings will be put up, whereas the older ones are to be renovated in order to host the summit itself as well as all the accompanying events.

One big issue is bringing the local hotels in compliance with the international standards. Mr. Koksharov says that 1,500 rooms must be reserved for the official delegation members alone, alongside with 15 premium-class suites, since up to 14 heads of state are expected to attend the summit.