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Sochi summit today

MOSCOW: Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev will host a second quadripartite summit with the leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan to discuss security, terrorism, drugs and economic cooperation in the region.

At a one-day meeting in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Wednesday, the Presidents “will discuss the domestic situation in Afghanistan, the problem of drug trafficking and the struggle against terrorism,” said Mr. Medvedev's foreign policy aide, Sergei Prikhodko.

“The meeting will also focus on the strengthening of trade and economic ties, including through joint projects, for example in the energy sphere,” he said.

Analysts said hydropower energy and transport infrastructure would be the foundation of four-corner economic cooperation. Under the Central Asia-South Asian-1000 (CASA-1000) plan sponsored by the World Bank, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan will supply surplus electricity to Afghanistan and Pakistan. There is also a plan to build a motorway and a railroad from Pakistan to Tajikistan.

At the first quadripartite summit in Tajikistan last year Mr. Medvedev said “a new format” of regional cooperation was being borne.

Chairman of the Russian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev said Russia could become “a donor of economic, social and military-political security” for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Russia is expected to offer relief aid to Pakistan. Moscow has already sent a planeload of emergency supplies to flood victims in Pakistan. Islamabad said President Asif Ali Zardari will cut his visit to Sochi from two days to just a few hours because of the flood situation at home.

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