| OFFICIAL VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND OF SERGEY MIRONOV, CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF FEDERATION OF THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, On 20-23 January 2008 HE Sergey Mironov, Chairman of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, paid a return official visit to New Zealand by the invitation of Hon Margaret Wilson, Speaker of New Zealand Parliament, who had visited Russia in 2007 in the framework of her participation in the 15th session of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Moscow. Mr. Mironov met with New Zealand leaders -HE Hon Anand Satyanand, Governor-General, Rt Hon Helen Clark, Prime-Minister and Hon Margaret Wilson, Speaker of the House of Representatives; spoke at the 16th session of the APPF in Auckland and held consultations with the heads of Chinese, Chilean and Mongolian delegations; visited Auckland University of Technology; together with His Worship Hon John Banks, Mayor of Auckland held a "round table" for the representatives of New Zealand business-community interested in developing bilateral trade and economic relations with Russia; laid a wreath at the New Zealand National Museum and talked to New Zealand World War II Arctic Convoy veterans; gave an interview to the "Our Harbour" newspaper. Mr. Mironov also took part in the state funeral of the first Mt Everest climber, polar explorer and outstanding public figure of New Zealand Sir Edmund Hillary. More information on the visit can be found at the official site of Sergey Mironov: http://www.mironov.ru/events/visits/544.html | 
