Russian representatives oppose creation of G20 secretariat

Russian representatives consider the creation of a G20 secretariat inexpedient. “It would be much more comfortable to work with my team than if it were with a secretariat to which I would have some very indirect relation and would not realize what to do with this and this would create additional difficulties,” Chief of the Presidential Experts Directorate and the Russian G20 Sherpa Ksenia Yudaeva said adding that “judging by my own experience I believe that the creation of a special secretariat can be avoided.” Russia’s Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak expressed a similar opinion. “We, civil servants, are accused of being distanced from people,” he joked. “And this very secretariat would be even more distanced from people.” Earlier Russia’s ex-finance minister Alexei Kudrin expressed an opinion that it would be expedient to create a G20 secretariat that would ensure continuity of G20 presidencies and would propose themes for discussion.