Russia says part in crisis talks "significant"

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russian officials, who are discussing the global crisis at a dinner meeting with G7 countries on Friday, have the experience needed to take part in drafting anti-crisis measures, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said.

"This time at the G8 meetings Russia will participate in discussions over the issues which are normally discussed in the G7 format. The issues of the global crisis will be discussed with Russia's participation," Kudrin told reporters.

Kudrin said the United States, which chaired the meeting of Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors in Washington, had invited Russia to take part in the discussion.

"Participation by Russia in anti-crisis measures is very significant and therefore allowed for a change in the G7 format," Kudrin said.

Kudrin said Russia, which has already unveiled its own anti-crisis measures worth over $200 billion (117.6 billion pounds), was qualified to discuss the response to the global financial meltdown.

"Russia has experience needed to take part in preparing the anti-crisis measures," Kudrin said. "We have our own analysis. We will share our conclusions."

Kudrin regularly takes part in G8 finance ministers' meetings, at which Russia is kept out of discussions about the global economy and currencies.

Kudrin said he took part in the G7 meeting on Friday while his deputy Dmitry Pankin helped to draft the G7 communique.

Kudrin said Russia, holder of the world's third largest gold and foreign currency reserves that it is now using to prop up the rouble, also wanted to ensure its investment is safe.