Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano is in Moscow as guest of the President of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation, Anton Ivanov. The Chief Justice is reciprocating a visit to Malta in March 2004 by the former president of this court, Veniamin Yakovlev.

While in Moscow, the Chief Justice and Judge Ivanov will sign a memorandum of cooperation between the two judiciaries.

Chief Justice Degaetano is also expected to meet the President of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, Valery Zorkin, the President of the Supreme Court, Vyacheslav Lebedev and the Deputy Prosecutor General, Alexander Buskman.

The Chief Justice will also attend a conference marking the 15th anniversary of the refoundation of the Arbitration Courts system of the Russian Federation.

During the absence of the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Joseph Filletti will be Acting Chief Justice.