Juneau -- The Alaska Legislature is hosting a delegation of high-ranking Russian political leaders March 24-29 that will meet with public and private sector leaders and tour facilities in Anchorage, Juneau, and Kenai.

The delegation will be comprised of members of the Russian Federation's State Duma Committee on Natural Resources and the Sakhalin Regional Duma. The Russian Federation State Duma is equivalent to the U.S. Congress. The Sakhalin Duma, the equivalent of the Alaska Legislature, visits Alaska annually, and the decision to include the State Duma delegation this year came when it was learned that the visit coincides with the State Duma's planned tour of developments on Sakhalin Island.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase Alaskan knowledge and expertise, as well as Alaskan hospitality," said Representative Ramona Barnes, Chair of the House Special Committee on World Trade and State/Federal Relations. "We want to represent Alaska as the best possible place for providing training and technical assistance for joint venture operations in the Russian Far east and Siberia."

"The Russian Federation's State Duma Committee on Natural Resources has considerable input into the legislation that will be necessary for foreign participation in Sakhalin Island offshore oil and gas development projects," said Senate President Drue Pearce. "It is fair to compare this visit to that of the U.S. House of Representatives' Energy Committee visit to Alaska prior to Congress' vote on the trans-Alaska pipeline enabling legislation."

"The 21st Alaska Legislature looks forward to continuing our ongoing productive relationship with the Sakhalin Regional Duma," said Speaker of the House Brian Porter. "The current and projected low oil prices and the financial crisis in Asia make it even more important to maintain and further develop the close ties we now enjoy with our close neighbors in the Russian Far east."

The delegation will be led by Anatoli Timofeevich Morozov of the Russian Federation State Duma Committee on Natural Resources and by Mrs. Lubov Fedorovna Shubina, Deputy Chair of the Sakhalin Duma.

Members of the Russian Federation State Duma and Sakhalin Regional Duma will meet twice with the press during their visit to Alaska at the following times and locations:

Juneau, Thursday, March 25, 11:30 am (or immediately following session) Speaker's Chambers Alaska State Capitol.

Anchorage, Friday, March 26, 1:30 pm (following noon luncheon, to which the press is invited) Chart Room Anchorage Hilton Hotel.