Russia's part in crisis talks "significant"-Kudrin

WASHINGTON, Oct 10 (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. (Reporting by Gleb Bryanski, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)