Andrei Denisov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, notified Governor of Sverdlovsk Region Eduard Rossel that the ministry agreed to let the French Embassy in Russia set up their Consulate General in Yekaterinburg. The would-be consulate will cater for Sverdlovsk, Kurgan, Chelyabinsk, and Tyumen Regions, as well as for Khanty-Mansiyskiy and Yamalo-Nenetskiy Autonomous Regions. It is expected to start operating as soon as September 1, 2007 and will thus become France’s second Consulate General in Russia (the first consulate has been operating in Saint Petersburg).