DOCSLIB.ORG

Eu-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Eu-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT EU-RUSSIA PCC WORKING GROUP 17-19 March 2008 Moscow REPORT Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN, Chairperson DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL POLICIES OF THE UNION 1 Preparatory meeting The preparatory meeting took place on Wednesday, 12 March in Strasbourg. Ms OOMEN-RUIJTEN introduced the agenda and the programme of the planned visit. Mr Michael WEBB, representing the European Commission, provided the Members with a briefing on the state of the EU-Russia relations, in particular on the progress towards a new framework agreement, the post-electoral situation, and issues of common concern and understanding. Interventions by Members followed on specific proposals for meetings and topics of discussion during the visit of the working group to Moscow. Development of the mission The final composition of the working group was the following: Ms Ria OOMEN- RUIJTEN, Chair, Mr Reino PAASILINNA, 1st Vice-Chair, Mr Esko SEPPÄNEN, 2nd Vice-Chair, Mr Emmanouil ANGELAKAS, Mr Bastiaan BELDER, Ms Rebecca HARMS, Mr Metin KAZAK, Mr Henrik LAX, Ms Eluned MORGAN, Mr Justas PALECKIS, Mr Rihards PIKS, Ms Gabriele STAUNER, Mr Csaba TABAJDI, Ms Inese VAIDERE, Mr Janusz ONYSZKIEWICZ (rapporteur). The Working Group held meetings with Members of the Russian State Duma and Federation Council, notably with Mr Andrey KLIMOV, recently appointed Deputy Head of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and new PCC Co-Chair, as well as Mr Gennady GORBUNOV, the first Vice-Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federal Council and Co-Chair of the EU-Russia PCC. The delegation also met Mr Sergey NARYSHKIN, Deputy Prime Minister, and with Mr Anatoly YANOVSKY, Deputy Minister of Energy. The meetings with the Russian counterparts centred on a wide range of bilateral and international questions, but mainly on energy cooperation and the obstacles to the start of negotiations of the new EU-Russia agreement. The parliamentarians addressed also issues such as the Strategic Sectors Bill, visa facilitation and the EU's internal energy market legislation. The delegation was also briefed by Ambassador Marc FRANCO, Head of EC Delegation, and Slovenian Ambassador Andrej BENEDEJCIC, representing the Slovenian Presidency-in-Office. UK Ambassador Anthony BRENTON briefed the Members on the developments in dispute between the Russian Federation and the UK over the British Council. A Briefing meeting with the EBA European Business Association centered on energy policy related questions, but highlighted also problems European companies have with the Russian administration notably with regard to visa facilitation and immigration laws concerning their non-Russian staff. In a specially organized meeting, Members of the delegation also discussed the situation of democracy, rule of law and human rights in Russia with the representatives of Russian NGOs (Carnegie Moscow Centre, Golos, Centre for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights, Human Rights Watch). 2 Upon return from Russia, Chairwoman Ms OOMEN-RUIJTEN issued a press statement (in Annex) declaring that the first EU-Russia Parliamentary meeting after the elections announced the beginning of a new era, as the discussion showed clear determination on both sides to step up efforts towards the conclusion of a new EU- Russia Agreement. Tuesday, 18 March 2008 Briefing with Mr Marc FRANCO, Head of EC Delegation, H.E. Andrej BENEDEJCIC, representing the Slovenian Presidency-in-Office and UK Ambassador H.E. Anthony BRENTON Ambassador FRANCO and his colleagues gave an overview of the political and economic situation in the Russian Federation, arguing that its economy has been consistently doing very well, with oil and gas being its main engine, while politically the country has been seeing a continuing restriction of democracy, with concentration of central power and further convergence of political and economic elites. As for relations with the EU, mutual trade and investments have been growing, but the relations are overshadowed by the problem of the start of the negotiations on a new EU-Russia framework agreement, a mandate for which is expected during the Slovenian Presidency. Slovenian Ambassador Mr BENEDEJCIC presented the Presidency's objectives towards Russia, which included starting negotiations on new partnership agreement, promotion of intercultural dialogue, including its Slavic dimension, and the third dimension of the new neighbourhood policy. UK Ambassador Mr BRENTON briefed the delegation on the continuation of the dispute over the activities of the British Council, the cultural arm of the British government, in the Russian Federation. In the ensuing debate, Mr LAX raised the issue of the implementation of the EU- Russia visa facilitation agreement, including the associated problem of working permits for businessmen and experts, which endangers also many EU-funded projects. Meeting with Mr Sergey NARYSHKIN, Deputy Prime Minister The meeting was opened by Mr Sergey NARYSHKIN, who warmly welcomed the delegation of the European Parliament and stressed that the EU remains a strategic partner for the Russian Federation, particularly in economic cooperation. The Deputy Prime Minister, expressed hope that the mandate for the negotiations of a new cooperation agreement will be adopted soon. Mr NARYSHKIN was accompanied by Mr Andrey KLIMOV, the EU-Russia PCC Co-Chair and Mr Sergey RYBAKOV, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On behalf of the EP delegation, Ms OOMEN-RUIJTEN underlined the importance of understanding as the basis of the new agreement and raised a number of issues of common concern including the nature and depth of the new agreement, the state of the 3 WTO negotiations, visa facilitation and the issuance of work permits, as well as the Strategic Sectors Bill, which is currently being discussed by the State Duma. Mr FRANCO said on behalf of the Commission that the position of the European Union is that the new agreement should be legally binding and comprehensive. He added that it should be a combination of an overall agreement and sectoral issues, whereas the detail and length should be defined by the negotiators, who should in turn aim to achieve a middle way between extremes. Both sides agreed that the negotiations on the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement should start as soon as possible and that the new agreement should be legally-binding, comprehensive but not too detailed. During the following debate a number of further topics were raised by the Chair, Mr PAASILINNA and Mr ONYSZKIEWICZ, including railway tariffs and other problems impeding WTO accession, administrative reform and the fight against corruption. Meeting with Members of the State Duma and Federation Council The meeting was opened by Mr Andrey KLIMOV, who underlined the European orientation of the Russian foreign policy and called for a common Europe without dividing lines. He regretted that the start of the negotiations on the new EU-Russia agreement has been delayed and hoped that the outstanding problems will be resolved soon. He argued that the new agreement should be based on positive experience and should be short and not too detailed. On behalf of the Federation Council, the delegation was welcomed by Mr Gennady GORBUNOV, the first Vice-Chair of its Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the EU-Russia PCC. The Co-Chair evoked the parties' mutual interest in solving problems and avoiding double standards, e.g. when it comes to the recognition of independence of separatist territories, including Kosovo and former Soviet territories (Abkhazia, South-Ossetia, Transnistria). He informed the delegation on hearings on the latter issue on 13-14 March in the State Duma and a planned statement on this issue1. The Vice-Chair further mentioned the resurgence of Nazi ideology in Latvia. In response, Chair of EP delegation stated that EU and Russia should try to set ambitious goals for their relationship in the new partnership agreement, which should be legally binding, comprehensive but not necessarily long. She further raised a number of issues of concern, including the increase of corruption and spread of anti- Western sentiment in Russia, concerns over some infrastructure projects of Gazprom in Europe, as well as the need for diversification of the Russian economy and the decision of the European Parliament's political authorities to support the Sakharov Foundation. Finally, the Chair expressed hope that Russia will make progress on solving contentious issues hindering its accession to the WTO. 1 The State Duma issued a statement on "the Russian Federation’s Policy with respect to Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria" on 21 March 2008 (Secret). 4 During the following an exchange of views between European and Russian delegations Mr LAX, Mr BELDER, Ms HARMS, Mr ANGELAKAS, Mr LIKACHEV, Ms DIMITRIEVA, Mr KLIMOV, Mr ROGOZOV, Mr DRAGANOV, Mr PAASILINNA, Ms MORGAN, Mr ISCHENKO, Mr ONYSZKIEWICZ and Mr SEPPÄNEN raised questions on a wide range of issues, including energy security and energy efficiency, climate change, recognition of independence of former Soviet territories (South-Ossetia, Abkhazia, Transnistria), Kosovo, corruption, Baltic Sea Strategy for the Northern Dimension, Nord Stream project, Kaliningrad, visa facilitation, situation of the Sakharov Foundation, and Russia's WTO membership perspectives. The first day concluded with a working dinner with the representatives of the Association of European Business (Energy sector), where Members (Chair, Ms MORGAN, Mr LAX, Mr PALECKIS, Mr ANGELAKAS, Ms HARMS, Mr SEPPÄNEN, Mr
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Armenia Presidential Elections, 19 February 2008
    EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION TO OBSERVE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA 19 February 2008 ELECTION OBSERVATION REPORT Mrs Marie Anne Isler Béguin, Chair of the Delegation Annexes: - EP press statement of 20 February 2008 - Joint press statement of 20 February 2008 - Joint statement on preliminary findings and conclusions of 20 February 2008 - Lists of participants - Programme DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL POLICIES OF THE UNION _______________ 26 March 2008 TG/ES NT/716805EN.doc 1 PE 395.987 ARMENIA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 19 February 2008 A Delegation of four Members, led by Mrs Marie Anne ISLER BÉGUIN and composed of Mr Šarūnas BIRUTIS, Mrs Alexandra DOBOLYI and Mrs Gabriele STAUNER, stayed in Armenia from 17 to 21 February 2008 to observe the presidential elections on 19 February 2008. The Delegation organised its activities in close cooperation with other observing organisations on site. Some 75 parliamentarians and about 250 short-term observers monitored the election under the heading of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) and the European Parliament (EP). On 17 February, the Chair Mrs ISLER BÉGUIN had an exchange of views with the co-chair of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, Mr Avet ADONTS to be briefed from the Armenian side on the state of play with regard to the elections. The preparation of the joint parliamentary observation mission started with a working dinner with OSCE/ODHIHR Ambassadors STROHAL and AHRENS and the Head of the OSCE PA Delegation Mrs Anne- Marie LIZIN.
    [Show full text]
  • Association of Accredited Lobbyists to the European Parliament
    ASSOCIATION OF ACCREDITED LOBBYISTS TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT OVERVIEW OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT FORUMS AALEP Secretariat Date: October 2007 Avenue Milcamps 19 B-1030 Brussels Tel: 32 2 735 93 39 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.lobby-network.eu TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction………………………………………………………………..3 Executive Summary……………………………………………………….4-7 1. European Energy Forum (EEF)………………………………………..8-16 2. European Internet Forum (EIF)………………………………………..17-27 3. European Parliament Ceramics Forum (EPCF………………………...28-29 4. European Parliamentary Financial Services Forum (EPFSF)…………30-36 5. European Parliament Life Sciences Circle (ELSC)……………………37 6. Forum for Automobile and Society (FAS)…………………………….38-43 7. Forum for the Future of Nuclear Energy (FFNE)……………………..44 8. Forum in the European Parliament for Construction (FOCOPE)……..45-46 9. Pharmaceutical Forum…………………………………………………48-60 10.The Kangaroo Group…………………………………………………..61-70 11.Transatlantic Policy Network (TPN)…………………………………..71-79 Conclusions………………………………………………………………..80 Index of Listed Companies………………………………………………..81-90 Index of Listed MEPs……………………………………………………..91-96 Most Active MEPs participating in Business Forums…………………….97 2 INTRODUCTION Businessmen long for certainty. They long to know what the decision-makers are thinking, so they can plan ahead. They yearn to be in the loop, to have the drop on things. It is the genius of the lobbyists and the consultants to understand this need, and to satisfy it in the most imaginative way. Business forums are vehicles for forging links and maintain a dialogue with business, industrial and trade organisations. They allow the discussions of general and pre-legislative issues in a different context from lobbying contacts about specific matters. They provide an opportunity to get Members of the European Parliament and other decision-makers from the European institutions together with various business sectors.
    [Show full text]
  • Observation of the Presidential Election in the Russian Federation (4 March 2012)
    Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire http://assembly.coe.int Doc. 12903 23 April 2012 Observation of the presidential election in the Russian Federation (4 March 2012) Election observation report Ad hoc Committee of the Bureau Rapporteur: Mr Tiny KOX, Netherlands, Group of the Unified European Left Contents Page 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 2. Political and legal context ....................................................................................................................... 2 3. Election administration and voter and candidate registration .................................................................3 4. The campaign period and the media environment.................................................................................. 4 5. Complaints and appeals ......................................................................................................................... 5 6. Election day ............................................................................................................................................ 5 7. Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Appendix 1 – Composition of the ad hoc committee.................................................................................... 8 Appendix 2 – Programme of the pre-electoral mission (Moscow,
    [Show full text]
  • Annex E.4.15
    ICC-01/15-4-AnxE.4.15-Corr 06-11-2015 1/35 EC PT Annex E.4.15 Public Corrected Version of ICC-01/15-4-AnxE.4.15 ICC-01/15-4-AnxE.4.15-Corr 06-11-2015 2/35 EC PT SOUTH OSSETIA: THE BURDEN OF RECOGNITION Europe Report N°205 - 7 June 2010 lnternationa Crisis Group WORKING TO PREVENT CONFLICT WORLDWIDE GEO-OTP-0001-1242 ICC-01/15-4-AnxE.4.15-Corr 06-11-2015 3/35 EC PT TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS i I. IN.TRODUCTION 1 II. POST-RECOGNITION DEVELOPMENTS 2 A. THEPOPfilJ\TION 2 B. TIIE Soc10-EcoNOMIC SITUATION AND RECONSTRUCTION 4 l. Local conditions .4 2. Russian aid and corruption 6 C. RUSSI/\ '8 MILITARY PRR8F.NCE-SOOTH 0SSETIJ\ '8 STRJ\ TRGTC V /\LUE 7 Ill. LOCAL POLITICS 9 A. CoMPr:rnroN FOR RlJ8SIJ\N RRSOlJRCKS 9 B. Tl IE RULE OF LAW ANI) HUMAN RIOI ITS 12 C. FUTURE PROSPECTS 13 IV. GEORGTAN-OSSETTAN RELATIONS 15 A. FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT 15 B. Dt-:TENTTONS 16 C. DISPLACEMENT ISSUES 17 V. THE INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE 19 A. THE GENEV J\ T /\LKS 19 B. FIELD PRESENCE 20 C. TIIE EU MONITORINGMI SSION 21 VI. CONCLUSION 23 APPENDICES A. MAP OF G.EOROlA 24 B. MAP OF Soun 1 OssHTIA 25 C. MAP OF sotrra 0SSETIA SHOWING VILLAGES UNDER GEORGIANAND 0SSETIAN CONTROL PRIOR TO 7 AUGUST 2008 26 D. AnOUTTIIEINTERNATIONALCRl SIS GROUP 27 E. CRISIS GROUP REPORTS AND BRll:FINGS ON ElJROPli SINCE 2007 28 F. CRJSlS GROUP BOAR!) OFTRUSTEES 29 GEO-OTP-0001-1243 ICC-01/15-4-AnxE.4.15-Corr 06-11-2015 4/35 EC PT lnternationa Crisis Group WORKING TO PREVENT CONFLICT WORLDWIDE Program Report N°205 7 June 2010 SOUTH OSSETIA: THE BURDEN OF RECOGNITION EXECUTIVE SUlVIMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS South Ossetia is no closer to genuine independence now threats on its own North Caucasus territory, Moscow than in August 2008, when Russia went to war with has preferred to work with Kokoity and his entourage, Georgia and extended recognition.
    [Show full text]
  • Europarlamenttivaalit 2004
    Tilastokeskus Suomen virallinen tilasto Vaalit 2006 Statistikcentralen Finlands officiella statistik Val Statistics Finland Official Statistics of Finland Elections Europarlamenttivaalit 2004 Europaparlamentsvalet European Parliament elections Suomen virallinen tilasto Vaalit 2006 Finlands officiella statistik Val Official Statistics of Finland Elections Europarlamenttivaalit 2004 Europaparlamentsvalet European Parliament elections Helsinki - Helsingfors 2006 Tiedustelut - Förfrågningar - Inquiries: Suomen virallinen tilasto Finlands officiella statistik Eeva Heinonen Official Statistics of Finland Jaana Asikainen (09) 17 341 http://tilastokeskus.fi/europarlamenttivaalit Kansikuva - Pärmbild - Cover graphics: Jannis Mavrostomos © 2006 Tilastokeskus - Statistikcentralen - Statistics Finland Tietoja lainattaessa lähteenä on mainittava Tilastokeskus. Uppgifterna får lånas med uppgivande av Statistikcentralen som källa. Quoting is encouraged provided Statistics Finland is acknowledged as the source. ISSN 1795-5165 = Suomen virallinen tilasto ISSN 1239-7415 ISBN 952-467-608-7 Edita Prima Oy, Helsinki 2006 Alkusanat Förord Tämä julkaisu sisältää tietoja vuoden 2004 euro­ Publikationen innehåller uppgifter om europaparla- parlamenttivaaleista. Tilasto sisältää keskeiset tie­ mentsvalet 2004. Statistiken innehåller centrala dot puolueiden vaalituloksista ja äänestysvilk­ uppgifter om partiernas valresultat och om valdelta­ kaudesta sekä valittujen europarlamenttiedustaji- gandet samt också uppgifter om hur många röster de en äänimääristä kunnittain.
    [Show full text]
  • Procès-Verbal De La Séance Du 18 Novembre 2013
    25.2.2014 FR Journal officiel de l’Union européenne C 53 E/1 Lundi 18 novembre 2013 IV (Informations) INFORMATIONS PROVENANT DES INSTITUTIONS, ORGANES ET ORGANISMES DE L'UNION EUROPÉENNE PARLEMENT EUROPÉEN SESSION 2013-2014 Séances du 18 au 21 novembre 2013 STRASBOURG PROCÈS-VERBAL DE LA SÉANCE DU 18 NOVEMBRE 2013 (2014/C 53 E/01) Sommaire Page 1. Reprise de la session . 2 2. Déclaration de la Présidence . 2 3. Souhaits de bienvenue . 2 4. Approbation du procès-verbal de la séance précédente . 2 5. Composition du Parlement . 3 6. Demande de levée de l'immunité parlementaire . 3 7. Composition des commissions et des délégations . 3 8. Rectificatif (article 216 du règlement) . 3 9. Signature d'actes adoptés conformément à la procédure législative ordinaire (article 74 du règlement) . 4 10. Questions avec demande de réponse orale (dépôt) . 4 11. Transmission par le Conseil de textes d'accords . 5 12. Pétitions . 5 13. Dépôt de documents . 6 14. Ordre des travaux . 12 C 53 E/2 FR Journal officiel de l’Union européenne 25.2.2014 Lundi 18 novembre 2013 Sommaire (suite) Page 15. Programme "ERASMUS pour tous" ***I (débat) . 13 16. Programme "Europe créative" ***I (débat) . 14 17. Mécanisme pour l'interconnexion en Europe ***I - Réseau transeuropéen de transport ***I (débat) . 14 18. Programme "L’Europe pour les citoyens" *** (débat) . 15 19. Accord sur les marchés publics *** (débat) . 15 20. Interventions d'une minute sur des questions politiques importantes . 16 21. Ordre du jour de la prochaine séance . 16 22. Levée de la séance . 16 LISTE DE PRESENCE .
    [Show full text]
  • Public Service Broadcasting in Transition: a Documentary Reader
    University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Other Publications from the Center for Global Center for Global Communication Studies Communication Studies (CGCS) 11-2011 Public Service Broadcasting in Transition: A Documentary Reader Monroe Price University of Pennsylvania, [email protected] Marc Raboy Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/cgcs_publications Part of the Broadcast and Video Studies Commons Recommended Citation Price, Monroe and Raboy, Marc. (2011). Public Service Broadcasting in Transition: A Documentary Reader. Other Publications from the Center for Global Communication Studies. Retrieved from https://repository.upenn.edu/cgcs_publications/1 This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/cgcs_publications/1 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Public Service Broadcasting in Transition: A Documentary Reader Abstract This is a book of documents, comments, and cases that has been prepared, at the request of the European Institute for the Media, for the use of government officials and citizens interested in strengthening public service broadcasting in transition societies. In this book we try to provide a small chest of tools and background information that will be of assistance. We start, in Chapter 1, with an overview of some of the general principles of public service broadcasting, and include pertinent comments on each of them. Here, as throughout the book, we concentrate on issues of governance and financing, with some attention as well ot issues surrounding programming. In Chapter 2, we turn to current issues in the European-level debate, partly from the perspective of European expectations and standards that are employed in evaluation and accession processes.
    [Show full text]
  • Europolitics
    SPECIAL European Parliament’s priorities DOSSIER in run-up to elections EUROPOLITICS The European affairs daily Monday 9 March 2009 N° 3709 37th year FOCUS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Key issues still ahead before The last straight June elections At the end of February, Europolitics By Europolitics staff, coordinated by Célia Sampol The next assembly will hold its first or reviewed the different projections con- ‘constituent’ session in mid-July and will cerning the renewal of the European The European Parliament will soon be start voting in mid-September. It will Commission set for next autumn. As renewed for another five years through the resume work on reports still open and will a tool for actors and observers of the elections to be held from 4 to 7 June in address new issues. The context will be EU institutions, Europolitics has now the 27 EU member states. In the mean- somewhat precarious, however, since the mobilised its team to review all the time, though, it still has a lot of work to European Commission will also be in a important issues the European Parlia- do and a number of more or less urgent phase of renewal, with all the uncertain- ment still has to address before the end of the present legislative period. These two central EU bodies will be mobilised in the coming months on questions other than their usual func- tion, while they will continue to con- centrate on taking forward and devel- oping Community policies. This by no means implies that Europe will be put on hold. First, these outgoing bodies are, as always in such cases, interested in completing what they have begun – often at the price of huge effort – and in emptying their drawers before making way for the next team.
    [Show full text]
  • 1245 Th Meeting
    Information documents SG-AS (2016) 01 18 January 2016 ———————————————— Communication by the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly at the 1245th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies1 (20 January 2016) ———————————————— 1 This document covers past activities of the Assembly since the meeting of the Bureau on 26 November 2015 (Sofia) and the future activities up to the meeting of the Bureau on 25 January 2016 (Strasbourg). I. First part-session of 2016 (25-29 January) On 14 December 2015, the Bureau updated the preliminary draft agenda. It decided to propose to the Assembly to hold a debate under urgent procedure on Combating international terrorism while protecting Council of Europe standards and values, to be held on Wednesday 27 January in the afternoon, and to refer the matter to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report and to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for opinion. On 14 January 2016, the chairpersons of four political groups (EPP/CD, SOC, ALDE, UEL - on behalf of their respective groups) made a request for a debate under urgent procedure on The functioning of democratic institutions in Poland. The appended draft agenda has been updated, under the authority of the Secretary General of the Assembly, to reflect the modifications to be proposed to the Bureau on 25 January 2016 (Appendix 1). A list of events to be held during this part-session is appended to this communication (Appendix 2). On 18 January 2016, the President of the Assembly, Anne Brasseur, received a letter signed by Ms Valentina Matvienko, Chairperson of the Council of Federation of the Russian Federation, and Mr Sergey Naryshkin, Chairperson of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, informing her that “the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation does not consider it possible (…) to approach the PACE for ratification of Russian delegation credentials during the January 2016 Assembly session (…).” II.
    [Show full text]
  • MONTHLY November 2020 CONTENTS
    MONTHLY November 2020 CONTENTS 12 19 30 RUSSIA’S CORONAVIRUS IN THE INTEREST OF U.S.-RUSSIA NAVY INCIDENT VACCINE RACE CONTINUES THE KREMLIN? RUSSIAN IN THE NORTH PACIFIC OLIGARCH CREATES FAR-RIGHT MOVEMENT IN THE INTEREST OF THE KREMLIN? MOLDOVA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: RUSSIAN OLIGARCH CREATES FAR-RIGHT 3 RUSSIA HELPS DODON 19 MOVEMENT WEAK ROUBLE, TIGHT BUDGET: NEW LAVROV VISITS MINSK: LOCKDOWN WOULD SMASH RUSSIAN RUSSIA WANTS LUKASHENKO 4 ECONOMY 20 TO IMPLEMENT COMMITMENTS U.S. ELECTION: WHAT SECHIN’S “STEEL” BUSINESS RAISES SERIOUS 6 IS RUSSIA COUNTING ON? 22 DOUBTS RUSSIAN POLICE AND INTELLIGENCE DISAGREE OVER WHAT REALLY HAPPENED MOLDOVA’S SANDU ON WITHDRAWING 7 TO NAVALNY 24 RUSSIAN FORCES FROM TRANSNISTRIA RUSSIA DEPLOYS ITS “PEACEKEEPERS” OPEC+ STUTTERS OVER OIL CUT DEAL, 9 TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH 25 RUSSIA’S SECHIN FORECASTS OIL PRICES RUSSIA LAUNCHES CABINET RESHUFFLE TURMOIL OVER TURKSTREAM LOAN: IS 10 ALSO IN ENERGY MINISTRY 27 SERBIAN LEG OF THE PIPELINE IN DANGER? RUSSIA’S CORONAVIRUS VACCINE RACE RUSSIA POURS MONEY 12 CONTINUES 28 INTO IRAQI OILFIELDS MORE LIBYAN OIL CAUSES HEADACHE MOLDOVA ELECTION: SANDU FOR RUSSIANS MORE LIBYAN OIL CAUSES 14 SMASHES RUSSIA’S CANDIDATE 30 HEADACHE FOR RUSSIANS ROSNEFT AND GAZPROM NEFT LET FOREIGN INVESTORS ENTER ARCTIC U.S.-RUSSIA NAVY INCIDENT 16 PROJECTS 30 IN THE NORTH PACIFIC RUSSIAN INSPECTION: LAVROV, SHOIGU VISIT ARMENIA ROSNEFT PLANS TO SELL SOME DEPOSITS 17 AND AZERBAIJAN 31 AMID COSTLY VOSTOK OIL PROJECT 2 www.warsawinstitute.org SOURCE: KREMLIN.RU 2 November 2020 MOLDOVA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: RUSSIA HELPS DODON Pro-Western opposition leader Maia Sandu secured a surprise lead against Moldova’s current president Igor Dodon.
    [Show full text]
  • Russia's Global Reach: a Security and Statecraft Assessment
    Russia’s Global Reach: A Security and Statecraft Assessment Edited by Graeme P. Herd About the Marshall Center The George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies is one of five U.S. Department of Defense Regional Centers and the only bilateral Center. It is also the only regional center for the Federal Republic of Germany. The mission of the Marshall Center is to enable solutions to regional and transnational security challenges through capacity building, access, and a globally connected network. An instrument of German-American cooperation, the center addresses regional and transnational security issues for the U.S. Department of Defense and German Federal Ministry of Defense, and maintains contact with a vast alumni network of security professionals. The legacy, goals, and ideals of the Marshall Plan continue through the security education initiatives of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. The Marshall Center, dedicated in 1993, is a renowned international security and defense studies institute that promotes dialogue and understanding among the nations of North America, Europe and Eurasia. The Marshall Center is committed to carrying Marshall's vision into the 21st century. Supported bilaterally by the governments of the United States and Germany, the Marshall Center boasts an international faculty and staff with representatives from ten partner nations. In addition to supporting the European theater security cooperation strategies and objectives, the Marshall Center supports five South and Central Asian States: Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The Marshall Center also has a supporting relationship with Mongolia and Afghanistan. For reprint permissions, contact the editor via [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of New US Sanctions Against Russia 1
    Impact of new US sanctions against Russia 1 Client memorandum March 2014 Impact of new US sanctions against Russia In response to the escalating tensions involving the Crimean peninsula, Russia and Ukraine, the United States has now imposed sanctions against (i) the former President of Ukraine and certain Ukrainian persons associated with the crisis in Crimea, (ii) certain senior Russian government officials, (iii) certain politically- influential Russian businessmen, and (iv) a Russian bank associated with the inner circle of Russia's President Putin. As discussed further below, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") imposed these sanctions under three successive US Executive Orders that give OFAC a broad authorization to designate not only persons but also companies and sectors of the Russian economy in order to obtain negotiating leverage and signal US resolve to deter any Russian military and other pressure directed at neighboring countries. The obligation to comply with the sanctions applies to US persons globally and to non-US persons in regard to their USD dealings and other economic activity involving the United States. OFAC expects that persons with compliance obligations will conduct sufficient diligence of their Russia and Ukraine-related business to establish that such business does not involve the new sanctions targets, directly or indirectly. Executive Order 13660 On 6 March 2014, the United States issued Executive Order 13660 ("EO 13660") authorizing an asset freeze and visa ban on individuals or entities determined to be responsible for, or complicit in, actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in Ukraine or that threaten the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine.
    [Show full text]