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Old July 24th, 2018 #461
Alex Him
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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Lindiwe Sisulu



17 July 2018 - 15:06







On July 17, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu, at the request of the South African side.

The two officials paid special attention to preparations for the BRICS Summit to be held in Johannesburg from July 25 to 27, 2018. Sergey Lavrov expressed his support for the priorities of the South African BRICS presidency. They also reaffirmed their shared interest in strengthening the political dialogue and stepping up practical cooperation with a view to enhancing the strategic partnership between Russia and South Africa.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3297499






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo



21 July 2018 - 17:18







On July 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the initiative of the US side.

Mr. Lavrov and Mr. Pompeo elaborated on the July 16 Russian-US summit in Helsinki and exchanged opinions on prospects for further expanding bilateral relations as well as normalising them on an equitable and mutually beneficial footing.

They also discussed the situation in and around Syria, including possible Russian-US cooperation to resolve humanitarian matters in the Syrian Arab Republic together with other countries, and efforts linked with supporting efforts to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula.

Mr. Lavrov underscored the unacceptability of actions of US authorities who had arrested Russian citizen Maria Butina on trumped-up charges and the need for her fastest possible release.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3302434
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Old July 24th, 2018 #462
Alex Him
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Press release on First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov’s consultations with Lukas Parizek, State Secretary of the Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Ministry



17 July 2018 - 19:58



On July 17, First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov held consultations with Lukas Parizek, State Secretary of the Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Ministry, in Moscow.

The officials held a detailed exchange of views on important issues of bilateral cooperation. They noted the constructive character of Russia-Slovakia relations and reaffirmed their intention to develop them further in areas of mutual interest. They agreed on a schedule for consultations between both countries’ foreign ministries in 2019-2020. To consolidate the positive dynamics of trade and economic ties, the officials agreed to hold the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Slovakia before the end of this year and also to organise a regular session of their Business Council.

The diplomats also discussed Ukraine’s domestic conflict, the situation in Syria and on the Korean Peninsula, Russia’s relations with the United States, the European Union and NATO and the prospects for cooperation in the context of Slovakia’s forthcoming OSCE chairmanship in 2019.

Mr Parizek gave Mr Titov the original document on ratifying by Slovakia of the protocol on introducing amendments to the agreement on establishing the International Investment Bank. This completes the ratification of the bank’s fundamental documents by all of its participating states, which will allow it to function and develop as a full-fledged and effective instrument to implement joint projects.

The Slovak official also handed to Mr Titov the original document on the ratification of the protocol on introducing amendments to the agreement on the establishment and functioning of the International Bank for Economic Cooperation.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3297716






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin’s meeting with French Ambassador to Russia Sylvie Bermann



18 July 2018 - 13:59



On July 18, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin met with Ambassador of France to Russia Sylvie Bermann in Moscow, at the latter’s request.

To develop the agreements reached during recent high-level contacts, participants in the meeting discussed practical aspects of bilateral interaction in order to find long-term political solutions to regional conflicts. Special attention was paid to developments in Syria, in particular, the need to combine the efforts of all members of the international community through a broad intra-Syrian dialogue. The two diplomats also discussed practical aspects of the provision of humanitarian aid to Syrian civilians.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3299265






Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova’s answers to questions by the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency about the investigation into the Salisbury and Amesbury incidents and the murder of Nikolai Glushkov



19 July 2018 - 13:33




Question:

What could you say about the investigation into the incidents in Salisbury and Amesbury?



Maria Zakharova:

We have noticed that Britain has lately modified the tactics of covering the investigation into the Salisbury and Amesbury incidents. While earlier the London police limited themselves to general phrases accompanied by a lot of media leaks and high-level politicised statements, then now they make regular public statements, with politicians referring to the need to wait for police conclusions. Despite insufficient informative value, this creates an illusion of transparency.

However, reports about the investigation’s complexity and all the work it takes to conduct it should not delude anyone. In fact, they mean just one thing: Despite their large-scale efforts, the British police are unable to corroborate the Salisbury crime version imposed on the public by the British political establishment with facts.

Besides, the London police have announced that a coroner enquiry with regard to Dawn Sturgess, who died in hospital on July 8, will open in Salisbury on July 19. Let me explain that this is a quasi-judicial procedure aimed to legally ascertain the cause of death. Given the ungrounded accusations which Britain hastened to level at Russia, it is of fundamental importance to ensure maximum transparency of the investigation. We will regard its transfer to the courts and subsequent classification as an attempt to hide the true masterminds as well as the perpetrators of these crimes from the public.

To reiterate: Given the sum of all statements made by London in the context of the Salisbury and Amesbury incidents, we hope for their thorough, good-faith and open investigation. As was repeatedly stated, the Russian law enforcement authorities are ready to help their British colleagues in this regard.



Question:

Has London cooperated with Russia in investigating the Salisbury incident and Nikolai Glushkov’s murder?



Maria Zakharova:

In keeping with the 1959 European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia sent to the UK relevant authorities, back in spring, several requests for legal assistance in two criminal cases related to an assassination attempt on the life of Yulia Skripal and the murder of Nikolai Glushkov.

To obtain information on the course and results of their considering the said requests, the Russian side has repeatedly addressed the related UK authorities both officially, including by presenting diplomatic notes, and via working contacts. There was no reply to our official enquiries.

We must again point out to the unacceptability of the situation where Russia, despite the existence of the relevant international legal mechanisms, is denied access to the investigation of criminal cases involving its citizens. London’s policy of this sort does anything but facilitate the establishment of the real circumstances and causes of these happenings and the identification of their perpetrators.

We once again call on the UK for detailed and responsible interaction in investigating the said criminal cases. The Russian side remains open to joint work and full-scale contacts with the UK law enforcement authorities.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3300205






Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova’s interview with Georgian TV Channel Rustavi-2, Moscow, July 19, 2018



19 July 2018 - 21:20




Question:

The Georgian government endorsed the Otkhozoria – Tatunashvili list. It includes persons residing on Georgia’s occupied territories, who are directly involved in the murder of Georgian citizens. What does Moscow think about this Georgian government decision and how will it influence Russian-Georgian relations?



Maria Zakharova:

This list (as well as the regrettable tragic incidents with the two afore-mentioned Georgian citizens) has nothing to do with Russia and will have no influence on bilateral relations for this reason. But naturally, we have our own opinion of this decision. We think it was made in a confrontational and provocative style and is yet another example of Tbilisi continuing to rabidly create obstacles to establishing neighbourly relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.



Question:

The US authorities are drafting a bill on sanctions against Russian politicians and officials that have been involved in human rights violations. Do you think that the United States will expand this list of sanctions because of Georgia?



Maria Zakharova:

We all know that there are powerful political forces in the West that are working for the preservation and toughening of the anti-Russia sanctions but their motives have nothing to do with the care for Georgia. Only very naïve people believe otherwise.

If these sanctions are justified by the mention of Georgia, it will be a good reason for Georgians to consider if Tbilisi is not being used in someone else’s geopolitical game. In fact, this conclusion already suggests itself. Georgia has actually turned into an element of the Western “strategy of deterring Russia” in the Black Sea area and the South Caucasus. Not long ago an official of the US State Department publicly declared that the United States will continue to arm Georgia to counter Russia. Georgian politicians should remember that serving alien geopolitical interests instead of national interests is ungrateful and ignoble.



Question:

Recently you said in an interview that positive dynamics have been noted in Russian-Georgian relations. Has this positive dynamics been maintained and what caused it?



Maria Zakharova:

In the interview you mentioned I described in detail our assessments of the positive changes in bilateral relations and an opinion on what impedes further improvement. Let me repeat the bottom line: we are interested in the full restoration of neighbourly Russian-Georgian relations. This meets the vital interests of both our nations. Russia is not creating any obstacles to this; progress in normalising relations rests exclusively with Tbilisi’s political will and realism.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3300562






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov’s consultations in Pyongyang



20 July 2018 - 10:01



On July 19, Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov held consultations in Pyongyang with Vice Ministers of Foreign Affairs of North Korea Choe Son-hui and Sin Hong-chol. Later the same day, Mr Morgulov had a meeting with Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho.

The officials noted with satisfaction the growth of Russian-North Korean ties, including in the context of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations they will mark this year. They also discussed the further development of their practical cooperation, including trilateral projects with South Korea.

Views were exchanged concerning the situation on the Korean Peninsula as well as Northeast Asia as a whole and the sides reaffirmed their mutual resolve to settle regional problems by political and diplomatic means at negotiations between all the involved countries.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3300618






Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation Dmitry Balakin at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, Vienna, July 19, 2018




20 July 2018 - 12:05



On the presentation of Slovakia’s OSCE Chairmanship Priorities for 2019 by State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Lukas Parizek




Mr Chairperson,

Mr State Secretary,

We are delighted to welcome you to this meeting of the Permanent Council. Thank you for your presentation of Slovakia’s OSCE Chairmanship priorities for 2019. Your country’s representatives have greatly contributed to our work at the OSCE and have always acted professionally and constructively. We highly appreciate the contribution of OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis, Head of the OSCE Centre in Tashkent Miroslav Jenca as well as Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre Marcel Pesko. We note the success of Slovakia’s Chairmanship of the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation and the work of Chairperson of the OSCE Mediterranean Contact Group Radomir Bohac. We hope this unification potential will grow stronger.

In light of both the challenges and opportunities offered by this globalising, unpredictable and polycentric world, multilateral organisations are vitally important for the provision of an efficient response to modern transnational threats. It is only together rather than as part of individual islands of security that we can stand up against these threats. This paradigm is incorporated in the strategic goal of a common and indivisible community of Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security from Vancouver to Vladivostok, which was formulated at the latest OSCE summit in Astana in 2010.

Success on the path towards this goal is only possible if we abandon condemnatory rhetoric in favour of an open exchange of opinions and readiness for compromise. The role of the OSCE chairmanship is huge in this respect. Whether we use the unique advantages of the OSCE or are stalled by differences largely depends on the ability of the presiding country to speak as well as to act without bias and to take into account other countries’ positions and “red lines,” as it is stipulated in Decision 485 adopted at a ministerial meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Porto on June 28, 2002. In this context, it is extremely important to continue to develop the OSCE dialogue formats, in particular Structured Dialogue. Only by working to accumulate the unifying agenda one step at a time will we be able to move forward and create the background for the resumption of a conceptual discussion on the future of European security.

There is no doubt that the OSCE should adapt. This is something which it urgently needs to do in order to solve the problem of its legal status and this can only be done by drafting and approving as soon as possible its constituent document (Charter). It is necessary to adjust the thematic as well as the geographical imbalances in its activities and to come close to developing uniform rules for its executive structures. It is important to achieve at long last an effective implementation of the OSCE’s original mission, which is to avert or diffuse crises. It is in this sphere that the future Chairmanship will have to make painstaking and honest efforts to take equal stock of the positions of all parties to conflicts and to support the existing negotiating formats.

Resolving the internal Ukrainian conflict is a priority challenge. A stable settlement [in Ukraine] is only possible via Kiev’s direct dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk in the Contact Group and the full implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2202. Kiev must at last stop shelling its own citizens in Donbass, lift its blockade of the region, and grant it a special constitutional status. We share the assessments on the stabilising role of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. We are ready to continue supporting its operations in strict conformity with its mandate.

We hope that the Chairmanship will facilitate talks on a settlement in Transnistria and Nagorno-Karabakh and will support dialogue within the framework of international Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia. The situation in the Western Balkans, specifically in the Serb territory of Kosovo, requires increased attention with an eye to preventing upsurges of violence.

First Basket cooperation is a promising area in OSCE interaction. We think it is important not to lower sights set by the Italian Chairmanship in the fight against terrorism. Our enduring common goal is to form a global antiterrorist front, including by consolidating efforts to oppose the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters and the danger linked to their return from conflict zones. We are facing the task of counteracting any assistance to terrorism, be it financial, material, technical or ideological. We regard the fight against extremism solely in the context of antiterrorism. At the same time, this fight should be based on international antiterrorist law, given the leading role of states and their relevant agencies.

We suggest that the future Slovak Chairmanship raise the OSCE anti-drug profile. According to UN statistics, the illegal drug production and sale has been breaking ever new sad records in recent years, which is affecting security in the world, specifically in areas where the OSCE is responsible. The OSCE has the necessary tools as well as the potential to effectively oppose this threat.

We are ready to continue looking for points of contact on ICT security. We suggest that we focus on the implementation of confidence-building measures and jointly give thought to how to increase the effectiveness of OSCE efforts designed to reduce the risks of conflicts in the digital space.

With regard to the striving to come to grips with promoting the security sector reform, we proceed from the assumption that its concept should be based on UN Security Council’s relevant Resolution 2151. It is not universal and applicable only to states emerging from conflicts or confined to the stage of post-conflict revival.

Mr State Secretary,

We share your desire to invigorate the OSCE’s activities along economic and environmental lines. We have a positive opinion of the second basket priorities that have been submitted. In our opinion, the agenda of the 27th economic forum on promoting economic progress and security in the OSCE area in the digital age through energy cooperation, new technology, good governance and interdependence is topical for all member states and makes it possible to use the unifying potential of the second dimension.

Energy cooperation issues, as well as interdependence, good governance, including that in the environmental sphere, have long been part of the OSCE agenda. We have accumulated experience and accomplished successful projects. It would be possible to focus on the truly ambitious task of building a common economic space from Vancouver to Vladivostok if we managed to avoid politicised discussions, and to refrain from protracted debates about practical matters that can be addressed within the format of bilateral relations. It would prove useful to involve the OSCE in expanding contacts between leading integration associations within the OSCE’s remit, that is, between the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union.

An expanded agenda of the second dimension’s work might also have added value, including by analysing the consequences of introducing cutting-edge technology into the economy. This subject is consonant with digital economy issues being elaborated during Italy’s chairmanship. But for the OSCE, this is something new, and it will be necessary to involve the expert potential of the Economic Coordinator’s Office, as well as the intellectual resources of member states. We are ready to take part in the upcoming discussions. Issues dealing with rapid response to natural calamities and industrial accidents are also important.

We hope that efforts will continue to streamline OSCE activities, to correct the excessive interest in the so-called humanitarian basket and to eliminate thematic disproportions in this basket’s content.

Attempts to use human rights as a foreign policy tool hamper fruitful work in this area. Difficulties arise when any new third-basket subject is introduced. Instead of a joint search for solutions to problems, they often subject us to empty moralising and admonitions. We believe that our organisation deserves something more, and it was not established for this purpose.

We need to take a sober look at the situation on the ground. In reality, we can see that some parties are pandering to ultra-radical movements, justifying neo-Nazis and their accomplices and are inciting racial and ethnic hatred. Instead of admitting obvious facts and taking appropriate action, some states lapse into discourses about freedom of speech and sometimes openly block discussion of these issues.

The question of the persecution of media outlets for their affiliation with any specific state and the introduction of restrictive measures for their views or for showing undesirable programmes remains topical. It has become common practice for some countries to implement anti-democratic measures, including politically motivated pressure on journalists and media workers who are not allowed to enter certain countries and are prevented from attending particular events or are blacklisted. Double standards regarding approaches towards protecting freedom of speech make it impossible to thwart such actions.

The OSCE needs to constantly focus on issues such as protecting the rights of ethnic minorities and children, countering the slave trade, stopping the use and justification of torture, eliminating the concept of stateless persons, upholding social and economic rights, preserving historical and cultural heritage and preventing discrimination in sport.

It is necessary to collectively counter all forms of religious fanaticism. Discussions on the “working” definition of anti-Semitism need to be correlated with current expertise in the field of international law, including the decisions of the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal and the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. And these efforts should, at long last, be supplemented by drafting declarations to counter intolerance and discrimination with regard to Muslims and Christians, as agreed by member states during the 2014 OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Basel. The issue of charting common agreed-upon electoral monitoring standards and rules remains topical.

Mr State Secretary,

Russia is committed to constructive cooperation with friendly Slovakia. We are ready to provide all the required assistance to facilitate a successful chairmanship of the OSCE.

We wish you good luck.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3300636






Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the OSCE Dmitry Balakin at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, Vienna, July 19, 2018



20 July 2018 - 12:09



Responding to the reports by Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Ertugrul Apakan and Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Contact Group Martin Sajdik




Mr Chairperson,

Your Excellencies ambassadors Martin Sajdik and Ertugrul Apakan, we are glad to welcome you at the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council.

You have shared your perspectives on the situation in the country and at the Contact Group talks in Minsk, confirming yet again that the Kiev authorities are deliberately delaying the settlement of Ukraine’s internal conflict. The continued tension ahead of the election enables them to deliver on a number of objectives simultaneously.

On the foreign policy front, Kiev can secure the support of Western countries without them being aware of the actual state of affairs by blaming Ukraine’s failure to meet its own commitments on special “war-like” conditions. On the domestic front, Kiev can play on the patriotic feelings of the Ukrainians, while also subjecting state agencies to its own electoral agenda. Kiev officials are confident that anything can be justified as long as there is “war.”

People in Ukraine have become hostage to the political ambition of Ukraine’s senior government officials. Kiev is seeking to water down the Minsk Package of Measures approved by a UN Security Council Resolution, derailing the work of the Contact Group, and ignoring the initiatives proposed by Contact Group mediators and coordinators on military, political, humanitarian and economic matters.

Russia shares the view of the SMM Chief Monitor who has said that the situation along the line of contact has been deteriorating over the past three months. Between April 1 and July 17, Ukrainian Armed Forces opened fire 64 times against residential communities controlled by the militia, killing seven civilians, wounding 51, and damaging residential buildings. The “bread truce” resulted in fewer ceasefire violations. However, Kiev is not ready for a complete ceasefire.

The Joint Forces Operation may result in a massive escalation along the line of contact. The Chief Monitor confirms in his written report that in April the Ukrainian Armed Forces were the first to occupy the disengagement area in Zolotoye. After that, they stepped up their military activity in the Zolotoye and Petrovskoye disengagement areas. Kiev persists in its attempts to derail the disengagement of forces in Stanitsa Luganskaya. On July 13, the SMM reported another signal by the militia to start a withdrawal, but the Ukrainian military did not respond. The weapons and personnel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to advance, taking new areas within the security area under their control. The Ukrainian military advanced their frontline by 300 metres near Vodyanoye, by 1 kilometre near Zhelobok, and took control of Chigari District in May. This is a direct violation of the Minsk Package of Measures, which prohibits any offensive action.

According to the SMM, only 17 per cent of military equipment and vehicles subject to withdrawal are located within the storage facilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. After the “bread truce” came into force, monitors discovered that multiple rocket launcher systems were concentrated near Severodonetsk (20 Uragan rocket launchers) and Poltavka (12 rocket launchers).

Against this backdrop, it is understandable that Kiev is not eager to implement the additional measures proposed by Ertugrul Apakan within the Contact Group to help de-escalate the military tension, including the disengagement of forces and weapons, withdrawal of artillery, as well as publication of orders proclaiming the ceasefire and announcing disciplinary action for violations. Just as before, the Armed Forces will justify shelling Donbass as “an adequate response.”

We call on Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan to focus the efforts of the Minsk Contact Group security subgroup on the disengagement of forces and the withdrawal of weapons from the line of contact. Otherwise, the ceasefire cannot be achieved. The Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to come up with pretexts in order to sidestep their commitments to ensure the disengagement of forces, despite the fact that the SMM has reported a number of seven-day periods without fire in Stanitsa Luganskaya. What does the SMM leadership think about the presence of Ukrainian weapons in Petrovskoye and Zolotoye, from where they had been withdrawn earlier?

We expect the SMM to step up its monitoring efforts and report promptly on any dangerous military preparations by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Patrols on both sides of the line of contact must be more balanced, including by using long-range UAVs. These currently cover only the area within a few kilometres of the line of contact in the territory controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, failing to properly track developments at a greater distance.

Mr Chairperson,

It is obvious that a total ceasefire is not on Kiev’s agenda. According to the logic of the Ukrainian authorities, this will not make it possible to weaken the trade and economic blockade of Donbass and go over to the implementation of the Minsk Package’s political provisions. Kiev alone can break this vicious circle.

Coordinator of the Contact Group’s Political Working Group Pierre Morel has confirmed that Ukraine is unwilling to work in line with the concept of parallel steps approved by the heads of the Normandy format countries. Kiev does not want to extend political guarantees to Donbass by adding the Steinmeier Formula to the national legislation. We urge Mr Sajdik to continue to pressure Kiev into launching a practical dialogue on political measures with Donetsk and Lugansk.

We share the opinion of the SMM Chief Monitor that the punitive Joint Forces Operation launched in keeping with the law on reintegration has greatly complicated the far from easy life of the people in south-eastern Ukraine, especially near the contact line. The number of civilian casualties is on the rise. As we did before, we demand a comparative analysis of conformity of the Ukrainian law on reintegration to the Minsk Package. In our estimate, this law runs counter to the Minsk Agreements.

The humanitarian problems of Donbass, which have been or are created by Kiev, must be resolved without delay. The SMM has confirmed that there were fire attacks on civilians at the Yelenovka checkpoint from the territory controlled by the Ukrainian armed forces, and that several senior citizens have died after spending long hours in queues at the Ukrainian checkpoint in Stanitsa Luganskaya. Ukrainian negotiators in the Contact Group have been blocking the adoption of a decision to repair the bridge in Stanitsa Luganskaya under a project that would allow the passage of ambulances on the bridge. The matter of pensions and social allowances due to be paid by Kiev to people in eastern Ukraine deserves special attention. We urge Martin Sajdik to interfere in the work of the Contact Group’s relevant subgroup.

We welcome the SMM efforts to promote the establishment of local “silence” regimes for maintenance and repair purposes. We would like to express our appreciation of the SMM assistance to the delivery of workers to the Donetsk Filtration Station. Largely thanks to the SMM’s contribution, over 300,000 people in south-eastern Ukraine still have access to clean running tap water. We hope that the matter of protecting civilian infrastructure and maintaining ecological safety in Donbass will be addressed within the framework of the Contact Group with due regard for the legitimate interests of all Donbass residents.

We have taken note of the increased monitoring of the situation in central and western Ukraine by SBM observers. As elections are drawing near, tension is growing in the Ukrainian capital as well as the regions. The radicals of all stripes, who have been trying to strengthen their political influence since the Maidan events in 2014, are joining the fight for power. The Kiev authorities are not just unwilling to curb the nationalists, but are actively playing up to them. This has led to the increased number of neo-Nazi attacks as well as ethnic and religious hate crimes. The SMM has confirmed that Roma have been attacked, murdered and wounded in Kiev, Lvov and Ternopol, and that radicals have held defiant demonstrations. Nationalists have torched nine cars with Hungarian licence plates in the Zakarpattia region. It is no longer possible to keep the lid on the scale of the nationalist disaster. This subject was recently addressed in the 22nd quarterly report of the UN Human Rights Council. International human rights organisations Amnesty International, Front Line Defenders, Human Rights Watch and Freedom House sent their appeals to Ukraine’s Interior Minister and Prosecutor General. It is strange, to say the least, that the OSCE has limited its activities to reporting nationalist crimes. We remind the SMM once again of the importance of preparing themed reports on radical nationalism, neo-Nazism as well as racial intolerance in Ukraine.

The revocation of the Ukrainian law on national language policy and the adoption of the discriminating law on education deprives the country’s Russian-speaking population and other ethnic minorities in Ukraine of the right to study in their mother tongue. This stands in direct contradiction to the right to language self-determination of the Donbass people that was fixed in the Package of Measures. We share the criticism of these legislative initiatives that is based on the opinions of the people living in Ukraine. We expect that the Special Monitoring Mission will very closely be following the developments in Ukraine regarding native-language education and provide regular updates.

Persecution of the Orthodox Church has become more frequent. Between February and April, the Special Monitoring Mission reported attacks on and arson incidents in churches across Kiev, Odessa and Lvov. In April, a church in Ptichye suffered a hostile seizure. Kiev is purposefully orchestrating a discord in the Ukrainian society based on faith. This contributes to further aggravation of the intra-Ukrainian conflict.

Freedom of speech in Ukraine is also in crisis. Kiev is strangling the voices of those who try to communicate an objective account of the events that is contrary to its own course. RIA Novosti Ukraine Editor-in-Chief Kirill Vyshinsky was detained on a ridiculous pretext. The Security Service of Ukraine searched the RIA Novosti office and tried to recruit Russian journalist Irina Vysokovich. They also denied entry to Russian journalists Yevgeny Primakov and Paula Slier as well as their British colleague John Warren and banned them from Ukraine for five years. They staged the assassination of Arkady Babchenko. They are even punishing those who only recently were “Heroes of Ukraine.” Why is nobody demanding – like it happened not so long ago in this room – the release of Nadezhda Savchenko, who is on a hunger strike once again?

On May 18, Ukrainian army opened fire on Russian journalists in Donbass yet again. They injured VGTRK crew members, journalist Pavel Vydrin and sound engineer Igor Uklein. Russian information agencies Rossiya Segodnya and RIA Novosti Ukraine were banned from operations in the country for three years. It is with connivance of the authorities that radicals continue the persecution of media representatives via the Myrotvorets website. Verkhovna Rada initiated the reading of a bill “on countering national security threats in the media” that would permit blocking “hostile” online resources without court rulings. We call on the Special Monitoring Mission to start to monitor on a regular basis the situation concerning freedom of speech, journalists’ rights and people’s access to information.

I would like to address the distinguished Ambassadors Martin Sajdik and Ertugrul Apakan.

Amid the complications in the domestic political situation in Ukraine, it is becoming extremely important to take purposeful action across the entire spectrum of Ukrainian crisis resolution efforts. There is a high risk of large-scale opportunistic de-stabilisation in Ukraine, including in the conflict zone. It is necessary that the Special Monitoring Mission monitors in a balanced manner both sides of the contact line and pays more attention to the acute domestic political problems all over the country. The Contact Group in Minsk needs to overcome the current deadlock. Kiev must start searching for mutually acceptable solutions to the problems via a direct dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk representatives. Sabotaging the obligations under the Package of Measures only complicates the prospects of settling the intra-Ukrainian conflict.

In conclusion, allow me to thank the distinguished Ambassadors Sajdik and Apakan for their dedication and pass words of gratitude to the members of the Special Monitoring Mission.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3300650






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister’s Personal Representative George Shaaban



21 July 2018 - 13:13



On July 21, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov had a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s Personal Representative George Shaaban at his request.

The officials discussed the emerging public and political situation in Lebanon after the May 2018 parliamentary election and in the context of efforts to form a new Lebanese government. They also dwelled on the need to ensure the necessary conditions for the repatriation of Syrian refugees, about one million alone of whom are still in the territory of Lebanon, as part of efforts to settle the Syrian crisis without delay.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3302416
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln

Last edited by Alex Him; July 24th, 2018 at 05:36 AM.
 
Old July 25th, 2018 #463
Alex Him
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Comment by the Information and Press Department on the UN Security Council approving Resolution 2428 on sanctions against the Republic of South Sudan



17 July 2018 - 10:33



On July 13, the UN Security Council approved the US draft resolution, initiated by the US delegation, on introducing an arms embargo against the Republic of South Sudan and personal sanctions with regard to two South Sudanese citizens (a ban on travel and a freeze on assets). The document was passed by the mandatory minimum of nine votes with six abstentions, including the Russian Federation.

While firmly advocating the cessation of the bloody conflict that flared up in South Sudan after it proclaimed independence in 2011, we welcome positive trends in the process of national settlement, which have manifested themselves in recent time thanks to the efforts of a number of African partners and regional organisations. The opposing South Sudanese forces have held important contacts. There is obvious progress on the political track.

It is for this reason we have from the start shared the opinion of the representatives of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), who said that Washington’s sanctions initiative, one unreservedly supported by its Western Camp allies, was extremely untimely. Moreover, adopted contrary to the African mediators’ opinion, this decision is capable not only of undermining the negotiating process but also of doing considerable damage to the United Nations’ relations with the mediating regional organisations, which runs counter to our Western colleagues’ repeated claims concerning the importance of strengthening the partnership with them.

It is highly gratifying that the majority of African members of the UN Security Council did not succumb to gross pressure and blackmail that was being brought to bear on them and acted in a responsible way in keeping with the African positions, refusing to support the sanctions initiatives promoted by the United States and a number of Western countries.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3297056






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the closure of the Business France office in Russia



17 July 2018 - 17:10



On July 16, we received a note from the French Embassy in Russia, in which France notified us that the Business France office in Russia is closing.

To provide a brief overview of the matter, in 2016-2017 Moscow’s Zamoskvoretsky District Court ruled in lawsuits filed by two Russian citizens against the French state-run commercial enterprise Business France, an agency supporting the international development of the French economy, and its representative office in Russia – the Business France Trade and Investment Mission at the Embassy of France to Russia. The court refused to recognise Business France’s diplomatic immunity and awarded compensation to the plaintiffs, among other decisions.

Former employees of Business France in Russia Marina Dorosh and Olga Tarasova were suing for wrongful termination, collection of back wages for the period of forced unemployment and damages for emotional distress. The employment contracts signed by these two Russian citizens with Business France provided for settling labour disputes in Russian courts. The French defendant failed to dispute the court ruling in the manner prescribed by law.

The court proceedings revealed that Business France operated in Russia without proper legal foundation.

Services provided by Business France in Russia were of a commercial nature and akin to the activities usually performed by foreign trade and economic missions, which are subject to regulation by special international treaties in Russia (Article 51 of Federal Law 164-FZ On the Fundamental Principles of State Regulation of Foreign Trade Activity of December 8, 2003). Such an agreement has never been concluded with France.

The legal status of Business France was discussed during talks between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian. We have on many occasions indicated to France the need to straighten out the status of that office in accordance with Russian law. We provided our partners with a choice of options, which included registration of a corresponding legal entity in Russia or signing a separate intergovernmental agreement with the Russian Federation. In that case, they would not have run into problems of that kind.

France’s decision to announce the closure of its Business France office in Russia is the sovereign right of the French Republic. We can only regret that Paris did not heed our strong recommendations.

Perhaps, however, shutting the Business France office is part of the foreign trade reforms currently underway in France, whereby such entities are either discontinued or their functions are taken over by local legal entities, which is what we suggested doing recently.

For our part, we continue to support bilateral trade and economic relations and the entities that operate in Russia and seek to promote them. However, compliance with Russian legal requirements is mandatory. The decision of our French partners is at odds with the overall commitment of French businesses to not only maintain their presence in Russia, but also to develop promising areas of cooperation.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3297577






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the fourth anniversary of the of MH17 plane crash in eastern Ukraine



17 July 2018 - 18:24



Four years have passed since Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed in Donbass, claiming the lives of 298 innocent passengers from many countries. Again, we extend our condolences to the families and friends.

Russia has consistently advocated a thorough and objective international investigation into the Malaysian Boeing crash from day one, and took part in drafting UN Security Council Resolution 2166. Our country immediately offered all necessary technical and expert assistance, including expertise gained from investigating the Siberia Airline plane downed by Ukraine’s air defence forces over the Black Sea in 2001.

Instead, the Netherlands did not allow Russia to participate in the Joint Investigative Team (JIT) and opted to pursue a preconceived explanation, all but ignoring essential information that Russia was providing to the investigation during all this time both on a voluntary basis and as part of the legal assistance mechanism.

There is understandable concern over the biased and closed nature of the current investigation, its reliance on social media and unverified open sources, as well as the cooperation with pseudo-investigators from Bellingcat, which is well known for spreading false information.

At the same time, despite clearly being an interested party, Ukraine remains a full-fledged JIT member and, in fact, can influence the outcome of the investigation. Kiev gets away with failing to provide important information such as radar data, information about the location and activity of Ukrainian air defence forces, or records of exchanges between Ukrainian air controllers.

It is outrageous that the Netherlands essentially absolved Kiev of blame for failing to close the airspace over the area of ​​hostilities in the eastern part of the country.

In late May, the Netherlands and Australia, without waiting for Russia to respond to the requests for legal assistance in the MH17 case sent by Dutch prosecutors in March, April and May, groundlessly accused our country of being involved in the crash of the Malaysian airliner and demanded, in the form of an ultimatum, to start talks to discuss the legal consequences of such responsibility, including compensation for the relatives of the crash victims. By doing so, these two JIT members have demonstrated their unwillingness to continue full-fledged constructive cooperation on the MH17 case, as well as lack of interest in conducting a comprehensive, objective and independent international investigation.

In a statement on the fourth anniversary of the MH17 plane crash, Foreign Minister of Australia Julie Bishop mentioned the proposal by the Netherlands and Australia to enter into a dialogue with Russia to discuss the circumstances that led to the tragic loss of innocent lives. This is precisely what we have been calling for since 2014, but it took four years for our partners to realise that. So much time was wasted.

Russia remains committed to Security Council Resolution 2166 and stands ready to assist the investigation in order to establish the truth and hold accountable those responsible for this tragedy.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3297701






Ceremony at the Novodevichy Cemetery honours Soviet specialists who died on a humanitarian mission to help the Republic of Peru



19 July 2018 - 10:26







On July 18, 2018, an annual flower laying ceremony was held at Moscow’s Novodevichy Cemetery to honour the Soviet pilots and doctors killed in the 1970 Antonov An-22 air crash over the Atlantic. The Soviet specialists were on a mission to provide humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit the cities of Huaraz and Yungay in Central Peru.

Speaking at the event, Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Latin America Alexander Shchetinin and Peruvian Ambassador to Russia Luis Benjamin Chimoy Arteaga noted that the ceremony was an important confirmation of the bonds of friendship and solidarity that exist between the peoples of the two countries.

The Russian people highly value the fact that the memory of the Soviet people who sacrificed their lives to help save Peruvians is kept alive in Peru, including at the official level.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3299821






Comment by the Information and Press Department on amendments to Japan’s law on special measures to advance a solution to the Northern Territories issue



19 July 2018 - 20:01



As officially reported, the other day the Japanese Parliament adopted a number of amendments to the 1982 law on special measures to advance a solution to the Northern Territories issue.

It remains completely unclear why Japanese lawmakers had to unearth and update a legal act adopted in an era of bilateral relations which was far from friendly or cooperative, now that the ties between our countries are dynamically expanding in the wake of the decisions of the leaders of Russia and Japan. In addition, these amendments are directly at odds with high-level agreements on establishing joint economic activities on the southern Kuril Islands, including in the interest of creating an atmosphere of trust and cooperation between our two states.

In the approved draft law, joint economic activities are directly linked to far-fetched assumptions about southern Kuril Islands being “originally Japanese” and de facto equated with measures “for the speedy return of the Northern Territories.” We see this as nothing less than an attempt to prejudge the outcome of the corresponding negotiations and to impose unacceptable solutions to the peace treaty issue. We would like to remind again that the southern Kuril Islands belong to the Russian Federation legally as of the end of WWII, and Russian sovereignty over them is indisputable.

Unfortunately, this move by Japanese parliamentarians creates major obstacles on the way to further talks on joint economic activities.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3300511






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the decision to ban Chairman of the Union of Journalists of Russia Vladimir Solovyov from entering Ukraine



19 July 2018 - 20:14



Ukraine’s Security Service has banned Chairman of the Union of Journalists of Russia (UJR) Vladimir Solovyov from entering Ukraine “in the interests of ensuring national security.”

Kiev’s attempts at preventing contact between Russian and Ukrainian journalists are obvious. According to Kiev, “national security” consists of the need to cleanse the information space, to further escalate anti-Russia hysteria in the Ukrainian media and prevent any attempt by Ukrainian and Russian news agencies to start a direct dialogue. Apparently, the oligarchic clans that control special services stand to gain from this kind of “security” in the worst traditions of totalitarian quasi republics, but Ukraine’s civil society does not need this. The striving of the Union of Journalists of Russia to communicate with its Ukrainian colleagues is only natural. This is a professional approach aimed at developing the media institutions in both countries, depoliticising the media and observing the high standards of journalistic ethics. As far as we know, this effort is supported by the Ukrainian counterparts of the UJR.

Open neglect of the democratic principles of ensuring the freedom of expression in Ukraine is completely out of hand.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir and the International Federation of Journalists have already denounced this step by the Ukrainian authorities.

We urge the Western supporters of the Kiev regime to take resolute action to curb such steps by their fosterlings.

It is necessary to discuss, without delay, the disastrous situation surrounding the freedom of the media in Ukraine at the relevant international venues.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3300525






Press release on a demarche to Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Russia Andreas Fryganas



20 July 2018 - 14:15



On July 20, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hellenic Republic to the Russian Federation Andreas Fryganas was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, where a resolute protest was expressed to him over the continuation of anti-Russian statements made by the Greek side related to the expulsion of two Russian diplomats as well as a ban on entry issued to another two citizens of the Russian Federation.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3301985






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the inquiry of the Beta News Agency into Russia’s position on the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina



20 July 2018 - 21:15



As is known, the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is conducted with EU mediation under the UN General Assembly Resolution of September 9, 2010. The position of the Russian Federation is as follows: This process relies on international law and the fundamental document of the Kosovo settlement, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, according to which the Autonomous Province of Kosovo is part of the Republic of Serbia.

Russian-Serbian relations have the nature of a strategic partnership. Contacts between Moscow and Belgrade, including those at the top level, are fairly intensive. The situation around Kosovo and other urgent bilateral and international issues are systematically discussed. They were reviewed at the meeting between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic in Moscow on May 8 of this year and between Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Serbia Ivica Dacic in Moscow on June 28 of this year.

We are resolutely opposed to the artificial deadlines for a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. We believe the Kosovo issue can only be resolved on terms that are acceptable to Serbia.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3302372






Joint Russian-French communique on the humanitarian operation in Syria



20 July 2018 - 21:25



According to the decision made by the President of the French Republic and the President of the Russian Federation in St Petersburg on May 24, 2018, Russia and France will carry out a joint humanitarian project in Syria in the near future to satisfy the needs of the civilian population, which still urgently needs help in Douma in Eastern Ghouta, and particularly to provide emergency medical assistance to hospitals supervised by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

This assistance, consisting of first-aid medical items (emergency medical assistance and intensive care treatment for 500 seriously injured patients and basic medicaments for treating 15,000 minor injuries), will help meet the humanitarian needs of Eastern Ghouta’s population.

Russia will deliver its cargo to Syria by air from France. Upon arrival, the cargo will be escorted according to UN rules, with Russia’s support and in compliance with international humanitarian law.

In compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2401, this project aims at providing the civilian population wider access to assistance. Humanitarian assistance is an absolute priority; it should be distributed on a compassionate, neutral, impartial and free basis, over all of the Syrian territory without exception, where international humanitarian law must be respected in full.

France and Russia are pursuing their efforts within the coordination framework between the Small Group and the Astana format in order to create the necessary conditions for a reliable and long-term political settlement.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3302386
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Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, July 18, 2018



18 July 2018 - 19:48











FIFA World Cup is over

The FIFA World Cup is over. During the previous month it filled Russia and the rest of the world with an unsurpassed holiday atmosphere. Indeed this was a real holiday. ‘Zabivaka the goalscorer’ did his best and you saw it. We would like to congratulate all the winners and participants once again.

The World Cup will be remembered by the records and the personal successes of footballers. All of this was noticed by the international media. They wrote about the technical innovations including those used in the final. Thus, CNN described the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) that was used in the World Cup final for the first time. Finally, despite the campaign launched two years before the World Cup, even the BBC recorded an unprecedented number of clicks to watch the final and previous matches on its websites, noting that the World Cup was one of the most memorable in history. As they say, “you are welcome.” Better late than never. I think this focus on propaganda will become a good lesson for all of us. Regrettably, many British fans who had been dreaming of coming did not come. This is primarily the fault of the British government and media that intimidated their compatriots with fake stories and conducted an active agitprop campaign through egregious methods. We regret very much that the British fans could not watch the World Cup live. Some of them came here, but many who wanted to come and had dreamt of it regret missing it.

According to Forbes, a record number of people streamed the World Cup in all segments. The Italian Repubblica emphasised Russia’s ability to host global competitions while Corriera de la Sera was impressed by “the impeccable organisation, exemplary order and clean streets.”

I was deeply impressed by the words of Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. She said the World Cup has become a model of tolerance and an example of how to host such events for everyone else in the world. These are important words because she spoke about real rather than pretend tolerance, not about some false political correctness but about the true spirit of sports and fraternity among people who forget even about important differences and become united by the common idea of sports that was the foundation for the international development of sports. Regrettably we have seen how a blow against these ideas was dealt on a massive scale.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the 2018 World Cup in Russia as “the best ever” at the final news conference at Luzhniki Stadium. We are very pleased about this. We are really grateful to all those who expressed appreciation for our efforts.

I would like to thank all those who made this World Cup so picturesque and unforgettable, a real holiday. This was the work of volunteers (that helped with transport) and efforts to ensure security, including through international cooperation. All this allowed the fans and guests to enjoy the World Cup’s atmosphere without being distracted by organisational matters.

I cannot miss this opportunity to thank the Russian team that allowed us to believe in miracles and who did such a surprising job for so many games with unexpected results and a real fight for victory. Thank you very much, guys! This was really unforgettable. This feast will forever remain in the hearts of millions of people all over the world!

We are handing over the World Cup baton to the next host and wish it the same success as in 2018. We are ready to share our experience and offer our ideas, including those in information support. Let me repeat that we are sincerely willing to share any experience that will be of interest and in demand.



9th conference of ambassadors and permanent representatives of the Russian Federation

On July 19−20, a conference of ambassadors and permanent representatives of the Russian Federation will be held in Moscow, which has been a traditional biennial event since 2002. Russian President Vladimir Putin will address the conference.

The event will be attended by 163 heads of the Russian diplomatic missions abroad, representatives of the top executive bodies, ministries and agencies involved in the realisation of Russia’s foreign policy, the Russian academic and business communities, and media.

The conference’s agenda includes analysing Russian priorities in all major areas of foreign policy activities, identifying further practical steps to implement the foreign policy of the country, and reviewing the key tasks currently facing Russian diplomacy, such as ensuring national security, creating favourable external conditions for the country’s development, promoting and protecting the national interests of the Russian Federation on the basis of international law, as well as the principles of justice and equitable, mutually respectful cooperation.

The conference will be organised in the format of thematic plenary sessions and regional sections to discuss current issues of Russia’s foreign and foreign economic policy; the country’s international military cooperation; informational support for foreign policy; issues related to work with compatriots; countering international terrorism and extremism; humanitarian issues and many other topics.

On the sidelines of the conference the ambassadors and permanent representatives will meet with heads of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Rosatom State Corporation, Roscosmos State Corporation, and the Russian Export Centre.

The participants will make fact-finding trips to the Russian regions as part of the conference where they will meet with heads of the respective regions, learn about the economy and culture as an additional means of boosting international cooperation.



Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s participation in a conference of Rossotrudnichestvo representatives abroad

Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to take part in the plenary meeting “The main areas of improving Rossotrudnichestvo’s performance” on July 23, which will be held within the framework of the conference of the heads of the offices and representatives of the agency abroad.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Presidential Executive Order No. 1315 of September 6, 2008 On Establishing the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), which succeeded the All-Union Society of Cultural Relations Abroad (VOKS), the Union of Soviet Societies of Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (SSOD) and the Russian Centre for International Scientific and Cultural Cooperation under the Government of Russia (Roszarubezhtsentr).



Russia-Japan talks in the two plus two format

The agreement on launching a consultative mechanism of the heads of the foreign and defence ministries of Russia and Japan in the two plus two format was reached during the bilateral summit in Moscow in April 2013.

The first round of talks was held in Tokyo in November 2013. The dialogue was subsequently suspended by the Japanese side. Its resumption was announced following the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Japan in December 2016. The second round was held in Tokyo on March 20, 2017. At the May 26 Russian-Japanese summit in Moscow the leaders agreed to hold the third round in the Russian capital. The date of July 31 has been confirmed.

The issues to be discussed at the meeting include confidence-building measures between Russia and Japan in the area of security, Russia-Japan interaction in fighting new challenges and threats, as well as current international and regional matters including the military-political component.



Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s participation in the meetings of ASEAN ministers in Singapore

In early August, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the ASEAN events in Singapore.

The schedule is being compiled now, so we will give you the exact dates and the participation format in the events later.

For now I can tell you that the meeting with foreign ministers of the ASEAN member states will focus on steps to consolidate the dialogue partnership with the association and to give it a strategic character in accordance with the decisions adopted at the Russia-ASEAN summit in Sochi in 2016. There are also plans to discuss a wide range of issues of practical cooperation in matters of counter-terrorism, emergency response, improving transport infrastructure, education, and ICT security. Special priority will be given to joint efforts to support stability in the Asia-Pacific Region and develop mutually beneficial ties of the ten nations of ASEAN with the EAEU and the SCO.

The meeting in the East Asian Summit format will focus on preparing for the 13th summit in Singapore in November this year. Russia’s priority is strengthening a fair, polycentric world order and open multilateral system in the region, developing network diplomacy and further promoting dialogue on creating a comprehensive and reliable architecture for equal and indivisible security on this basis.

We support the development of practical EAS activities in such fields as energy, finance, education, healthcare, emergency response and increasing interconnectivity. In this context, participants of the meeting will discuss the process of implementing the Manila Plan of Action for the EAS (2018−2022).

The next session of the ASEAN Regional Security Forum will be dedicated to multilateral cooperation to counteract existing threats (the proliferation of nuclear and missile technology, terrorism and transnational crime, and challenges in using information and communication technologies).

According to tradition, a number of bilateral meetings with partners are scheduled on the sidelines of these events.



Developments in Syria

Developments in Syria took different forms over the past week, with a few positive elements amid overall tension. The positive elements were mostly due to the successful operations of the Syrian government forces in southwestern regions, where they continue to consistently target militants in the Daraa Province. The terrorists are being driven out of populated areas and strategic heights are being seized without a fight. As of Monday, July 16, the authorities controlled 90 per cent of the province.

Work is underway with the active assistance of Russian officers to restore peace in the remaining rebel-held areas. Three days ago, over 400 militants from illegal paramilitary units and members of their families were evacuated from Daraa, the capital of the Daraa Province, to northern Syria under a settlement agreement.

The humanitarian situation in the Daraa Province has also improved. The refugee crisis along the border with Jordan is almost settled, and nearly all the refugees have returned to their homes. Russian service personnel continue to deliver humanitarian relief aid to those in need, and Russian doctors provide medical assistance to local residents. Several days ago, a joint convoy organised by the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, also delivered humanitarian aid, specifically, food, to Nasib and Umm Al-Mayadin.

Government forces continue to advance steadily in the Quneitra Province, southern Syria, moving towards a line stipulated by the 1974 agreement on disengaging Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights.

The rapid and largely bloodless resolution of the conflict in southern Syria has demoralised the leaders of illegal paramilitary units in the Idlib Province, northern Syria. They are rushing to rally to their ranks and to mobilise sympathisers from among the local population, but their efforts are not always successful. Residents of some communities are taking to the streets to protest the tyranny of the militants.

Illegal paramilitary units also sustain losses due to clashes between them. For example, in Idlib Jabhat al-Nusra announced the execution of an ISIS cell chief who masterminded a series of attacks on this group’s leaders. This, in turn, provoked more murders of Jabhat al-Nusra field commanders in this province.

The media reported a general strike in Sarmin, where civilians are trying to persuade members of local illegal paramilitary units to make peace with authorities, to put an end to chaos once and for all and to stop constantly threatening the lives of people, who are often caught in the crossfire.



US plans to evacuate the White Helmets from Syria

There was an interesting development concerning the so-called White Helmets, these would-be humanitarian workers, but actually people who simply sold their souls for money to engage in subversion and provocations in Syria, undermining trust in the humanitarian movement around the world.

The Foreign Ministry has repeatedly sought to shed light on the operations of this organisation. Financed by western sponsors, the White Helmets were behind the most resonant provocations that occurred in the course of the Syrian conflict: staging faked chemical attacks, including the April 7 incident in Douma as the most recent example, producing staged videos of the pretended shelling victims from residential neighbourhoods, and spreading fake reports about hospitals destroyed by Syrian or Russian airstrikes. In fact, for several years now this group has played the unfortunate role of a strike force in the information war not only against Syria, but also against Russia, and has been quite successful at it. To be honest, it has been waging this information warfare against the entire international community, which has long made a choice in its development of democracy, human rights, media freedom, and renounced provocations, or at least opted for heading in this direction.

We have to hand it to the professionalism of those behind the project known as the White Helmets, who are talented, but extremely cynical people. The project has proved to be quite effective in terms of its impact on the public opinion in the West and a number of countries within the region. However, the fact that the people placed at the helm of the White Helmets by outside sponsors turned out to have close ties with terrorists, primarily Jabhat al-Nusra was a major flaw of the entire initiative. As time went by, multiple images of the White Helmets posing with al-Nusra fighters, and showing that some of the civilian activists were directly involved in the killings of imprisoned soldiers from the Syrian Army, spread across the social media.

Last week, a number of outlets reported that considering the situation on the ground some members of the US-led coalition were planning the evacuation of about 1,000 White Helmets from Syria because they could allegedly face vengeance from the authorities as the government gradually restores its control over the entire country.

It is not surprising that this is the way our Western partners view this matter. It appears that this initiative is not about rank-and-file White Helmets who were used as a cover and made the whole project look respectable, but about its leaders and the activists who could be aware of the secret information warfare waged as part of the project. It is for their dirty services that these provocateurs can now get a chance to hop on board of the departing steamboat symbolising Western interference in Syria’s sovereign affairs. Who knows, it may be that these experts in provocation and fakes will come in handy in other circumstances and in other places.

We cannot fail to mention that we are talking about Syrian nationals who are expected to be evacuated from Syria despite the amnesty announced by the country’s government. The creation of a new group of so-called refugees of at least 1,000 people to be sent to the US and European countries takes place at the moment when prerequisites are being put in place to enable Syrians to return to their homes. Could it lead to a new flow of migrants out of Syria? Are those in charge of this matter sure that there will be no real terrorists on these lists? Where will these people end up in a few months? Whose orders will they take? These are obvious questions relevant not only for the countries where the White Helmets will be taken, but also in terms of global security. We have already seen operations of this kind in the region when people engaging in provocations or crime were transferred from one location to another, while still staying within the region. This time it could be that these people will go to another continent, for example Europe.

We call on our Western partners to ponder all these questions and act in keeping with the international law, respect the sovereignty of the Syrian state and refrain from creating new problems for themselves or others.

As a matter of fact, the problem posed by the evacuations of the White Helmets is much more urgent than it may seem. This is backed by the information that has been provided to international organisation. A convoy of vehicles belonging to the White Helmets has arrived recently to Idlib, carrying protective gear. There were several chemistry experts among the people who arrived with the convoy that also carried missiles and their parts. The convoy moved on. It may well be that the souvenirs delivered to Idlib by the people calling themselves the White Helmets will be used according to their designation. Maybe it will happen once it is announced that these would-be humanitarians have left the region. Nothing can be ruled out in this case, neither a possible large-scale provocation, nor an attempt to shift the blame on local authorities, who are about to take the situation under their control.

I would like to reiterate that the information I highlighted only briefly today without going into details out of security-related concerns has been forwarded to the relevant international organisations with all the details.



Syrian refugees

Strategically-wise, terrorists in Syria have been defeated. Stability is being restored on the larger part of the national territory. Conditions are being created for serious efforts to deal with one of the worst consequences of the Syrian crisis – the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons. According to the UN, there are some 7 million Syrian refugees outside Syria. The largest groups are in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt, as well as Europe.

On July 3, the Syrian Government issued an official address to Syrian citizens who fled the country because of the war and the terrorist aggression to return home against security and non-discrimination guarantees.

However, the Syrians will return home voluntarily and in a dignified manner if they see that the vital economic and social infrastructure has been rebuilt and new jobs created. It will be a big job to clear all the mines as well.

The Syrian Government will obviously find it difficult to deal with these matters single-handed. International support is now necessary more than ever before. Collective efforts to assist millions of Syrians to return to their homes can become a new stage in the early and lasting settlement in Syria. Damascus is taking practical steps towards this in coordination with Jordan. The lists of those who want to return home are being compiled, and the first few groups of them have crossed the Lebanese-Syrian border.

We view consolidated work to bring refugees back and launch the socioeconomic rehabilitation of Syria as part of the efforts to eliminate ISIS in Syria and to eradicate the reasons for the spread of terrorism and extremism.

We welcome any international initiatives aimed at providing practical assistance to Syria and the Syrian people and at promoting an early settlement of the crisis based on international law, primarily UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

Refugees are in the focus of our attention as we are preparing for the 10th meeting on a settlement in Syria, which will be held in the Astana format in Sochi on July 30 and 31. We have sent an invitation to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. At the same time, Russian servicemen are working on the ground to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, including internally displaced persons, who are returning to the regions that have been liberated from the terrorists, and to sweep the liberated areas for explosive devices.

The priority condition for settling the problem of the Syrian refugees is the restoration of normal economic activity in Syria. A settlement in the southwestern regions has created conditions for reopening international roads connecting Damascus with Amman and Baghdad.

We call on the international community to lift the financial and economic sanctions on Syria, which are preventing the delivery of food and medicine to the country. These countermeasures are having a negative impact on the Syrian people. They are hindering the socioeconomic rehabilitation of Syria and, consequently, the return of refugees to their homes.



Situation around Gaza Strip

Moscow welcomes the agreements on resuming the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian groups in Gaza, reached with Egypt’s mediation, after the military escalation in Gaza on July 14 when, during a massive interchange of strikes, two Palestinian teenagers were killed and over 30 Palestinians were injured. Four residents of Sderot suffered on the Israeli side.

As always, we urge the Palestinians and Israelis to exercise restraint and take action to prevent a new wave of violence that could lead to unpredictable consequences. In this respect, We note that it is important to ensure that Palestinian protests in Gaza are entirely peaceful and that it is unacceptable for Israel to use military force against civilians.

At the same time, along with a trend towards stabilisation of the situation, it is vital to establish a political process between the Palestinians and Israelis based on the existing international legal framework, without which it is impossible to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East, including long-term solutions for the Gaza Strip.



Arrest of Russian national Maria Butina in the United States

We are dismayed by the reported arrest of Russian citizen Maria Butina in the US on July 15. According to a statement on the website of the US Justice Department, she is charged with conspiracy to act as a foreign agent without registration.

These unsubstantiated claims against our fellow national seem odd, to say the least. As we know, Maria Butina has been in the United States for a long time as a student at a university in Washington and she has not been hiding from anybody.

It appears that instead of dealing with its core responsibilities in fighting crime, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is carrying out a blatant political order. As we understand it, the order came from those who continue to stir up Russophobic hysteria, for which purpose they regularly plant more fictional sensations about Russia’s alleged interference in the internal affairs of the United States.

On July 13, twelve Russians, who are currently outside the United States, were charged, as we have already mentioned. Now these ridiculous claims are made against Maria Butina – and she has even been arrested.

We could go on and on analysing this situation. We have the impression that the arrest, as a restrictive measure, was selected specifically to show the seriousness of the issue to the US public and to allies outside the country. The media immediately started referring to Butina as a spy and looked for connections with the security services, to build up tension without any substantial facts.

All this is happened right before the bilateral summit in Helsinki, with the obvious purpose of minimising the positive effect of the meeting and doing this as soon as possible. It appears that somebody took a watch, a calculator and timed when the decision on Maria Butina’s arrest should be taken in order to do as much as possible to sabotage the results of the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. This is how good the timing was.

It is possible to elaborate on the subject in the following way. If you have complaints against a person (and it is not a national security issue) you can always bring it to Russia’s attention. And more importantly, the matter could have been discussed, for example, in preparation for the summit. The US could have provided the details to its Russian counterparts and, also for example, discussed it on the margins of the summit or somehow touched base on the issue during the summit. Not a single word was said about it. The entire problem was concocted right after the summit. Given that Russia is a permanent topic of discussion in the US, that all the media are pumping up the hysteria, the bomb eventually detonated.

For our part, we are taking all possible measures to protect the rights and legal interests of the Russian national. The Russian Embassy in Washington contacted the US authorities and is pressing for an urgent consular meeting with Ms Butina, and this consular meeting is mandatory.

Immediately, allegations and rumours spread via social media. Users started to search for pictures of Maria Butina taking part in Russia-US meetings over the past two years.



Developments in connection with the Salisbury and Amesbury incidents

Covering developments related to the incidents in Salisbury and Amesbury has become a habit for these briefings like traditional five o’clock tea served at some of the best homes in London. From week to week, the interest in this subject has been whipped up by media plants, leaks and fakes rather than the discovery of new facts and data, publication of versions, or the search for criminals. The aim is obviously to create a semblance of work and intense activities directed at solving these crimes. In reality, however, all of this is being done to distract attention of the media and the public.

I think no other case has generated so much absurdity and so many media fakes. Moreover, the media plants are being palmed off as leaks from the British law enforcement authorities. Incidentally, we do not know whether these leaks are from the law enforcers or from the authority specialising in fake news. Everyone is offering hypotheses and forecasts. We could make a hit parade of the absurd out of what we read in the British media. Regrettably, these publications influence the readers, shape public perceptions of what has happened, and are part of the propaganda campaign that kicked off after Prime Minister Therese May’s notorious speech which she made in Parliament, where she lined up a number of ungrounded accusations and insults directed at our country. This is why we cannot disregard them. We have noticed that the “hit parade” is being joined by US media. For example, we can reserve a special place in this “hit parade” for a New York Times article published shortly before the Russia-US summit. It is clear why The New York Times commented on the Skripal case, on Salisbury and Amesbury, right before the summit. Just recall what precisely Mrs May said on the eve of the summit. She urged the US to include the subject on the agenda of the bilateral talks. As if on cue, The New York Times draws US public attention to this topic but does this in an absolutely absurd way. For example, the author of this article – I have to say that this is an article, although, let me repeat it, it is an exercise in absurdity – declares that the GRU is implicated. The publication is alleging that the Russian military intelligence, which is accused of hacking the US elections in 2016, is the same organisation that is likely involved in the Salisbury poisoning. We are no longer surprised by these accusations worded in the best traditions of Western journalism (I am putting it this way because there is not a single fact, just estimates and speculations).

The information that the suspect is the GRU or what the article calls its privatized branches is presented with reference – importantly! – to an unnamed Briton and two Americans, one of them a retired US official familiar with the investigation. This means the British leak information on a sensitive issue of state and international importance – the investigation – firstly, to foreign secret services, and, secondly, to private individuals, if we are speaking about a former official. I mean that this is not an exchange of intelligence but leaks that resulted from certain intelligence breaches. Please note that all of this occurred shortly before the Russia-US summit. That’s the way they work!

The NYT devoted barely two paragraphs to the new investigation, but even these lack any serious stuff or analysis. Let me once again reply to the question: Why do they need this? It will be recalled that Theresa May wanted to include the Salisbury/Amesbury topic in the bilateral agenda. In some way or other, this was done through the US media, because it began circulating in the media right during the summit.

The NYT was obviously aware that it was publishing unverified data. To be on the safe side, it said that the poisoning could be the doing of other Russian secret services or even of non-state agents.

This is yet another absurdity and, most importantly, this article, which was planted and based on references, hearsay and pre-summit leaks, is part of a big provocative game. Everyone keeps silent about real facts. Let me remind you of some of these. You may remember that at one of the past briefings we advised, for example, to check the Porton Down Laboratory’s financial reports. It was a rhetoric suggestion, but it brought some response. Let us analyse real facts. I do not know in what connection it was, I have no right to draw any conclusions, I just see the facts and want to make them public.

So, certain members of the British media community, social media together with microblogs decided to take precisely this path. I do not know why. The annual audit report on Porton Down for 2016-2017 (a very interesting document was published in the media) contains facts about its unstable financial state and several incidents that happened during the reporting period. Let me repeat it: 2016-2017! According to the document, the laboratory’s financial losses amounted to 37 million pounds and its turnover dropped from 612 to 587 million pounds.

Then follow some even more depressing financial indices that could not but affect the financial wellbeing of 3,700 Porton Down rank-and-file. What an interesting laboratory! It is mentioned that the corporate spirit and loyalty index had been falling throughout the previous 5 years (the level is calculated in percentage points and the reference can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.go...-OPTIMISED.pdf). It is asserted that the lapse of loyalty among the rank-and-file was due to their declining pay and accompanied by an increased personnel turnover and the hiring of temporary workers (an interesting piece of information!). These are facts. If this is not so, please, we are expecting a denial from Porton Down. The cases in point are numerical indices and the hiring of temporary workers. What could not but add to the rank-and-file workers’ irritation was the fact that their salaries were lower than those of their superiors (this is also mentioned in the document). Some other conclusions are drawn as well.

If we address security matters, the document also says that the Porton Down security service recorded 61 incidents during the 2016-2017 reporting period alone. I suggest that you inquire on your own what was meant precisely.

Days after the Salisbury poisoning, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced the decision to invest 48 million pounds ($67 million) in Porton Down to counter the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threat.

Everything that happened at Porton Down historically (we provided the historical background) and everything that is taking place there now could be used for the plots of thrillers and crime stories and films. Why isn’t the media and the public taking an interest in this? I can understand why the public is not interested, but the media simply pretends not to notice anything.

We have told you about the strange deaths, to put it mildly, of several lab employees over the past 20 years. We told you about the strange deaths of Soviet microbiologist, former director of the Leningrad Institute of Highly Pure Biopreparations Vladimir Pasechnik, biological warfare expert David Kelly and Paul Norman, who succeeded David Kelly at the Porton Down Laboratory. We told you about the death of leading scientist Richard Holmes as well. We have found intriguing facts about Mr Holmes’ death in open sources, such as a BBC article of October 9, 2013 (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-24457389).

Few people take an interest in this material. People refuse to see facts. I suggest that you read that BBC article of October 9, 2013. According to investigators, Mr Holmes resigned from the Porton Down Laboratory ahead of a planned disciplinary hearing for bullying the staff. He planned to sue the lab. Take note of the following information: after resigning from the lab, Mr Holmes’ application for a cleaning job at Salisbury District Hospital had been turned down. It is the very same hospital where the Skripals were taken after their alleged poisoning. It is getting curioser and curioser, but attempts are being made to divert us from this track. As soon as we start talking about the facts we found in the print media, which nobody has disproved, they denounce this as Russian propaganda and that we have planted 25 more versions of the incident. But we have not proposed a single version, because we have no right to do this. We only quote from the material that was published in the UK long before the 2018 poisoning case. Why did a leading lab employee, a highly paid and promising expert apply for a cleaning job at Salisbury District Hospital? This is a great mystery. Anyway, according to police reports, Mr Holmes had died from drinking anti-freeze, although, according to the media, he told his wife before doing that: “Don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything silly.”

Journalists have written a great deal about the strange circumstances of the death of Holmes and Kelly. I’m saying this because we have been urged to stick to facts. For some strange reason, Sergey Skripal, who was perfectly sane when he settled in Britain, chose a house in Salisbury barely a few kilometres from the Porton Down Laboratory. I know many wonderful places in the UK where it is good to live and they are not all situated right next door to this notorious lab.



Russian section of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s annual Human Rights and Democracy Report

The annual Human Rights and Democracy Report, recently published by the Russian section of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has the same flaws as previous documents. The report voices selective and stereotyped assessments, ignores realities and applies the double standards that are so favoured by London and a number of other Western capitals.

To be honest, this document is so biased and politicised, and, in our opinion, it is also tailored to fit the scale of Russophobia, now running rampant inside the official British establishment, that it does not require any detailed comments, although we have been asked to provide this.

Another thing is important. While continuing to tutor other states on how they should build a democratic system, the British authorities hush up the unfavourable human rights situation in their own country. The United Kingdom faces numerous problems. At the same time, attempts to identify causes and to evaluate numerous human rights violations are often drowned out by political manipulations.

We wholeheartedly advise our British colleagues to be more self-critical and, at long last, to note the need for effectively countering the neo-Nazism that continues to pick up momentum in Ukraine and the European Union and is growing stronger, while being nourished by racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, intolerance towards immigrants, dissent, Islamophobia and the encroachment on the rights of national and ethnic minorities.



Security situation in Pakistan in the run-up to the national general election

We are noting with concern the growth of terrorist activity in Pakistan. Obviously, the actions of extremists are aimed at destabilising the national situation in the run-up to the July 25 general election. On July 10, a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including Haroon Bilour, a candidate from the Pashtun Awami National Party, in Peshawar. On July 13, a high-explosive bomb went off in Bannu; the blast targeted the convoy of Muttahida Majlis–e–Amal clerical bloc’s candidate Akram Durrani. That same day, a terrorist attack was perpetrated at a meeting of supporters of the Balochistan Awami Party in Mastung District, killing about 130 people, including the party’s candidate Nawab Siraj Raisani.

We resolutely condemn the bloody terrorist outrages that have nothing to do with Islamic values and cannot be justified. We support the efforts of the Pakistani authorities to boost security, including a decision to post service personnel at polling stations and to involve them in protecting election campaign events.



Strategic Actions to Respond to the Global Threats of Opiates

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has unveiled its document called Strategic Actions to respond to the Global Threats of Opiates which aims to consolidate the efforts of all states and organisations in the context of an unprecedented increase in drug cultivation and opiate production in Afghanistan and to become a universal foundation for international cooperation.

This strategy seeks to strengthen the capability of law enforcement, to reduce the demand for drugs, to conduct analytical activity, to facilitate alternative development and to persuade donors to once again start financing anti-drug projects in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.

Russia is particularly concerned about the drug threat emanating from Afghanistan and its increasingly closer links with terrorism. Afghanistan remains the largest producer of drugs in the world. In 2017, the area devoted to opium poppy plantations soared by 63 percent, with opium production skyrocketing by 87 percent. There are almost twice as many people involved in the drug economy in Afghanistan than in the country’s law enforcement agencies.

We hope that the UNODC’s new strategic actions will reinstate the issue of Afghan narcotics on the international agenda. The entire international community needs to pool its efforts, and the Afghan authorities should adopt a responsible approach towards combating the cultivation and production of opiates. In turn, we confirm our readiness to help train drug enforcement police officers for Afghanistan and other countries in the region.



Statement by Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev

We are perplexed by Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev’s statement who claims that some business people sympathising with Russia are allegedly funding the anti-government protest movement in the Republic of Macedonia as a result of the Prespa Agreement between Greece and Macedonia to rename the latter the Republic of North Macedonia.

These are new unsubstantiated accusations against Moscow that pursue the goal of building up anti-Russian sentiments. Obviously, no evidence to support Prime Minister Zaev’s words will be presented, as it usually goes, otherwise it would have already been done. Meanwhile, Western countries are openly interfering with Macedonia’s domestic matters and apparently believe it is normal.

Instead of observing Macedonian and international law, the ruling coalition in Skopje is traditionally resorting to playing the anti-Russia card as a method of political infighting and, unfortunately, intimidating its own citizens.

The Russian Federation has always supported the achievement of a mutually acceptable agreement on the state name without any external pressure and artificially imposed deadlines, an agreement that would actually reflect the will of both peoples and be based on the general consensus as well as impeccable constitutional and legal grounds. This did not happen. The Prespa Agreement caused a serious discord in Greece and the Republic of Macedonia. It is obvious that the agreement is far from the claimed interests of strengthening peace and security in the Balkans and serves solely as a tool to accelerate the Republic of Macedonia’s involvement with NATO.



Stern magazine employees’ violation of Russian law

There have been increased cases of Russian law violations by foreign journalists. Believe me, there have been plenty of them. We are not making any big deal out of all this and trying to resolve it in due course either with journalists themselves or by handing over the information to the respective embassies. Unfortunately, there are general trends that I have to mention.

I would like to point out the importance of obtaining mandatory permits for drone journalism in Russia. This is not our own invention but a common international practice. Each country has its own regulations regarding the use of drones. The same is true for Russia.

One of the recent cases involves employees of Stern magazine (Germany) using a drone to film a panorama of the areas surrounding Mordovia Arena in Saransk. Unfortunately, without the permit, their expensive equipment was seized and they were issued a protocol on administrative violation.

We fully understand journalists’ ambition to create a beautiful picture, a brilliant story and a quality image of Russian landmarks and signature sports facilities. However, to avoid any such incidents in the future, we urge you all to strictly comply with Russian law.

I would like to point out that this is not only a problem for foreign correspondents in Russia. Unfortunately, Russian journalists abroad face the same issues if they break the law of the country where they work. We are to the same extent involved in the exchange of notes and correspondence with the officials of the countries where Russian journalists use drones without authorisation.

Once again, please pay the utmost attention to the regulations. If you need us to clarify the details, we are ready to comment one-on-one, to groups and through Foreign Correspondents’ Association. I think we will send out an additional newsletter on this matter.



Ukrainian militants receive medical treatment in Germany

We have taken note of a video released by the Deutsche Welle Russian service about how injured Ukrainian servicemen receive medical treatment in Germany. At the 50-second mark of this video, one can clearly see one of these so-called servicemen putting out his arm in a Nazi salute. Russian users, for whom these things are unacceptable, drew our attention to this. We received a great number of letters and messages about this via e-mail and social networks.

We were surprised that in its comment attached to the posted video, Deutsche Welle points out that “allegations that there is a Nazi salute in this video do not correspond to reality.” We would like to know if any review was carried out. What is this comment based on? Were the people that took part in the filming interviewed? What drove the Deutsche Welle Russian service to publish this comment that triggered a wave of indignation?

We constantly speak about a surge of neo-Nazi sentiments in Ukraine. This has become obvious even to those who unconditionally back everything that happens there. During one of our recent briefings, we spoke about an article published on the Atlantic Council’s website in late June. It was headlined “Ukraine’s Got a Real Problem with Far Right Violence.” I advise Deutsche Welle to take a look at this article. Denying the obvious is something that does not work out even with the US political science centre that is handsomely paid for promoting the Atlantic agenda.

Yet, it looks like this works out well with Deutsche Welle. Who are you trying to deceive? You are trying to deceive those people who saw it with their own eyes. Nothing is working out with you.

We have repeatedly called on international organisations to treat seriously our concerns over a rise in far right and anti-Semitic sentiments in Ukraine and urged Kiev to focus on investigating nationalist-motivated crimes. There is concrete factual evidence. Let us work with this. The task is not to constantly vilify Ukraine and its people. No, the point is that this very people will be hostage to neo-Nazis, and things might get even worse.

Suffice it to recall numerous attacks on the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Kiev. Who committed them: humanitarians, human rights campaigners, journalists? No. They were committed by nationalists. Most of them can be regarded as neo-Nazis. Remember the statements, comments and posters that were brought to Russian diplomatic missions in Ukraine (in Odessa and Lvov). Remember the attempts to set the Hungarian cultural centre in Uzhgorod on fire.

Again, I would like to draw your attention to the surge of nationalist sentiments in Ukraine, to rampages by nationalists in that country. Let me again call on relevant international organisations to come up with a proper legal assessment of this situation. History shows that turning a blind eye to a rise of these occurrences is unacceptable and extremely dangerous.



Preliminary investigation launched by Australia’s Federal Police against RT

We keep a close eye on the recent developments surrounding the opening by Australia’s Federal Police of a preliminary investigation against RT, a Russian television network, as a possible foreign agent.

I am referring to an article in The Australian, whereby Australia’s Federal Police is conducting a preliminary investigation regarding persons and organisations who could fall within the scope of the law on fighting foreign interference. According to the newspaper, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) serves as a starting point in the investigation.

We are closely following the developments and are waiting for information from experts. A detailed commentary to this effect will be issued soon. If the media reports are confirmed, this would be yet another example of so-called solidarity. Unfortunately, this has become all too common with Australia following in the footsteps of the US and Great Britain in trying to push the Russian media out of the international media space. All initiatives to this effect follow the same pattern. We understand all too well where decisions to launch campaigns of this kind come from, and how they are carried out on the ground. I would like to remind all those who are behind these decisions that Moscow reserves the right to take retaliatory measures whenever the rights of Russian journalists are being infringed upon, no matter where it happens. We have an unwavering and coordinated approach to this matter. I would like to reiterate that we have always supported the freedom of expression, and responded to criticism not through bans and expulsions, but by sharing more information and being open. In this case, I want everyone to understand that we will immediately come up with a tit-for-tat response.



Italian delegation at a commemorative ceremony for Hero of Russia Alexander Prokhorenko

Foreign nationals continue to express solidarity with the Russian people and support for the operations of the Russian armed forces against terrorists in Syria. Let me remind you that in August 2017 local authorities in Vagli Sotto, a municipality in Tuscany, Italy, erected a two-metre high marble monument to honour the memory of Senior Lieutenant, Hero of Russia Alexander Prokhorenko, who sacrificed his life in March 2016 when, surrounded by ISIS fighters near Syria’s Palmyra, he ordered an airstrike on his own location.

This undertaking by Italian citizens was supported by Italy’s Armed Forces, including by Italy’s National Paratrooper Association, whose leadership decided in 2016 to name a paratrooper training class after Alexander Prokhorenko in memory of his courage and professionalism. This was the first time a class was named after a foreign national.

As a sign of respect for the act of bravery by the Russian officer, Vagli Sotto’s municipal authorities, in cooperation with the country’s veteran associations, proposed holding a special ceremony this year to transfer a copy of the monument to the Russian authorities along with a badge created in honour of the Russian officer by Italy’s National Paratrooper Association. This ceremony was held today, on July 18, at the Patriot Military-Patriotic Park of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and was attended by State Secretary, Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolai Pankov, as well as an Italian delegation headed by Vagli Sotto’s Mayor Mario Puglia and the head of the Rome section of the Italian National Paratrooper Association Adriano Tocchi.

Russia highly values the initiative of the Italian side. It is often said around the world that all countries must combine their forces in fighting terrorism. The ceremony was an act of solidarity of our nations, and a contribution to fighting this global scourge.




Answers to media questions:



Question:

Recently, access to a number of the USA Really social media accounts has been blocked. Launched in early June, USA Really is a new information agency. Access to its social media accounts on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and other social networks has been blocked.



Maria Zakharova:

What country does this media outlet come from?



Question:

USA Really is a project of the Federal News Agency. What is the position of the Foreign Ministry regarding this situation, and what can it do to help resolve the issue?



Maria Zakharova:

Who blocked the access?



Question:

Presumably, American authorities could do this.



Maria Zakharova:

Do you have any official explanation, letters that you have exchanged, appeals or answers that you have been given to clarify the situation?



Question:

Yes, we do, we have [our] appeals. Lawsuits are being prepared right now…



Maria Zakharova:

Please, forward the appeal you’ve sent to those who are responsible for these acts to us, as well as information about where exactly access to the accounts was blocked. If you have answers, we, by all means, will bring up this issue with the American party and, of course, with international organisations. What is important are the motives and the explanation of what has been done: the grounds on which access was blocked, whether there is a court decision to this effect and if security issues are involved in the situation, in short, what it is all about. Please, forward all these materials to us, so that we can examine them and then respond.



Question:

Has the Consulate of the Russian Embassy in the United States been granted access to Maria Butina?



Maria Zakharova:

Given the time difference – it’s morning in the United States right now – I can tell you how things stood yesterday, and my answer is “No”. We’ll keep in contact with our embassy in Washington and keep you updated. If access [to Butina] has already been authorised, we’ll promptly inform you. I’d like to repeat, according to information we had yesterday, there was no authorisation yet.



Question:

A question from CNN. We’ve already heard Sergey Lavrov’s assessment of the outcome of the Russia-US summit. Are there more impressions or discussions on this subject?



Maria Zakharova:

On behalf of the Russian side, President Vladimir Putin offered his analysis [of the outcome of the summit] at the joint news conference and later in a lengthy interview to Fox TV channel – unfortunately, not CNN. A more in-depth analysis is even hard to imagine. Work has started on many things of which Vladimir Putin spoke, with appropriate instructions having been issued, and diplomats, based on the outcome of the summit, are starting to work on the issues that were outlined during the joint news conference.



Question:

At the news conference, Donald Trump said that the United States was grateful to Russia for its help in fighting ISIS and terrorism. Would you please comment on this?



Maria Zakharova:

You understand perfectly well that the fight against terrorism cannot go on in the form of an online broadcast 24 hours a day. This information is classified. However, some things that can be made public are revealed following successful joint operations or exchange of information. First, you remember the US intelligence services sharing information with their Russian colleagues, which was crucial for preventing a terrorist attack. Several years ago, Russia took similar actions, giving leads and very important facts to our American counterparts. Not always did they take advantage of them, but as for Russia, it has something more than just examples – it is a great desire to make this work full-fledged. Definitely, we are always against suspending this type of contact.

Second, there is Syria, where the fighting is going on to eradicate terrorists, and, in particular, ISIS. The presidents of both countries spoke about this. This is a different but high-profile example of cooperation in fighting international terrorism, in particular, ISIS. Although it is not all that straightforward, not the way we, in theory, would like it [the cooperation] to develop and not something that one could dream of, but still it is being maintained one way or another.



Question:

What might change in the Syrian conflict following the Russia-US summit?



Maria Zakharova:

All possible changes were identified by the two parties, in terms of what is already being done and what more could be done. First of all, this involves an intensification of anti-terrorist activities and coordination of efforts. As I said earlier, all of this is being done, but, certainly, more could be done in the area of combined efforts, exchange of information, and, of course, political coordination. All of these goals and objectives have been identified. We will move in the direction that the two presidents talked about, in particular, President Vladimir Putin.



Question:

A year ago today, Rudaw TV Channel interviewed Sergey Lavrov. This was the most important work I ever did and maybe even the most important in the history of Kurdish journalism. I just wanted to thank you again for the interview on behalf of our TV Company. Thank you!



Maria Zakharova:

I think it would be more appropriate to thank destiny than us. You know what I mean. We could probably share the details of how this interview was organised on a different occasion. There are no secrets, but not in this setting.



Question:

The Korean Central News Agency is reporting that Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov has arrived in Pyongyang. Is this true?



Maria Zakharova:

Consultations between the two foreign ministries happen regularly.



Question:

Last week, the operation to rescue trapped schoolchildren from the Tham Luang cave in Thailand was successfully completed. Was Russia involved in any way?



Maria Zakharova:

We said earlier that our Emergencies Ministry offered assistance to the rescue mission. In the end, our assistance proved to be unnecessary. Still, some Russian-made helicopters were used during the operation. I am talking about the aircraft made by Russian Helicopters. We are happy that we could contribute in this way to the effort to rescue 12 young players and their coach. But I would like to reiterate that direct assistance was also offered.



Question:

The World Bank recently gave the Russian economy 11th place for GDP and took the Crimea and Sevastopol data into account. Would you like to comment on this? Could this be an indication that the world is changing its attitude to Crimea’s status?



Maria Zakharova:

The fact that Crimea’s economic indicators were included in the analysis of Russian GDP is a tribute to reality. I think that one is free to have any political preferences but when it comes to statistics and especially economic indicators, the reality must be acknowledged.

For the Russian Federation this matter is final as it has been repeatedly stated and commented upon. Crimea is Russian territory, which was determined by the decision of Crimean residents themselves during the 2014 referendum. Once again, I want to point out that we do understand that there may be different political approaches, to this subject in particular. On our part, we are aiming to bring this topic closer to reality, one way or another, rather than meet somebody’s expectations and attempts to bring back the past. The past is the past.

Once again, when it comes to economic indicators, actual data rather than the political climate must be taken into account.



Question:

Yesterday Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov announced that the Fifth Caspian Summit of Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran will take place on August 12. What are Russia’s expectations for the summit? How does Russia see the Caspian region after the adoption of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea?



Maria Zakharova:

We do not comment on summits. It is the responsibility of the presidential press service and the Presidential Executive Office. All I can say is that there is still a meeting of the Foreign Ministers’ Council to take place. We will inform you about the schedule of the meetings on the website or during the next briefing.



Question:

Many Greek media outlets that write about the current situation in Russian-Greek relations, claim that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov phoned his Greek counterpart before the latest crisis with the expulsion of Russian diplomats, threatening that Russia would suspend the agreement between Athens and Skopje at the UN Security Council. Did he make that telephone call? This is the first time in decades that such a large-scale anti-Russia campaign has been launched in the Greek media.

It is also said that there is a video showing Russian diplomats offering bribes to Greek deputies to vote against this agreement. What can you say on this score?



Maria Zakharova:

As for the first part of your question, where you asked if Sergey Lavrov threatened his Greek colleague, this is absolute nonsense. It is strange that the Greek side has not commented on this, considering that this information was published in the Greek media. This sets us wondering. This is nonsense, absurd or whatever Greek synonyms you would care to offer.

I believe we have proved many times that even in the most complicated situations created by third parties in bilateral relations we never forget that the matter concerns the future of our countries and our people, who must not be made hostage to the dirty games played by certain states.

In this particular case, it was a multi-move game in which Greece has been involved. We know this for sure. I believe that many Greek journalists, let alone Greek politicians, know this as well. We know about the powerful pressure put on Greece. I can assure you that this is so, because I have facts to prove this. Athens probably managed to stand up against the first onslaught. I am referring, in part, to the use of the so-called solidarity to involve Greece in provocations, in particular, those initiated by the UK.

Greece was not the only country to refuse to do others’ bidding. We know what instruments have been used against the countries and politicians who refused to bow to British actions and pressure. But pressure was increased, and it did not come just from British politicians but also from their American partners.

As I already said, every country and national leadership must decide for itself how far it can go to resist such pressure. We understand this. It is another matter if people in Greece understand this. Judging by a number of publications, there is clear evidence of such pressure. And we know the person who directed this scenario of pitting Moscow and Athens against each other. It is not my task to speak about this. I believe the journalists can do it themselves.

We believe that Greek people must be able to interact with Russian people and that they must be protected from the dirty provocations in which Athens has been regrettably involved. We are talking about politics, of course. Such things never go unnoticed, and they are never forgotten. Regrettably, they can only sour bilateral relations and have no constructive effect.

As for the video, let’s watch it. I cannot comment on what I have not seen. I don’t have the faintest idea what it could be.



Question:

According to recent reports made in the Greek media, Russia allegedly intends to respond by having the Foreign Ministry issue some kind of guidelines to try to discourage Russian tourists from visiting Greece. Is this possible?



Maria Zakharova:

Allow me to share my personal opinion on this matter. Over the past years Russians proved that they can decide on their own where to spend their holidays, considering their financial means, political views, and their desire to be involved in or distance themselves from any political matters, etc. People can decide for themselves whether to visit any specific country or not. It is true that the Foreign Ministry issues advice taking into consideration developments in various countries in terms of security, terrorism threat levels, epidemiological situation, or organised crime. I am saying this for those who go as far as to try to make up a news story out of this. This information is publicly available on the website of the Foreign Ministry or travel associations, etc. People in Russia can make up their own minds where to spend their holidays, and what to do.

Of course, we have to understand that when negative articles are published or political figures from a specific country make offensive statements, this does not make Russians any more sympathetic. People are well-informed, they read a lot and have boundless access to information. Russia’s information space is absolutely open. People read all these articles, and see all of this. From the conversations I have had here and there, I can say that people are weary of the groundless attempts to isolate our country, and the endless attempts to engage in sanctions warfare. People see that all this is groundless, unfair, and now simply wild. They are fully aware that the expulsion of diplomats is an organised campaign. I think that people in Greece also understand this. There is no need for any threats or guidelines. This is pure logic.



Question:

It was reported that US Senators and Congresspeople called on Washington to hold a hearing with the interpreter who was present at the Helsinki summit in order to learn what US President Donald Trump promised Vladimir Putin. Is it acceptable for talks between two heads of state? How would Russia respond if it happens?



Maria Zakharova:

In other situations, it is not uncommon for us to hear summaries of top-level meetings and conversations when what was said by Russian leaders was distorted by politicians and sometimes even by heads of state. We always reply with a single phrase: we do not have any problem releasing authentic data on any meeting. We have already had cases of this kind, and Russia has already had to come forward with these statements, so it is not a problem for us. By the way, there have been attempts to make up contexts that did not exist. I have been asked about meetings on the sidelines of the summit, and there have been suggestions of this kind. This has to do with the political culture in the United States of America. These are challenging times for the US. Let us leave it to them to comment on these decisions and actions. Let me reiterate that this has to do with their political culture.



Question:

I wanted to ask a question regarding the meeting between foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels. They discussed steps to promote the negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. My question is whether this meeting can and will add momentum to the negotiating process?



Maria Zakharova:

The Foreign Ministry does not comment on bilateral meetings unless Russia is involved. That being said, taking into consideration that this topic is relevant for Russia as a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, among other things, I will say that Russia believes that any constructive contacts between the two sides must contribute to achieving the main goal and aim, which is a full settlement of this conflict.

I would like to reiterate that it is up to the meeting participants to comment on its outcomes, whether it was fruitful, useful or promising. Russia welcomes any developments that the two sides view as a step toward achieving a complete settlement or at least continuing dialogue.



Question:

President Vladimir Putin said that it would be good to let foreigners with Fan IDs that attended the FIFA World Cup travel to Russia without a visa before the end of this year. This is an issue for the Foreign Ministry, for its consular service. What is being done in this respect? Maybe, you already know what actions need to be taken by Brazilian or Portuguese fans? Whom should they contact? Will only foreigners with Fan IDs be allowed to enter? What about their relatives?



Maria Zakharova:

I would like to correct you. This is not just an issue for the Foreign Ministry or its consular services. It requires interdepartmental coordination considering that it is not about changes in the visa procedures but about this extraordinary situation, that is, the extension of the term of entry permits that are neither a visa nor a document confirming visa-free status.

The Russian Ministry of Sport drafted amendments to Federal Law No. 108 of June 7, 2013 On the Preparations for and Conduct in the Russian Federation of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and Amendments to Individual Legal Acts of the Russian Federation, which provides for an extension until the end of 2018 of the multiple visa-free entry permits for foreign fans with a personified Fan ID for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

This is a complicated sentence, but the bottom line is that the amendments to the law that regulated this area have been drafted.

The issues pertaining to visa-free entry for Fan ID holders, verification of the authenticity of a fan’s passport and a reduction of the risk of potential illegal migration are within the competence of the Ministry of Communications, the FSB and the Ministry of the Interior of Russia.

There are no plans to extend the visa-free entry to close relatives or families of fans. The introduction of the simplified procedure for the issue of visas for this category of citizens based on the personal applications of Fan ID holders is under consideration. What President Vladimir Putin said is now being reviewed very intensively by various departments. I think not just the details of the change but also specific decisions will be published very soon because it requires a legislative foundation that is now being developed.



Question:

Marina Butina’s arrest is not the first such case, especially since the news about possible amnesty for the 12 so-called Russian hackers arrested in the United States was published by the media before the meeting of the Russian and US presidents. Has the Foreign Ministry developed real mechanisms for protecting the rights of our citizens abroad?



Maria Zakharova:

What do you mean by “real mechanisms”?



Question:

Assistance in releasing them from detention.



Maria Zakharova:

Assistance is rendered by our consulates through the provision of attorneys for defence, documents and their legalisation if it is necessary. They are upholding the rights of Russian citizens when they are violated. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. I can give you all the information on this.

Since you have once again brought up this issue, I would like you to imagine for a moment a colourful picture of what would happen if an American student were arrested somewhere in Moscow, St Petersburg or Yekaterinburg in Russia, if she had all the documents and was actively studying international relations, if she were a law-abiding person but law enforcement agencies believed she was engaged in the activities requiring a license but she did not give notice of that and did not apply for a license as required. Can you image the scale of the global information campaign that would be launched over this if the American student found herself in similar circumstances in Russia? Regrettably, we have an absurd situation where no humanitarian aspects or human rights are even considered, where all that is needed is an excuse for escalating tensions in the domestic political struggle in the United States. Everything is pushed aside – the humanitarian dimension, the students’ rights, as well as the fact that, to our knowledge, this girl had no problems with obeying the law and was engaged only in activities related to her studies. This is a little food for thought for you.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/press_service/s...ent/id/3299553
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Old July 31st, 2018 #465
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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi



23 July 2018 - 09:36







On July 22, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Ayman Safadi at the Jordanian initiative.

The ministers focused on the developments in the Middle East, primarily the Syrian Arab Republic, in the light of the successful antiterrorist operation in south-western Syria. Among other things, Mr Safadi informed his counterpart about the arrival in Jordan of members of the White Helmets NGO, who would be rerouted to a number of Western countries after a brief stay.

Sergey Lavrov stressed the importance of helping Syria in the matter of post-conflict recovery, noting the particular significance of an early return of refugees back to their homes in Syria. Ayman Safadi gave high marks to Russia’s efforts to facilitate the repatriation of Syrian refugees, including from Jordan, noting Amman’s full readiness for cooperation in dealing with the related problems.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3302458






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu



23 July 2018 - 20:23







On July 23, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Prime Minister of the State of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu in Western Jerusalem. The meeting was also attended by Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - First Deputy Defence Minister Valery Gerasimov.

The officials discussed various aspects of the Middle East agenda focusing on the situation in and around Syria.

They also touched on the Palestinian-Israeli settlement process in continuation of the talks held between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu in Moscow on July 11, and discussed in detail tasks related to completing the anti-terrorist operation in southern Syria and providing security along the Israeli border, including implementation of the 1974 Agreement on Separation of Forces.

The officials also discussed topical issues of bilateral relations, which are developing dynamically in all areas.

The importance of continuing coordinated efforts to counter attempts to falsify the history of World War II and glorify Nazi accomplices was reaffirmed.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3302855






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel



24 July 2018 - 14:55



On July 24, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Defence Minister Valery Gerasimov met with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel in Berlin.

The meeting participants discussed the situation around the Syrian settlement, including efforts to create conditions for the return of refugees and the advancement of the political process.

They also considered the ongoing work in the Normandy format on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements of February 12, 2015 and touched upon several aspects of bilateral relations.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303185






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with President of France Emmanuel Macron



24 July 2018 - 21:49



On July 24, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia and Deputy Defence Minister Valery Gerasimov met with President of France Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The officials discussed in detail the situation in Syria, the need to speed up the political settlement process, and the country’s post-conflict recovery with emphasis on the speedy return of refugees and displaced persons to their initial places of residence.

They also reviewed the implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures of February 12, 2015, and reaffirmed their intention to continue contacts in the Normandy format.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303348






Article by Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov, published by the South African magazine Ubuntu on July 25, 2018



25 July 2018 - 10:00



Unofficial translation

It is highly symbolic that BRICS is returning to Africa in 2018 which marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela, a prominent political and public figure of a global scale. A true son of the South African nation, he dedicated all his life to the fight against apartheid and rightfully became a key figure in the national reconciliation process in South Africa. We will always be grateful to him for his great personal contribution to the establishment of friendly relations between our two countries that have now reached a high level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Our Group is a unique example of building partnerships between States that differ greatly in terms of culture and civilization. And this is exactly why it is so strong and united. The cooperation between the five countries is based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, as well as strict consideration of each other's interests. BRICS countries represent a major stabilizing factor promoting sound multilateral initiatives in global affairs.

I am convinced that BRICS can be proud of the fact that it is a successor in interstate relations of the Wise Madiba's work. The five countries advance the same principles that Nelson Mandela stood up for – equality, dignity and justice – when forming constructive and equitable polycentric pattern of international relations.

We welcome the active and highly effective work done by South Africa at the helm of the Group in 2018. Led by Pretoria, our countries managed to significantly enhance the multifaceted strategic partnership, make qualitative and quantitative leaps in all three major pillars of intra-BRICS cooperation: policy and security, economy and finance, culture and humanitarian exchanges. Our South African friends have succeeded in strengthening successive, consistent, sustainable and continuous interaction between the five States. This serves as a foundation for the steady development of BRICS.

Russia supports fully BRICS priority areas of action proposed by South Africa for this year. The crosscutting issue of the Chairship – launching partnership on the Fourth Industrial Revolution – is of high relevance for us since it is in line with Russia's state programmes on digital economy development.

We welcome special attention paid by Pretoria to Africa-related issues in the work of BRICS. This area of work is becoming increasingly important for the Russian foreign policy as well. Russia has significantly contributed to decolonization processes and the rise of new independent States on the continent. We support further strengthening of the sovereignty of African countries, their independent choice of the way of development while preserving national distinctiveness. Sub-Saharan Africa is the most dynamically developing region of the planet which plays a key role in world mineral and hydrocarbon markets, a broad and rapid-growing consumer market, and one of the most attractive investment areas.

BRICS-Africa Partnership that was launched during South Africa's 2013 BRICS Chairship is steadily developing. During the Johannesburg Summit a special outreach session will be held with the participation of the heads of States presiding over regional organizations of the continent in order to focus on its most relevant issues.

We welcome the decision of the BRICS Chair to invite to Johannesburg other friends of the five countries from around the world representing authoritative integration associations. This is the practical implementation of the «BRICS plus» initiative approved by our leaders during the Xiamen Summit. Thus we expand the global reach of the Group and establish the outer circle of like-minded countries. In this regard, BRICS has good potential to become a unique platform for linking various integration processes in a flexible way.

The attractiveness of the «Big Five» to third countries is explained by the fact that they are open to constructive cooperation and share universal values. I am referring to the impeccable respect for the United Nations Charter and basic principles of international law, including sovereign equality of States, commitment to the UN central role and indivisibility of security. We do not accept double standards, military interventions, unilateral coercive economic measures, protectionism and unfair competition. We stand in solidarity that the use of military force to solve international problems is unacceptable. We defend the foundations of an open, inclusive, equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial multilateral trade system with the WTO at its core.

Russia consistently advocates a greater coordination of the five BRICS countries within major international platforms, such as the UN, G20, WTO, IMF, World Bank, as well as other multilateral organizations and fora. When the States of the Group speak up in a strong and unified voice about the core issues of global politics and economy, this voice is heard by other States as well. Consolidation of our efforts is a key to ensuring world stability and a way to settle serious conflicts.

BRICS successfully promotes cooperation in international politics, in particular on such issues as terrorism, drug threat and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Russia pays particular attention to strengthening cooperation in international information security, including the development of a relevant intergovernmental agreement between the five countries. Our country aims to increase joint efforts with partners against the use of ICT for terrorist or other unlawful purposes.

BRICS economic and financial cooperation remains the most active area of development. Over the past two years significant progress has been made in the establishment of the fully operational New Development Bank (NDB). The pipeline of approved investment projects in the BRICS countries is now more than USD 5,1 billion and can exceed USD 18 billion by 2021. We expect that the NDB Africa Regional Center established last year will make an important contribution to financing initiatives in South Africa.

Among other economic achievements of the five BRICS countries, it is worth mentioning the establishment of the mechanism of the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) and the launch of a practical dialogue on mutual payments in national currencies. We expect that new initiatives to enhance interaction in the field of energy research and female entrepreneurship will also be made, adding value to the practical results of South Africa's Chairship.

Interaction within the so-called «third basket» of intra-BRICS cooperation, which includes humanitarian issues, looks promising. South Africa gives priority to this area. The work to implement the Agreement between the Governments of the BRICS States on Cooperation in the Field of Culture and the Action Plan to promote practical cultural interaction is underway. The BRICS Games, Film Festival, Civil and Academic Fora, events with the participation of young diplomats, scientists, and representatives of the friendship cities have taken place so far this year.

We note that the Johannesburg Summit is properly prepared and has an intense programme. We are confident in its success. We expect that it will have a special «milestone» character. The anniversary meeting of the leaders is intended not only to confirm the BRICS countries' commitment to further strengthening of the full-fledged strategic partnership, but also to determine the key priorities of the «Big Five» activities for years to come.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303398






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Erlan Abdyldaev



26 July 2018 - 17:00







On July 26, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Erlan Abdyldaev at the latter’s initiative.

The ministers exchanged views on a number of bilateral cooperation issues, including the forthcoming high- and top-level contacts, joint projects in the fuel-and-energy sector, and the legal status of Kyrgyz citizens in Russia.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303802






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan



27 July 2018 - 16:16







On July 27, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan at Russia’s initiative.

The ministers discussed some issues of bilateral cooperation and interaction at common integration associations.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304341






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei



28 July 2018 - 13:33







On July 28, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei.

The officials discussed matters regarding current activities of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304463
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln

Last edited by Alex Him; July 31st, 2018 at 10:04 PM.
 
Old July 31st, 2018 #466
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Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s telephone conversations with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Libyan Government of National Accord Mohamed Taha Siala and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya Ghassan Salame



23 July 2018 - 09:30



On July 22, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Libyan Government of National Accord Mohamed Taha Siala. The officials discussed a number of practical matters concerning further development of Russian-Libyan relations with an emphasis on the mutually beneficial bilateral economic cooperation prospects. The need was stressed to take due account of the legitimate interests of Russian legal entities and individuals in the context of building friendly ties between Russia and Libya.

The day before, on July 21, Mr Bogdanov spoke by telephone with Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya Ghassan Salame. He reaffirmed Russia’s support for the latter’s efforts aimed at helping Libya’s main political forces form a capable government authority on a consensual basis, which would ensure the country’s unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3302448






Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s telephone conversation with Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil



23 July 2018 - 20:11




On July 23, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representatives for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of the Lebanese Republic Gebran Bassil at the latter’s initiative.

The officials discussed the problem of returning Syrian refugees to their home, including those from Lebanese territory, as a major element of settling the Syrian crisis and simultaneously resolving the socio-economic and demographic issues of Lebanon as such.

Mr Bassil praised the Russian proposals aimed at promoting international aid to restore Syria, including the return of millions of Syrians that found themselves abroad due to the seven-year armed conflict and spread of terrorism in the Syrian Arab Republic.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3302845






Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department Artyom Kozhin’s answer to a media question about the Israeli parliament’s approval of the draft Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People



24 July 2018 - 14:55




Question:

The Israeli Knesset has adopted a bill known as Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People. What is your assessment of this step? How can it influence the developments related to the Middle East peace process?



Artyom Kozhin:

On July 18, the Israeli Knesset approved in the third and final reading by 62 votes against 55 the Basic Law Bill, which declares Israel the “national home of the Jewish people.” Under the law, only the Jews have the right to self-determination within the country. Hebrew has been recognised as the state language, while Arabic, which previously was regarded as an equal language, has been given a “special status.”

The Knesset’s Arab deputies have denounced the bill. They believe the document is discriminatory against the rights of Israeli Arabs and other ethnic minorities and actually legalises the concept of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, depriving Palestinian refugees of the right to return.

The Jewish left-wing liberals also voted against the bill in the Knesset.

A powerful reaction in Israel itself and elsewhere was evoked by the clause on the status of Jerusalem as the single and indivisible capital of the State of Israel. The bill, which is yet to be signed into law by the Prime Minister and President, commits every Israeli government to continuing an active settlement policy.

Our position in this regard is utterly clear. We proceed from the assumption that a fair and lasting settlement of the decades-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict should be based on well-known international legislation, including the relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions providing for a negotiated solution to all problems related to the final status of the Palestinian territories, including the fate of Jerusalem and the Israeli settlements on the West Bank. On the contrary, unilateral steps that have not been coordinated by the parties to the conflict do nothing but hinder peace, foment tensions on the ground, and considerably complicate efforts directed at launching as soon as possible a meaningful peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303175






Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department Artyom Kozhin’s answer to a media question



24 July 2018 - 20:02




Question:

Western media, in particular Reuters, have published reports to the effect that during a meeting with a high-ranking Russian delegation in Jerusalem on July 23, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu ostensibly rejected Russia’s proposal to allow Iranian forces to remain in Syria at a distance of no less than 100 km from the ceasefire line on the Golan Heights.



Artyom Kozhin:

These reports are not true. I can assure you with confidence that the talks Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov had with Prime Minister Netanyahu were very highly constructive.

The Israeli leadership has been very positive about Russia’s efforts to establish a de-escalation zone in the south-west of Syria, which envisaged the withdrawal of all non-Syrian armed units from this area. Regrettably, the Americans, with whom the details of the zone’s functioning were discussed, did not fulfil their own promises to separate the Syrian armed opposition from the militants of the ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups. This compelled the Syrian government army, supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces, to carry out a military operation to eliminate the hotbed of terrorist activity in the areas adjacent to the Golan Heights.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303334






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with Ambassador of Egypt to Russia Ihab Nasr



25 July 2018 - 13:29



On July 25, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov received Ambassador of Egypt to Russia Ihab Nasr.

During their conversation, the officials reviewed a number of practical matters concerning the further diversification of Russian-Egyptian cooperation and emphasised that efforts be made to maintain trustful political dialogue and to expand trade and economic cooperation.

They conducted a detailed exchange of opinions regarding the situation in the Middle East and North Africa and prioritised peace settlements for Syria, Libya and the Palestinian territories.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303532






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin’s meeting with participants in Europe and Eurasia: Foresight 2030 summer school for young foreign policy experts



25 July 2018 - 14:12



On July 25, State Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin had a meeting with the participants in Europe and Eurasia: Foresight 2030 summer school for young foreign policy experts, held by the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the Association of European Studies, and supported by Russian-Belarusian Expert Club and the Russian International Affairs Council.

In his opening remarks, Grigory Karasin noted the importance of youth and academic exchanges between Russia and Belarus for the development of the Union State. He discussed with the young researchers the future of integration within the Union State of Russia and Belarus, as well as cooperation among member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303546






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with Chol Tong Mayay Jang appointed Ambassador of the Republic of South Sudan to Russia



25 July 2018 - 16:25







On July 25, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov received in Moscow the appointed Ambassador of the Republic of South Sudan to Russia, Chol Tong Mayay Jang who handed copies of his credentials to the Russian diplomat.

The officials discussed major matters concerning trade and economic bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed that Moscow and Juba saw eye to eye when it came to the promotion of constructive cooperation in the UN as well as at other international venues.

They exchanged views on the situation in South Sudan and prospects of settling the domestic conflict in that country. The Russian official expressed support for the peacekeeping efforts of the African community, primarily the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) to promote peace, stability and security in South Sudan.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303589






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko’s meeting with a group of American experts



25 July 2018 - 20:08



On July 25, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko received a group of American experts that arrived in Moscow to attend the Russian-US arms control conference organised by the Institute for the US and Canadian Studies in cooperation with the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund and the Russian Peace Foundation.

The participants held a detailed exchange of views on major issues of strategic stability with an emphasis on the situation around the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) and the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF Treaty).

They also reviewed ways of preventing dangerous military incidents.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303635






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko’s meeting with Serbian Ambassador Slavenko Terzic



26 July 2018 - 11:59



On July 26, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko held a meeting with Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Slavenko Terzic.

The parties noted positive momentum in bilateral political dialogue and in the implementation of existing plans in various areas.

They also discussed the situation in the Balkans in detail, focusing on the current state of the Kosovo settlement. The parties confirmed that their assessments of the main trends in the region were identical.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303713






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with French Special Envoy for Libya Frederic Desagneaux



26 July 2018 - 19:42







On July 26, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov met with French Special Envoy for Libya Frederic Desagneaux.

During the detailed conversation, the officials discussed developments in Libya and prospects for an intra-Libyan settlement with an emphasis on the need to launch a stable and broad national dialogue aimed at resolving the prolonged crisis in the country as soon as possible.

Russia reaffirmed its commitment to promote the political process in Libya in the interests of forming competent government agencies to ensure steady development of Libya as an integral and sovereign state as well as its principled support for the efforts in this field by Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya Ghassan Salame.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304103






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov’s consultations with First Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Dinara Kemelova



27 July 2018 - 11:53



On July 27, Bishkek hosted another round of Russian-Kyrgyz consultations on fighting international terrorism at deputy foreign minister level. The Russian delegation was led by Oleg Syromolotov, the Kyrgyz delegation, by First Deputy Foreign Minister Dinara Kemelova.

The officials discussed details of the fight against international terrorism and confirmed the unity of both countries’ approaches to counterterrorism efforts based on the principles and Charter of the United Nations, given the central coordinating role of the UN and its Security Council without politicisation and double standards. They also stressed the importance of consolidating global efforts in the fight against ISIS and other international terrorist organisations.

They focused on strengthening related interaction between Russia and Kyrgyzstan in order to ensure stability in the Central Asian region and to counter in a timely and efficient manner the terrorist and other threats coming from Afghanistan.

They confirmed the importance of promoting cooperation in identifying and cutting off the sources and channels of funds for terrorism and in opposing the spread of extremist ideology and trans-border movements of foreign terrorist militants. They also called for coordinating positions at key international venues, such as the UN, the SCO, the CSTO, the CIS and the EAG.

The consultations were held in an atmosphere of trust and in a spirit of strategic partnership that unites Russia and Kyrgyzstan.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304222






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with Director of the General Intelligence Service of the State of Palestine Majid Faraj



27 July 2018 - 16:43



On July 27, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met at the Foreign Ministry with Director of the General Intelligence Service of the State of Palestine Majid Faraj, who is in Moscow on a working visit.

During their conversation, which was also attended by Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal, the officials discussed the state of affairs in the Palestinian territories, including in light of the growing tensions in the West Bank and Gaza. They also focused on the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and the objective of restoring Palestinian national unity.

They confirmed the sides’ shared intention to maintain the regular Russian-Palestinian political dialogue and to further promote the entire range of traditionally friendly bilateral relations.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304370






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad



27 July 2018 - 19:19



On July 27, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov received Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic to Russia Riyad Haddad at the latter’s request.

The officials discussed a range of issues related to the Syrian settlement process in the context of preparations for the 10th International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format, which will be held in Sochi on July 30–31.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304424
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln

Last edited by Alex Him; July 31st, 2018 at 11:58 PM.
 
Old August 1st, 2018 #467
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Press release on the 10th meeting of the Russian-Indian Joint Working Group on Combating International Terrorism



23 July 2018 - 15:46



On July 23, the 10th meeting of the Russian-Indian Joint Working Group on Combating International Terrorism was held in Moscow. It was attended by representatives of the agencies concerned from both countries and co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Oleg Syromolotov and his Indian counterpart, Ms Preeti Saran.

Those attending the meeting discussed current aspects of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, including the tasks of preventing terrorism, cutting off the material and ideological support of terrorist groups, and dealing with the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs).

The sides also exchanged opinions on the state of the terrorist threat around the world, including the Middle East, Afghanistan and South, Southeast and Central Asia. They briefed each other on their countries’ experience and best practices in combatting terrorism, including the development of the legal framework.

They reaffirmed their firm stand on the need to consolidate the efforts of the international community, led and coordinated by the UN, in the global fight against international terrorism and extremism based on the norms and principles of international law without any double standards.

The Russian and Indian delegations highlighted the need to invigorate international cooperation to prevent the proliferation of terrorist and extremist ideologies and subsequent radicalisation of public sentiments, as well as terrorist recruitment, including via the internet.

They discussed the possibility of building up cooperation and exchanging information on combatting terrorism and the related threats to international security at the bilateral level and also at the main international platforms, such as the UN, the SCO, BRICS and FATF.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3302747






Comment by the Information and Press Department on developments in Syria



23 July 2018 - 19:36



Recent comments by an official spokesperson of the US State Department following a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have drawn attention in Moscow.

In a peremptory manner typical of the United States, Russia was alleged to be failing to meet its obligations in southwestern Syria. The reality is exactly the opposite. It was Washington that for many months did nothing to separate the "moderate" opposition from ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists in the southwestern de-escalation zone. As a result of successful actions by the Syrian armed forces with our support, law and order are being restored in southwestern Syria and proper conditions are being created for the people to return to peaceful life.

In this context, the recent news involving the White Helmets organisation speaks volumes. Reportedly, Westerners carried out an emergency evacuation of a large group of these pseudo-humanitarians to Jordan via Israeli territory. It is well known that it was the White Helmets who were implicated in the most odious provocations during the Syrian conflict. They acted exclusively in areas controlled by Islamic radicals and concocted outright fakes, which were then used as a pretext to level accusations at the Syrian authorities. Their preferred technique, as actual witnesses to the chemical weapons provocations in Eastern Ghouta later stated before OPCW representatives in The Hague on April 26, 2018, was to stage and shoot propaganda videos that were later widely shared by the Western media and online. It is symbolic that the White Helmets chose to flee Syria with foreign intervention, thus revealing who they really are and demonstrating their hypocrisy to the entire world. As the saying goes, a guilty conscience gives itself away, and these operators clearly showed whose orders they were following and who was funding them.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3302830






Press release on the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council



23 July 2018 - 20:53



On July 9-19, the UN Headquarters hosted the Third High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the High-Level ECOSOC segment. The events were attended by delegations from over 140 countries, including representatives of governments, civil society, business and academic community as well as international organisations.

The Russian interdepartmental delegation included representatives from the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Energy and the Federal Agency for Forestry. It is headed by Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities Andrey Chibis.

The HLPF is the main international venue for discussing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) and for reaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on a global level. This year, 46 countries presented voluntary national reports on their progress in implementing the goals and tasks of the 2030 Agenda. The focal points at the forum included the following SDGs: 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 15 (Life on Land, that is, preservation of the ecosystems), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals).

During the general discussion, Head of the Russian delegation Andrey Chibis described Russia’s experience in ensuring sustainable development at the national, regional and international levels. He emphasised Russia’s willingness to continue enhancing its contribution to international development (the full text is published on the website of Russia’s Permanent Mission at the UN Headquarters in New York).

Mr Chibis held bilateral meetings on the forum’s sidelines with ECOSOC President Marie Chatardova, the heads of the New York affiliates of UN agencies, and the heads of the delegations of a number of UN member states. During the meetings, the participants exchanged views on implementing SDG 11 and their experience in creating sustainable infrastructure and promoting urban development.

On Ms Chatardova’s invitation, member of the Eurasian Economic Commission Board (Minister) on the main areas of integration and macro economy Tatyana Valovaya took the floor as the main speaker at the special session devoted to the contribution of UN regional commissions and regional associations to achieving the SDGs.

About 200 themed events on major issues of sustainable development were held in the HLPF framework. Under UN programmes and in cooperation with UN agencies, Russia co-organised an event on partnerships in promoting international development, as well as events on cooperation in the Arctic, enhancing traffic safety and the contribution of forest management to the creation of sustainable communities.

Following the forum, the participants adopted a ministerial declaration. The next forum will be held in July 2019 and be devoted to SDG 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 13 (Action on Climate Change) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3302906






Press release on Russian-French consultations on Syria



24 July 2018 - 15:30



On July 24, Special Presidential Representative for the Syrian Settlement Alexander Lavrentyev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin held detailed consultations with a French delegation headed by the French President’s personal representative for Syria, Francois Senemaud.

The officials thoroughly discussed the situation in Syria with an emphasis on humanitarian aspects, including the implementation of the joint Russia-France initiative on relief to the population in Eastern Ghouta. They also reviewed further coordinated efforts of Russia and France to promote the political settlement of the Syrian crisis in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303195






Press release on the terrorist attack in Syria



25 July 2018 - 14:57



It has been reported that at least 38 people have died and some 30 were wounded on July 25 following an attack of a suicide bomber at a market place in the government-controlled town of As-Suwayda in southern Syria. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack. At the same time, a terrorist offensive at the nearby city of Douma has been repelled.

In the light of the recent progress by the Syrian Army, supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces, in liberating Syria from ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra and other terrorist groups, the extremists, fearing imminent defeat, have resorted to large-scale violence against civilians.

We strongly condemn these atrocities. We express our condolences to the families of those killed and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.

The latest criminal attack by the ISIS terrorists has reaffirmed the misanthropic essence of the ideology and practice of terrorism and the importance of coordinating energetic international efforts to stamp out this global evil in Syria.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303560






Press release on consultations held by Russia’s interagency delegation in Damascus



26 July 2018 - 10:58



On July 25, a high-level interagency delegation of the Russian Federation, including Special Presidential Representative for the Syrian Settlement Alexander Lavrentyev, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, as well as representatives of the Defence Ministry, were received by President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad.

The meeting consisted of a detailed exchange of views on the ongoing developments in the Syrian Arab Republic. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their uncompromising struggle against terrorism and keeping up efforts to achieve a lasting political settlement in the interests of all Syrians without exception.

They paid special attention to post-conflict recovery, including enabling Syrian refugees and internally displaced people to return back to the places which are their permanent residences as soon as possible. Bashar al-Assad welcomed the initiatives undertaken by Russia to this effect, and affirmed that he was prepared to create the required conditions for welcoming Syrians returning to their homeland in safety and dignity.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303694






Press release on consultations held by Russia’s interagency delegation in Amman



26 July 2018 - 17:28



On July 26, a high-level interagency delegation of the Russian Federation, including Special Presidential Representative for the Syrian Settlement Alexander Lavrentyev, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and representatives of the Defence Ministry held talks with Foreign Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Ayman Safadi.

During the detailed conversation, the officials discussed developments on the ground in Syria with an emphasis on the situation in the southern regions and along the Jordanian border. Jordan’s satisfaction with the terrorists’ final defeat and the restoration of Syria’s sovereignty in the area was conveyed. The parties paid special attention to the tasks of enabling Syrian refugees to return to their places of permanent residence as soon as possible and creating the necessary conditions for welcoming them in safety and dignity.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3303846






Press release on the Normandy format meeting of political directors/deputy foreign ministers



26 July 2018 - 19:26



On July 26, the political directors/deputy foreign ministers of the Normandy Four countries (Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine) met in Berlin to discuss measures to facilitate the settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. State Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin represented the Russian Federation at the meeting.

The participants discussed the progress in implementing the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements of February 12, 2015. They reaffirmed that there is no alternative to the Minsk Agreements as the foundation for a stable settlement of the internal Ukrainian crisis and stressed the key role of the Minsk Contact Group in reaching mutually acceptable solutions to the focal issues of Minsk-2. The Russian delegation again drew attention to Kiev’s unconstructive policy of sabotaging the Package of Measures and the various pretexts it has used to attempt to avoid fulfilling its commitments under the political clauses of the document.

The possible role of the UN in the settlement of the conflict in the southeast of Ukraine was a focus of discussion at the meeting. The Russian representative stressed that the draft Security Council resolution on the establishment of UN support mission to protect the OSCE SMM in eastern Ukraine, which Russia submitted in September 2017, was the ideal basis for discussions at this stage. The modalities of deploying any kind of UN presence must be coordinated with representatives of Donetsk and Lugansk.

During the meeting, the importance of strict compliance with the ceasefire was confirmed. The need for unconditional implementation of agreements reached at the highest level on the disengagement of forces and weapons of the parties in three pilot areas and the coordination of new ones, demining and the withdrawal of heavy weapons was underscored.

The participants supported intensifying efforts toward the “all for all” release and exchange of prisoners as stipulated in the Minsk Agreements.

Regarding socioeconomic issues, the Russian side emphasised the need to immediately lift the Kiev-imposed blockade of the region, address the problems with vital civil infrastructure and resume social payments.

The participants agreed to continue working together on the main issues discussed.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304093






Comment by the Information and Press Department on Kosovo publication’s assertions



27 July 2018 - 15:42



We have noted lengthy Russian media stories based on Kosovo’s Gazeta Express publication. Citing “diplomatic sources,” this publication claims that, during the July 16 Russian-US summit held in Helsinki, the President of the United States allegedly agreed to proposals (that had reportedly been discussed) that Belgrade would recognise the independence of Kosovo if Serbia retains the northern territories where ethnic Serbs live.

We are stating with all responsibility that, just like other latest media conjectures around certain special agreements reportedly reached in Helsinki, this is absolute misinformation.

All matters regarding the final status of Kosovo should be resolved on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. In this context, Belgrade and Pristina agreed to conduct direct dialogue with the mediation of the European Union. Russia consistently supports this negotiating process, insists that all agreements reached during this process be fulfilled, and it will never try and discuss this subject behind both sides’ backs.

We are urging the media community to refrain from outright speculations on the existence of alleged covert agreements between Moscow and Washington. One should not pander to a highly dangerous trend aiming to destabilise Russian-US relations on whose state international security now largely depends. Nor should one incite tension in such a complicated region as the Balkans.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304252






Press release on Russian-Turkish consultations on Syria



27 July 2018 - 18:24



On July 27, a high-level Russian interdepartmental delegation comprising Special Presidential Representative for the Syrian Settlement Alexander Lavrentyev, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and Defence Ministry officials held in-depth consultations in Ankara with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and military and intelligence structures of the Republic of Turkey.

The current situation in Syria was discussed at length in light of the efforts being taken by Russia and Turkey to eradicate terrorism in that country. Special attention was given to the Idlib de-escalation zone in view of repeated ceasefire violations by ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra and their attacks on civilians in adjoining areas.

The Russian side stressed the vital need for the return of Syrian refugees to their homes and for preparations to be made to welcome them back in safety and dignity. Both sides reaffirmed the commitment of Russia and Turkey to promoting a long-term political settlement in the Syrian Arab Republic under the aegis of the United Nations, including in the context of the upcoming tenth International High-Level Meeting on Syria, scheduled to take place in Sochi on July 30-31.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304384






Press release on the Russian interdepartmental delegation’s visit to Beirut



27 July 2018 - 18:25



On July 26, a high-level Russian interdepartmental delegation visited Lebanon. It included Special Presidential Representative for the Syrian Settlement Alexander Lavrentyev, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin, and representatives of the Defence Ministry. The delegation was received by President of the Lebanese Republic Michel Aoun and had talks with its Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

The discussion focused on the developments in Syria, the eradication of hotbeds of terrorism in that country, and its post-conflict recovery. The Lebanese officials expressed support for the Russian initiative on the speedy, safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees to the Syrian Arab Republic as a major factor in ensuring peace and stability in the country and in the region.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304394






Foreign Ministry statement on the US House of Representatives’ passing of the 2019 defence budget bill



27 July 2018 - 19:18



We have taken note of the National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2019 passed by the US House of Representatives. This document, in particular, provides for allocating funds to build a space-based echelon for intercepting ballistic missiles (including the development and deployment of a new early warning satellite group by the end of 2022). The completion of the interception system is planned for 2030, but testing of prototypes is to begin as soon as in 2022, once the new sensors are put into service. The bill instructs the US Missile Defence Agency to start implementing these programmes regardless of the recommendations of the still ongoing revision of the missile defence policy.

It seems, given US President Donald Trump’s instruction to create the Space Force as an independent service branch separate from the United States Air Force, the preparations for creating the ABM space group is another step towards implementing the policy of America’s dominance of outer space. These efforts are a direct confirmation that Washington does not intend to abandon the plans to use force in outer space proposed by the previous administration.

Such actions by US lawmakers do not contribute to a constructive dialogue on strategic stability, or to a favourable atmosphere within the framework of the review process of the destabilising effect on strategic stability and international security.

Given that the US Congress is talking about the development and creation of space-based anti-ballistic missile defence weapons, we would like to mention that there is a direct correlation between strategic offensive and defensive weapons, as stated in the 2010 START Treaty. Washington's prior attempts to secure its military supremacy have invariably ended in heightened international tension and new rounds of the arms race.

We are certainly closely following the US moves and are carefully analysing the possible consequences. We urge the American side to show good judgment and not repeat the mistakes of the past. Armed confrontation in outer space can have no less detrimental impact than the nuclear arms race unleashed by Washington back in the middle of the last century, with the whole world still failing to cope with its consequences.

Russia stands resolutely against such reckless undertakings. We give priority to the use and exploration of outer space for exclusively peaceful purposes. Our approaches are also reaffirmed in the July 26 Declaration of the 10th BRICS Summit, which emphasises the paramount importance of strict compliance with, and the need to consolidate and strengthen the current regulatory regime that provides for the peaceful use of outer space. The Declaration also expresses the collective concern of the BRICS members over the possible arms race in space and its transformation into an arena for military confrontation.

In recent years, we have come up with a number of initiatives aimed at preventing an arms race in outer space, the key one being the Russian-Chinese draft treaty on prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space and of the threat or use of force against outer space objects, an updated version of which was submitted to the Conference on Disarmament in June 2014. We are supported by sensible forces in all countries and intend to continue active result-oriented work towards this end.

We would like to hope that common sense will prevail in the United States. We count on Washington to finally abandon the plans that would have the most negative impact on the state of international security, and to support in deeds, rather than in words the efforts by responsible countries aimed at real strengthening of international security and strategic stability.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304414






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the statement by Armenian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson regarding the replacement of CSTO Secretary General



28 July 2018 - 14:03



In response to the statement by the spokesperson of Armenia’s Foreign Ministry regarding the replacement of CSTO’s Secretary General, the Information and Press Department points out that all the necessary explanations were provided to Armenia during the telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan on July 27, 2018.

In particular, it was noted that according to CSTO’s rules of procedure, it is up to Armenia to initiate the recall of its citizen from the post of CSTO Secretary General, if Yerevan has taken a decision to this effect.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3304481
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Briefing by Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Artyom Kozhin, July 26, 2018



26 July 2018 16:53











Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the Terra Scientia on Klyazma River National Educational Youth Forum

From June 27 to August 12, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs is holding the regular, fourth Terra Scientia National Educational Youth Forum on Klyazma River under the auspices of the Presidential Executive Office.

The forum is a large event devoted to modern Russia’s youth issues with the broad participation of domestic socio-political and youth circles. Youth organisations from a number of foreign countries are also represented at the forum. The forum enjoys much popularity and attracts the attention of both the Russian and foreign public.

This year the main theme is “Russia, the land of opportunity.”

By tradition, the first persons of our country, prominent domestic public and political leaders take part in the forum. As in previous years, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov plans to attend the forum and make a speech there on July 30.



Developments in Syria

The situation in Syria remains complicated. Yesterday we published a comment, on the Foreign Ministry website, on the tragic events in As-Suwayda. According to updated information from the Syrian media, the number of dead in a series of terrorist attacks in the province has already exceeded 200 people and the same number has been wounded. We express our deep condolences to the families and friends of the dead and wish early recovery to the injured. Needless to say, such atrocities deserve the strongest condemnation.

Nevertheless, the developments in the country as a whole are improving. The elimination of the dangerous hotbed of terrorism in the southwest of Syria, in the provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, is about to be completed. At present, the Syrian army, supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces, is intensifying its onslaught on the positions of the Khalid ibn al-Walid army that swore allegiance to ISIS. This army is trying to make up for its losses by mobilising the resources of its demoralised rivals from among local illegal armed units.

The implementation of the agreements for “local truces’ concluded with Russia’s mediation continues in the liberated areas of Daraa and Quneitra. In the process, a third group of “irreconcilable” members of the armed opposition are headed for the north of Syria, following in the footsteps of 2,800 militants from Jabhat al-Nusra and their family members who left for the north earlier.

The Council of Ministers of Syria established a special commission a few days ago that is headed by the Minister of the Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer al-Khalil, which will deal with the restoration of the territories freed from illegal formations.

Gradual stabilisation and improvement of the humanitarian situation in the Syrian Government-controlled territories are objectively facilitating the active return of refugees and internally displaced persons. For example, over 400 Syrians returned home from neighbouring Jordan and Lebanon yesterday, July 25.



The 10th international high-level meeting on Syria

The 10th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format will take place in Sochi on July 30-31 and bring together deputy foreign ministers representing Russia, Iran and Turkey as the Astana process guarantor countries assisting the Syrian settlement process, delegations of the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition, as well as UN and Jordanian observers. An invitation was sent to the United States as well.

The participants will review the developments in and around Syria, exchange views on progress in establishing intra-Syrian talks based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and with account taken of the decisions of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, continue to discuss further steps in order to secure the speedy launch of the Constitutional Committee as an important element of promoting the political settlement of the Syrian crisis. The humanitarian situation in Syria will come under special focus.

The 4th meeting of the working group on releasing detainees/hostages, transferring remains and searching for missing persons created by the three guarantor countries of the Astana Process is planned to be held on the sidelines of the Sochi meeting.



Report by the Bundestag Scientific Service on the legitimacy of Russia's participation in the Syrian conflict

Our Western partners have on many occasions accused Russia’s Aerospace Forces of being in Syria illegally. Symptomatically, these accusations came from those who, for decades and in violation of existing international legal norms and state sovereignty, have been intervening in internal affairs of other states, including Syria.

Russia’s position on this matter is known and was made public on several occasions. It was confirmed by the legitimate Syrian government. However, ignoring common sense, some countries have continued to rely on questionable reasoning in an attempt to achieve their ends. The issue of legitimate presence in Syria also caught the attention of international law experts in the West. In this regard, we would like to point to a report compiled by the Bundestag Scientific Service released on June 28 on the international legal assessment of the participation of a number of countries in the Syrian conflict. Its findings are quite telling.

The report’s authors analyse the role and scope of Russia's participation in the Syrian events. Reportedly, Russia’s military presence on Syria’s sovereign territory and relevant Russian military operations are being conducted with the exclusive permission of the Syrian government. Thus, we are talking about an “intervention by invitation.” According to the prevailing view in international law, such intervention is initially permissible and does not contradict the prohibition of the use of force outlined in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. This, in particular, is what the International Criminal Court and the UN International Law Commission are guided by. Territorial sovereignty allows a state to deploy foreign troops on its sovereign territory. There’s no issue about violating the ban on the use of force in this particular case, since Russia’s military operations are not directed against Syria’s legitimate authorities. In this regard, Russia’s presence in Syria from the standpoint of international law is considered permissible.

However, according to the German experts, things are not as straightforward with regard to the United States. Their assessments can be found in this report.



Discrimination against Romani people in Ukraine and UN Human Rights Council statements on the issue

We are following developments in Ukraine with concern. Numerous acts of violence against ethnic minorities and representatives of certain ethnic groups, particularly Romani, have not gone unnoticed. We have repeatedly drawn the international community's attention to the frenzy of nationalism and neo-fascist ideology in Ukraine. Acts of violence against religious people, violating the language rights of residents, restricting freedom of speech, the murder and intimidation of journalists, and assaults on representatives of ethnic minorities have long become the norm in that country. The most cynical thing is that all these actions are performed with the connivance of the official authorities in Kiev, who either cannot or do not want to curb violent radicalism. In fact, what we are witnessing now is attempts to divide citizens into Ukrainians and other second-rate people. We know from history what such a policy can lead to.

International monitoring mechanisms for human rights cannot be blind to this outrage occurring in Ukraine. Experts from the United Nations Human Rights Council have made a rather strong statement in connection with another assault on a Romani community that resulted in one of its members being murdered. In his twitter account, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Daniel Holtgen also condemned this crime. We are pleased that the international community is beginning to see the human rights situation in Ukraine clearly. We expect the international community to respond to other crimes committed by Ukrainian radicals, as well as to the Ukrainian authorities’ discriminatory treatment of all ethnic minorities, and we expect the guilty to be held accountable.



Investigation into the incidents in Salisbury and Amesbury

We continue to watch the developments related to the investigation into the Salisbury and Amesbury incidents. We see that in spite of the lack of meaningful official statements, the British media are actively spreading unverified leaks regarding the investigation process.

The details being published only underscore the British authorities' general policy of classifying information that could shed light on what actually happened in Salisbury and Amesbury. For example, we find the details of Charlie Rowley’s health and confinement conditions, as shared by his brother with journalists, very interesting. It appears that Rowley is not allowed to leave the place where he is kept now under constant surveillance by the police. He is cut off from the outside world and has no access to television, newspapers or other sources of information; he uses a phone given to him by the police and he is not allowed to reveal his location to anyone.

All this is very reminiscent of the case of Sergey and Yulia Skripal, whom the British authorities hid from the British and international public. As a reminder, London, in violation of the relevant provisions of the 1963Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the bilateral 1965Consular Convention, continues to ignore Russia’s demands for consular access to our citizens, citing the need to respect Ms Skripal's privacy. This only heightens our suspicions that the Skripals were isolated by the British authorities by force to avoid questions regarding the official version of what happened. That said, we continue to insist on giving us consular access to the Skripals, who are citizens of the Russian Federation.

The British public should pay more attention to the unfounded deprivation of liberty of a British citizen, who became a victim of the crime entirely by accident. It seems that British patients are released from the hospital in Salisbury solely with the aim of preventing them from having free contact with the outside world.

Overall, there is an obvious need for various non-governmental human rights organisations to seriously look into the issue of London's negligence of human rights, including the unmotivated restrictions on people's contacts and movement.



BBC’s inquiry into the response to statements addressed to Russia by Hermitage Capital Management CEO William Browder

We would like to comment on the inquiry by the British Broadcasting Corporation as regards the response to statements addressed to Russia by Hermitage Capital Management CEO William Browder.

On July 19, we received a BBC request for an urgent comment on several strong statements and even accusations addressed to Russian leaders by Hermitage Capital Management CEO William Browder and to respond in writing by 9 am on the following day, July 20. We were promised that the comment would be read without edits in the programme devoted to Browder. Despite a busy schedule, the Foreign Ministry promptly prepared a detailed reply and sent it to the BBC.

The next morning we were surprised to discover that our comment had been extensively compressed, that only about 10 per cent of it was used in the best traditions of the British media. Most of the 20 minute programme was devoted to an interview with Browder, whereas our comment was given only one minute.

This is not the first time the BBC has compressed comments by Russian officials. It is not uncommon for a 45-minute interview with a Foreign Ministry official to be reduced to less than five minutes. A typical example is Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with the programme HARDTalk, from which substantial fragments explaining the gist of Russian policy on many issues were cut.

To be honest, we are stunned by the imbalance in reporting information. We consider this unacceptable for a media outlet that positions itself as professional and unbiased.

Since the BBC did not want to quote in detail our commentary we will use this opportunity to do so.

“It is strange to hear words about theft from a person who stole over $1.5 billion from Russia and was convicted twice in 2013 and 2017. He was sentenced to nine years and given huge fines. Another criminal case against him is under investigation now. He is charged with serious crimes and Russian law enforcement agencies are planning to interview a number of US and British secret services employees and others.

“Since 2004, Russian investigative bodies have recorded 12 crimes by Browder’s criminal group. Subsequently, criminal cases (pre-trial proceedings) have been opened against the group for tax evasion, failure to comply with the duties of a tax agent, deliberate bankruptcy, swindling, money laundering and other crimes. The actions by Browder and his accomplices inflicted over 4.5 billion roubles of damage on Russia.

“In February 2018, Russian investigators started another criminal case under Article 210, part 1, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (forming a criminal organisation with intent to committing systematic, grievous and extremely grievous crimes; the running of the organisation and the coordinating of the criminal actions of its members). The circumstances of Broder’s criminal activities are being investigated under this case, including his attempted perjury during the US versus Prevezon hearings in a US Court.

“At present, Browder has been charged with tax evasion, failure to comply with the duties of a tax agent and deliberate bankruptcy. Handicapped people were allegedly included on the payroll of Browder’s companies for tax evasion purposes while not actually working there. Tax benefits were granted to these companies based on misinformation.

“In the course of this investigation, unique materials have been collected. Russia believes that these materials would influence the Western attitude towards the Magnitsky Act that allows Browder to avoid international arrest under the pretense of being a victim of political harassment and that allows him to do further damage to Russia’s interests.”

The full text of a detailed seven-page comment that quotes judicial facts and substantiations was sent to the BBC. If anyone is interested in it, we can provide it upon request.

In general we would like to emphasise that for our part we will continue to provide detailed commentary on important international issues. We hope that journalists for whom professional ethics is not an empty phrase will forward them to their audience to provide an objective view of the state of affairs.



Arrest of Russian citizen Maria Butina in the US

We continue to closely monitor the fate of Russian citizen Maria Butina, arrested in Washington on July 15. Russian Embassy employees have visited her in prison, and have attended the court sessions where a measure of restraint and other procedural issues were determined, including yesterday. We have sent a resolute protest to the US State Department against the actions taken against her, including the severe psychological pressure she was subjected to.

Butina was subjected to an eight-hour search in the arrest process, as FBI agents armed with automatic firearms burst into her rented apartment, literally breaking furniture, shaking and even tearing up things, opening floors and walls. They found nothing incriminating, but despite the complete lack of evidence, Maria Butina was refused release.

The FBI’s thin case against Butina, as anyone can read on the internet, is actually based on decontextualised excerpts from her personal correspondence in social media. They are trying to incriminate her in a violation of the US foreign agents law, although she did not work for any foreign state, but studied at a Washington university and, taking a great interest in weapons, went to National Rifle Association of America events. She did this openly, not hiding her Russian citizenship, not hiding acquaintances or contacts, because there was nothing to hide.

However, certain political forces in the United States, pursuing self-serving interests, invented a story of Russian interference in the US elections, and this mudslinging campaign against Russia actually sent Butina to prison on a framed case – in fact, simply due to her nationality. What is this, if not a witch-hunt? There are fears that any of our compatriots in America might find themselves to be the next targets.

We demand that the US authorities immediately stop this arbitrariness and release Maria Butina. Her arrest is motivated solely by US domestic and foreign politics, and, therefore, she is a political prisoner.



The Crimea Declaration of the US Department of State

We have certainly taken note of the Crimea Declaration published recently by the US Department of State and have already commented on it. It was obviously timed to coincide with the current US Secretary of State’s remarks at the hearings in the US Congress, in which he promised to take a tough line toward our country. It will probably come to be known as the Pompeo Declaration.

However, there is nothing new in this document. Washington officials regularly make statements on Russia and Crimea in particular. Regrettably, US politicians who actively supported the coup d’etat in Ukraine and the subsequent harassment of Russian speakers in Ukraine have been ignoring the UN Charter for more than four years. They are cynically denying the Crimeans the right to self-determination as expressed in the open referendum in 2014.

We have said more than once that this issue is closed for us – Crimea is the territory of the Russian Federation whether the United States or some other country likes it or not. Incidentally, more and more average Americans and citizens of other counties no longer believe the myth of Russian occupation and are eagerly coming to Crimea for business and pleasure despite the dire warnings of their governments.

Washington’s self-serving distortions of international law are doomed to failure. It is clear to everyone that its officials speak about respect for the principle of sovereign equality and territorial integrity only when it is in US interests. But who in the US was thinking about the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia during the bombings of former Yugoslavia and the subsequent proclamation of Kosovo’s independence?

The US State Department’s moralising against the threat or use of force is sheer hypocrisy. It is enough to look at last October’s report of the Congressional Research Service. According to this document, during the Cold War from 1949 to 1991 the Pentagon took part in 46 military campaigns abroad, while in 1992-2017 that number increased four times to reach 188. Secret operations are not counted in this number. So decide for yourself who is really aggressive.



Group to counter Russian cyber threats formed in the United States

Like any sovereign country, the United States has the right to create any formats to discuss issues that worry its leaders.

Talk of Washington forming a separate group to counter Russian cyber threats has been going on for a long time. We believe this is primarily caused by the domestic political opposition to US President Donald Trump. Such ideas feed the confrontation between our countries and once again add fuel to the flames over Russia’s non-existent cyberattacks.

Moscow has repeatedly denied involvement in US internal affairs. We prefer official cooperation with Washington on cyber security to groundless accusations against Russia. We are open to serious, deep dialogue on this subject. The cyber ball is in the US court and now it is up to the Americans whether they will respond at the expert or political level.

There should be no illusions over there that Russia can be intimidated by the formation of different groups to counter far-fetched threats. We are confident and know what we are capable of. We are not going to humble ourselves before anyone. We hope for pragmatic and constructive dialogue with the leading cyber powers in the information space rather than ultimatums and unilateral actions.



Oil products delivery to North Korea

We have taken note of Western media reports, including some that quote the US Permanent Representative at the UN, about Russia and China allegedly blocking a US request that the UN Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) regarding sanctions against North Korea ban the delivery of oil products there.

This matter needs clarification.

First of all, Clause 5 of UN Security Council Resolution 2397, which was unanimously adopted on December 22, 2017, limits the delivery of refined petroleum products to North Korea to 500,000 barrels in 2018. The UNSC Committee 1718 has been directed to notify all member states when an aggregate amount of refined petroleum products sold, supplied or transferred to North Korea reaches 75 per cent, 90 per cent and 95 per cent of this figure, and only when the amount reached 95 per cent it is obliged to inform them that they must immediately cease the delivery of refined petroleum products to North Korea for the remainder of the year.

Second, according to the regularly updated information on the website of the committee, the aggregate amount of oil product deliveries to North Korea as of late June only reached 25 per cent of the limit. Therefore, there are no formal grounds for suspending the export of refined petroleum products to North Korea, and Washington knows all about this.

However, the Americans, using its favourite tactic of sanctions pressure on Pyongyang and claiming the power to prosecute, informed the committee on July 12 that, according to their estimates, North Korea exceeded the annual limit by obtaining oil products through ship-to-ship transfers, in violation of UNSC Resolutions 2375 and 2397, at least 89 times between January 1 and May 30. In addition to the eight satellite photographs of the alleged ship-to-ship transfers, which were published before, Washington supplemented its request to the committee with four new satellite images of oil tankers in North Korean ports that were allegedly unloading illegal oil supplies they presumably received through ship-to-ship transfers.

This is the “solid” evidence provided by the Americans, whose conclusions are based on the mathematical modelling of the amount of oil products these North Korean ships could carry if filled to 33 per cent, 50 per cent or 90 per cent of their carrying capacity.

It is clear that the UN Security Council’s sanctions bodies do not take decisions simply on the spur of the moment. There is an established procedure, as well as a group of experts given the power to consider and even investigate the suspicions of member states. Russia has not evaded the discussion of this matter and recommended the Americans not to be in a hurry, the more so that the information they provided was not thoroughly considered or supplemented with any facts. They did not listen to us or even refused to listen to us. Therefore, their initiative has not been blocked, as some media outlets present the situation, but suspended until our American partners acquire additional information.

We urge our colleagues at the UN Security Council to take a more responsible attitude to the work of the country’s auxiliary bodies, not to abuse their competencies but to act in accordance with the established procedure and to not use any expanded interpretation of the relevant provisions of the UN Security Council’s resolutions on sanctions.



Anti-Russia statements by Defence Minister of Norway Frank Bakke-Jensen

We noted that in an interview with Norwegian news channel TV 2 on July 17, Defence Minister of Norway Frank Bakke-Jensen said that Oslo is building up its military potential in the north because of its “increasingly threatening neighbour – Russia” and “will protect the country at the Russian border and further south.”

Why is Mr Bakke-Jensen being so dramatic? He has said more than once that Norway does not see a direct military threat from Russia. Other Norwegian officials spoke in the same spirit at top levels. Could Oslo have changed its position and do our Norwegian neighbours now consider us a threat?

We believe that such irresponsible statements undermine confidence and stability in our relations, including those in the Russian and Norwegian border areas, and destroy the atmosphere of neighbourliness and mutual respect created by many generations in our nations.



Confiscation of undeclared satellite phones from some participants of the Japanese visa-free group that visited the southern Kurile Islands on a charter flight

Under the agreement between the Russian and Japanese leaders following their bilateral summit in May, the Japanese took a successful charter flight from Hokkaido to the southern Kurile Islands of Kunashir and Iturup on July 22-23 of this year. The charter flight was organised so that former Japanese residents of the islands could visit the burial sites of their relatives. The flight was based on the Soviet-Japanese agreement on mutual visa-free visits to the burial sites on the territory of the two countries of July 2, 1986.

During the customs clearance procedure at Mendeleyevo Airport in Yuzhno-Kurilsk, it transpired that the Japanese Foreign Ministry and the Japanese journalists that accompanied the group had six undeclared satellite phones. They were confiscated due to the violation of section one of Article 16.2 (failure to declare goods that are subject to mandatory declaration) and Article 16.3 (failure to comply with a ban and/or restrictions on the admission of goods to the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union) of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences. The owners of the phones did not have permits from Roskomnadzor (Russia’s communications oversite agency) to bring high-frequency devices into Russia.

Importantly, there were no problems with the admission of the television equipment about which the Japanese had notified the Russian customs officials and the admission of which was agreed upon in advance.

Regrettably, the afore-mentioned Japanese visitors did not adopt a constructive attitude and ostentatiously refused to sign protocols on violations.

At present, this case is subject to administrative investigation under Russian law, following which it will be taken to court.

We would like to draw the attention of the Japanese side to the need to strictly abide by Russian law during their visits to the territory of the Russian Federation, including the southern Kurile Islands.



Condolences in connection with forest fires in Greece

We would like to offer our condolences to the fraternal Greek people in connection with the tragic aftermath of the wild fires that have engulfed the Attica Region encompassing the entire metropolitan area of Athens. According to official statistics, 81 people have perished, and another 60 are being treated in hospitals. No Russian citizens have lost their lives or been injured.

We share the sorrow of the people of Greece in connection with these developments. We would like to offer words of support and sympathy to the families and friends of the deceased, and we wish a speedy recovery to those who incurred injuries.



Signing a memorandum with the UN Volunteers Programme

On July 26, a memorandum on making a financial contribution to the budget of the UN Volunteers Programme was signed in Moscow. This sum will be spent on a project aimed at involving Russian volunteers in UN activities.

Under the memorandum, Russia undertakes to contribute $1,004,000 that will be used to finance the involvement of 19 volunteers of the Russian Federation in UN projects and programmes dealing with international development and peacekeeping efforts.

The candidates, due to be selected in September, will work in 16 CIS, African, Asian and Middle East countries.

The signing of this agreement has become an important stage of expanding relations between the UN Volunteers Programme and Russia. This is particularly topical at a time when Russia is holding the Year of Volunteers, and when the volunteer movement continues to develop rapidly.




Answers to media questions:



Question:

As-Suwayda has been subjected to a terrorist attack yesterday. It is already obvious that ISIS terrorists were supported from the US Al-Tanf base in Syria. Do you have any information on this? What do you think about this support?



Artyom Kozhin:

I have already noted our position regarding the tragic events in As-Suwayda. I can only add that any crimes, primarily terrorist attacks, need to be investigated thoroughly. Let’s wait for the results from the investigation, and I do believe that an investigation will be conducted.



Question:

Today, officials from the Russian Tourism Industry Union have made several statements that visa centres might be shut down in this country after the introduction of accreditation. Can the Foreign Ministry comment on this matter?



Artyom Kozhin:

We have heard this information, and a comment is forthcoming in the near future.



Question:

Co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh have issued a statement that they are preparing a meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijani ministers of foreign affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Elmar Mammadyarov. But nothing is being said about this meeting’s time or where it will take place. Do you have any news on this score? Can Russia organise this ministerial meeting?



Artyom Kozhin:

We have no details so far. I am ready to specify this matter. We will contact you if we receive any information. On the whole, you know our position regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh peace settlement that has been repeatedly voiced.



Question:

This week, the Russian Embassy in Denmark said on its Twitter account it was pointless to meddle in Danish elections because the Government of Denmark and the opposition are Russophobic. I would simply like to find out whether this is the Foreign Ministry’s position. Would it make sense to meddle in the elections if Danish parties voiced any other opinions of Russia? Do you really support this rather undiplomatic style of diplomats using social media networks?



Artyom Kozhin:

You know Russia’s position regarding so-called election-meddling perfectly well. We have repeatedly said that we don’t meddle in the domestic affairs of sovereign states, and that we treat everyone with respect.

Twitter and social media network messages are a special genre. You know that the Foreign Ministry runs numerous official accounts in various social media networks. You probably follow our work in this field, and you know our style. Understandably, social media networks provide ample communication opportunities. In principle, it is their purpose to ensure mutual communications and to maintain dialogue with the audience. In some cases, it becomes possible to deviate from dull official language somewhat. But, if you closely follow our posts on Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks, then, of course, you have comprehended our style and realise that we never cross certain boundaries. And, even if we are joking sometimes, we are doing this in an extremely well-cultured and refined manner.



Question:

My question is about the visits that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov paid to Israel, Germany and France. They hinted at certain talks on repatriating Syrians who had left their country. From the Russian side it all looked as if they came, they talked, and they came back home again. Could you please explain in more detail what plan for the repatriation of Syrian refugees and migrants Mr Lavrov and Mr Gerasimov have proposed in Jerusalem, Berlin and Paris?



Artyom Kozhin:

The official information on the results of these visits has been posted on the Foreign Ministry website. I am not saying any more for now. Let me add that the repatriation of refugees and displaced persons to Syria is a very important matter. You know our position; our initiatives, including those undertaken by the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, have been divulged. The media covered this subject extensively.



Question:

The tenth round of Astana talks is scheduled for late July in Sochi. Do you think its results will be more substantial, particularly against the background of the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump? Will Russia insist on Kurdish involvement in the political process dealing with the Syrian crisis?



Artyom Kozhin:

Of course, we have high hopes for a positive outcome of this meeting.

I would like to say that in all likelihood there will be media scrums and a final news conference following the meeting. I think the details will emerge pretty soon.



Question:

Could you specify whether the presence of Iran and Iranian advisers in Syria was discussed during Foreign Minister Lavrov’s visits to Israel, France and Germany?



Artyom Kozhin:

Even though Iran is a responsible player and a guarantor country, this question should be addressed to the Syrian Government.

As for the above mentioned visits, full information [about them], as I said, is available on the Foreign Ministry’s official website.



Question:

Earlier this year, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that Ankara was interested in Russians visiting Turkey using their domestic passports. How far have the sides advanced in implementing the initiative for Russians to travel to Turkey using their domestic passports?



Artyom Kozhin:

I will find out more on this and reply to you in due course.



Question:

It was reported today that an important Russian delegation was in Lebanon and later would visit Iraq. Can you comment on the delegation’s mission and role?

A group of young people assembled today before the Foreign Ministry to campaign for the liberation of Viktor Bout. Do you have anything to say concerning this?



Artyom Kozhin:

You know very well our position on the Bout case. It has been published and there is no change. We have spoken about this repeatedly.

As for the visits, I have no information as yet. Follow the Foreign Ministry’s website. It will mention everything.



Question:

The Western media reports that the initiative to postpone the next Putin-Trump meeting came not only from the US but also from Russia. Congress may tighten the sanctions for a new meeting. What do you have to say about this?



Artyom Kozhin:

You should apply to the Presidential Executive Office for information on presidential events.



Question:

President of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council Mahdi al-Mashat has suggested that Russia act as a guarantor of a ceasefire and political settlement in Yemen. This is not the first such appeal from the Houthis. What is the Russian response?



Artyom Kozhin:

We will study this matter and reply to you. For now, we have no information about this appeal.



Question:

Saudi Arabia’s oil ministry has announced its intention to stop oil exports until the Houthi problem is solved. Could you say something about this?



Artyom Kozhin:

Perhaps you should address your question to the Saudi oil ministry.



Question:

The presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia are expected to meet in Moscow in September. We would like to know what you expect from this event. How will it promote bilateral cooperation, given the package of documents prepared for signing at the meeting?



Artyom Kozhin:

Colleagues, I have repeatedly urged you to address such questions related to the presidential agenda to the Press Service of the Presidential Executive Office. This is their purview, not ours.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/press_service/s...ent/id/3303792
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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to questions at the Terra Scientia on Klyazma River National Educational Youth Forum, Vladimir Region, July 30, 2018



30 July 2018 - 16:47











Good afternoon,

Honestly, once out of the helicopter and walking along the wooden pathways, it felt nice to be back here again, because this is a very good place, with its special feel, like an answered prayer, and excellent energy, which is certainly a credit to the organisers’ good judgement. Thanks to Rosmolodezh and the Vladimir Region and everyone else who helps keep the camp in excellent condition, constantly improving it, and to those who attend sessions at Terra Scientia on Klyazma River.

Once again, I am pleased to talk with people who are interested in foreign policy. We very much appreciate the support shown in society, including by young people, for President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy that we are trying to implement as effectively as possible. This is indeed the root of all the objectives we are pursuing, trying to achieve the most favourable external conditions for the development of our country, for its citizens to live better and feel secure, equal to others when they leave their country and travel the world.

The situation in the world is complicated. I will not elaborate on it in detail here, but if you are interested in politics, you can certainly imagine what is happening.

To put it briefly, the emergence of what we call a polycentric world order is an objective process consisting of the emergence of new centres of economic and financial power, enhancing their political leverage along the way. This is an organic process, as exemplified by the BRICS phenomenon. A BRICS Summit took place in Johannesburg just a few days ago, during which participants adopted a number of documents reaffirming the commitment of all five countries to work on matters that Russia proactively promotes on the international stage, such as asserting the international law, norms, principles and purposes of the UN Charter, including respecting sovereignty, equality of states, resolving disputes and conflicts in an exclusively peaceful way, the unacceptable nature of the use or threat of force bypassing the UN Charter, and many other things too.

Of course, this objective transformation of the global system, as well as the economic and financial landscape, does not make everyone happy. This is quite understandable, since our Western colleagues ruled over the destinies of the world for many centuries. They were the ones who called the tunes, set trends and made rules. Today, they are forced to be more democratic in their actions. This has become an imperative, and they are no longer able to decide on everything single-handedly. This is a painful process. It is obvious that at the end of the day they will understand that they have to make deals, but we are not there yet. So far they hope to be able to work their way back to where they were by inertia, but there is no turning back. This will be a lengthy process. The emergence of polycentric trends gave birth to a new era with the ascendance of China and India, which are now economic powerhouses, and of course Russia, when it stopped being embarrassed by its uniqueness, roots and cultural and civilisational identity. All these processes were met with harsh resentment.

The culture of making deals is substituted by threats, ultimatums and sanctions. This is what we are currently witnessing when it comes to international trade with the de facto trade wars between the US and China, and between the US and the EU. Threats are followed by agreements to launch dialogue and seek compromise, although the situation remains extremely tense not only in terms of international trade, but also in global politics. The culture of dialogue has been somehow relegated to the back burner. When our US colleagues come up with an initiative, and we propose discussing it when it does not suit us, in most cases the US accuses us of standing in the way of progress and preventing complex problems from being resolved, followed by various sanctions against us. This happens all the time.

Let me repeat that the emergence of a polycentric, democratic and a more just world order is inevitable, just as the resistance by old powers to these new trends in global politics. This is life. One thing that brings some comfort in this situation is that the majority is with those who support collective approaches in international affairs. The majority shares our view about the need for mutual respect. No matter how big or small countries are, they must respect each other’s interests when dealing with each other. When this vision serves as a foundation for dialogue, we succeed in many ways.

Let me mention Russia’s commitment to further strengthening the United Nations and its Security Council as a foundation of a just world order. Essentially, the principles that remain relevant in today’s world order were enshrined in the UN Charter back in 1945. During the Cold War these principles were in a dormant state. But today they are still relevant, among other things, for the reasons that I have already mentioned. These principles include the inviolability of sovereign equality among states, the need to avoid interference in domestic affairs, and many other things as well. The UN Charter has taken on a new lease of life and has become much more relevant in everyday undertakings with the emergence of multipolar trends in international affairs.

Russia also supports the OSCE which must return to the principles set out in the Helsinki Final Act and other high-level instruments. They must set the stage for interactions in the Euro-Atlantic region. There are also attempts to revise these principles without any prior arrangements. Ultimatums are used in the Euro-Atlantic, but this does nothing but undermine earlier agreements, as I have already said.

Frameworks such as the CIS, the CSTO and the Eurasian Economic Union make us closer to those who had lived within a single country with Russia for many centuries, who are our brothers and neighbours, and with whom we have so many ties, including in terms of the economy, infrastructure, people-to-people ties, and sometimes even family ties. The so-called post-Soviet space is brought together by so many families.

I have already mentioned the BRICS and the SCO. As President of Russia Vladimir Putin said at his news conference in Johannesburg, instead of having a single leader, these formats consist of devising mutually acceptable agreements and promoting consensus.

To conclude, I would like to mention the Group of Twenty created when the Group of Seven, a club of Western countries, understood that they are unable to resolve global economic and monetary challenges on their own. G20 has been holding summits since 2010, and currently includes the West’s G7, as well as all BRICS countries and like-minded countries such as Indonesia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Mexico, who share the same views on international financial and economic relations.

G20 is a very interesting phenomenon designed to promote deals on key economic matters. Since political challenges go hand in hand with economic ones, G20 is likely to become increasingly inclined to deal with them as well. It is not a coincidence that foreign ministers’ meetings have been held for three years now alongside top-level meetings and meetings of economy ministers. This is a healthy process. As I have already pointed out, G20 does not have any sophisticated rules or procedures, and adopts decisions by consensus. In order for a resolution to be adopted, everyone has to agree to it. Otherwise, no decision is made. This serves as an incentive for coming up with approaches that suit everyone.

I would like to spend the remaining time in an interactive discussion. I am at your disposal.



Question:

Western media outlets, fans and heads of state praised the way Russia organised the 2018 FIFA World Cup. During the Helsinki summit, President of Russia Vladimir Putin gave the tournament’s official ball to President of the United States Donald Trump. Did the latest World Cup influence Russia’s reputation in the eyes of the West or is it only a temporary thaw with regard to this country?



Sergey Lavrov:

You and everyone present here know the answer to that. Everyone who has watched at least one news report on how the fans spent their time also knows the answer. It would be no exaggeration to say that this was a real upsurge in public diplomacy. Hundreds of thousands of foreigners were able to visit Russia and see how the country and its people live. Or they could do the same by watching television. Judging by television programmes, online material and discussions with foreign fans, it was obvious that an overwhelming majority of foreign fans, with some minor exceptions, felt sincerely happy here, and they said they wanted to come back because they had comprehended the exact meaning of the famous hospitality of the people of Russia.

We would like to hold onto this atmosphere, because understandably, the single-month of the World Cup is something still very special. Now that such a major international event has come to a close, there will be no permanent dances, songs and barbecue parties on Moscow’s Nikolskaya Street or in any other fan zones. For me, it is absolutely obvious that people who came here were convinced that various stories now being offered to Western audiences and readership are rather far-fetched.

Apart from the World Cup, this also concerns any other matter on Russian territory bugging Western leaders. For example, we hear too many discussions about Crimea. Once again, they should come and see everything with their own eyes. More and more public representatives, journalists and business managers visit Crimea, and they can see that people there live the way they have decided, rather than it happens when someone has annexed or occupied any specific territory. Crimea has been reunited with Russia, and April 19 will now always be celebrated as a day when Russia back in the year 1783 established control over Crimea, the Taman Peninsula and the Kuban (Krasnodar) Territory. This reflects the aspirations of Crimea residents and all Russian citizens.



Question:

Russian-Japanese and Russian-Indian youth forums are held every year. Resolutions are drafted based on their results but there is no persistent work between the sessions. Can we, jointly with Rosmolodezh and with the Foreign Ministry’s supervisory control, establish Russian committees that will maintain constant cooperation with Japan, India and China?



Sergey Lavrov:

Here Rosmolodezh is represented by its head Alexander Bugayev, who works not only at this camp but also in other areas where the youth policy is implemented. The Foreign Ministry of Russia cooperates closely with Rosmolodezh. I will see what the problem is all about, and if there is some bureaucratic hitch that needs to be removed to open the floodgates for direct contacts, then we will do that, of course. But I see no problem as I hear the proposal to somehow energise the work of youth forums from session to session to enable contacts between meetings and the passing of resolutions. If the young people, who really participate in the forums with India, Japan and China, feel a lack of support, I want to understand what exactly the problem is. For example, there is always the problem of funding needed for travel. Here we should simply understand what the case in point is. If your initiative in this and other fields is fettered by some bureaucratic constraints, let us know which specifically these are and we, jointly with Rosmolodezh, will consider everything and cut through the red tape.



Question:

How do you see the development of Russian-Ukrainian relations?



Sergey Lavrov:

Do you mean relations as a whole?



Question:

Yes, trends and prospects.



Sergey Lavrov:

We are two fraternal peoples with a thousand-year-long joint history. What is happening now is an anomaly. This is what pertains to doing business in the modern world.

All international legal documents, primarily the UN Charter, call for sovereign equality of states and respect for the right of peoples to choose their future independently without interfering in each other’s internal affairs; they stipulate that all problems should be solved solely by peaceful means without the use or threat of force. This is a conceptual approach that implies collectivity and mutually respectful joint work. It also rules out any attempts to achieve certain advantages for oneself at the expense of others.

A case in point is the OSCE and the Russia-NATO Council. At summits, presidents and prime ministers of OSCE countries adopted high-sounding political declarations to the effect that security should be equal and indivisible and that no state should provide for its security at the expense of the security of others. This principle was approved and in effect approximately since 1991, when for the first time in the OSCE’s history a group of its member-countries committed an aggression against another OSCE member (I mean former Yugoslavia). We began asking questions as to how all that corresponded to the incantations that our Western colleagues were uttering jointly with us. To overcome this ambiguity, we suggested making the political principle that no one should consolidate his security at the expense of the security of others legally binding and adopting a treaty on Euro-Atlantic security, which would codify the relevant provisions on equal and indivisible security. The NATO members replied that they were prepared to offer legally binding security guarantees only within NATO. Thereby, they have, in effect, stimulated not only the continued existence of divides in Europe but also their progress further East. They were encouraging those thinking how to steer their foreign policy affairs to join the line for NATO membership. This approach is undermining much of what mankind has originally striven for.

I am saying this in application to Ukraine because back in 2004, when the first Maidan occurred, our Western colleagues, at the height of the preparations for the elections and the rallies that accompanied the election period on the Maidan, did not hesitate to publicly shout into the microphone that the Ukrainian people should make a choice about whether it stands with Russia or with Europe. This dilemma in itself is provocative as well as absolutely unacceptable in the modern world.

These rule-of-law zealots had insisted that the outcome of that year’s elections should be decided based on a violation of the Ukrainian constitution. You may remember that there were two rounds of voting with the same result, but they made the Constitutional Court of Ukraine rule on a third vote not provided for by the Ukrainian Constitution, which eventually changed the result of the earlier two rounds. This is an outrage upon international and national law.

The either-with-Russia-or-with-Europe logic has not disappeared anywhere and is still in the minds of our Western colleagues, although they have indeed given some thought to the causes of the current developments. Their charges are flatly refusing to implement the Minsk Agreements and even the West’s demands that the now Ukrainian authorities put their economy in order, start fighting corruption in earnest and launch the needed reforms, if they want to receive IMF loans.

As President of Russia Vladimir Putin has said on so many occasions, this crisis stems from what happened in the summer of 2013 when the Ukrainian leadership was about to complete its association talks with the EU. Since Ukraine is our closest trade and economic partner, we asked whether Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the EU would have any effect on our trade relations with Ukraine. It took some time before they showed us this document, but when they did, it turned out that there were serious problems not only and not so much in terms of Russia-Ukraine trade or economic relations in general, but for the CIS free trade area, which included Russia, Ukraine and a number of other CIS countries. The Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU provided for an introduction of de facto zero tariffs on almost everything, while we had negotiated a number of protective measures with the EU during the exacting WTO accession talks that lasted for 18 years.

We proposed preventing anarchy in this area by sitting down and discussing how to coordinate these zero tariffs so that our market would be protected. The EU undertook to abide by these principles. We agreed that Russia, Ukraine and the EU must sit down and think about ways to harmonise Ukraine’s existing commitments within the CIS free trade area with what it was about to undertake with the EU. But the European Commission was categorical and arrogant in its refusal to discuss this.

Former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych understood that he needed more time to think, since had he signed up to these zero tariffs with the EU, we would have been forced to close down the border with Ukraine in order to work out a way of protecting Russian industries from EU goods as agreed with the EU during WTO accession talks. He did not even cancel the signing, but asked that it be postponed in order to calmly review all these matters. His initiative met with no understanding, causing the outburst of popular anger that we saw on Maidan Square, actively encouraged by the Europeans and of course the US. This is when it all started. When on February 20, former President Viktor Yanukovych signed a deal with opposition leaders, co-signed by Foreign Ministers of Germany, Poland and France, Russia was asked to support this agreement, and so we did.

Russia called for these arrangements to be respected, although under the agreement, former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych had to resign, de facto agreeing to a snap presidential election to be held no later than autumn 2014. In my opinion, all the prerequisites were put in place for this snap election to bring the opposition to power, in which case everything would have remained unchanged, including gas prices and many other things.

However, a government coup was staged the morning after the signing of this agreement, and our Western colleagues, who acted as guarantors by co-signing the document, remained silent as the grave. And when we shamed them slightly and asked why they had changed their position overnight, what we heard in response was that Ukraine’s former President Viktor Yanukovych had left Kiev. Let me say, first of all, that he left for Kharkov, and second, that this had nothing to do with the agreement. According to its first paragraph, the President of Ukraine and the opposition agreed to form a government of national unity as a first step towards overcoming the crisis. But when the armed coup happened, Arseny Yatsenyuk went to the Maidan and congratulated people there on the creation of a “government of victors.” Do you see the difference between a “government of national unity” and a “government of victors”?

Moreover, the first law passed by these “victors” (although it was never signed, which did not prevent it from resonating in the country and throughout the whole world) was designed to impose harsh restrictions on the use of the Russian language. This was a signal to Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine. Just a few days after the government coup, Dmitry Yarosh, who at the time headed the Right Sector, the driving force of the Maidan, said that since Russians were unable to think as Ukrainians or honour Ukrainian heroes such as Roman Shukhevich or Stepan Bandera, they had to be ousted from Crimea. For some reason, no one ever mentions this.

At the time, Dmitry Yarosh was a quite influential nationalist radical leader. It was he who was behind the initiative to send “friendship trains,” as they were referred to, to Crimea, carrying well-armed fighters. But people in Crimea did everything to stop these trains. Dmitry Yarosh was also behind the attempt to occupy the building of Ukraine’s Supreme Council. That is to say that we know the underpinning of this story all too well.

I am sorry if my answer is taking too long. I could have just said that we want to be friends with Ukrainians, as used to be the case, but understanding how this conflict came about is essential.

Despite all the propaganda efforts in Kiev and Western capitals to persuade ordinary people through television screens, newspapers, the internet and social media that Russia is an aggressor and occupying force, and that Russia will face sanctions until it gives up Crimea, and many other things, I believe that most Ukrainians who are in their right mind understand the absurdity of the ongoing developments and that they run counter to our common historical past. These efforts to deceive the public in the West have been going on for years. I think that the very fact that several million Ukrainians spend their vacations in Crimea every year is one of the best signs that efforts to sow discord between our peoples are doomed to failure. The sooner the Ukrainian people unmask the temporary rulers who illegally seized power in Kiev and are trying to hold on to it and suck all the blood out of the Ukrainian people, the better it will be for Ukrainians and our relations.



Question:

The Leninsky Komsomol, Lipetsk Region. We are talking about trust in international relations at the highest level, but today Russia is being surrounded by hostile military bases, missile defence systems are being deployed at our borders, and NATO is moving east. In this regard, how has the Russian President's decision to close our military bases in Cuba and Vietnam affected Russia's security? Do you think it was a correct decision?



Sergey Lavrov:

I too was a Komsomol member. I was even the Secretary of the Komsomol Committee at the Foreign Ministry from 1976 to 1980. And this was not an off-duty position, rather an extra load of sorts. In our time, you could not be an off-duty Komsomol Secretary.

With regard to the decisions on military bases in Cuba and Vietnam, they were taken at certain historical periods, based on the analysis by the Russian leadership and the General Staff of the factors affecting the security of the Russian Federation at that time.

Since then, the situation in the world has changed, of course. However, I can assure you, and I know this for certain, that the functions that our bases in Cuba and Vietnam used to perform and that are still relevant today have not been affected. Our fleet can visit Cam Ranh and other locations in this area as well as in other oceans.

Our ability to obtain information on the plans of the US military and the armed forces of other Western countries with regard to Russia is guaranteed. You mentioned missile defence. I believe everyone is aware of President Vladimir Putin’s assessment of the situation that has been developing around the ABM Treaty.

In 2002, the United States took a unilateral decision to withdraw from this "cornerstone" agreement, as it used to be called, regarding international stability. We were told that it was not directed against us, and that we could do whatever we thought appropriate in response, and they would not consider it as being directed against them.

At that time, missile defence was justified by the potential threat from Iran and later from North Korea. From the very outset, our military and diplomats tried to demonstrate to our US partners that it was not very convincing, and that in reality the global missile defence system was being created to encircle Russia and then China.

In response, we were told that this was not the case. All our proposals to sit down and develop a common missile defence system for Russia, the US, and Europe, aimed at shielding against missile threats from outside our geographic area, were rejected without any reasonable explanation.

The Iranian nuclear threat was dealt with by the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan, from which the US has recently withdrawn. The Korean nuclear threat has also become less acute in the context of the direct dialogue between US President Donald Trump and Chairman of the DPRK State Council Kim Jong-un, as well as between North Korea and South Korea.

Now, when we ask them whether the time has come to slow down the deployment of the global missile defence system, we are told that the threats might resume. Some of the more honest US politicians openly wonder why slow down if they need to contain China and Russia. In other words, "a guilty mind betrays itself." This is not the first such occasion.

However, I believe the response that has been given by our General Staff and the military-industrial complex, which was unveiled by President Putin during his address to the Federal Assembly on March 1, is more convincing.

It has once again demonstrated that no matter what happens in the world, the security of our state and our people, as well as our sovereignty, will always be protected. This has been repeatedly confirmed by President Vladimir Putin. I would like to assure you that this is based on real and tangible changes in our country and in our army.



Question:

The main goal of this session is to identify and determine the trends in the current political landscape, and the decision-making mechanisms. What new effective policy tools are likely to emerge in the near future?



Sergey Lavrov:

In my opening remarks, I tried to briefly repeat what we have already spelled out many times, I mean the global trends now occurring, leading to the formation of a multipolar world. In 1996, when Yevgeny Primakov became Minister of Foreign Affairs and for the first time mentioned the possibility of the world becoming multipolar, with several new rapidly developing centres playing an increasingly important role and counterbalancing each other, thereby ensuring the equilibrium of the international system, many smiled sceptically. Yet, that observation was a very far-sighted, like many other things Primakov did.

Now, no one is even questioning what is actually happening in the world economy and finance, or in world politics. Therefore, this trend is positive. It will bring more democracy and justice to international affairs.

By the way, about democracy and the rule of law – when we negotiate resolutions either in the UN, the OSCE or elsewhere, and when our Western colleagues include the ‘support of democracy and rule of law in each country’ phrase in and out of season, we invariably agree but ask them to add “and in the international arena,” so that democracy and the rule of law are stipulated at the international level. They actually try in every way to dodge this – they say, we will do it in countries and then we'll see. It is for a reason that now, if you have noticed, they no longer use the term “international law,” but prefer to say “rules-based order,” which means an order based on rules. I do not think it is a slip; or rather, it is a Freudian slip, because everyone understands what international law is. It means the UN Charter and the existing treaties signed and ratified. As for an order based on rules, it is not clear who lays down these rules.

Russia is accused of being a “revisionist power” because it is revising an order that suited everyone. No examples are given. Here too, the fact that we defy the West just by pursuing our independent foreign policy, and also try to forcibly hold the countries of the former Soviet Union in the CIS, CSTO, and now the SCO, are being lumped together. They are to a large extent trying to demonise the SCO because it has grown with the addition of new members, India and Pakistan, and has become powerful enough to attract more and more countries. We were also accused, as you know, of killing all civilians in Syria.

The US-led coalition acts in an extremely non-transparent manner there. They try to remain modestly silent about what they did with Raqqa, which is almost razed off the ground and where the corpses of civilians have not yet been removed and huge areas have not been cleared. What about the Skripals case, with the poisoning of everyone and everything, and the interference in elections, etc.? All this, despite the fact that we repeatedly spoke about the need to return to the existing agreement the US decided to ignore – I mean regarding setting up a cybersecurity working group to consider any claims made against one another on matters such as interference in the elections. This is relevant because there is such a thing as international information security. Cyberspace today is used as a sphere for abuse by so many groups, from terrorists to scammers. Recently, Facebook failed to ensure the confidentiality of tens of millions of users. Cambridge Analytics, having access to their data, used them for corrupt purposes related to domestic affairs, including elections. We have long ago proposed the development of United Nations rules on responsible behaviour in cyberspace. As you know, there are still no rules. The country that is hindering that is the USA. This is not surprising, because they have a dominant position with regard to internet governance.

By the way, about the internet – there is a specialised UN agency, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), where a dialogue on the need for democratisation of internet governance has been going on for more than 10 years. I might not even need to say which country stands in the way of an agreement on this matter. In addition to annual resolutions promoting the idea of adopting ​​rules in international information security, this year, the draft convention on the prevention of the use of cyberspace for criminal purposes was introduced. Our colleagues insist that everyone must observe certain rules on which the world is based, avoiding the term "international law." They seem so obsessed with this idea, but at the same time, the absence of rules in cyberspace is obvious, as is Russia's determination to somehow start discussing these rules (in a joint initiative with the SCO and the BRICS) and the blocking of these proposals by the US.

The same goes for a number of other issues discussed at the BRICS summit. One of the topics reflected in the final Declaration is the need to intensify efforts to prevent the deployment of weapons in space. At the end of 2000, Russia and China advanced an initiative at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament – a draft treaty on the non-deployment of weapons in outer space. Emerging countries and Europe are ready to discuss it, but the United States alone keeps objecting to the proposal. Now there are reports that they are planning to allocate funds to the Pentagon for preparations to deploy weapons in outer space. This is another area where there are no rules, and our Western colleagues, primarily Washington, would like to maintain this lack of rules, because it is easier for them to attain their goals this way.

There are many examples. I just mentioned the term revisionism: they are accusing us of revising everything and everyone, but over the past year the main revisionists were the United States. They withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for the Iranian Nuclear Program, UNESCO and the UN Human Rights Council, which had been established on the basis of proposals from Washington. Previously, there was the UN Commission on Human Rights, and they reorganised it into the UN Human Rights Council. It was reformed on the basis of the proposals of our Western colleagues. The United States has actually revised all the international legal foundations approved by the UN concerning the settlement processes in the Middle East, primarily between the Palestinians and the Israelis, and also questioned the need for the WTO and much more.

I have tried not to repeat myself and have given you some examples that show that the process of a relative reduction in the influence of the West and an increase in the influence of the BRICS and SCO countries provokes resistance from those who are losing their share of leverage. This process will be associated with conflicts and crises, because the growing economies and centres of influence will not tolerate being artificially restricted in their development. They will not agree to the questioning of their right to determine their own paths of development; they will not want their choice of trade partners or goods for sale to be subject to ultimatums and threats, as is now happening to a number of states, Turkey, Indonesia, India, because Washington is openly demanding they terminate contracts under which Russia agreed to supply them with weapons.

The substitution of a culture of ultimatums and threats for the culture of diplomacy, dialogue and the ability to negotiate is sad. It creates unpredictability and additional potential for conflict. However, we are not only polite, but also patient and persevering, so we have many allies. We will advance along a path opened up by history, not invented by someone sitting in an office.



Question:

I am delighted to greet you on behalf of the all-Russian public organisation Young Guard of United Russia. Our organisation works vigorously on the international arena, we establish contacts with youth wings of political parties, with public organisations, journalists and bloggers. And this activity is yielding results. For example, a delegation of young deputies from Syria’s Baath Party is to attend our forum tomorrow. One can safely say that we and our country have very many friends all over the world. Our organisation is not the only organisation engaged in such activity. In this connection, we would like to suggest that the Foreign Ministry compile a register of public organisations engaged in such activity. The database would list their names and types of activity for conducting consolidated work in this field.



Sergey Lavrov:

We are all for public diplomacy, for expanding our contacts with public diplomacy, especially with youth organisations because you are the future. The more closely you cooperate with your peers from other countries, the more stable is our long-term foreign policy. In this respect, I would, of course, like to note the unprecedented success of the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students that took place in October 2017 in Sochi. Indeed, the festival helped bring together and unite young people from a whole range of countries. Regarding your question, I cannot fantasise on it right away. Please write this down, so that we can get a better understanding of the structural and organisational aspects of this project.



Question:

What do you think about the role of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE? Should the Russian Federation take part in the work of such organisations?



Sergey Lavrov:

A parliamentary change of government structures in any country is a positive thing. The parliament is a body directly created by the people, and members of parliament have the mandate from their electorate. It should be said – not in parentheses but with an exclamation mark – that it is unacceptable when sanctions are imposed on Russia, including its MPs, because the Crimeans expressed a desire to reunite with Russia and because Russia is protecting people in Donetsk, Lugansk and other Donbass territories from radical nationalists.

We recently had a delegation of American Senators one of whom was on our stop list, yet we showed goodwill and did not prevent him from entering Russia. By the way, he expressed reasonable views, as did the majority of the group, with the exception of one person who raised the issue again upon returning to Washington. I am referring to Senator John Kennedy. He is not related to the famous Kennedy family. He asked me, rather harshly, what we wanted from the United States regarding Syria and Ukraine. I replied that we wanted not only the United States but all the parties involved to comply with the agreements reached. A UN Security Council resolution on Syria says that only the Syrians themselves, which includes their leaders, must determine the future of their country, but this does not suit the West, which is trying to push through a narrow interpretation of this resolution. As for Ukraine, there is a resolution approving the Minsk Package of Measures under which Kiev must settle all its problems and talk directly with Donetsk and Lugansk. This is all we want regarding Syria and Ukraine. Do you know what he said to this? He asked what they would get in return. I replied that in return we would comply with these resolutions just as we are complying with them now.

So, I believe that parliamentary contacts must be encouraged in every possible way. However, we must also beware of attempts to manipulate and abuse parliamentary ties, including within the framework of the parliamentary assemblies you have mentioned. More such attempts will be made, because even though the majority of MPs at the Council of Europe and OCSE are acting reasonably and pragmatically, or at least understand that dealing with problems in our common space is very difficult without Russia, there is an aggressive and Russophobic minority. You probably know which countries such MPs represent. They demand that Russia be antagonised, marginalised and isolated.

There is a difference between the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE (OSCE PA). The OSCE PA is an advisory body that prepares guidelines, like the UN General Assembly. PACE is a body that is based not on political agreements but on international law comprising over 200 conventions. Most of them are applied in Russia, which has signed and ratified them. PACE is part of this mechanism, which underlies the common legal space of all European countries.

When PACE curtailed the rights of the Russian delegation, contrary to the fundamental principle of the Statute of the Council of Europe, which stipulates that all the delegations should have equal rights in all Council bodies, we thought that they would soon come to their senses. We waited for a year, but all in vain. We then said that if they did not want us to take part in the decision-making process, we would suspend our payments. Do you remember the scandal this provoked? But we said, no representation, no payments. The idea was invented by the Americans when they suspended their payments to the UN, even if in a completely different situation because they were not banished from anywhere. While we did not vote and did not take part in PACE work (although an advisory body, it does elect Council of Europe officials), they have elected over half of the judges of the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. Next year, they will elect a new Secretary General of the Council of Europe. If they do this without us, we will find it difficult to base our actions on the legitimacy of agencies created in the absence of the Russian delegates, who have been discriminated against and deprived of their voting rights.

While speaking about the Council of Europe, I must mention the far from positive trends in the operations of the European Court of Human Rights. It constantly tries to make accusations against Russia over developments in territories we do not control, such as Transnistria. Back in the early 2000s, they adopted the so-called “effective control” principle of jurisdiction over a specific territory and a resolution on Russia’s alleged control of Transnistria, and now they blame Russia for any human rights violations reported there. It is a bad path that will not bring this body to any good.

The European Court of Human Rights is sometimes overwhelmed by neoliberalism and a fixation on the new liberal values, with which the West has replaced the traditional values that were sealed in universal documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I was shocked to learn about a lady in a Ukrainian city who fried eggs over the Eternal Flame in 2010. She was put on probation under an article on the desecration of graves and monuments. She appealed to a higher court, and gradually went higher and higher. When the highest courts in Ukraine upheld the verdict, she took her case to the European Court of Human Rights. Several months ago, the European Court ruled that her rights were violated and that Ukraine must pay several thousand euros to her “in respect of non-pecuniary damage.” I consider the logic underlying this judicial system to be outrageous. This is undermining trust in court decisions in general.



Question:

As you know, a civil war has been raging for four years nearby – only 200 kilometres from here. I have seen this war. I sometimes travel down there delivering humanitarian aid. I was at the frontline under shelling. I have a question about the Minsk Agreements. They are not being complied with. Shells fly every day. There has not been a single day when this hasn’t happened. The OSCE records this, but nothing changes, and civilians and soldiers continue to die. When Ukraine strikes the Donetsk People’s Republic, the DPR says it cannot strike in response, thus “turning the other cheek.” How can this be resolved?



Sergey Lavrov:

You are absolutely right. Kiev shrugs off its obligations. It all began with Ukraine pretending that the Minsk Agreements say nothing about the need to establish a direct dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk. The sides started inventing some mediating mechanisms and it was in this way that the Contact Group emerged, which Kiev stubbornly refers to as “trilateral,” alleging that it is composed of Kiev, Moscow and the OSCE, although the Contact Group includes a full-fledged fourth party, Donetsk and Lugansk. They are represented there. This is the illusion of an invented world to say, even for presentation purposes, that the Contact Group is “trilateral.” This is not positive and shows that their mentality is tuned differently.

I have talked about the basic reasons for this crisis. I think that the European countries that guaranteed with their signatures the agreement between ex- President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine and the opposition bear direct responsibility for what is happening now. We have displayed utmost goodwill. Despite the fact that these authorities committed a lot of crimes, in May 2014 we recognised Mr Poroshenko’s election as President of Ukraine, because he declared that he was a “president of peace” and expressed willingness to sit down at the negotiating table at once and resolve all the problems. He has deceived us, the West, and, most importantly, the people of his own country. I mentioned the first decisions they passed and how they attempted to seize Crimea after their illegal takeover. But we should also remember that the areas, which are now referred to as “the separate areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions,” did not take any aggressive action. They saw a violation of the Constitution and asked to be left alone and given an opportunity to sort things out. This was their position. Yes, they reelected several governors because they had supported the coup. But the same people were branded terrorists, because they had asked to be left alone so they could have time to think and understand what the talking point was. But an antiterrorist operation was announced and they were attacked. It was not them who attacked the authorities and coup perpetrators.

This “life behind the looking-glass” is perceived by our Western colleagues as an argument for taking the position they are taking now. We have talked with them many times in a frank, trusting and open manner. I have the impression that the overwhelming majority of them are well aware of what is happening. And what is happening is that Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko has been declared a luminary of democracy and his regime – a model, because he is aspiring to modern values and leaning towards the West. The main underlying consideration was, of course, that he would become part of the effort to contain Russia. This is not said out loud but it is implied as one of the main factors in the current developments.

But as they realise that he could not be trusted to follow through on a single point of the Minsk Agreements, they also come to understand that he is unable to control the radical nationalists. Quite recently, five Western international NGO’s – Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, Amnesty International, and some others – published an open letter to President Poroshenko, which listed the crimes committed by the radical nationalists in 2018 alone. These include an attack on a women’s procession on March 8, a fire they started at a Hungarian centre in Uzhgorod and similar actions in Ivano-Frankovsk, Lvov and other Ukrainian cities. There is no response.

The West has made sure that the so-called “volunteer battalions,” including the notorious Azov, to which even the US Congress has banned weapons sales, have not disappeared but have been formally included in the Armed Forces and the National Guard, although in reality they do not obey the central military staff and maybe, on the contrary, set the tone for the military, security and law enforcers in Kiev. Over time, the West has, of course, come to realise that President Poroshenko cannot be trusted even with implementing the reforms urged by the International Monetary Fund. However, once the West has declared that this was a victory of democracy in Ukraine and that it was primarily Russia that must implement the Minsk Agreements, once the West invested so much political capital, let alone money, in the Ukrainian authorities, Western leaders can no longer say without losing face that they were wrong and that pressure must be brought to bear primarily on Kiev. I do not know to what extent this misguided vision of prestige and a fear of losing a reputation will predominate. In my opinion, and based on certain information, when our Western colleagues, or at least the Europeans, talk to Ukraine’s current leaders without the media, they are strong enough to elicit a response, but, in a larger scheme of things, we do not see this reaction.

Coming back to the question as to what is to be done, we should demand, no matter how banal it may seem, the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, because they reflect the legitimate aspirations of the people of Donetsk and Lugansk. The Minsk Agreements were coordinated with their cooperation and with France and Germany, which represented the European Union. Moreover, a week after these agreements were signed, we ensured the unanimous approval of the UN Security Council resolution that sealed these Minsk Agreements in full conformity with the letter and spirit of the document they were written in. We should work to achieve this. I have said as much to our colleagues in Europe.

The other day, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and I visited Berlin and Paris, among other cities, where we were mostly discussing the Syrian refugees. This is an important topic for the Europeans and Middle East countries. We want to coordinate the principles of cooperation. Ukraine was also discussed. They suggested convening a new summit of the Normandy Four (Germany, France, Russia, Ukraine) that would set the tone in this work and would support the processes, which later would be legalised in the Contact Group that includes representatives from Donbass. We reminded them that a regular summit was held in Berlin in October 2016, and another one in Paris the year before. In Berlin, the leaders of the four countries were following, with pointer in hand, the developments on the map, and they agreed on the need to begin a pull-out of heavy weapons and to disengage forces and assets. They came to terms on starting from three pilot areas – Petrovskoye, Zolotoye, and Stanitsa Luganskaya – and doing it within a month. During this time, forces and assets were withdrawn at the agreed distance from the former two villages. As for Stanitsa Luganskaya, the Ukrainian delegation began demanding a week of complete silence before disengagement could take place. Asked why this was not identified as a demand in the two previous cases, they had no response, just saying that this case was specific and they needed a week.

Since then, the OSCE Mission has officially reported on 22 occasions that the ceasefire was observed for seven or more days at Stanitsa Luganskaya and the surrounding area. But the Ukrainian side said these were not their statistics and that they had counted a couple of shots. I am not exaggerating. The leaders’ agreement has not been implemented to this day. Moreover, the forces, that were disengaged awhile back, are reentering these “gray zones” and starting to dig in. I don’t think this will be good for the prospects of the Normandy format or its reputation to hold another summit before this simple, concrete, not abstract, agreement of the Normandy Four leaders is fulfilled. I am not even mentioning the fact that in the political area such a simple thing as the well-known “Steinmeier formula” has not even been committed to paper for two and a half years (soon it will be three years).

In October 2015, then German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, suggested reconciling the positions of the sides on what should come first – the approval of the law on the special status of Donbass and its coming into force or the holding of elections. He suggested a compromise: The law on the special status of Donbass would come into force temporarily on the election day and permanently on the day the OSCE publishes its report on these elections (usually it takes a couple of months to compile). The implication was that this law would come into force on a permanent basis, if the OSCE report confirmed that the elections had been free and fair. But the Ukrainians tried to drag out the implementation of the agreement on this pretext. As I said, soon it will be three years since this agreement, along with the one on Stanitsa Luganskaya, was being blocked by our Ukrainian colleagues both at the Normandy format expert meetings and in the Contact Group. They are categorically refusing to commit it to paper. I will say once again that under these circumstances, we need to just demand. In my view, our Western colleagues are aware of this, at least in their internal discussions and their private contacts with Kiev.



Question:

Since 1991, Russia has forgiven debts worth $140 billion. Why does our country remit so much debt? This money could have been used to increase the pensions for our war veterans. We help Greece extinguish fires while they expel our diplomats. Isn’t it time we switched to pragmatic and real politics?



Sergey Lavrov:

First, regarding 140 billion. You need to remember what the situation was like at the time these debts were calculated: the USSR was not part of the international financial system, the rouble was not integrated into this system and the rouble’s exchange rate was simply set by the USSR State Bank. Some may remember that according to that exchange rate the dollar cost 63 kopecks. If you use this exchange rate to calculate the amount of debt the USSR lavishly handed out, primarily, to the countries fighting colonialism to achieve independence – it was largely military aid – of course, the result will be a far cry from reality.

Second, the loans given to those fighting for independence were not, by definition, backed by any international agreements. This was largely money given to non-governmental entities.

Third, as I understand it, a considerable part of this amount constitutes debt owed by former Soviet republics. Russia did repay these debts in keeping with the agreement that was called “zero version.” Under this agreement, Russia committed to repay the debts that the former Soviet republics that received independence owed at the time in exchange for all foreign property that the USSR had abroad.

I do not believe the amount inherited from the USSR that you are talking about could have resolved any domestic issues or could have been a significant factor in helping settle them because these debts were, to my understanding, over 90 per cent unrecoverable. There are still some outstanding debts that have remained since Soviet times. Several years ago we forgave some African countries’ Soviet-era debts worth several billion dollars that we would never have been able to collect because it is very hard to legally prove what the exchange rate was at the time the loans were given.

As for real politics and the question if it is time we become pragmatic, yes, it is high time. We try to use this approach. That said, along with pragmatism, we have qualities that define our values, such as neighbourliness, striving for justice and commitment to supporting people who are close to us. All this is manifested at the CSTO, among others. Of course, our commitment must be reciprocal and should also oblige our allies at the CSTO to follow suit. I totally agree with you on this.

We have already commented on the situation in Greece. I can repeat that there are no grounds for doubting that these decisions were taken under strong pressure from those who want to make any country a member of the anti-Russian front.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3308052






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to media questions on the sidelines of the Terra Scientia on Klyazma River National Educational Youth Forum, Vladimir Region, July 30, 2018



30 July 2018 - 16:53






Question:

What are your impressions of the meeting and the questions asked by the children?



Sergey Lavrov:

My impressions were excellent, as from all previous visits.



Question:

You always agree to attend such events and find time in your busy schedule.



Sergey Lavrov:

I think it is very important because we basically rely on the views and opinions that people form on foreign policy issues. We feel that they are overwhelmingly positive. This inspires us. We certainly want young people to learn as much as possible firsthand from working diplomats, what we do in the international arena, why we do it, why and how that correlates with the goals set by the President of Russia to create the most favourable conditions for our internal development and upholding the rights of citizens.

Even in the medium term, there are young people gathered here who will be taking posts related to decision-making and policymaking in 5-10 years. It is very important for us to ensure continuity.



Question:

Maybe some of them will join your ministry?



Sergey Lavrov:

We already have people who, as children, passed through this school or through the Russian Leaders project.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3308066






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov



31 July 2018 - 11:06







On July 31, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov at the request of the Uzbek side.

During their conversation, both ministers exchanged opinions on topical bilateral matters and cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan on the international agenda.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3309875






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, Moscow, July 31, 2018



31 July 2018 - 17:26











Mr Minister, colleagues,

I am glad to see you again. I would like to thank you again for the warm welcome in Tokyo last March. We also met here in November 2017 – at the Russian Foreign Ministry Reception House, where over 60 years ago your grandfather stayed for talks on restoring diplomatic relations between Japan and the Soviet Union. Almost 20 years ago in the same building, my predecessors received your father as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan. We very much appreciate your personal efforts, Mr Minister, to develop bilateral ties in the spirit of your illustrious family tradition.

We are now meeting as a follow-up to the agreement to build up our cooperation in a number of areas reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in May in Moscow. On May 26 at the Bolshoi Theater, our leaders launched the cross year cultural project – the Year of Japan in Russia and the Year of Russia in Japan. Some of the activities have begun – numerous events covering all spheres without exception – politics, economics, humanitarian ties, culture, and mass media.

I congratulate you on the commendable performance of the Japanese football players at the FIFA World Cup in Russia. We hope that Princess Hisako Takamado enjoyed her stay in our country. This was the first visit by a member of the Japanese Imperial Family to Russia in 102 years.

Today I hope we will thoroughly consider the implementation of the agreements reached at the previous summits and discuss the preparation of new solutions for our leaders when they meet in Vladivostok in September. Then we will have a 2+2 meeting of foreign and defence ministers to consider issues of security, global and regional strategic stability, and WMD non-proliferation.

Welcome again, I am very glad to see you.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3310323






Opening Remarks by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during Russia-Japan 2+2 talks, Moscow, July 31, 2018



31 July 2018 - 18:47











On behalf of Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu and myself, I’m pleased to welcome Foreign Minister of Japan Taro Kono and Defence Minister of Japan, Itsunori Onodera.

This is our third 2+2 meeting, as President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed.

We attach special importance to expanding our relations and cooperation with Japan across all areas including global and regional security, new challenges and threats, and regional conflicts.

The international relations system and international law are being put to harsh tests. We see ever more persistent attempts to hamper the objective process of forming a new more just and democratic world order. The steps that are being taken to try to slow down or oppose the objective trend of forming a polycentric world include building up military potential on an unprecedented scale, disinformation-laden provocations and unfair competition in international trade and economic relations. This leads to an increase in confrontation, distrust and uncertainty. Many countries are beginning to consider force as a way to guarantee sovereignty and a tool for promoting national interests.

Destructive influence is also coming from a bloc-based approach to addressing international issues, attempts to divide countries into “us” and “them” and to perpetuate existing dividing lines and create new ones.

As a permanent UN Security Council member, Russia has a special responsibility for maintaining strategic stability and security. We continue to build relations with all countries based on the principles of equality, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual consideration of interests.

It is in this vein that we plan to hold today's meeting in the spirit of the understandings that have been reached between our leaders on the need to develop cooperation across all areas between our countries for the benefit of our nations.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3310444






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answer to a media question, Moscow, July 31, 2018



31 July 2018 - 20:06







Question:

What can you tell us about the developments in Armenia, including the arrests?



Sergey Lavrov:

When there was a political crisis in Armenia in May, we noted with great satisfaction that the solution to the crisis was found through a compromise involving the leading parties. We hoped that, based on this outcome, all the political forces, primarily the new Armenian government, would continue to promote unifying approaches and attempt to consolidate national consensus.

However, recent events have clearly run counter to such a positive outlook and to the new Armenian leaders’ recent statements to the effect that it does not plan to persecute its predecessors for political reasons.

As an ally, Russia has always been interested in stability in Armenia. So recent developments are a cause for concern, including from the point of view of normal operations of the CIS organisations, of which Armenia is a participant. Over the past few days we have brought our concerns to the attention of Armenia’s leaders on several occasions. We expect that the situation will nevertheless follow a constructive path.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3310488






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at a joint news conference following Russian-Japanese 2+2 foreign and defence ministerial consultations, Moscow, July 31, 2018



31 July 2018 - 20:31











Ladies and gentlemen,

As per the decision of President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, which they adopted during their talks in Moscow in late May this year, we have held the third round of 2+2 foreign and defence ministerial consultations.

Both sides expressed readiness to promote practical interaction in the sphere of security. We share the opinion regarding the extremely complicated situation in the Asia-Pacific Region, as well as throughout the world.

We emphasised the importance of building up mutual confidence in these conditions, as well as promoting cooperation on the subjects on which our countries hold similar or identical views and also in the fields where we still need to coordinate our positions.

We expressed our appreciation at the level of Russian-Japanese cooperation in the fight against new challenges and threats. We agreed to continue to cooperate within the framework of the Russian-Japanese-UN project to provide counter-narcotics training to police officers for Afghanistan and Central Asian countries at the Russian Ministry of the Interior Training Centre in Domodedovo, near Moscow.

We reaffirmed our resolve to work together against terrorism and corruption and for international information security. Next year, Japan will head theG20. We will support the initiatives of the Japanese Chairmanship in all spheres. We have agreed to hold expert consultations on these subjects by the end of this year.

We welcomed the positive trends in the situation concerning the Korean Peninsula. We urge all the countries involved to show restraint and flexibility so as to prevent the disruption of this project, which is still rather fragile. Russia and Japan call for addressing the problems on the peninsula with due regard for the interests of all Northeast Asian countries.

For our part, we again raised our concerns which we have voiced before in connection with the deployment of the global US ballistic missile defence elements in the region.

We exchanged opinions on the situation in the Middle East, including Syria. We focused on humanitarian aspects and the goal of creating as favourable and comfortable conditions as possible for the return of refugees. Japan has shown interest in Russia’s initiative in this sphere, as well as in the Centre for Refugee Reception, Distribution and Settlement, which the Russian Defence Ministry with support from the Foreign Ministry has established in Syria. We have agreed to discuss the goals of removing mines, enhancing humanitarian aid for the Syrian people and rebuilding the infrastructure within the framework of our bilateral contacts with a view to preparing joint initiatives and actions in these areas.

During a separate conversation with my colleague, Foreign Minister Taro Kono, we held a detailed discussion on the implementation of the agreements reached following the May meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, including agreements on building confidence through humanitarian projects, promoting citizen contacts, facilitating communication between our people, as well as boosting our trade, economic and investment ties.

We highlighted the implementation of joint business activities (JBA) on the South Kuril Islands under an arrangement reached by our leaders regarding a peace treaty.

We discussed the implementation of the Russian-Japanese cross-year projects which our leaders announced in Moscow in late May.

Following our talks, we have agreed that the third Japanese business mission will be held between August 16 and 20 jointly with Russian partners as part of preparing joint business activities on the South Kuril Islands. After that business mission, we will coordinate the timeframe for the next round of consultations on JBA within the framework of preparing a peace treaty. We will also coordinate the timeframe for security consultations between our deputy foreign ministers. Our task is to be able to report our achievements in all these spheres to our leaders when they meet at the Fourth Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in early September.

Overall, I believe that our talks were very beneficial. We reaffirmed our mutual resolve to cooperate on a wide range of current bilateral and international topics. We will continue to maintain our security dialogue through various channels.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3310522






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks at a meeting with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, Singapore, August 2, 2018



2 August 2018 - 10:01











Mr Minister, my dear friend,

Colleagues,

We are delighted to have an opportunity once again to have a meeting with you, to compare views on global developments and to discuss bilateral relations.

As you said, our strategic partnership is progressing. We remember the success of the state visit made by President of Russia Vladimir Putin to China. Our leaders have recently met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. There will be more bilateral meetings this year, including top level ones.

It is our desire to maintain effective and productive contacts with you and to further promote our foreign policy cooperation.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3312631






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with the Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Cayetano



2 August 2018 - 10:33






On August 2, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a meeting with Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines Alan Cayetano on the sidelines of the ASEAN ministerial meeting in Singapore.

The officials spoke in favour of building up bilateral political dialogue, trade, economic and cultural ties, as well as cooperation in international affairs.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3312690






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks at the Russia-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Singapore, August 2, 2018



2 August 2018 - 11:48











Mr Chairman, colleagues, friends,

I would like to begin my introductory remarks by expressing gratitude to our Singapore hosts for their hospitality and the excellent organisation of our work.

We consider ASEAN, both the organisation itself and its member countries as like-minded allies on the world stage.

We highlight the group’s central role in regional affairs and we will support this role in every possible way. We are united by a common vision of the modern polycentric world order, by our concurring or close assessments of the ongoing processes in the world and in the Asia-Pacific region.

We support interstate communication based on international law and respect for the requirements, goals and principles of the UN Charter, such as non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states and renunciation of the use of force. The fact that we share these approaches is a good basis for pooling the efforts of Russia and ASEAN with other countries, in particular members of the East Asia Summit, to create a sustainable, inclusive and transparent architecture of security and cooperation in the region.

Today we would like to consider further steps to promote the Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership following the decision made by our leaders at the Sochi Summit in May 2016.

We welcome the development of our relations with ASEAN in all areas, including those connected with countering new challenges and threats – I mean primarily terrorism and foreign terrorist fighters. We are ready to enhance cooperation on these issues within the framework of the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum on Security.

We also welcome the upward trend in mutual trade. Last year, trade increased by more than one-third. We are going to focus on promising initiatives and projects in energy, agriculture, healthcare, small and medium-sized businesses, and the environment. A Russia-ASEAN Economics Ministers’ meeting is scheduled for the end of August, here in Singapore. I am confident that it will help us move forward in all these areas.

We will expect guests from the ASEAN countries at the Fourth Eastern Economic Forum, which will be held from September 11 to 12 in Vladivostok.

We are interested in further strengthening the ties between ASEAN and the SCO, and ASEAN and the EAEU in the context of the discussions held in Sochi in May 2016, when President Vladimir Putin proposed a new integration project, the Greater Eurasian Partnership.

We are confident that today's Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and other ASEAN events here in Singapore will be successful and will help us move towards building formats of regional cooperation in all areas.

Today we will need to talk about the preparations for the ASEAN summits with its partners, the East Asia Summit, and other events to be held here in Singapore in November.

Once again, I thank you for your attention and would like to emphasise our appreciation of Laos for overseeing the partnership with Russia over the past few years. I hope that Indonesia will also provide effective and efficient management of our issues.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3312768






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Senior Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn



2 August 2018 - 12:47






On August 2, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Senior Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn.

The sides discussed the state of bilateral ties and their prospects for development, as well as cooperation in the regional and international formats.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3312866






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Foreign Minister of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith



2 August 2018 - 12:49






On August 2, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a meeting with Foreign Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Saleumxay Kommasith on the sidelines of the ASEAN ministerial events that took place in Singapore.

The two officials discussed the state and future of bilateral relations, as well as cooperation concerning current international and regional matters. Sergey Lavrov thanked his Lao counterpart for Vientiane’s effectiveness as the coordinator of the Russia-ASEAN dialogue in 2015-2018.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3312876






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha



2 August 2018 - 13:05






On August 2, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a meeting with Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha on the sidelines of ASEAN ministerial events in Singapore.

Topical subjects were discussed concerning expanding bilateral relations and prospects for invigorating trade and economic cooperation, including that between Russia, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as collaboration in other practical fields in the context of agreements reached during the June 22, 2018 Russian-Korean summit in Moscow.

They exchanged views on a number of topical matters on the international and regional agendas and focused on the situation around the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia as a whole. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of expanding joint efforts in the interests of resolving current regional problems by political-diplomatic methods alone.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3312886






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks at a meeting with Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif on the sidelines of ASEAN events, Singapore, August 2, 2018



2 August 2018 - 16:55










I just had a series of meetings, including on the dialogue partnership between Russia and ASEAN.

Of course, I appreciate this opportunity to touch base as part of very regular and intensive contacts between Moscow and Tehran. Just three weeks ago we received the Supreme Leader's Senior Adviser for International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati who delivered a message from the President of Iran Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. We met with you in Vienna less than one month ago to discuss the fate of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

We would like to discuss bilateral matters, the JCPOA and of course the Caspian Summit that is coming in just a few days.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3313472






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions at the news conference following the Russia-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Singapore, August 2, 2018



2 August 2018 - 18:22











A regular Russia-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting took place in the framework of the Russia-ASEAN partnership. This is an annual event that is usually used as an opportunity to sum up the results of the year’s work and discuss plans for the future.

The participants paid special attention to the implementation of the agreements that were reached at the Russia-ASEAN summit chaired by President Vladimir Putin in Sochi in May 2016. The summit set the task of bringing Russia-ASEAN relations to the level of strategic partnership. Today we have recorded steady progress toward this goal.

We agreed to consider additional agreements that will allow us to work more effectively in priority areas of international policy, primarily the fight against terrorism.

At the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Singapore in November the participants will review many Russian initiatives in this area, including the proposal to establish cooperation between all countries of the region, Russia and ASEAN on countering foreign terrorist fighters. Several years ago Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) created an international data bank on foreign terrorist fighters that makes it possible to monitor their movements all over the world. It has already been joined by dozens of states. Terrorists are moving from Syria, Libya and other countries of the Middle East to Central and Southeast Asia at a fairly quick pace. Russia and Indonesia will head relevant working groups as part of the partnership that is developing with the participation of the countries that are cooperating with ASEAN.

In addition, we told our ASEAN partners today that Russia’s FSB and the Ministry of the Interior are expanding advanced training courses on countering terrorism and drug trafficking that are available for representatives of the region’s states.

The second area of general interest that aligns with the priorities of our international activities is countering cybercrime and ensuring information security. The ASEAN countries are interested in starting this work. We agreed to review potential forms of such cooperation.

Another area that is of great interest for our partners is combatting natural disasters, which includes their prevention and response efforts. A relevant document will be drafted for the East Asia Summit that will take place in Singapore in November as I have already said.

The economy is yet another area in which we implemented earlier decisions, some of which were adopted by the leaders of Russia and ASEAN in Sochi in May 2016. During the past year trade between Russia and the ASEAN countries increased by more than one third and is about to reach $20 billion.

Representatives of the ten member countries took an active part in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Many of these countries will be represented at the Fourth Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September. The Russia-ASEAN Business Dialogue is traditionally part of this forum.

There is also a new area, cooperation in education, which was also discussed at the previous summit in Sochi. We hope that the first session of the working group on Russia-ASEAN cooperation in education will take place on the sidelines of the events that will be held in the region in October on the issues of education of all participants in the East Asian Summits. Every year we increase the number of scholarships for ASEAN countries whose citizens want to study in Russian universities.

One more area of progress that was approved in Sochi in May 2016 was the development of contacts between ASEAN, the EAEU and the SCO. Their secretariats have already established working contacts. Now we are drafting roadmaps for future contacts. All these measures are part of the efforts to form the Greater Eurasian Partnership about which President of Russia Vladimir Putin first spoke at the previous Russia-ASEAN summit in Sochi in May 2016.

Conceptually, from the viewpoint of the security and cooperation architecture in the Asia-Pacific Region, all participants of today’s Russia-ASEAN meeting as well as the ministers reaffirmed the need to rely on the work carried out at the East Asia Summits – and the initiatives of Russia, China, India, Indonesia and other countries – which is aimed at creating an inclusive, open, non-bloc mechanism of cooperation on the issues of security and joint action on countering challenges and threats.

ASEAN does not welcome recent attempts to restructure this work on a bloc basis by introducing new ideas imposed by a narrow circle on all others. There is no support for such attempts. I think our common task is to maintain the dialogues that have risen up around ASEAN and rely on this association, considering its thoughtful and well-balanced approaches to international issues aimed at searching for compromise, consensus, mutual respect and consideration of interests.

Many bilateral meetings were held with the foreign ministers of China, Iran, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Cambodia and Singapore. All talks were quite useful because they are a chance to speak with our partners about the state of bilateral relations, as well as international and regional affairs.



Question:

Have you invited your current partners to join the Greater Eurasian Partnership and the Agreement concluded by the Eurasian Economic Union with China? What was their reaction?



Sergey Lavrov:

It is important to understand that the Greater Eurasian Partnership is not something that one should join. It’s not a pre-drafted project coordinated by a narrow circle of original participants who tell the others that there are terms and conditions on which we will interact with you. Not at all.

During the Russia-ASEAN summit in Sochi in May 2016, President Vladimir Putin urged our partners to look at the broad geopolitical and geoeconomic picture of our entire large region which includes the vast continent of Eurasia and Southeast Asia supplemented by island nations. Nature and God destined all this space, especially in the presence of modern forms of business activity, to be united by certain shared principles. The underlying idea is very simple and is based on the fact that the Eurasian Economic Union and the SCO, whose membership partially overlaps that of the EAEU and ASEAN, are already present in that region. So, the proposal by President Putin was to look for natural forms of cooperation that meet current and future needs of each and every one of these associations and their respective members. Hence, our first steps. For example, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the SCO and ASEAN secretariats. A roadmap is being drafted to align this interaction in a strictly substantive manner. Agreements are being drafted between the EAEU and China, and between Russia and China to encourage such multilateral trends in our bilateral contacts. We work with what life gives us.

I think that this Greater Eurasian Project is more of a goal, and we invite all the countries located in this vast geopolitical space to pool their resources and identify ways to achieve it. Also, let's not forget that the EU is part of the same space. We have always emphasised when we talked about establishing cooperation between the EAEU, the SCO and ASEAN, that the doors are open to the EU as well, if it’s interested. I think, no one doubts that the EU should be interested if you think about purely pragmatic economic interests.



Question:

Can we talk about a single international position on Syria? To what extent can we talk about it in the context of cooperation between Moscow and Washington with regard to settling the situation and having the refugees return to Syria?

I would like to touch upon one more topic. The US Senate Intelligence Committee discussed Russia’s interference with the US elections and concluded that Russia is increasingly using social media guided by the principle “less news – more memes.” So they are accusing our country of trying to manipulate US public opinion with the help of funny pictures posted online. What do you say to that? We know that you like funny pictures with captions.



Sergey Lavrov:

It's simply ridiculous when someone claims that funny pictures are used to undermine US democracy. This, I believe, is an extreme form of paranoia.

It’s unbecoming for US lawmakers to create such sensations out of thin air. We did not invent social media, and we did not insist that they be open to all comers. It appears there are too many willing participants. Literally today, I read that some Ukrainians were arrested and accused of manipulating social media in foreign countries. They were arrested on US orders. There are many crooks out there around the world, which has been proved many times. They steal money and engage in other unscrupulous dealings.

We repeatedly offered our US colleagues to tackle cybersecurity issues in earnest, without idle talk or indiscriminate accusations. They, at the level of President and Secretary of State, show interest in taking this to a professional basis and creating a corresponding group, a working mechanism to discuss issues that are of any concern to any of us. However, nothing substantial has happened yet.

We are actively promoting cybersecurity internationally. Several years ago, in conjunction with the SCO countries, we submitted draft rules of responsible behaviour in cyberspace to the UN. This draft is being discussed, and we would like to speed up these discussions. However, we have seen lately that the United States is, in fact, the only participant that has lost interest in this work, is just middling and even trying to slow down the process. Also, keep in mind that the International Telecommunication Union has been discussing internet governance democratisation for years now, and the United States is not at the forefront of democracy fighters there, either.

With regard to the first question on whether there is a basis for actions on Syria, the answer is yes. It was created when UN Security Council Resolution 2254 was adopted and clearly stated the need to resolve the Syria crisis on the basis of the UN Charter principles, including respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs of that state and recognition of the right of the people of Syria to determine their future without any nudging or guiding imposed from the outside. It clearly states that the way to a settlement lies, above all, through cessation of hostilities and suppression of the terrorist threat, working through a new Constitution, a general constitutional reform, and holding elections under UN supervision. These are the foundations underlying the work of the international community. At least, the Astana “troika” is working based on them.

There are some external players who would like to decide for the Syrians on who should lead their country, how it should be built, and what should be written in their Constitution. We do not support such attempts and consider them counterproductive. Our initiative is part of the Astana process. It was approved by the currently most representative forum of the Syrian people (I mean the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi). It consolidated the agreements reached by the government and the opposition on forming the Constitutional Committee. The names of the members of the government delegation were submitted in May to Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Syria Staffan de Mistura, who will facilitate this committee’s work. It took a while to form the group of opposition representatives but, finally, it was presented just a few days ago. It remains to form the third portion of this Constitutional Committee from representatives of civil society. This is also a tall order, but we will help draw up a list that would be acceptable to the government and other Constitutional Committee members.

With regard to our interaction with the United States on refugees, I wouldn’t claim that we have it. President Putin discussed this matter with President Trump during the summit in Helsinki. State Secretary Pompeo and I also discussed this issue in Helsinki and later over the phone.

The United States is fairly reticent about the idea of restoring the infrastructure necessary for the people to return to their homes.

Just like the EU, the United States publicly says that it is ready to deal only with supplying essential humanitarian goods. Everything else related to restoring the infrastructure and national economy in general ought to wait until the political transition process begins (they are not saying “until the regime changes”), clearly referring to transition from the current forms of government in that country to some other, which will be more acceptable for those who criticise the Syrian government for all its sins, real or not.

We are convinced that if we follow this line of thinking, we will be punishing the people who stay, live, and don’t flee Syria, remain on the territories controlled by the government, and the refugees who would like to return to their homes in this land.

If the EU were guided by its fundamental interests, which many EU countries are now advocating, it would be interested in creating proper conditions for the refugees returning to Syria from Europe.

At this stage, Lebanon is interested in this. Refugees have begun returning home in small groups (several thousand people have come back to Syria). We are assisting them in this process through our military and military police.

We conduct similarly successful talks with Jordan. Here, too, we will see good results in the near future.

We hold similar conversations with Turkey, which hosted the largest number of Syrian refugees (over 3 million). These are the countries directly involved in our efforts.

In addition, we worked with the UN at an early stage, at the level of the UN Secretary General, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was interested, and Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements presented its position at a meeting of the Astana troika as part of the Astana process in Sochi on July 30-31.

With regard to other UN agencies, in addition to the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, we have a feeling, which we would like to double-check, that they are also geared towards the position of the West and wait for the West to condescend and change its position. Based on that, we have not yet seen UN representatives on the territory controlled by the Syrian government which needs assistance in rebuilding critical systems that have been destroyed. I hope that this impression of ours is false. Such a coincidence can be accidental.

This is where we are at now. This work is in full swing. There is still much left to do and also to finish off the terrorists, who still remain, in particular, in Idlib.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3313736






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu



3 August 2018 - 10:30






On August 2, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a meeting with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu on the sidelines of the ASEAN ministerial meeting in Singapore.

The officials discussed current matters related to the development of bilateral relations as well as international topics.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3313899






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan



3 August 2018 - 18:19






On August 2, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on the sidelines of the ASEAN ministerial meeting in Singapore.

The ministers discussed the status of, and prospects for the development of bilateral relations between their countries, emphasising the need to maintain a proactive political dialogue and step up cooperation in trade and the economy, as well as on investment issues and in the humanitarian area.

The officials reaffirmed the similarity of Russia and Singapore’s approaches to how a number of pressing issues in the Asia-Pacific Region and around the world should be resolved.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314165
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Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s telephone conversation with Nasr al-Hariri, chief negotiator for the opposition Syrian Negotiations Commission



30 July 2018 - 12:48



On July 30, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov received a telephone call from Nasr al-Hariri, chief negotiator for the opposition Syrian Negotiations Commission.

Nasr al-Hariri, who has come to Riyadh for a conference of the Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC), spoke about the situation in Syria and around it, including a political settlement based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254, as well as fighting terrorist groups and creating conditions for the return of refugees back to Syria.

Mikhail Bogdanov confirmed Russia’s position of principle on all subjects raised by the Syrian negotiator and said that the 10th International Meeting on Syria, which will be held in Sochi on July 30 and 31 within the Astana format, is an effective venue for holding practical discussions and for coordinating matters of vital concern for the Syrians with major assistance from the guarantor countries – Russia, Turkey and Iran – as well as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3306275






Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova’s response to a media question on the press release published by the British Prime Minister’s Office following the talks between Theresa May and Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani



30 July 2018 - 15:57




Question:

We noted that the report for the press, published by the Office of the British Prime Ministry following the talks between Theresa May and Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, held in London on July 24, contains very tough wording as regards Russia and its foreign policy. It reads, in part that the leaders of the two countries agreed on the need to continue building a policy towards our country from a position of strength and unity to counter malicious actions and uphold universal standards and principles. Can you comment on this, considering Doha’s intention to consolidate its diverse cooperation with Russia and the results of the recent visit by Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Moscow and his talks with President of Russia Vladimir Putin?



Maria Zakharova:

We carefully studied this statement from the Prime Minister of Great Britain and were quite surprised because in the press release from Qatar there was not a word about Russia or any critical remarks about it. When talking to diplomats at the Russian Embassy in Qatar, our partners in Qatar categorically reject associating themselves with Theresa May’s well-known Russophobic approaches.

Obviously, London is again fueling its anti-Russia campaign with a view to making it feel guilty for sins it has not committed. Since the propaganda approach by the British authorities has not had a lot of influence on the other members of the world community, Britain has decided to go beyond reality and list as its supporters those that do not share in its anti-Russia views. As a result, London’s statements are becoming even less convincing and truthful, and Britain’s foreign partners are less inclined to believe them.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3307997






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Russia Rayed Krimly



30 July 2018 - 16:40



On July 30, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov received Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Russia Rayed Khalid Krimly.

During the meeting, the two officials discussed some of the topical matters related to further expanding bilateral ties in various areas, as well as the current situation in the Middle East, focusing on developments in Yemen, Syria and the Palestinian territories.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3308038






Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova’s response to a media question about US non-participation in the 10th International Meeting on Syria



30 July 2018 - 17:04




Question:

Can you please comment on the US refusal to send representatives to the 10th International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format, to be held in Sochi on July 30 and 31?



Maria Zakharova:

Indeed, the US has declined an invitation that was sent to them to attend this event as an observer. This response is regrettable, keeping in mind that Washington constantly gives assurances that it is willing to help the political process take place in Syria. This next meeting in Sochi is dedicated precisely to this objective. Also, we have always stressed that the Astana format is in no way an alternative to Geneva. Rather, it is designed to work out the practical matters for progress on this track in keeping with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

We see the US’s reluctance to send representatives to Sochi as a desire to lower the importance of the Astana format and discredit the implementation of the mediatory efforts in Syrian affairs that Washington is unable to put under its control. Moreover, the United States’ call to prioritise the Geneva format, including under the pretext of aiding the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, looks disingenuous, given the UN envoy’s concerned personal involvement in the Sochi event.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3308084






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with Deputy Chief of the Department of International Ties of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Tuan Phong



31 July 2018 - 13:22







On July 31, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met with Deputy Chief of the Department of International Ties of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Tuan Phong at the Foreign Ministry.

During their conversation, the sides discussed topical issues of traditionally friendly Russian-Vietnamese relations in the context of upcoming top-level contacts, tasks of expanding fruitful trade and investment, science and technological, cultural and humanitarian cooperation between both countries.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3310011






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov's telephone conversation with Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil



31 July 2018 - 20:09



On July 31, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of the Lebanese Republic Gebran Bassil at the latter' initiative.

The officials had a detailed exchange of opinions on the developments in and around Lebanon, including in the light of the developments in neighbouring Syria.

The officials focused on the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and on creating conditions for their voluntary and nondiscriminatory return to their homeland.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3310498






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov’s meeting with Israeli Ambassador to Russia Gary Koren



1 August 2018 - 12:26



On August 1, Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov met with Israeli Ambassador to Russia Gary Koren at the Israeli side’s request.

The officials expressed satisfaction with the active development of bilateral cooperation in many spheres.

They discussed consular issues of mutual interest, including the possibility of further simplifying travel regulations for their countries’ citizens and also current international topics.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3312448






Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova's reply to a media question on the investigation into the death of Russian journalists in the Central African Republic



3 August 2018 - 18:33




Question:

What are the initial results of the investigation in the CAR?



Maria Zakharova:

On August 1, the investigative bodies of the CAR opened a criminal case regarding the death of Russian journalists Orkhan Dzhemal, Alexander Rastorguyev and Konstantin Radchenko in that country on July 30.

On August 1 and 2, CAR law enforcement officials, with the support of UN experts, inspected the scene of the crime and interrogated witnesses in the city of Sibut and the villages near which the crime was committed. A working meeting with the participation of the CAR gendarmerie and representatives of the Russian Embassy in Bangui is scheduled for today. The participants will sum up the intermediate results of the investigators’ work.

The preliminary information from the investigation is that unidentified individuals attacked the Russian journalists with a view to robbing them and killed them when they resisted. The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in CAR joined the investigation by sending four experts.

This is a special focus of the Russian Foreign Ministry.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314175
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Press release on the presidential election in Mali



30 July 2018 - 16:31



The first round of the presidential election in Mali took place on July 29. The results will be published soon.

Twenty-four candidates, including the current head of state, Ibrahim Keita, were running for the highest office. According to preliminary reports, the election was well organised and there were no serious incidents. The ballots are currently being counted. Numerous national and foreign observers monitored the election, including the UN, the African Union, Francophonie, and the Economic Communuity of West African States.

Moscow welcomes the presidential election in Mali that is playing an important role in stabilising the country and the Sahel region in general. We hope that the results of the election will be taken by the people of Mali with a high level of civil responsibility. As sincere and longtime friends of Mali, we hope that it will move further along the road to national consent, democratic development and the restoration of peace and security on its entire territory.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3308028






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the rescue of Russian mountaineer



31 July 2018 - 13:21



On July 31, Pakistani military helicopters rescued Russian mountaineer Alexander Gukov, who had been stranded for several days without equipment or food at a height of 6,200 metres on Latok I in the northernmost administrative territory of Gilgit-Baltistan. His climbing partner, Sergey Glazunov, fell to his death.

Gukov has been airlifted to a military hospital in the town of Skardu. His condition has been reported as grave.

The Russian Embassy in Islamabad is monitoring the situation.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Pakistani pilots for rescuing our compatriot.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3310001






Commentary by the Information and Press Department on the EU Council’s decision to add a number of Russian companies to the EU sanctions list



31 July 2018 - 18:31



We consider regrettable the EU decision of July 30 to expand the illegal and unilateral EU restrictions by adding a number of Russian companies involved in the construction of the Kerch Bridge. The EU is clearly bothered by Crimea’s free choice to reunite with Russia. Otherwise, how can one explain the fact that since 2016, the EU sanctions list has been expanded almost exclusively by Russian citizens and organisations that are in some way connected to the successful democratic development of Crimea and Sevastopol as part of the Russian Federation?

The motive picked by Brussels for another intervention in the internal affairs of our country is deeply symbolical. For many years, high-ranking EU officials have claimed that they have helped the European nations “build bridges, not walls.” It's a shame that the European Union has betrayed its slogans by first criticising and then imposing restrictions on the construction project, which literally cemented the connection of Crimea with its historical homeland and became a monument to the freedom and unity of the Russian people. By purposefully building artificial barriers on the way to improving the lives of the people of Crimea in Russia, the EU is acting in a short-sighted manner and only sets our country’s public opinion against itself.

The EU should redirect its false reproaches on the “isolation of the peninsula” to its Kiev underlings. They were the ones who did everything they could to break Ukraine’s ties with Russian Crimea. By shutting the North Crimean Canal in 2014, they imposed the “water supply blockade” on the peninsula. In late 2015, they stopped energy distribution to Crimea from Ukraine. In December 2016, the Ukrainian government resolved to impose a trade blockade as well. We have not forgotten the EU’s failure to react to these outrageous excesses and to the repeated attempts by the Ukrainian special services to engineer terrorist and sabotage attacks on the peninsula, as well as the provocative detention of the Crimean fishing boat Nord in the Sea of Azov. The European Union did not hesitate to disassociate itself from those who voted “incorrectly” during the March 2014 referendum in Crimea by introducing discriminatory visa restrictions. It is not surprising then that, given these circumstances, the people of Crimea tied their future to Russia with the reinforced concrete piles of the Kerch Bridge.

We hope that the EU will, finally, think about the financial cost and the image losses of indulging Kiev’s anti-Russia whims. There are quite a few companies from EU countries working in Russia, including in the construction sector, whose interests could be affected by another round of sanctions. We believe that Russia and the EU countries will benefit from pragmatic and mutually beneficial work that is reality-based.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3310420






Final statement by Iran, Russia and Turkey on the International Meeting on Syria, Sochi, July 30-31, 2018



31 July 2018 - 20:23



The Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey (hereinafter – the Parties) reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria and agreed on the following:

The Parties reaffirmed their determination to fight against terrorism in Syria in order to ultimately eliminate DAESH/ISIL, Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al‑Qaeda or DAESH/ISIL as designated by the UN Security Council;

The Parties discussed the current situation on the ground, took stock of the recent developments and agreed to continue trilateral coordination in light of their agreements;

The Parties expressed their determination to stand against separatist agendas aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria as well as the national security of neighboring countries;

The Parties would continue joint efforts aimed at advancing the Syrian‑led and Syrian-owned process of the political settlement in order to create conditions to facilitate the beginning of the Constitutional Committee`s work in Geneva as soon as possible consistent with the decisions of the Congress of the Syrian National Dialogue in Sochi and the UN Security Council resolution 2254. They expressed satisfaction with useful consultations with the United Nations Secretary‑General’s Special Envoy for Syria held on 31 July in Sochi and agreed with him to convene next round of consultations in Geneva in September 2018;

The Parties called upon the international community, particularly the UN and its humanitarian agencies, to increase its assistance to Syria by sending additional humanitarian aid, facilitating humanitarian mine action, restoring basic infrastructure assets, including social and economic facilities, and preserving historical heritage;

The Parties underscored the need to encourage efforts that help all Syrians to restore normal and peaceful life and started discussions in coordination with the international community, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the specialized international agencies in order to create necessary conditions for the safe and voluntary return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the refugees to the original places of residence in Syria;

The Parties would continue joint efforts aimed at building confidence between the conflicting parties in Syria, including within the framework of the Working Group on the release of detainees/abductees and handover of the bodies as well as the identification of missing persons with the participation of the UN and ICRC experts, the fourth meeting of which was held on 30 July. They welcomed the readiness, expressed by the conflicting parties, to carry out a “pilot” project;

The Parties decided to hold the next high-level International Meeting on Syria in November 2018.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3310508






Press release on death of Russian citizens in the Central African Republic



31 July 2018 - 21:08



According to reports from the Central African Republic, on July 30 three people were killed near the town of Sibut, 300 kilometres north of the capital of the CAR, Bangui. Those killed were in possession of their journalist IDs only. The names were Kirill Radchenko, Alexander Rastorguyev, and Orkhan Dzhemal. The bodies of the killed journalists have been delivered to Bangui.

Unfortunately, the Russian Embassy in the Central African Republic was not informed about the Russian journalists' stay in the country. Staff members at our diplomatic mission are now in close contact with local law enforcement bodies and government agencies to determine the circumstances of the Russian citizens' death and to carry out the procedure to transfer the bodies to Russia. We express our condolences to the families and friends of the killed and are ready to provide any necessary assistance.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3310573






Press release on the general elections in Zimbabwe



2 August 2018 - 17:34



On July 30, general elections were held in the Republic of Zimbabwe in which citizens voted for presidential nominees, MPs and local government officials. Twenty three candidates competed for the position of head of state, including current President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Twenty two political parties took part in the elections. Voter turnout exceeded 75 percent.

Many international observers from the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the European Union and other associations and countries were present during the elections. The overwhelming opinion was that the voting took place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

However, as early as on August 1, supporters of the opposition, dissatisfied with the preliminary election results, staged massive riots in the country’s capital of Harare, provoking clashes with the police, in which people were killed and wounded.

President Mnangagwa placed responsibility for the disorder squarely on the leaders of the opposition alliance Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) that recently made a number of irresponsible statements and appeals.

Moscow is concerned over the provocative actions of the opposition in Zimbabwe which led to the loss of life. We are urging all political actors to display social responsibility and take a constructive position with a view to completing all election procedures in line with the constitution and laws of Zimbabwe.

We consider Zimbabwe a friendly state with which Russia has traditionally maintained a closed partnership. We hope the results of the general elections in that country will help the Zimbabwean people continue down the path of stable and democratic development.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3313634






Press release on the general election in Zimbabwe



3 August 2018 - 15:25



Incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa was declared the winner in the general election held on July 30, according to the Zimbabwean Election Commission. The ruling party he leads, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) achieved convincing success in the national parliament elections.

Mnangagwa received 50.8 per cent of the vote, leaving behind his closest rival, the leader of the opposition alliance Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Nelson Chamisa who received 44.3 per cent of the vote. ZANU-PF ensured a constitutional majority in the parliament, having received 145 of 210 seats, whereas the MDC received 63 mandates.

We believe the results of the elections and the high voter turnout testifies to the obvious support by the majority of the people in Zimbabwe for President Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF’s course towards stabilising the socio-political situation, improving socio-economic conditions and creating a favourable environment for the further comprehensive development of the country.

Moscow confirms its consistent desire to promote mutually beneficial cooperation with the friendly Republic of Zimbabwe in the political, trade, economic, cultural and other areas.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314122






Press release on the Russia–ASEAN meeting



3 August 2018 - 18:41



On August 2, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with the heads of the ASEAN member countries’ foreign ministries as part of the ASEAN annual event in Singapore.

The ministers noted considerable progress in implementing the decisions approved at the Russia–ASEAN Summit in Sochi in May 2016. They reached an agreement on preparations for a new meeting of ASEAN leaders and approved measures to boost cooperation in the fight against terrorism and transnational crime, to ensure information security and emergency response coordination, as well as expand contacts in the economic, investment and humanitarian areas.

The participants discussed prospects for the development of ties between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation for the sake of promoting diversified integration across Greater Eurasia.

The discussion on the international agenda reaffirmed the similarity of Russia’s and ASEAN’s approaches to the main global and regional issues, including the need to create equal and indivisible security architecture in the Asia-Pacific Region that will be comprehensive, sustainable and inclusive.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314185
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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
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Old August 8th, 2018 #472
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Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, August 3, 2018



3 August 2018 - 18:49











The situation in Syria

The situation in Syria remains complicated, but the trend towards improvement continues, generally.

The operation by Syrian government forces to eliminate a hotbed of terrorism in the southwestern provinces of Deraa and Quneitra is nearing completion. Over the past few days, the Syrian army, with the assistance of the "reconciled" Shabab as-Sunnah group, has pushed the ISIS-affiliated Khalid ibn al-Walid Army to the demarcation line with Israel and the border with Jordan. As of July 30, no more than 2 percent of the Deraa province remained controlled by ISIS. About 120 towns were returned to Syrian government control, of which over 50 were taken peacefully. Major supplies of food and weapons, including Western-made supplies, are being discovered in the fortified areas abandoned by the extremists. Losses among the militants are also rising with 230 terrorists killed on the southwestern "front" in the last 10 days of July alone.

Meanwhile, Syrian government forces are growing stronger. In addition to "reconciled" illegal armed forces who have joined the government forces, their ranks are being replenished by volunteers from among the gunmen who decided to “correct” their status. Thus, 150 former members of the Free Syrian Army registered with a volunteer recruiting station in the town of Nava in southwest Deraa province in mid-July on the first day it opened.

In the neighbouring province of Quneitra, the process of disarming "reconciled" militants is nearing completion. At the same time, the "irreconcilables" and their families are being taken from there to northern Syria. Over 9,000 people left Quneitra in the Idlib de-escalation area. In Idlib itself, the leaders of some groups are trying to establish contact with the Centre for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides as they try to figure out the terms for possible reconciliation with the authorities.

We noted a statement by Ravina Shamdasani, an official representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, regarding terrorist attacks committed by ISIS in southwestern Syria, in particular, the suicide attack in Suwayda on July 25, which killed over 250 people, and the taking of women and children from al-Shabika hostage. Certainly, we agree with the strong condemnation of these inhumane attacks by OHCHR. However, the UN gave a very unusual explanation for the outbreak of violence in southern Syria linking it to emergence of new ISIS gunmen in the province of Suwayda allegedly brought from Yarmouk, Hajar al-Aswad and Tadamun as part of a "deal" between Damascus and the militants. Ravina Shamdasani expressed concern about the possibility that the situation in Suwayda would deteriorate and urged Damascus to refrain from taking ISIS militants to densely populated areas.

In this regard, we would like to note that, in its statement, the OHCHR has purposefully and, I would go as far as saying - shamelessly - distorted the facts. There was no such thing as "evacuating" ISIS members from Yarmouk, Hajar al-Aswad or Tadamun to southern Syria, as there are no agreements between the Syrian government and the militants on this account. The only evacuation operation that has ever taken place during this period was relocating women and children from the three towns mentioned above, and not to the south, but to northern Idlib.

Thus, in fact, simply taking advantage of the tragedy in Suwayda, these "human rights activists" actually tried to accuse Damascus not only of "collusion" with the militants, but also of the subsequent raid by terrorist killers in southern Syria. Notably, the actual deals with ISIS, where they left large towns on their own, such as Iraqi Mosul and Syrian Raqqa, went unnoticed by the OHCHR.



Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani on the situation in Syria

Attempts to hold the Syrian government responsible for the acts of terror committed by ISIS in the southeast of the country are unacceptable. They grossly pervert the real situation in Syria.

We consider these insinuations that, to our great regret, are made by UN officials on the tragedies of the people that were affected by these acts of terror as discrediting the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the office she heads. Unfortunately, this is not the first case where considerations of expediency and anti-Syrian objectives have prevailed over common sense and truth, all the more so taking into account the absence of response by this international human rights office on the real agreements with ISIS that I have talked about.



Implementation of the Russian initiative on the return of refugees to Syria

For obvious reasons, the press is paying much attention to the implementation of the Russian initiative on the return of refugees to Syria. There are some details on this issue.

During our daily cooperation with the Russian Defence Ministry, the Foreign Ministry is actively working on mobilising international efforts to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons to the places of their residence.

Implementing this initiative, the interdepartmental coordination headquarters supervising the return of refugees to Syria conducts meetings and joint briefings.

In the process we are maintaining close contact with the authorities of the foreign states that accepted Syrian refugees on their territory with a view to receiving precise information on the number of people. In the aggregate, over 6.8 million refugees have been recorded in 45 countries, including 2 million women and 3.5 million children. According to the UN Refugee Agency, the highest number of Syrian refugees is in Turkey (over 3.5 million), Lebanon (about 1.975 million) and Jordan (over half a million or 660,000 to be more accurate). In a tentative estimate, a desire to return home was expressed by more than 1.5 – 1.7 million Syrians from eight countries (Brazil, Germany, Denmark, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey).

The homecoming of refugees is most active from Lebanon and Jordan. The Foreign Ministry and the Russian Defence Ministry, as well as our Embassy in Damascus and the Center for the Reconciliation of the Warring Parties all cooperate directly with the Syrian government on the return of refugees. The number of internally displaced persons who are returning to their permanent residences is increasing.

We believe the efforts to resolve the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons should be primarily aimed at increasing humanitarian relief to those who need it, rendering medical aid to the sick and wounded and restoring Syria’s socio-economic infrastructure. These activities should be conducted on a collective and, certainly, depoliticised basis, in accordance with UN rules, in the interests of Syrians and on Syria’s entire territory.

We believe that Syria’s socio-economic recovery and the homecoming of refugees and internally displaced persons is an urgent priority international task. Accomplishing this will largely promote success in expediting the beginning of a truly peaceful life and eradicating terrorism and the factors that generate it on Syrian soil.

The unilateral financial and economic actions that have been introduced against Syria by some countries and regional associations are a serious obstacle on this road. We insist on the suspension of these artificial restrictions that are impeding the normalisation of life in Syria and a long-term settlement on the firm foundation of international law, including the universally adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2254.



Canada’s plans to accept White Helmets activists

We regularly comment on anything related to the pseudo-humanitarian organisation the White Helmets. Actually, frankly speaking, they should have changed their name from White Helmets to White Masks a long time ago. Because these people who had for many years pretended to be humanitarians, in reality turned out to be, and this fact has been proved by now, mere foreign agents who worked on the territory of Syria for vast sums of money, advancing anti-Syrian interests and the interests of other nations. Currently they are being rushed out and stashed away in different countries.

And so we took note of Canada’s recent decision to harbour the White Helmets. Let me remind you that they just pretended to be humanitarian workers, it was all pantomime. No, it goes beyond that – they had close ties to extremists. The fact that they will be hidden away in Canada now, to be honest, did not surprise us for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it is well known that Ottawa alongside with some other western capitals has long been providing this group, let us be specific, both moral and direct financial support. Major sums, millions of dollars. Meanwhile I will remind you that those supposed humanitarian workers, who are in fact pseudo-humanitarian workers, became notorious for their staged scenes on orders from anti-government groups, they tried to keep the war in Syria going as long as possible, to fuel more and more conflicts, to pit Syrians against each other, and to bring Syria and the Syrian people down rather than render real assistance to the victims.

Apparently, there are other factors which prompted Canada to accept these new so-called “refugees.” The White Helmets and the Canadian authorities are one in the same with respect to groundless accusations against the Syrian authorities as well as blaming Russia. By the way, it is a big question what ordinary Canadians are going to feel about such “refugees” after the terrorist groups are destroyed and after realising what is going on now on the ground, and we hope such a realisation will come.

I would like to point out that Canada’s history already has stains, in particular, when it became a shelter for Nazis who hadn’t been finished off, we remember that perfectly well, including the punitive Ukrainian battalions of the SS. We can remind those in Canada who might have forgotten. I would also like to point out that many of them never faced justice for their atrocities. Meanwhile, now Ottawa is embracing a new wave – this time terrorist accomplices. The Canadian public do have things to ponder.



UNESCO’s position on restoring Palmyra

We were asked a question on the UNESCO position and steps that this international organisation is taking to restore Palmyra. I would like to say that the UNESCO position on restoring Palmyra is based on the need to strictly follow the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage and its Operational Guidelines, I mean the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. In this context, the authorities of the Organisation in protecting world heritage are exercised under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, and UN Security Council Resolutions 2199 and 2253 (they focus on protecting cultural property in case of an armed conflict) and also UN Security Council Resolution 2347 aimed at protecting cultural property under the threat of destruction.

The 42nd session of the World Heritage Committee in Manama (Bahrain, June 24 – July 4) reaffirmed that it would be advisable to refrain from restoring objects in Syria before a UNESCO expert mission arrives in the country. In addition, the possibility of sending such a mission in the near future is not being considered and is made dependent on “security conditions.” The UN security service takes decisions on whether conditions are adequate.

In addition, UNESCO has spread the word that from March 2015 until April 2018, in the framework of the Emergency Safeguarding of the Syrian Cultural Heritage three-year project financed by the European Union, in which special centres and institutions were involved, over 50 actions were carried out that were aimed at preserving the Syrian heritage, and a list of almost 700 exhibits from all over the world was compiled, some cultural objects in Palmyra were restored, damage to 170 historical buildings in Aleppo was assessed, and photographs and papers that were under the threat of destruction were digitalised.



Investigation into the death of Russian journalists in the Central African Republic

This tragic incident has triggered an entire wave of pain, compassion and sympathy in Russian society as well as all over the world. I have already offered my personal condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of the deceased Russian journalists who were visiting the Central African Republic. And now, I would like to officially offer our profound condolences to them.

I would now like to brief you on the efforts being made by the Foreign Ministry and Russian diplomats to investigate into the death of the Russian journalists and to repatriate their bodies. Initial investigation results show that the journalists were attacked by unknown assailants and were killed while trying to resist them. I would like to remind you that all the findings, even preliminary ones, will be voiced during the investigation. We can only provide information that can be published, including with the consent of investigative agencies.

Four experts from the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) are currently involved in the investigation. On August 1-2, the country’s law enforcement agencies, supported by UN specialists, inspected the crime scene and questioned eyewitnesses in Sibut city, as well as in villages near which the attack took place. A meeting involving representatives of the country’s gendarmerie and representatives of the Russian Embassy is scheduled to take place today, on August 3 in the capital of the Central African Republic, with its participants summing up preliminary results of the investigation team’s work.

The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has opened a criminal case under Article 105 of the national Criminal Code (murdering two persons and more). Committee officials are in contact with the Russian Embassy in the Central African Republic and their colleagues from the country’s law enforcement agencies.

What other information has been obtained during the first few days of the investigation and Russian diplomats’ cooperation with local law enforcement agencies and the UN mission? I can state the following, while comprehensively replying to questions that have been submitted to the Foreign Ministry. Today, we can once again confirm, as proved by an evaluation of the tragedy’s circumstances, that the Russian journalists did not request accreditation from the UN mission and the Central African Republic’s Ministry of Communications and Mass Media or any other official agencies of this state. Officials from the Permanent Russian Mission to the UN in New York City made prompt contacts at the UN Secretariat on orders from the Foreign Ministry and its central administration. These contacts show that media assertions about the alleged coordination of security matters between the film crew and MINUSCA are not true. Neither the Mission, nor the UN Secretariat’s Department of Safety and Security knew about the trip of the Russian journalists until the Central African Republic’s authorities reported their deaths. According to UN officials, the journalists drove around in a private car with a hired local driver, while staying in the country.

During conversations (working negotiations) between officials of the Russian Embassy, chiefs of law enforcement agencies of the Central African Republic and the country’s Ministry of Communications and Mass Media, it turned out that, for unknown reasons, the Russian journalists did not request any assistance and journalist accreditation from the concerned local agencies. It also turned out that the journalists, unfortunately, did not wear flak vests and helmets with the appropriate inscriptions confirming their affiliation with the press.

Unfortunately, we have noted numerous speculations that the journalists were not allowed to visit training camps in the Central African Republic, and that they had to conduct a secret investigation in this connection, and so on. All this is not true. Journalists from any country would not be allowed to visit a military base where representatives of the Central African Republic’s law enforcement agencies and Russian instructors work without prior approval from the local Defence Ministry. Training camps of the Central African Republic’s army are top-secret facilities that can only be visited by accredited journalists with the approval of the competent authorities. Such activities are allowed, provided that the concerned parties obtain this accreditation and are instructed accordingly by local authorities and law enforcement agencies. Earlier, national authorities approved similar requests made by other representatives of foreign media outlets, including those from Western countries. But, for unknown reasons, the Russian group failed to coordinate its visit and work. Nor did the Central African Republic’s law enforcement and military agencies receive such requests in advance.

What do we have so far? The bodies of the deceased are currently placed at the best-equipped hospital in Bangui. The Russian Embassy’s officials are doing their best to have them repatriated already today, on August 3. For ethical reasons, we will not announce the date of the flight’s arrival. At the same time, all data, including specific deadlines for the flight’s arrival, were submitted to the relatives of the deceased. As I have said, we maintain contact with them.

What is being done on the spot to assist the investigation in that country? Considering the friendly nature of the ties between Moscow and Bangui, the Central African Republic’s authorities are focusing on this situation. After our appeals and demands, we were told that the country’s authorities were ready to closely cooperate with us and to clarify the tragedy’s circumstances.

President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadéra sent a personal message to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, offering his condolences and expressing hope that the Central African Republic would be able to restore peace and security on its territory with Russian support, so as to avoid such crimes in the future. For his part, the country’s Minister of Francophonie and State Protocol Chancel Sekode Ndeugbayi , now acting as Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Central Africans’ Affairs Abroad, also offered his condolences in a message to Sergey Lavrov, noting that the Central African Republic’s authorities would do everything possible to apprehend and punish the culprits.

The Foreign Ministry continues to prioritise this matter in collaboration with the Government of the Central African Republic and MINUSCA, as well as competent Russian agencies, including the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. We will continue to update you on the course of the investigation as well as any incoming information, with due account for ethical aspects.



Misinformation about the Russian journalists killed in the Central African Republic

We are shocked by the brazen misinformation the media has been spreading. Certain articles are beyond any human understanding of ethics and legality. They do everything in their power to misinterpret the information, data and reality of the situation with the Russian instructors in the Central African Republic (CAR), despite the fact that the corresponding official information has been published by official resources of Russian ministries and agencies. In this sense, and also in the context of the questions we have received from you, I would like to mention this matter once again. Let me remind you that this information has been available from official Foreign Ministry resources for several months. As of today, 175 instructors are working in the Central African Republic, including 5 military ones and 170 civilians. The Russian experts have been sent there on a lawful basis: on the request from the country’s president to provide cooperation in training Central African military personnel. The Russian experts’ main task is to provide free training to local soldiers on how to use weapons and equipment provided to the CAR by the Russian Defence Ministry in late January – early February of 2018.

As we have noted many times, they were provided in strict accordance with international law. We would like to emphasise once again that the permission of the UN Security Council Committee 2127 on the CAR was issued according to procedure. The acceptance, transport, security and placement of Russian weapons at Bangui storage sites were carried out in cooperation with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the CAR and with participation of observers from the European Union Training Mission and the UN Mine Action Service.

The Russian experts have helped train 600 Central African soldiers, many of which have already begun fighting illegal military groups and protecting civilians.

The Russian weapons and instructors were sent to the Central African Republic during an escalation of the military and political crisis to help the local authorities address the impending tasks of reforming security forces and upgrading its personnel’s military skills. In addition, we would like to stress that the Russian military experts take no part in combat in the CAR; training military personnel is their only responsibility.

As of today, work is being done to update the contractual basis of bilateral relations in the military sphere. The corresponding draft agreement is being coordinated at the moment.

Unfortunately, due to the difficult security situation in the country we cannot speak about any specific time when the mission of the Russian experts will be over. This will depend on the improvement of the situation on the ground and the progress in Central African soldiers’ training among other things. We proceed from the premise that as peace and security in the Central African Republic are restored and the national reconciliation process progresses, the country will be able to regain control of its territory, which will make the presence of foreign experts unnecessary.

I would like to stress once more that Russian cooperation is provided in line with the general efforts of the international community to strengthen the national law enforcement agencies in the country. We understand why the experts’ actions attract such attention in this situation but we cannot understand why this information is being so badly distorted.



Assistance Abroad mobile app

In relation to the tragedy in the Central African Republic (CAR) that resulted in the deaths of three Russian citizens, we would like to once again remind you that when you go abroad you should use the information on the websites of the Federal Agency for Tourism and the Foreign Ministry (including the Consular Department websites) to avoid unforeseen situations and, if unavoidable, to minimise the consequences. We believe, and for good reason based on the expertise and feedback we received last year, that the Assistance Abroad mobile app designed by the Foreign Ministry’s Crisis Management Centre would be of help to anyone who travels abroad, especially to difficult and problem regions. It contains important recommendations for various emergencies.

We have mentioned this and presented it many times; we have even held special media briefings to describe how to use this app so journalists can report on it to a broad audience in detail.

As a reminder, the Foreign Ministry officially presented the Assistance Abroad mobile app in September 2016. It contains as many tips on countries, regions and the situation there as possible, including security related issues. In addition to these data, the app contains information on crime, the terrorist alert level and entry and exit procedures.

Honestly, we were surprised to see the large amount of materials published on the social networks that assume that journalists are not required to apply for entrance documentation and that tourist visas are adequate. Of course, they are, but there may be consequences. I would like to remind you that each country, in both stable and problem regions, has its own accreditation rules for a number of reasons. I would like to note that each EU country has its own unique accreditation rules despite the provisions that unite them in complex areas like the economy, law and foreign policy. I mean that every EU state has its own accreditation procedures. And so do many other countries and regions where the situation differs from Europe. Everything is done for a reason. All of this is done to protect and save the lives of journalists who, for obvious reasons, have to work in the most difficult situations, combat zones included. But they must follow the accreditation rules on the ground.

The mobile app can build a route with information on people who can accompany you, and this information will be promptly sent to Moscow in case of emergency.

The app contains contact details needed in an emergency. In addition, it has the special “panic button” to send for help with one touch. If this button is used, Moscow, the Foreign Ministry and its Crisis Management Centre receive user location data.

The Foreign Ministry monitors existing crises including new ones that crop up anywhere in the world. Using the information received from embassies, other government agencies, media and social networks, it develops recommendations for Russian citizens traveling abroad. This information is constantly updated by diplomatic missions on site. In addition to the Assistance Abroad app and the Foreign Ministry and Crisis Management Centre’s websites, there are also accounts in social media where additional information and details can be promptly provided.



Status of journalists operating in armed conflict zones

Now I would like to specifically talk about the status of journalists operating in armed conflict zones. I want to address this topic after all since there was a lot of speculation. It is particularly striking that there have been calls to completely ignore any regulations and work “on the ground as is,” at one’s own risk.

The status of various categories of journalists working in an armed conflict appears to be sufficiently regulated. They all enjoy a very high level of protection under modern humanitarian law. This should be utilised.

The legal framework for journalists’ security is provided by existing international law (including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the additional Protocol I to it of 1977), according to which journalists, media professionals and related staff operating on dangerous work assignments in conflict zones are considered to be civilians and are protected on the condition that they do not engage in any activity contradictory to this status and, of course, that they identify themselves as members of the press. Therefore, under any circumstances they enjoy the fundamental guarantees that prohibit, in particular, any violent actions threatening the life and wellbeing of any people in control of any conflict party, as well as any kind of torture, offence to human dignity and hostage-taking.

Russia considers any cases of violence against journalists during armed conflicts as unacceptable. The Federal Agency for Press and Mass Media with support from the Defence Ministry and other security agencies, as well as the Foreign Ministry supported by the Moscow Union of Journalists have developed and successfully implemented Bastion training courses. I understand that perhaps right now it may prompt bitter laughter from you but if we continue to speak about this regularly and if everybody uses it, the chances of safe return will perhaps increase. This is a special training course for representatives of the media outlets and information departments of government bodies who operate in the conditions of a crisis (armed conflicts, counter-terrorist operations, emergencies or mass riots).

One of the purposes of this training programme is to provide trainees with knowledge and skills that will ensure their safety and wellbeing and help them to act appropriately in critical situations while on assignment.



Situation concerning the arrest of Maria Butina

We are monitoring the situation concerning Russian citizen Maria Butina, who was arrested in the United States on July 15 on far-fetched charges of operating in the United States as an unregistered foreign agent.

The other day diplomats from the Russian Embassy in Washington once again visited Butina and found out that the conditions of her confinement leave much to be desired, to put it mildly. She is being treated as a dangerous criminal and has been put in solitary confinement, where she is watched around the clock. The wardens who stand guard at her cell enter it in the dead of night, allegedly to check on her, turned on the light and disrupted her sleep. Maria’s cell is very cold and she only receives meagre portions of food. Unlike other prisoners, Butina is not allowed to take walks outside. We have taken up all these problems with the American side.

In light of this prejudiced and unacceptable treatment of a Russian citizen, Embassy officials have met with the prison authorities to inform them of Maria’s complaints and demanded that her situation be improved without delay. We have also sent an official request to the US authorities.

We insist that Maria Butina is innocent. Her lawyers have pointed to this, and I want to say this once again. The charges brought against her are nonsensical, and the so-called evidence is based on her private correspondence in the social media. Separate phrases are plucked out of it and misinterpreted. She clearly did not commit any crimes. The case against her has been trumped up for exclusively internal political reasons and also a desire to demonise Russia.

Taken together, this suggests that Maria is a political prisoner. We hope that the international community as well as international human rights agencies will take note of these arbitrary actions in the United States.

We demand that the unsubstantiated persecution of Maria Butina be stopped and that she is allowed to return back home as soon as possible.



Arrest of RIA Novosti Ukraine Editor-in-Chief Kirill Vyshinsky

The situation concerning Kirill Vyshinsky has not changed since July 11, when the Kherson City Court extended his arrest until September 20.

Citing the fact that Kirill Vyshinsky has Ukrainian citizenship, the Ukrainian authorities have denied the Russian consular officials’ requests for meeting with him.

The Russian Embassy in Ukraine and the Consulate General in Odessa continue to monitor the situation and are giving all the possible help to his lawyers.

We demand that international organisations and human rights advocates express their opinion of these arbitrary actions. We emphasise that this case concerns a journalist who was doing his professional duty openly, in keeping with the host country’s laws and in full compliance with journalism ethics.



Developments in Afghanistan

Tension in Afghanistan does not subside. Taliban continues to attack counties in different parts of the country one after another. Last week, Hojagar County in Takhar Province on the border with Tajikistan came under attack. For the first time in recent years, Taliban attacks have been recorded in the relatively calm Bamyan Province in central Afghanistan.

We have noted large-scale engagements between Taliban and ISIS in the northwestern Jowzjan Province. We call on Afghanistan’s leaders to tighten security in the northwestern provinces. We hope that First Vice President Avdul Rashid Dostum’s return to the country will help to stabilise the region.

Terrorist attacks continue in big cities. During the last few days, militants have repeatedly attacked civilian facilities in Jalalabad, eastern Afghanistan. For example, the Midwife Training Centre came under attack last Saturday, leaving 11 persons injured. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Islamic State terrorist group. The Department for the Refugees and Repatriates was attacked in the same city on Tuesday, with at least 30 people, including an employee of the International Organisation for Migration, dying or receiving injuries. We convey condolences to the families of the dead and wish an early recovery to the victims.

We are still convinced that a settlement in Afghanistan is only possible through a peaceful dialogue between Kabul and the armed opposition. We have noticed in this connection reports about US-Taliban contacts in Doha. It looks like Washington is gradually realising that its reliance on force lacks prospects.



The inauguration of the new Director-General of the Technical Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

On July 25, the OPCW Technical Secretariat head stepped down. The new Director-General is Mr Fernando Arias González, a career diplomat, who was Spain’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW between 2014 and 2018.

His election by consensus is a sign of high confidence on the part of the member states of the Chemical Weapons Convention. At the same time, this imposes upon him much responsibility.

We congratulate Mr Fernando Arias González on his assuming the office and sincerely wish him every success. He will have to work in a difficult environment and therefore will need all his experience and professional grit.

The OPCW, until recently regarded as one of the most authoritative and successful international organisations in the field of non-proliferation and arms control, is experiencing hard times. Regrettably, the Western countries, in their pursuit of time-serving goals, have politicised its operations beyond any measure and gone as far as using illegal methods, such as non-compliance with clear-cut standards of investigating assumed uses of chemical weapons as imposed by the CWC and the OPCW’s internal regulations. There is much destructive potential in certain states’ striving that became apparent in recent months to make the OPCW change its fundamental aims and objectives by investing the Technical Secretariat with totally extraneous functions, such as “establishing those guilty” of the use of poisonous agents.

We hope that the new Director-General will find enough inner strength and energy to bring this technical organisation back to the normal and constructive channel that has been tested by decades of operations. The activities of the OPCW and its Technical Secretariat should remain strictly professional and unsusceptible to political pressure brought to bear by individual, even if highly influential, states.

The important thing is to do the utmost to restore the spirit of consensus in the OPCW and focus on addressing the main tasks prescribed to it, to wit, to press for a speedy elimination of chemical arsenals by all CWC member states and work towards making the CWC universally effective.



Release of a film on Russia’s contribution to international development through UN organisations

In the framework of the Russia-financed project of the United Nations Development Programme, a film has been released about Russia’s contribution to international development through UN organisations. It was first shown on July 17, during a themed event which Russia organised on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development under the auspices of ECOSOC in New-York. The event was chaired by the head of the Russian delegation Andrey Chibis, Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation.

This film is not only available in the UN. Everyone interested can see it. The Foreign Ministry website has a link to the film: http://www.mid.ru/diverse/-/asset_pu...lijskom-azyke- and on our Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/MIDRussia/v...2295144536589/.



Parliamentary elections in Cambodia

On July 29, regular general parliamentary elections to the National Assembly took place in the Kingdom of Cambodia. They were characterised by an unprecedentedly high voter turnout: about 83 per cent of the electorate.

Numerous national and international representatives took part in monitoring the elections, including the Russian State Duma and the Federation Council, the Civic Chamber and the Central Election Commission. Russian observers noted the honest and transparent character of voting and its compliance with the current international standards.

The official election results will be announced on August 15. At the same time, according to preliminary data, the Cambodia People’s Party has won a resounding victory.

We note with satisfaction that thanks to the Cambodian authorities’ efforts, the election was held in a free and peaceful environment. We plan to conduct an interested and constructive dialogue with the next Cambodian Parliament and the country’s Government, which will be formed according to the election results to implement agreements reached at top-level talks on further developing the multifaceted mutually beneficial cooperation.



Situation with British Consulate General in St Petersburg

We have noted media reports concerning the British Consulate General in St Petersburg. As is known, the Russian side withdrew its consent to open it as part of the actions taken in response to provocative anti-Russia moves such as the promotion of the so-called Skripal case.

In this regard, a note was sent to the British Embassy in Moscow in March listing the parameters of the consulate's closure and setting the deadline at August 1 to implement the necessary procedures such as dealing with the property lease and the employment of the local staff, as well as other necessary actions.

To date, the British side has taken the necessary steps and duly informed us that the conditions have been met. In particular, the Consulate General building was transferred from the lessee back to the lessor. At present, a reorganisation is underway for the transfer of the regions formerly under the consular responsibility zone in St Petersburg to the zone of responsibility of the British Embassy in Moscow.

Thus, parity has now been established between our countries on the number of consular institutions: the United Kingdom has the Consulate General in Yekaterinburg, and Russia still runs one in Edinburgh. We hope that they will continue to work effectively.

I would like to remind you that the decision was not Russia’s choice, but a response to unfriendly actions on the part of Great Britain.



Developments around the investigation into the Salisbury and Amesbury incidents

We have noted a large stream of reports in the British media of late, containing more versions of what happened in Salisbury and Amesbury, all of which are based on questionable sources, often contradicting each other and creating a very confusing picture in the aggregate, but, apparently, this is the purpose of planting these stories. It is a campaign to hide the truth and reality of what happened. On top of this, the police investigating the case ignore requests, and refuse to confirm or deny the snowballing rumors.

This proves one thing. By planting obvious speculations while creating an atmosphere of secrecy around the ongoing investigations in London, they are trying to hide the truth and prevent it from being established. And they have the nerve to accuse Russia of disinformation and dirty PR campaigns. What kind of dirty PR actions are we taking except sending diplomatic notes with requests to answer the piles of questions that the Russian side has? By the way, there is a remarkable fact: when yet another anti-Russia story began in the UK, our Embassy sent notes to inquire on the progress of the investigation. In an official response, London advised us to contact the police. For several months, the Russian Embassy systematically, regularly and consistently contacted the police, as we were told. But a few days ago we received another response, also from the official British authorities, telling us not to contact the police anymore. This is the level of response, this is cooperation and assistance to the investigation and law enforcement agencies, and the general level of culture.

Obviously, the police have to conduct an investigation under tough political pressure. There is no doubt about this. This, by the way, is evidenced by the urgent request for the Russian side to not contact the police anymore. The investigation takes into account the high political stakes official London has made on the incidents in Salisbury and Amesbury. This will never result in finding the real perpetrators of this crime. I would like to remind you that the Salisbury attempt is also being investigated by Russian law enforcement agencies, which still have not received a response from the British side to their requests for legal assistance.

We believe that not only Russia, but also British citizens and anyone allied with London on the so-called Skripal case has the right to demand from the British Government an objective, independent and transparent investigation. As we have repeatedly said, Russian law enforcement agencies are prepared to lend any assistance to their British colleagues.

Once again I would like to return to the so-called solidarity issue. Until today, none of those who supported the UK, has received any information about what happened in Salisbury. As a reminder, so-called solidarity was manifested right after the Salisbury incident. In talks with us and behind the scenes, everyone was saying there had been hope that the countries that have shown solidarity would be somehow informed about what happened and updated on the course of the investigation. London remains shrouded in fog, while that hope has dissipated, as no one has received any information. They have deceived everyone, as they have done many times.



Investigation of Nikolai Glushkov’s murder case

We have to again take note that the British authorities keep us in the dark about the investigation in the murder of Russian citizen Nikolai Glushkov in Great Britain in March. As it was said earlier, the Russian party has repeatedly asked London for information about the investigation process and the results of the review of the relevant requests in legal aid from the Russian Prosecutor-General’s Office.

The British part has not provided us with any substantial information yet. They keep giving us the runaround which, given the lack on transparency in investigating publicised cases, again proves that London’s true goal is to avoid finding the real circumstances and causes of this case as well.

We consider it unacceptable that the British authorities are trying to keep secret the circumstances and the investigation in the murder of a Russian citizen.

Once again we have to urge London to launch productive as well as responsible interaction with the Russian law enforcement agencies in the Glushkov murder investigation.

Interestingly, during the situation in Salisbury, we were eerily told that since there were no possibilities other than to suspect Russia, they refuse to deal with us in establishing any contacts between law enforcement agencies. What has the Glushkov case to do with it? There is no connection to Russia. So why don’t they want to cooperate with us in this case? Because there is no goal to find the truth, to hold an unbiased investigation which would be open for our law enforcement agencies and other countries. The goal is just the opposite.

The Russian party has not received answers to its requests in months. Let me remind you, there was no solidarity in relation to the Glushkov case, no accusations were issued against the Russian party, even the “highly likely” ones. So why is there no information and no desire to cooperate? Because their goal is to entangle, close, hush up, make fake news in the media and let them circulate just as it was in all previous cases.



The use of chemical weapons by British forces during the military intervention in Russia

I would like to recall that, 100 years ago, on August 2, 1918, a 2,000-strong detachment of Russia’s allies, primarily British soldiers, landed in Arkhangelsk during the all-out military intervention of Entente forces in northern Russia. Interventionist forces included US, French and various colonial troops, as well as Serbian and Polish volunteers. In all, several tens of thousands of Allied soldiers, primarily British service personnel, were deployed in Russia’s northern region. Of that number, up to 25,000 soldiers were deployed there at any given moment. All of this information can be found in archive records.

You can read all this and once again recall the history of military intervention on Russian territory. Russia’s withdrawal from World War I and the signing of a truce with Germany did not suit the Entente and the United States. In March 1918, delegates of the London conference decided to launch an open military intervention. Northern Russia was seen as a convenient bridgehead for advancing into the Russian heartland. Numerous slogans were voiced, and many political tasks were set.

During their intervention, the Allies exported worth over one million pounds of timber alone. When they mail us pictures about Russia’s unbefitting behaviour, some hackers attack the Bundestag. Let’s recall the facts and the behaviour of the United Kingdom. It may be surprising, but many of these aspects have something in common with the current situation, and you will understand why. The Allies exported about two million poods of flax (Editor’s Note: One pood, an old Russian measure of weight, equals 16 kilograms) or about 33,000 tonnes. They also exported manganese ore and other mineral resources worth an estimated 3.5 million pounds.

While moving deeper into northern Russia, the interventionists committed severe reprisals against the local population and established a reign of terror. Archive records show that they also set up “death camps.” We will provide footnotes and hyperlinks to this entire text, so that it will be possible to recall all this.

And now, I would like to say a few words about our partners. During their campaign, British forces used chemical weapons on a regular basis. In 1919, British airplanes dropped mustard-gas bombs. Does this ring any bells? In July-September 1919, they dropped 321 chemical shells, according to the book “Myths of World War I” by Yevgeny Belash (Moscow, 2012, pages 166-168). Other sources indicate that British forces dropped 2,700 shells containing diphenylchloroarsine that caused fits of choking cough (R. M. Douglas “Did Britain Use Chemical Weapons in Mandatory Iraq?” The Journal of Modern History, Vol. 81, No. 4 (December 2009), pp. 859-887). If you think this is Kremlin propaganda, you’ve got it all wrong. These materials were published in the British media.

In 2013, the British press carried sensational stories implying that the then Secretary of State for War and Secretary of State for Air Winston Churchill personally approved the use of chemical weapons in 1919 during the British military intervention in Russia. This was reported by The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/world/sh...emical-weapons), The Daily Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...s-end-WW1.html) and The Daily Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/...l-weapons.html).

For example, The Guardian wrote: “The use of chemical weapons in Syria has outraged the world. But it is easy to forget that Britain has used them – and that Winston Churchill was a powerful advocate for them.” Everyone has forgotten this today, but we will remind you.

In 1918, British specialists developed a new type of chemical shells codenamed the M Device and filled with diphenylchloroarsine at their notorious military-chemical laboratory in Porton Down. It was soon decided to test those new shells. World War I was already over, but an even more interesting pretext, namely, the Entente’s military intervention in Russia, was used.

Military historian Simon Jones also writes on this subject. His article “The right medicine for the Bolshevist: British air-dropped chemical weapons in north Russia, 1919” (https://simonjoneshistorian.com/2015...h-russia-1919/) was published in the Imperial War Museum Review (No. 12, 1999). On February 2, 1919, the newly-appointed Secretary of State for War and Secretary of State for Air Winston Churchill informed Major General W. E. Ironside, Entente Commander in Chief in Arkhangelsk, that chemical munitions were being shipped to northern Russia (page 80). Incidentally, that same day, Churchill made a statement for the press noting that the Bolsheviks had used chemical shells on the Arkhangelsk front. Russian researchers note that the Red Army had decided to use chemical weapons only on February 14 in retaliation for the use of choking gases by the enemy (“On the use of chemical weapons during the Russian Civil War” by Nikolai Zayats, published July 6, 2018 in Scepsis academic-educational journal, http://scepsis.net/library/id_3821.html). History has repeated itself 100 years on.

Here are some quotations:

“In early February 1919, Commander of the 6th Detached Army of the Red Army’s Northern Front Alexander Samoilo received two situation reports from the 3rd Army.”

“January 20, 1919, Perm sector. We entered the village of Karagaiskoye, but our units withdrew to Ust-Lysva once again after being shelled by the enemy’s choking-gas shells.”

“February 8, 1919, Perm sector. We repelled several attempted enemy attacks near the village of Yevginskoye, located 12 versts (Editor’s Note: One verst equals 1,060 metres) east of Rozhdestvenskoye. Elements of the 3rd Brigade, deployed in the vicinity seven kilometres north of the village of Kalinyata (the last village on the Paya River), were repeatedly lambasted by the enemy’s chemical shells during the day …” You can read all these numerous quotations.

These articles note that the British had started preparing for their “retaliatory response” much earlier than February 2. On January 27, London received an unverified and fake report from Major Gilmore that the Bolsheviks were allegedly using chemical shells. This information was immediately used as a pretext for an offensive. The coincidence is remarkable. In his February 7, 1919 circular, Churchill signed a directive and ordered the use of chemical shells in full measure by British forces and the British-supplied Russian troops.

As we can see, British politicians of that period also manipulated public opinion on the chemical weapons issue.

In his article (page 83), Simon Jones quotes a special brigade lieutenant, Donald Grantham, who visited Plesetskaya station nine days after the attack and found that several civilian inhabitants had been gassed. According to Jones, the experiment was eventually deemed unsuccessful. “The investment in technological development and production, and the sending of stores and personnel to Russia, was in no way matched by the practical results” (Ibid, page 86).

In 2013, British journalists cited facts to prove their country’s complicity in using chemical weapons elsewhere. Unfortunately, they simply don’t have enough resources for dealing with the current hullabaloo around the so-called Syrian chemical file, Salisbury and Amesbury. Do we have to wait another 100 years, or will the British press somehow wake up and start doing what they are supposed to do? Instead of serving political interests, spreading fake news and feeding off endless media leaks, they should launch a real investigation. It is already high time to start dealing with Porton Down.



Destructive activity of the Bellingcat group on social media

More criminal investigative activity from Bellingcat on social media. This is going over the top. We have commented on the activity of this private British group several times, the group that is conducting a so-called online investigation into the Malaysia Airlines Boeing crash over Ukraine. I would like to remind you that the group is known for striking conclusions on the cause of the crash that were based not on actual evidence but on questionable social media content. The group has planted information across the media space and the anti-Russian sentiment is running like a golden thread through these plants.

My personal observation is that the activity of these groups is similar. Bellingcat, White Helmets or the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (which is located not in Syria but in London) – they are all incredibly similar.

Recently, there was an outrageous incident that we cannot ignore – specifically, the completely caddish and disgraceful statements made by Bellingcat founder, British blogger Eliot Higgins. In early June, Dmitry Polyanskiy, First Deputy Permanent Representative to the Russian Federation in the UN, published a comment on his personal Twitter account, which he uses for commenting about foreign policy matters, among other things, regarding the memorial campaign for victims of the MH17 crash in the Netherlands, and expressed his hope for an open and unbiased investigation of the tragedy, with Russia’s participation. The diplomat stressed that the Joint Investigation Team and the Bellingcat private organisation are drawing conclusions in the Malaysia Airlines Boeing case based on unverified data. We have repeatedly expressed the same opinion. Most importantly, we provided facts. Specifically, we provided masses of material from the company involved, Almaz-Antey Concern. We provided physical evidence and re-enactments. Dozens of experts, not only from the public community but also those involved in respective scientific research, spoke on the matter.

In response to this, Eliot Higgins and his supporters started full-scale bullying of the Russian diplomat, down to personal insults using very specific offensive and inappropriate vocabulary. They went further to insult Russia in general.

Interestingly, some tweets disappeared after a time. They like deleting tweets in the UK. Remember the recent incident with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office?

Unfortunately, this story went beyond social media and was picked up by the Washington Post. On July 25, the media outlet published an article in which Bellingcat bloggers and Eliot Higgins personally appear as the only fighters for truth. The unpleasant incident, to put it mildly, with Higgins’s reaction to Polyanskiy’s tweets is also mentioned in the article and presented by Washington Post correspondents as another example of destructive propaganda by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Everything is turned upside down and the insulting tweets are not even mentioned as if they never happened. The Washington Post just did not see them.

In the same context, the US newspaper is referring to the comment made by the Information and Press Department regarding the four-year anniversary of the Boeing crash that was circulated in the UN Security Council. Perhaps earlier it would not be possible to see the connection between social media, journalism and foreign policy. Now it is possible to do so by literally two clicks and follow the entire trail of one media outlet supporting the information campaigns by allegedly independent investigators.

We have repeatedly assessed the activity of not only Bellingcat but also those who use their material as a source of trustworthy information. They cannot be taken seriously.

We assume that serious media outlets must not be involved in such blatant information campaigns and their support.



US State Department statement regarding Facebook

It was with regret that we have learned about the August 1 statement made by the US Department of State supporting claims of external influence on the Americans’ sentiments through social media, including Facebook, and putting the blame on Russia, of course. As usual, no hard facts have been provided, yet Russia has been described as a “malign actor.”

We believe that diplomats should always act within the framework of diplomatic ethics and should be aware of the consequences of what they say.

The two year-long hysterics over the alleged Russian interference in the US elections is not only undermining bilateral relations but has also made a laughing stock of the US political system and has presented American democracy as a house of cards.

I would like to say that the Facebook administrators’ arbitrary decision to expunge dozens of accounts, much to the delight of the US State Department, has confirmed this problem and has cast a bright light on the current crisis in the US political system. It is a case of direct infringement on the freedom of expression. Four to six years ago, American officials, including at the Department of State, told us that the social media are a well of open and unbiased information provided by the people. But today their accounts are expunged.

Here is what I would like to say in this context. We have said more than once that the United States invariably votes against the draft resolution on combating the glorification of Nazism, neo‑Nazism and other practices that contribute to fuelling contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, which Russia submitted to the UN General Assembly. Moreover, the United States tried, though in vain, to find supporters for its stand.

Every time we asked what offended them in this draft resolution, which is aimed at combating Nazism, neo-Nazism, racism, xenophobia and intolerance, they replied that demonstrations held by Waffen SS veterans, the monuments erected in honour of Nazis and other actions of this kind are part of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and that we may not infringe on the freedom of opinion and expression. In the Americans’ opinion, when people in Nazi uniforms with neo-Nazi slogans and symbols hold their demonstrations, which immediately brings to mind the horrors of WWII but which we cannot stop by word or action, this is proof of the freedom of opinion and expression. At the same time, they applaud Facebook’s decision to expunge accounts for political considerations even if these accounts do not influence anyone and do not contain any extremist slogans or expressions.

This is the US diplomacy’s selective and pharisaic interpretation of fundamental rights and freedoms.

It also surprising that the US State Department is openly playing along with those forces in the country that question the legitimacy of their president’s election in a bid to split the American society. I wonder in whose interests the US State Department is working? I have no answer to this. But then, I believe that it is for the American society to answer this question.

We have taken note of the State Department’s appeal to “technology companies to take an aggressive approach to this insidious problem.” This is a very symptomatic statement. Regrettably, we see that the recent actions taken by Facebook and other US corporations controlling global social networks are being increasingly adjusted to the US administration’s instructions. Who is controlling the media business in the United States – the media business itself, the users or the State Department? In this particular case, we see a clear instruction manual, and with each such instruction the social media is gradually changing from an area of free expression to an increasingly tightly US-censored venue.

I remember a huge number of cases when media administration blocked innocent accounts and the accounts of officials, as well as denied certification to innocent accounts, like for example, the account of our embassy, as I told you before. Receiving certification is a very complicated procedure.

The Facebook and Instagram accounts of several Russian media outlets, in particular, the Federal News Agency, Nevskiye Novosti and Zhurnalistskaya Pravda, were blocked in early April 2018. Similar restrictions have been adopted against very many organisations. For example, the accounts of a public elections monitoring movement, Rossiya Vybirayet, were banned from Facebook and Instagram and blocked on Twitter without any explanation. It is a very strange position. It is particularly alarming that this process is being “orchestrated” by the US Department of State.



Regarding exercise Noble Partner

NATO keeps up with its provocative and destabilising activities in the Black Sea region. The multinational exercise Noble Partner 2018, which began on August 1, is being held in Georgia for the fourth time. This year’s exercise seeks to enhance the interoperability of the NATO member countries and partners in defensive and offensive operations, the readiness of military and combat training facilities, logistics potential and the capability to deploy military hardware in Georgia. Being used in the manoeuvres are foreign heavy weaponry, including Abrams tanks, Stryker armoured combat vehicles, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, as well as Black Hawk utility helicopters and Apache attack helicopters.

We cannot accept the statements regarding this exercise, including by the Georgian Defence Ministry, which claim that the manoeuvres are designed to maintain a stable and secure environment in the Black Sea region. Its real goal is, clearly, to project pressure primarily on Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Russia. The obvious outcome of this exercise will be stronger militarist aspirations of the Georgian leadership as well as increased tension in the South Caucasus.

It is regrettable that Georgian neighbours have been involved in this questionable project under various pretexts.



Statement by Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service chief Mikk Marran

In addition to traditional allegations of the Russian threat, Director General of the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service Mikk Marran said at the annual Aspen Security Forum in the United States that they “have detected a network of politicians, journalists, diplomats, business people who are actually Russian influence agents.”

The reason behind such statements is obvious: the ruling elite in Estonia and several other countries are using allegations about the “hand of Moscow” to draw public attention away from domestic problems and the consequences of their confrontation policies pursued contrary to the interests of the people. The statement made by the Estonian intelligence chief can only be interpreted as an attempt to demonise everyone who calls for maintaining constructive relations with Russia and to denounce them as “Kremlin agents.” In addition to this, the Estonian official wanted to intimidate those who refuse to blindly believe fake news about Russia’s destructive influence and aggressiveness.



Waffen SS commemoration in Estonia

On July 28, Estonian WW2 Waffen SS veterans and their supporters gathered for an annual meeting in Sinimae.

This event is fresh evidence of an open glorification of Nazi collaborators, who had opted to serve Hitler Germany and its interests, in Estonia. There are monuments and memorial plaques commemorating these people, who are honoured and remembered not only by members of Estonian political parties but also by members of the Estonian government. We call on the concerned international organisations to focus their attention on this.

It is outrageous that some Estonian politicians deem it possible to censor the Russian Embassy in Estonia, which allegedly interfered in Estonia’s internal affairs by criticising the Waffen SS commemoration event. We have time and again attracted the attention of the international community to actions like this that encourage the revival of the Nazi ideology, and we will continue to do this. Any attempts to present such facts as the internal affair of any country can only be interpreted as open connivance with the advocates of the ideas of ethnic or racial hatred.

I would like to say that the international community has marked Victory Day for several years, and that the celebrations have become increasingly festive in the past few years because there are ever fewer WWII veterans left. Films about the WWII tragedy are made in many countries, and every possible opportunity is used to remind the world about the millions of lives lost in that war. In this context, why then do all countries remember the victims and honour the winners, yet only Russia sees that those who are guilty of the death of millions of innocent people are celebrated in some countries, in particular, Estonia? What is the reason for this?



Perpetuating the memory of Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas in Lithuania

Unfortunately, we are once again witnessing the Lithuanian authorities’ policy of rewriting historical realities linked with the events of World War II and the postwar period. This is most deplorable.

The well-known Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas was one of the commanders of the Forest Brothers bandit units. He was a criminal whose henchmen were active pro-Nazi accomplices during the war, and they killed thousands of civilians in Lithuania.

Nevertheless, the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania proclaimed 2018 the Year of Ramanauskas-Vanagas. Members of the Klaipeda City Council suggested installing a memorial plaque in his honour at Klaipeda University. And there are plans to officially reinter the “hero’s” recently found remains.

And what happened after City Council member Vyacheslav Titov, head of the Klaipeda chapter of the Lithuanian Russian Union, dared to oppose efforts to perpetuate the memory of this odious person? They started harassing the politician on an unprecedented scale. During the discussion, council members insulted Mr Titov, demanded that he be expelled from the council and even stripped of his Lithuanian citizenship. Lithuanian law enforcement officers also searched his car and office, and confiscated various documents, flash drives, hard drives and his office computer. Indeed, democracy has “triumphed” in this modern European country.

We are expecting the international community and specialised international organisations, as well as everyone fighting neo-Nazism, to appropriately assess the policy of toughly suppressing any manifestations of dissent in Lithuania that simply resembles a reincarnation of a “witch hunt.”



Grave of Soviet secret agent Nikolai Kuznetsov desecrated in Lvov

Ukrainian vandals have once again desecrated the grave of Soviet intelligence agent and Hero of the Soviet Union Nikolai Kuznetsov on Glory Hill in Lvov, smearing the inscription on his headstone with yellow paint. The radical nationalist organisation C14, banned in Russia, claimed responsibility for this outrage, publishing photos on its Facebook account and cynically interpreting the incident as congratulations on Lvov’s liberation day marked July 27. What will Facebook say in this connection?

I would like to recall that this is the second act of vandalism with regard to Kuznetsov’s grave in the past two months. On June 21, a trident was drawn on the grave, and an inscription calling him an enemy of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army added. This was not the first act of vandalism. In August 2017, culprits stole metal letters and figures from his headstone. Earlier, several monuments to Kuznetsov were also destroyed in Ukraine. In 2015, his name was listed among persons covered by the Ukrainian de-Communisation law. Under this law, the city of Kuznetsovsk in Ukraine’s Rovno Region, named in honour of this hero, was renamed Varash.

Kuznetsov was born in the village of Zyryanka in the Yekaterinburg Region, now the Sverdlovsk Region. During the Great Patriotic War, Kuznetsov who was fluent in German, operated in occupied Ukraine, posing as First Lieutenant Paul Siebert of the German Wehrmacht. Kuznetsov, who was trusted by Nazi officers, managed to conduct several incredibly daring military operations. He obtained valuable intelligence about German plans to assassinate Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Big Three conference in Tehran. He also found out the location of Adolf Hitler’s headquarters near Vinnitsa and learned about a planned German offensive in 1943. He therefore contributed to the defeat of German forces during the Battle of the Kursk Bulge, whose 75th anniversary we are celebrating this August. Besides, Kuznetsov eliminated Senate president Oberfuhrer Alfred Funk, head of the financial department of the Reichskommissariat of Ukraine, Minister Hans Gehl, his secretary Adolf Winter, Deputy Governor of the Galicia District Otto Bauer and several other Nazi activists. Assisted by partisans, Kuznetsov abducted General Max Ilgen in charge of Ukrainian punitive forces.

Kuznetsov was killed on March 9, 1944 in the village of Boratin in the Lvov Region after being ambushed by Stepan Bandera’s supporters who outnumbered him. Finding himself in a hopeless situation, Kuznetsov detonated a hand-grenade and killed himself and his enemies.

In 1960, Kuznetsov’s remains were exhumed, subjected to an expert examination and reinterred on Glory Hill in Lvov.

We already noted a year ago that we perceive acts of vandalism with regard to monuments to Soviet heroes as a consequence of the current Kiev regime’s policy of completely falsifying the history of their own country. They are telling us that we are exaggerating, while talking about efforts to rewrite history. What exactly are we exaggerating? This person is a hero who fought Nazism and fascism in practice, not in theory. His grave is being desecrated year after year.

I have just talked about Nazi accomplices, and memorial plaques are being installed in their honour. And people opposing all this are accused of all deadly sins. This is how history is being rewritten.

We are demanding once again that the Kiev authorities investigate all acts of vandalism, locate and punish the culprits, and that they take all necessary action to prevent such incidents.



Polish court decision on Leonid Sviridov’s case

On June 27, the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland deemed legitimate the decision to revoke Rossiya Segodnya journalist Leonid Sviridov’ residence permit in the European Union and to ban him from entering the Schengen area countries. Let me remind you that Sviridov began working in Warsaw in 2003, and on October 24, 2014 he was stripped of his accreditation by the Polish Foreign Ministry and was forced to leave the country because his stay was declared a serious threat to state security.

From the beginning, we condemned this decision of the Polish authorities as a spontaneous and unsubstantiated move against a professional journalist. At the same time, the inability of the Polish side to provide any proof of the Russian journalist’s wrongdoing and its keeping in secret the case materials thus making it almost impossible for him to protect his interests show how absurd and far-fetched this action is.

It is obvious that the recent decision of the Polish court, which de facto approves the gross infringement of the rights of the Russian journalist, as well as international law where it relates to the freedom of expression, is dictated by political considerations. It is obvious to us. The question is: how can this judiciary system and the government’s repressive measures against journalists correspond with European democratic values?

We sincerely hope that the court will take a proper look into Sviridov’s case on the European level and urge the relevant international agencies, including those within the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, to give assessment to such justice.

I would like to remind you that this was one of the first cases when Russia had to take reciprocal measures and expel Polish journalist Waclaw Radziwinowicz.



Mountain climbers injured by a rockfall in the Kyrgyz mountains

According to the Russian Consulate-General in Almaty, seven mountaineers were injured in a rockfall; among them were three Russian citizens. The Kazakhstan Department for Emergencies evacuated all of them by helicopter to City Hospital No. 4 in Almaty.

One of the Russian citizens refused hospital admission; another was treated for a hip pointer, and the third one sustained a slight fracture. Their condition has been deemed satisfactory; all of them have been discharged from hospital.

Our citizens did not seek assistance from the Russian Consulate in Almaty.



Roads of Glory: Our History youth charity patriotic event

The Roads of Glory: Our History youth charity patriotic event was held in July and August. For three years, the project has proven its success and sociopolitical relevance.

It was a rally that included Hero Cities and sites of military glory of the Great Patriotic War. We believe this event is needed for a very important cause: to educate young people about their country’s traditions and preserve historical memory, as well as to help combat the West’s anti-Russian campaign to falsify history and depreciate the crucial role the Soviet Union played in defeating the Nazis.

The rally was also held in Belarus, in particular, in Brest, Vitebsk and Minsk where ferocious battles with Nazi occupiers took place.

It is symbolic that this year the route of Roads of Glory: Our History includes Crimea and the Hero City of Sevastopol, which is an emblem of military valour and courage.

I would like to focus your attention on this project, because it is indeed very significant. We support it by all means.



BaltArtek International Forum

On August 9–16, the Kaliningrad Region will host the first BaltArtek International Youth Educational Forum.

The forum will unite 350 international relations and public diplomacy experts: young compatriots living abroad, representatives of volunteer organisations and socially-oriented noncommercial organisations, as well as coordination councils of Russian compatriots.

Participants of the forum live in more than 70 countries from all the continents, such as Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Ukraine, Israel, Iceland, Luxembourg, the US, Norway, Morocco, Mexico, South Korea, Palestine, Serbia and Denmark.

The forum’s task is to lay the foundation for an International Compatriot Network and to consolidate the efforts of young compatriots aimed at promoting the concept of the Russian world abroad. Each day of the forum will be dedicated to a certain topic: science, economics, culture, kindness, Russia and the world, with the goal of discussing as many issues as possible and elaborating useful proposals for further cooperation and to strengthen ties with Russia and between compatriots living abroad.

The Year of Volunteers is the unifying theme of the Federal Agency for Youth’s forum campaign this year.



Possibility of Russian nationals’ travel to the Republic of Turkey using domestic passports

For the previous briefing, Vestnik Kavkaza news agency asked a question on the possibility of Russian nationals’ travel to Turkey using domestic passports.

Under Federal Law No. 114-FZ of August 15, 1996 On Exit from and Entry to the Russian Federation, Russian citizens must travel outside the Russian Federation with valid documents certifying their identity outside the Russian Federation.

The primary identification documents for Russian citizens travelling outside the Russian Federation include a passport, a diplomatic or service passport.

According to the May 12, 2010 Agreement Between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Turkey On Terms of Mutual Travel of Citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey, the valid documents certifying identity of Russian citizens travelling to Turkey include a service passport, a foreign passport of the Russian national, a seafarer’s passport (ID) or a permit to enter (return to) the Russian Federation.




Answers to media questions:



Question:

It has been reported that Russian investigators will go to the Central African Republic. Is there an official decision yet? Will they assist with the investigation?



Maria Zakharova:

Yes, the decision was announced yesterday by the Russian Investigative Committee. As soon as we know the specific details from this organisation we will be able to support our colleagues and will inform you.



Question:

The media reported that the Central African Republic is having a problem with autopsies of our colleagues’ bodies. Do you know if the problem has been resolved? Are there any difficulties with transporting the bodies despite the fact that the logistics of their repatriation is worked out?



Maria Zakharova:

The repatriation of the deceased will, of course, take many hours but it will begin today. Everything has been done for this to happen today. These efforts and the final decision on repatriation were discussed with the families. As concerns your question regarding the problems with autopsies, I am not aware of them. It would be more appropriate to address this and other related questions to our law enforcement agencies that are dealing with this case.



Question:

Zamir Kabulov, Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan and Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Second Asian Department, announced Russia’s plans to invite Taliban representatives to a Moscow format meeting in Afghanistan that will take place later on in the summer. Did Russia actually send Taliban an invitation?



Maria Zakharova:

I will find out.



Question:

Recently some unofficial Armenian sources spread a report that a visit by Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan to Moscow for a meeting with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is probably being prepared and discussed. Is this report true and if so what issues are likely to be discussed?



Maria Zakharova:

Such a meeting is not on Mr Lavrov’s schedule. I don’t know about it. We are maintaining close contact with the Armenian Foreign Ministry at different levels and in different formats.



Question:

As you know, Russian journalists made a documentary about the alleged private military company Wagner in the Central African Republic (CAR). Does the Foreign Ministry deny reports by the Russian and foreign media about the existence of this company?



Maria Zakharova:

First, I’d like to say a few words about the goals of the Russian journalists in the CAR. You began your question by saying that you knew about the goals of the journalists in the CAR and the shooting of a film. Why are you suggesting this? No production companies have contacted us, as we have said more than once. You can believe me or not. I have been contacted by the head of the Investigations Management Center, but this was only after the tragedy. I don’t even know who sent them there. It might sound strange but I don’t even know whether they represented the media or a public organisation or whether they acted under contract. I don’t know about this. I don’t have this information. Probably, we should have looked into this by now, but to be honest we are dealing with many different issues – we have enough on our plate. The most important thing was to work on two tracks there.

First it was necessary to do everything to facilitate the CAR investigation at the site and establish contact between law enforcement bodies of the two countries. It was essential to see that the primary information was recorded and to make sure the CAR political leaders are doing what is necessary and possible for the criminals to be finally found.

The second track is about the delivery of the bodies: identification, release of documents and the like. During this two-day marathon I didn’t have a second to talk about who sent them and for what purpose. Maybe this is my omission and I should have done it. Since returning from Singapore early this morning I have been talking to the relatives on completely different issues.

I will certainly look into this, but later on. Don’t make statements on our behalf which do not reflect reality. We don’t know what they were doing there and who sent them. We devoted a lot of time during today’s briefing to just one issue – we’d appreciate it if, when sending people from your company (either journalists or documentarists) to challenging regions, you would use the opportunities offered by the Foreign Ministry. This does not guarantee anything but increases the chances for assistance in these hot spots.

Because of the periodic interest in private military companies, we have commented on this issue before. They are not within the Foreign Ministry’s competence and you should know this.



Question:

To continue the subject of the CAR incident, journalists received a version of the story from Mikhail Khodorkovsky who now lives in London. He promised to clarify the circumstances and find those who killed them. He wrote on social media: “We continue the investigation. There will be risk and there will be ambitious people; these people change the world. My colleagues and I are putting a group together for an independent onsite investigation.” In other words, he wants to send people to the world’s most dangerous country again. Has the Foreign Ministry responded to this?



Maria Zakharova:

As for sending journalists to hot spots and conflict areas, I have already said everything I can. I don’t think I should repeat it.



Question:

It has been reported in the media today that a thousand North Koreans came to Russia and were offered jobs in September 2017. Is this so?



Maria Zakharova:

We have received requests regarding this as well. I have read these media articles. As I see it, you want to know more about North Korean workers and the Interior Ministry permits issued to North Koreans, in particular, in June this year. Speaking about North Korean workers, it should be remembered that Provision 17 of UN Security Council Resolution 2375, which stipulates that the member states “shall not provide work authorisations for DPRK nationals in their jurisdictions in connection with admission to their territories”, also says that “this provision shall not apply with respect to work authorisations for which written contracts have been finalised prior to the adoption of this resolution.” The Russian Interior Ministry is working with those North Koreans whose contracts were finalised prior to the adoption of this resolution on September 11, 2017.

In this connection media outlets also ask about a North Korean company called Zenko, which has won a tender. They cite the provision of UNSC Resolution 2375 that prohibits “the opening, maintenance, and operation of all joint ventures or cooperative entities, new and existing, with DPRK entities or individuals.” I would like to say that Zenko is not a joint venture or cooperative entity and neither is it on UNSC sanctions lists. Therefore, this company’s participation in a tender for utility works in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk does not run counter to UNSC resolutions on sanctions against North Korea.

Also, we have been asked if job listings of North Korean companies registered in Russia run counter to UNSC resolutions on North Korea. I can assure you that they don’t, unless this violates Provision 17 of UNSC Resolution 2375.



Question:

It is rumoured that the United States plans to adopt new sanctions against Russia. Will you comment, please?



Maria Zakharova:

Such rumours appear regularly. We understand that this is a never-ending process in the United States. These decisions are not based on facts but on internal political considerations. We have pointed this out many times. However, it would be unwise to comment on a decision before it is made. I have commented on the general trend, and we will comment on concrete developments as soon as they take place or fail to take place.



Question:

Is it possible to get Western countries involved in the effort to repatriate refugees, in particular European countries that have given shelter to a great number of Syrians?



Maria Zakharova:

I have answered this question in great detail. This is what we are discussing with many countries. I have also named the countries with the largest number of refugees. Trying to get them involved is what two Russian departments – the Foreign Ministry and the Defence Ministry – have been doing.



Question:

How many journalists working in conflict zones other than Syria in the last fifteen years received work visas from the Foreign Ministry? How many of them notified the embassies?



Maria Zakharova:

The fact is that the Foreign Ministry issues visas only to those who want to come to Russia. Our embassies and consulates take visa applications from foreigners, so we cannot issue a visa to our journalist, who, for example, goes to the CAR, Syria or Egypt. What do we do if, for example, there is an Arab Spring or a country announces a special regime for journalists working on its territory? As a rule, these countries notify foreign ministries through the embassies that an emergency regime is being introduced from this date, and requires the following measures, and inform them that foreign journalists should be guided by specific requirements. This information is sent through to the Russian Foreign Ministry, and we forward it to the media (at briefings, by e-mail, or on request from Russian journalists).

There is also another procedure when Russian journalists apply to the embassies of the countries they plan to visit. If they are told that there is a special regime for journalists working in these countries, they turn to the Foreign Ministry for explanations. We give such explanations if they have failed to obtain or understand such information from the embassies of the countries where they want to go and whose visas they need to obtain.

The problem was that our journalists who applied to the Embassy of the Central African Republic in Moscow failed to inform them that they were travelling there as journalists. They applied for tourist visas, so there was no way to warn them or explain, even no possibility to kick in and help. The embassy of the CAR did not know that they were travelling as journalists, the Russian Foreign Ministry did not know that they were going there at all, let alone as journalists, while our embassy in that country knew nothing at all.

As for the number of visas issued, we can tell you how many journalist visas were issued to foreign correspondents. As for how many Russian journalists obtained visas to go to various hot spots, this question should be asked of the respective countries that issue such visas. I can only tell you how many people seek consultations with us. Hundreds. This I can tell you, just hundreds. Even your colleagues sitting in this room, who regularly travel abroad, seek us out. We maintain regular contact with them on this subject. Most of them understand perfectly well that working in hot spots implies everything from accreditation and declaration of their route to body armour, helmet, protection or assistance from the local authorities, or from private agencies. This is our routine, we do this regularly, not only with journalists. There are similar groups such as bloggers. Many of our bloggers know this (we gave them advice and helped); we can also mention representatives of civil society, for example participants in motorcycle rallies in unstable regions. We dealt with such a case several years ago – a group applied for assistance and a visa to a country. We tried to dissuade them as best we could, explaining that no motorcycle rally was possible there because of ongoing military operations. They would not listen, went there without the proper papers and ended up in jail. We dealt with the release of these people. They were not journalists, but activists, representatives of a civil society agency. So this is our routine, we do it every day.



Question:

This question concerns Salisbury. You said before that our law enforcement agencies were involved in this case, but Britain ignores any inquiries. How do our agencies conduct this investigation? What methods are acceptable and can work when the other side has no desire to cooperate and share information?



Maria Zakharova:

For all my desire to talk about this issue, I still believe that the agencies involved should describe what methods they are using. I can only speak about the aspects that concern the Foreign Ministry.

When we receive an application, request or information from our law enforcement bodies – information that needs to be confirmed or provided, or when they need to communicate with certain people, including conversations and so on, a relevant query is officially sent through the Foreign Ministry (this practice is not limited to Britain but is traditional). Our embassy in the country concerned writes a note to the government agencies dealing with foreign policy, whether it’s the Foreign Office, the Department of State or the Foreign Ministry. Or if the country has this practice, a relevant query is sent directly to its law enforcement agencies; an application from our law enforcement bodies is sent.

In case of tragic events, a team of investigators will go there. When Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov was killed in Turkey, representatives of our law enforcement bodies worked directly at the site.

We can also work to collect information and conduct cooperative investigative activities (I’m sorry if I do not have the precise terms) with local law enforcement bodies onsite. This is what we are doing to facilitate the investigation.

As for the methods used, this is a question for the investigative bodies.



Question:

The Greek Embassy has increasingly been denying visas or issuing them for very short periods to Russian Orthodox clergymen, Russian citizens who would like to visit Mount Athos and other holy sites.

Prominent Moscow archpriest Vladimir Vigilyansky sent an open letter to Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Russia Andreas Fryganas on this issue the other day. Can the Foreign Ministry help resolve the issue and support those that are discriminated against on religious or professional grounds?



Maria Zakharova:

I can’t rule out that I am not aware of this; this is the first time I’m hearing that pilgrims who want to go to Greece just to see Mont Athos are denied visas. I will talk to our experts on Russian-Greek relations.

If you have specific materials, please forward them to us. We will check them out and reply.

Again, I have never heard any complaints about the work of the consular department of the Greek Embassy in Moscow on such issues.



Question:

I would like to raise a question on the spy scandal that The Guardian has been reporting on. Is this yet another planted story about the Russian woman who has been spying in the US Embassy in Moscow for ten years?



Maria Zakharova:

I have no idea what this is about. I cannot comment on what I don’t know. If there are some specific facts, please present them and we will try to figure it out.

I’ve seen these headlines but it is impossible to comment on something that is not based on facts. I think The Guardian should explain itself and tell us what they mean. Then we will clarify things and figure it out.



Question:

The second festival of Turkey in Russia will open in Moscow’s Krasnaya Presnya Park on August 10. How important is this event for the development of Russian-Turkish relations?



Maria Zakharova:

Any humanitarian interaction and cultural cooperation is certainly important. I would like to clarify this issue. If this is about a cultural festival, it can only be welcomed. I think we will have another briefing before August 10, and I will be able to tell you about it.



Question:

The foreign ministers of Russia and Iran met yesterday to discuss also the Caspian issue ahead of the 5th Caspian Summit on August 12. Will the summit include the signing of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea? Are the countries in the region ready for this agreement?



Maria Zakharova:

Next week we will provide detailed information on this matter. As before when I answered your questions or questions from your colleagues, the preparations are intensive, constructive and efficient.

It is rare that a process can be described as all of the above but this is exactly the case now. I believe that next week we will publish a comprehensive report on this issue.



Question:

Would you share your impressions of the Zhara Festival in Baku? Do you think events like this festival help strengthening the friendship between our countries?



Maria Zakharova:

I was happy to attend this event. I was invited to it officially. Honestly, I didn’t even imagine how big it would be. I talked about this extensively in the media but, using official words and giving official feedback, I want to say that it is an excellent example of the actual cultural cooperation that must happen.

This is an international festival, an international programme, an international event that unites rather than divides. It demonstrates that our specific features must not separate us and, all the more so, must not emphasise any differences that might form a watershed between us. Our specific features can in fact bring us together. We can use our traditions, customs, rituals and history for this unity. I think what I saw at the festival indicates that.


***


There is another matter that I was approached about literally fifteen minutes before the briefing.

On August 1, US citizen John Martin William III (born in 1972) was discovered near Mys Nunyamo (Chukotka Municipal District). The law enforcement agencies found that the US citizen is a resident of Soldotna, Alaska, and lives in Anchorage. He was travelling along the Yukon River (Alaska) in his personal one-man boat.

About two weeks ago, John Martin William III decided to sail into the open sea. Due to severe weather and unavailable navigation devices he spent several days out at sea and ended up in Russian territory. He was transported to the village of Lavrentiya in the Chukotka Municipal District. An investigation is underway. John Martin William III was provided with medical aid and an examination showed that his condition is satisfactory.

It is expected that he will be transported to Anadyr. The Chukotka Autonomous Area authorities have informed the US Consulate General in Vladivostok about this. This is the information available at the moment. He is doing fine and will be even better.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/press_service/s...ent/id/3314195
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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo



10 August 2018 - 18:09







On August 10, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke by phone with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo at the latter’s initiative.

The officials discussed a number of international issues, including the situation in Syria, as well as other subjects that were reviewed by the Russian and US presidents during their meeting in Helsinki on July 16.

Mr Lavrov conveyed Russia’s categorical refusal to accept the new sanctions recently announced by Washington in connection with Russia’s alleged involvement in the so-called Skripal case. He emphasised that neither the United States nor the UK, nor any other country has presented a single shred of evidence to support such assertions since the Salisbury incident.

The top diplomats agreed to maintain contacts on all issues of mutual interest.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3317361






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s participation in the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Caspian Littoral States



11 August 2018 - 17:28



Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Caspian Littoral States that was held in Aktau (Kazakhstan) on August 11 and focused on the preparations for the Fifth Caspian Summit scheduled for August 12.

Foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation and agreed on the modalities of further cooperation on the Caspian agenda after the upcoming signing of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea by the presidents of the Caspian littoral states.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3317429






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answers to media questions on the sidelines of the Fifth Caspian Summit, Aktau, August 12, 2018



12 August 2018 - 19:19







Question:

What is the Caspian Sea? Is it a lake, or a sea, or none of these?



Sergey Lavrov:

The Caspian is a special body of water. Its characteristics are spelled out in the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea (the Convention), which is available for consultation. The requirements concerning open seas and oceans as stipulated in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea do not apply to the Caspian Sea. The Caspian has a special regime reflected in the Convention. Thus, we found a compromise between those who demanded a full application of the 1982 Convention to the Caspian Sea – some of our Western colleagues had advanced such proposals for several years – and those who believed it was a lake, so there is nothing to discuss at all.

I think this is a very good result, something President Vladimir Putin called a “historic success” in his statement to the press, and so it is.



Question:

What about the non-deployment of other countries’ armed forces in the Caspian? How certain can we be that this situation will continue?



Sergey Lavrov:

We have no doubt that the heads of state who signed the document containing that commitment acted responsibly and with full awareness of what they were agreeing to.



Question:

The leaders of the Normandy Four have not met for a long time. Is it not time they met?



Sergey Lavrov:

We have already commented on this. We would like the Normandy Four to work more intensively, but do not want these meetings to end with agreements that are not observed. We have repeatedly cited examples from the Normandy Four summits in October 2015 in Paris and then in October 2016 in Berlin. During these summits, a very specific agreement was reached: the leaders themselves marked three villages on the map (Pokrovskoye, Zolotoye and Stanitsa Luganskaya), where not only heavy weapons, but all forces and equipment were to be removed. In the first two villages, the disengagement of forces and weapons has indeed taken place. In Stanitsa Luganskaya, the Ukrainian side, the Ukrainian authorities are still looking for any excuses to avoid this. In particular, they unilaterally demanded seven days of complete silence, with not a single shot, before they would begin the disengagement. Since then, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission has already announced 22 times that a 7-day, a week-long period of complete silence has been recorded. Ukrainian representatives immediately said that this was according to the OSCE’s statistics, but they had registered a couple of shots. The second agreement, reached in Paris and then confirmed in Berlin, was the so-called Steinmeier formula that detailed the enforcement of the Donbass special status law – an agreement made by the heads of state. It is not being implemented though, and neither is the Stanitsa Luganskaya agreement, so we asked our colleagues who want to resume the Normandy meetings at the highest level, to do so after previous agreements have been implemented, at least out of respect for the heads of state.



Question:

In a conversation with the US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, you expressed a categorical rejection of their statements about new US sanctions. What did Mr Pompeo say? Based on the events of recent weeks, is it worth holding US-Russia meetings at the highest level, if post-summit relations develop the way they are now?



Sergey Lavrov:

As for the objection to the latest US State Department act, I think everyone even vaguely aware of the so-called Skripal case understands the absurdity of the official document that the US has “established,” claiming that it was Russia that was guilty of the Salisbury incident.

Regarding your question about the point of meeting, we have actually never avoided contact, even with representatives of countries that pursue a clearly unfriendly policy towards us. If our leaders feel the need to meet and return to issues that we think should unite Russia and the United States, but which provoke rejection in some circles within the United States, I think a meeting will take place. At least, we are ready to develop such contacts at the level of foreign ministers – if the American side is ready to act on the basis of a balance of interests, equality and consideration of each other's positions, of course.



Question:

We have been given an ultimatum – there will be a second package of sanctions unless we do something right now.



Sergey Lavrov:

Not something. We were told that within three months after the first package is imposed on August 22, we will have to provide a certain guarantee that we will no longer behave like this and agree that foreign, international inspectors visit our chemical plants on demand. I can say only one thing – three years ago, based on all possible inspections that were carried out on our territory, we received confirmation from the OPCW that the process of chemical disarmament in the Russian Federation was complete. The United States should have done the same, around the same time. They have asked for another extension, until the early 2020s, I think, so it's probably necessary to say that there is a problem with the destruction of chemical weapons in the United States. We never closed our plants to inspectors. They visited every facility they wanted, and came to the conclusion that I have just mentioned.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3317526
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Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with a Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party delegation



3 August 2018 - 19:59







On August 3, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov met with the leadership of Lebanon’s Progressive Socialist Party Taymour Jumblatt, Wael Abou Faour and Halim Bou Fakhreddine.

The officials had an in-depth discussion on the situation in Lebanon. Mikhail Bogdanov reiterated Russia’s principled commitment to supporting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the multi-faith Lebanon, as well as stability in that country. Russia believes any external interference in the country’s domestic affairs to be unacceptable.

Special attention was given to the situation in Syria, Lebanon’s neighbour, with a focus on the need to achieve a political settlement in that country as soon as possible and create conditions that will allow Syrian refugees, including those currently staying in Lebanon, to return home.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314230






Comment by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on US sanctions against a Russian bank



3 August 2018 - 20:55




The sanctions against the Moscow-based Agrosoyuz commercial bank are the 54th time since 2011 that the United States has resorted to bullying our country. Even the American politicians suffering from an acute form of Russophobia have started to admit that none of their attempts to put pressure on Russia have worked. However, they continue to hold their ground with fanatical persistence. The only result they have managed to achieve so far is to demonstrate their helplessness.

Incidentally, the same goes for a host of draft laws that have been produced by the US Congress of late. Those who drafted them are seeking to impose further sanctions on our country, being blinded as they are by their firm belief in the inviolability of US hegemony. Of course, their attempts to stop Russia from following its path and dictate to us are doomed to failure. The absurd performances put up by senators and congressmen for the American public in a bid to have the voters better remember them in the run-up to the November elections cannot but make us smile.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314257






Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov’s answer to a journalist’s question on drug harm reduction programmes, Moscow, August 6, 2018



6 August 2018 - 16:14




Question:

Some media, including Russian outlets, are reporting on the “expert recommendations” following the International AIDS Conference AIDS2018 that took place on July 23-27, 2018 in Amsterdam. In particular, Russia is again being urged to adopt so-called harm reduction programmes, including the distribution of syringes, needle exchange, and the distribution of methadone to those using intravenous drugs.



Oleg Syromolotov:

I would like to say the following:

Under to the Russian strategy for national anti-drug policy until 2020, it is unacceptable to use drug replacement therapy on addicts of narcotic and psychotropic drugs, as is the legalisation of drugs for non-medicinal use.

The Federal Law on Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances prohibits the treatment of drug addiction with narcotic substances (Paragraph 6, Article 31), while methadone (phenadone) is on List P of narcotic drugs whose circulation in the Russian Federation is prohibited.

Harm reduction programmes, including needle exchange programmes, which as a rule precede the introduction of replacement (opiate) therapy, amount to the indirect legalisation of narcotics through official medical institutions.

We see the following risks in replacement therapy:

- supporting and increasing drug use among people, the destabilisation of the drug situation in the Russian Federation;

- increase in drug-related deaths;

- wider legal distribution of drugs with the predictable result that methadone and buprenorphine users and medical staff will get involved in the illegal circulation of said drugs;

- corruption risks in the healthcare system and law enforcement agencies;

- encouraging tolerance for drug use among the nation;

- destruction of the country’s demographic, intellectual and creative potential.

According to experts, methadone therapy does not help cure drug addiction, but rather methadone and buprenorphine lead to drug addiction or exacerbate it.

In terms of narcotic effect, these synthetic drugs are stronger than morphine and heroine and last three times as long.

Giving drug addicts such narcotic rations in fact slows down their search for effective treatment options, because it is much easier to give addicts drugs than help them adapt to a life without drugs.

Important are the financial interests of the manufacturers of this expensive drug; they want to continue the programme and, therefore, the production of methadone. They gamble with the lives of sick people.

An effective solution to the treatment of drug addicts involves actively searching for and introducing new medicines and means of making the addicts stop taking drugs, adaptation to life without drugs, while not replacing one drug with another.

The Russian Federation currently has effective multi-tier treatment and rehabilitation measures to treat drug addiction, with the end result of total abstinence. It includes treatment, medical and social rehabilitation and resocialisation.

These methods have been presented by Russian experts repeatedly at relevant international platforms, including the annual sessions of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

We hope that this information will prevent foreign experts from prescribing questionable drugs and encourage them to join their Russian colleagues in the search for effective ways to overcome drug addiction and related diseases.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314696






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov’s meeting with US Senator Rand Paul



6 August 2018 - 18:46



On August 6, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov met with US Senator Rand Paul. The officials exchanged views on current issues of bilateral relations and some aspects of the arms control agenda.

They paid special attention to the opportunities of developing inter-parliamentary contacts.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314826






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with a delegation from the International Federation of Kurdish Communities



6 August 2018 - 19:07







On August 6, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov received a delegation from the International Federation of Kurdish Communities led by Chairman Knyaz Mirzoyev.

Members of the delegation informed Mr Bogdanov about the results of the founding meeting of the International Federation of Kurdish Communities held in Moscow on August 4 and praised the level of cooperation and solidarity of the representatives of Kurdish non-government organisations, including those in Russia and Central Asia.

The participants also discussed the pressing issues in the Middle East with an emphasis on the Kurdish issues in the context of developments in Iraq and Syria, including the need to consolidate international efforts in countering ISIS and other terrorist groups.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314836






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with a delegation of leaders from the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine



7 August 2018 - 16:36



On August 7, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov received a delegation from the Islamic Jihad Movement headed by its Deputy General Secretary Ziyad al-Nakhalah.

The participants held a detailed exchange of views on a package of issues pertaining to the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including developments on the Gaza Strip and around it. The Russian officials emphasised the need for an early achievement of pan-Palestinian accord in the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, which is the only legal representative of the Palestinian people, as a necessary prerequisite for implementing their aspirations for an independent and territorially integral Palestinian state based on the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council and the Arab Peace Initiative.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3315162






Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova’s reply to a media question on tension between Canada and Saudi Arabia



8 August 2018 - 13:10




Question:

Relations between Canada and Saudi Arabia have recently soured after Canada’s Foreign Ministry criticised human rights violations and called for the immediate release of political activists in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has announced its decision to call its ambassador in Ottawa back for consultations, expel the Canadian Ambassador and suspend flights to Canada by the Saudi Arabia state airline.

Will you comment on this, please?



Maria Zakharova:

We consistently and firmly advocate compliance with universal human rights with due regard for the specific national customs and traditions that developed in a given country over a long period of time. We have always said that the politicisation of human rights matters is unacceptable.

We believe that Saudi Arabia, which has entered a path towards large-scale socioeconomic reform, has the sovereign right to decide how it will proceed in this vital sphere. What one probably needs in this situation is constructive advice and assistance rather than criticism from a “moral superior.”

At the same time, we hope that Saudi Arabia and Canada will find a civilised solution to their differences.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3315527






State Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin’s interview with the newspaper Kommersant, published on August 9, 2018



9 August 2018 - 11:03




Question:

What is the significance of the Aktau Summit for Moscow?



Grigory Karasin:

This summit will close a symbolic loop beginning in Ashkhabad in 2002, then followed by meetings of five heads of state held on all coasts of the Caspian Sea in Tehran, Baku, Astrakhan, and now back to the eastern coast, in Aktau. The date is also important since coastal countries have been marking August 12 as Caspian Sea Day since 2007.

A very good present has been prepared for the occasion. At long last, after more than 20 years of talks, the draft Convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea will be submitted to the leaders for review. Once adopted, this comprehensive international treaty will signal the end of a major period in the history of the Caspian region, which started with the dissolution of the USSR, and the dawning of a new, forward-looking era.



Question:

Who stands to benefit the most from this convention?



Grigory Karasin:

This will be a fundamental instrument regulating the system of interactions in the Caspian Region, and will be equally beneficial for all state parties.

The convention will not only help substantially enhance trust among them alongside security in the Caspian Sea, but will also facilitate economic cooperation, improve the region’s investment appeal and make the five Caspian states more competitive when it comes to carrying out joint projects with a view of boosting development and unleashing the potential of their most advanced industries. We all stand to benefit from a more predictable environment offering lower risks in one of the key regions of Eurasia.



Question:

What was the formula that enabled the parties to agree on a draft after 20 years of talks?



Grigory Karasin:

The formula is quite simple. It consists of respecting each other’s interests multiplied by responsiveness when dealing with negotiating partners.



Question:

This does not sound very realistic.



Grigory Karasin:

There is much talk today about the emergence of new rules of play in international relations. These discussions most often focus on conflicts that have already erupted, or spectacular publicity stunts that have no added value for people. At the same time, it is not uncommon for these flashy gestures by those aiming for the headlines to overshadow efforts that are less striking, but of no less importance and requiring tedious efforts by countries and their people to come to compromises on the most challenging matters.

In these many years of diplomatic work we have really succeeded in bringing closer together the positions of five countries – Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan, who were so far apart at the outset.



Question:

But how was this possible?



Grigory Karasin:

Without any dictate or arm-twisting. We were calm and pragmatic when working on a code of conduct in our common water basin in order to make it acceptable for everyone. After all, we are neighbours, and want to live in peace and friendship. These principles are self-evident to any reasonable person, and this is what underpins our cooperation.



Question:

I understand that until the convention is signed you cannot share too many details. Nevertheless, is the Caspian viewed as a sea or as a lake in the latest version?



Grigory Karasin:

It is neither of the two. The Caspian Sea will have a special legal status, which is due to a series of specific geographical, hydrological and other factors. It is an enclosed inland body of water that has no direct links to the global ocean, so it cannot be viewed as a sea.

At the same time, given its size, water composition and specifically its seabed structure, it cannot be considered a lake either. In this regard, the Caspian Sea is neither covered by the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea nor the principles regulating cross-border lakes, since only its bed can be divided into sectors, while other principles are used to determine sovereignty over superjacent waters.



Question:

As far as we know, the draft convention was not entirely clear on seabed delimitation, which is a key controversial issue. Does this mean that the delimitation of natural resources has been left outside of the convention’s scope and will be addressed by state parties separately?



Grigory Karasin:

Caspian states have long found ways of settling matters of this kind between neighbours in bilateral or trilateral formats. This is to say that a pentalateral format did not exist. I believe that the agreements signed by Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, as well as those between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, could serve as a model for the delimitation of the sea’s southern section.

At the same time, the convention clearly stipulates that this delimitation only refers to subsoil natural resources, and creates an obligation for the parties to hold relevant talks based on international law. After delimitation, coastal states obtain full jurisdiction over the subsoil resources in their part of the seabed. However, the legal status of superjacent waters is different, as I have already said.



Question:

Russia is the most active country when it comes to deploying its military in the Caspian Region. To what extent does the draft convention take into consideration Moscow’s interests in this area, specifically regarding the movement of Navy ships and holding naval exercises in the Caspian Sea?



Grigory Karasin:

I cannot agree that Russia shows more activity in this area compared to other countries. All our partners within the Caspian Region are proactive when it comes to developing their navy. In the convention, we agree to clearly set out the common principles to this effect.

As for Russia’s interests, I can tell you that they are fully taken in consideration. The regime created by the convention guarantees the freedom to develop the Russian Navy and enables its ships to use the common waters. The instrument also stipulates safe navigation rules for the coastal zone and in places of intense economic activity.

The fact that security within the Caspian is the exclusive prerogative of the Caspian states is also set forth in the protocols to the 2010 Agreement on Security Cooperation in the Caspian Sea to be signed at the Aktau Summit. These are the protocols on combining efforts to fight international terrorism and organised crime, as well as on stepping up cooperation among coastal guard services of the five countries.



Question:

Will the Aktau summit be the last one?



Grigory Karasin:

Not at all. There is a collective understanding that not only do we have to keep up the tempo and not decrease it, but vice versa we have to accelerate it.

It took us all these years to work out just nine instruments creating binding obligations for five countries, while in Aktau as many as six new intergovernmental agreements will be signed on top of a major international treaty.

We expect the convention to reinforce the Caspian format. It is high time that we look into creating a permanent framework for consultations.



Question:

What do you really mean here? Are you about to establish a new regional structure?



Grigory Karasin:

I think that there will be interesting proposals made at the summit. Let us wait until Sunday and see.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3315961






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko’s meeting with Estonian Ambassador to Russia Margus Laidre



9 August 2018 - 13:16



On August 9, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko received the new Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Russian Federation, Margus Laidre, who presented the copies of his credentials.

The deputy minister and the ambassador exchanged opinions on the main issues related to Russia-Estonia relations, including difficulties, and several topical international matters. The ambassador was advised to focus on the need to create an appropriate environment for a bilateral dialogue and practical cooperation.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3316385






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with Arab League’s appointed representative to Russia Jaber Habib Jaber



9 August 2018 - 14:04







On August 9, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov received the newly appointed representative of the League of Arab States (LAS) to Russia, Jaber Habib Jaber, who presented his accreditation letter.

The two officials had a detailed exchange of views on the ongoing developments in the Middle East and North Africa with a focus on promoting crisis settlement in the region, as well as consolidating efforts in fighting international terrorism.

They also discussed topical matters related to further efforts to step up cooperation between Russia and the Arab League, including in the context of preparations for the fifth ministerial session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum, to be held in Moscow.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3316395






Press release on State Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin’s meeting with Moldovan Ambassador Andrei Neguta



10 August 2018 - 12:34



On August 10, State Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin met with Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the Russian Federation Andrei Neguta.

The diplomats discussed important issues of mutual concern in Russian-Moldovan relations, including the schedule of upcoming bilateral contacts at various levels.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3316867






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui



10 August 2018 - 15:37



On August 10, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov received Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Russia Li Hui at his request.

During the meeting the officials exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3317047
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Press release on the meeting of foreign ministers of the East Asia Summit and the 25th session of the ASEAN Regional Forum on Security member countries



4 August 2018 - 15:29



On August 4, Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov attended the meeting of the foreign ministers of the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the 25th session of the ASEAN Regional Forum on Security (ARF) member countries in Singapore.

The main focus was on the preparations for the 13th East Asia Summit to be held on November 15 in Singapore. The partners supported Russia’s initiative to adopt a statement on counteracting the threat posed by foreign militant terrorists in the Asia-Pacific Region.

The participants also discussed the practical implementation of the Manila Action Plan 2018-2022 in the field of energy, finance, education, healthcare, emergency response collaboration, coherence, food security and cooperation at sea.

The Russian delegation emphasised the importance of the strengthening of a world order based on equality and justice in the Asia-Pacific Region, the further development of a forum dialogue on forming a comprehensive, adequate to the current reality regional security architecture, as well as joining efforts in counteracting terrorism and other challenges, the promotion of integration efforts and the building of a free as well as open space without discrimination.

Participants in the ARF session discussed the practical interaction on providing security and enhancing trust measures in the Asia-Pacific Region. Russia and Indonesia will co-chair the Inter-Sessional Meetings on Terrorism Counteraction and Transnational Crime in 2018-2019. Participants also praised the first results of the ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on ICT Security launched in 2017.

The Statement on Cooperation in Emergency Response and the Forum Action Plan for 2018-2019 were adopted.

Participants exchanged opinions on key international and regional matters, including the developments on the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea.

On the sidelines of the meetings, Igor Morgulov had a meeting with Director General for ASEAN Cooperation (Deputy Foreign Minister) of Indonesia Jose Antonio Morato Tavares, Deputy Foreign Minister of Laos Thongphane Savanphet, Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Singapore Chee Wee Kiong and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong. The officials discussed current matters concerning bilateral relations, the Russia-ASEAN dialogue partnership, as well as interaction within the EAS, ARF and other multilateral associations in the Asia-Pacific Region.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314336






Foreign Ministry statement



5 August 2018 - 12:59


We strongly condemn the assassination attempt on the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on August 4, 2018, which left seven people injured. We consider it absolutely unacceptable to use terrorist methods as political tools. It is obvious that the aim of such actions is to destabilise the situation in the country following the recent congress of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, which outlined the priority steps to restore the national economy.

We are confident that the settlement of political disputes must be provided solely by peaceful and diplomatic means. We stand with the people of Venezuela and wish those injured a speedy recovery.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314354






Comment by the Information and Press Department on Special Representative for Russia-US Cultural Links, Cultural and Historical Heritage



6 August 2018 - 12:50







Prominent actor, film producer and musician Steven Seagal has been appointed Special Representative for Russia-US Cultural Links, Cultural and Historical Heritage in a voluntary capacity. The special representative will perform his duties without any financial remuneration and for the purpose of strengthening direct contacts, mutual understanding and trust between the Russian and American peoples.

It is expected that in his new role, Steven Seagal will assist in the development and implementation of various projects for bilateral cooperation in the field of culture, arts, science, education, sports, public and youth exchanges, as well as participate in respective events in Russia and abroad, and maintain contacts with partners in the United States. Moreover, the special representative will be involved in the preservation of memorial sites in the US that are somehow connected with Russia, research into and the promotion of the Russian America legacy and other chapters of our common history that are of great interest for both nations.

We appreciate Mr Seagal’s willingness to use his experience and authority for promotion of the Russia-US public, cultural and humanitarian links as well as for building a more positive atmosphere in bilateral affairs. We wish him every success in this capacity.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314623






Press release on the Foreign Ministry’s demarche to Ambassador of Greece to Russia Andreas Fryganas



6 August 2018 - 17:21



On August 6, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hellenic Republic to the Russian Federation Andreas Fryganas was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where a note was handed to the Ambassador that informed him of Russian’s retaliatory measures in response to Athens' unfriendly actions towards Russian diplomatic officials and citizens in July.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3314796






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the 10th anniversary of the August 2008 events in the Caucasus



7 August 2018 - 11:48



Ten years ago, on the night of August 7-8, 2008, the Government of Mikheil Saakashvili in Georgia breached the agreement on a peaceful settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict by launching a full-scale military operation against South Ossetia.

Georgia’s aggression against Tskhinval, which has been universally recognised as a party to the conflict, had not been provoked in any way. Under the 1992 agreement signed between Russia and Georgia in Sochi, security in South Ossetia was maintained by the Joint Peacekeeping Forces (JPKF), comprising three battalions from Russia, South Ossetia and Georgia. There was also a Joint Control Commission comprising Russia, Georgia, North Ossetia and South Ossetia. Despite Georgia’s repeated attempts to revise the Sochi agreement, at the time of the conflict the Russian peacekeepers were deployed in South Ossetia legally within the framework of an internationally recognised settlement mechanism. OSCE observers had also been deployed in South Ossetia since 1992.

As for Abkhazia, it was officially recognised a party to the conflict in the documents adopted by the UN Security Council, including Resolution 1808, one of the recent documents adopted on this issue. A UN Observer Mission was deployed there alongside the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Force.

Late at night on August 7, Georgian forces launched a large-scale artillery attack on Tskhinval, which lasted until the following morning. Georgian General Mamuka Kurashvili announced in a televised statement that “Georgia has launched an operation to restore constitutional order in South Ossetia.” Georgia’s Grad multiple launch rocket systems stationed around Tskhinval shelled the South Ossetian capital, making no distinction between military and residential targets. On August 8, the Georgian army, supported by tanks and armoured vehicles as well as the special operations forces of the Interior Ministry, entered Tskhinval.

At the same time, the Georgian army attacked the Russian peacekeepers’ settlement. Some time before that, the Georgian military observers covertly left the area of the peacekeepers’ joint headquarters and observation posts. On August 8-10, the peacekeeping battalion repelled at least five Georgian attacks. Ten Russian peacekeepers were killed and some 40 wounded. The buildings and equipment in the peacekeepers’ settlement were destroyed or seriously damaged.

The Georgian attacks devastated Tskhinval. The majority of residential blocks were razed to the ground or damaged. The city’s utility and other critical infrastructure as well as industrial facilities were damaged, along with several villages near Tskhinval.

In light of direct threat to the life of Russian citizens in South Ossetia, the Russian leadership decided to launch an operation to enforce peace on Georgia.

The fact that it was Georgia who launched the aggression was later officially confirmed, including in the report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia, which was established by decision of the Council of the European Union and chaired by Heidi Tagliavini from Switzerland. The report was published in autumn 2009.

The participation of the Russian armed forces in repelling the attack on South Ossetia was legitimate and in keeping with the right of self-defence as stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter. The Russian Federation used its armed forces in response to a large-scale Georgian attack on the Russian peacekeeping units that were deployed in South Ossetia legally and with Georgia’s permission. As per Article 51 of the UN Charter, Russia notified the UN Security Council of the application of the right of self-defence.

The Russian military operation in South Ossetia was launched solely to stop the Georgian aggression and to prevent a recurrence of aggression. The planning and implementation of that operation was strictly commensurate to the threat from Georgia. Upon completing the operation, the units of the Russian Armed Forces taking part in it were pulled back from Georgia in October 2008 in accordance with the principles for a settlement of the conflict coordinated by President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and President of France Nicolas Sarkozy (the Medvedev-Sarkozy six-point plan, which is often mistakenly referred to a ceasefire agreement) and the subsequent agreements of September 8, 2008.

On August 26, 2008, Russia recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in keeping with the relevant provisions of the UN Charter, the 1970 UN Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States, the 1975 Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and other fundamental international documents. The attack on South Ossetia and preparations for a similar operation against Abkhazia, which were the final stage of Georgia’s years-long policy of coercion against these nations, left them with no other option than to protect their security and the right to existence by proclaiming their self-determination as independent states.

By recognising the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russia also assumed responsibility not only for their security but also largely for their development as modern, democratic and socially and economically prosperous countries. The establishment of diplomatic relations with them on September 9, 2008 and the signing of the Treaties of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance on September 17, 2008 provided the basis for Russia’s active interaction with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

On September 8, 2008, the presidents of Russia and France approved their plan of August 12, which set out six principles for the settlement of these conflicts. Based on this plan, a new international format on stability and security in the South Caucasus, the Geneva International Discussions (GID), was launched on October 15, 2008. This event formalised the new political and legal realities that developed in the region following the Georgian military operation, much as some forces would like to present this in a different light. It has been agreed that representatives of Abkhazia, Georgia, South Ossetia, the EU, the OSCE, the UN, Russia and the United States will be equally represented at the Geneva discussions as direct parties to the settlement that are interested in maintaining stability and security in the South Caucasus. The EU, the OSCE and the UN co-chair the Geneva discussions by agreement between the parties.

The main lesson of the 2008 tragedy is that it is senseless and counterproductive to try to use force to settle international disputes or conflicts, especially when the issue concerns the complex and delicate sphere of ethnic relations. The use of violence in such cases can only have the most painful and sometimes irremediable consequences. Over the ensuing period, Russia has been working in the South Caucasus to resume dialogue and comprehensive negotiations between Georgia on the one hand, and Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the other hand. The first step towards this goal could be the signing of non-use-of-force agreements. We hope that common sense will prevail after all.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3315007






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the reinstatement of exterritorial US sanctions against Iran



7 August 2018 - 14:43



We are deeply disappointed with US efforts to reinstate national sanctions against Iran. The introduction of the first package of US restrictions aims to thwart the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which Washington unilaterally withdrew on May 8. This is a graphic example of Washington’s continued violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and trampling upon the norms of international law.

We denounce any unilateral sanctions in circumvention of the UN Security Council’s decisions, all the more so if they have exterritorial applications and affect the interests of third countries, as is the case with the current US restrictions against Iran.

The JCPOA has completely proved its worth and efficiency. The IAEA regularly confirms that Iran unfailingly honours its obligations. The Plan’s verification, control and monitoring measures are being carried out in full. This itself reliably attests to the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme.

The international community must prevent these significant achievements of multilateral diplomacy from being sacrificed to US aspirations to square political accounts with Iran on issues that have nothing to do with the JCPOA. As long-term experience shows, it will be impossible to secure concessions from Iran using pressure tactics.

We are confident that the JCPOA has a sufficiently large margin of safety. The parties to this agreement have the potential for overcoming the current difficulties. We reaffirm our commitment to the JCPOA.

We will do everything possible in the interests of preserving and effectively implementing the JCPOA in full measure. We are implementing the relevant measures to protect trade and economic cooperation with Iran at national level. Together with other responsible parties to the JCPOA, we continue to elaborate collective decisions aiming to preserve and expand international trade and financial cooperation with Iran. These tasks were set by foreign ministers of states, parties to the JCPOA, in a statement on the results of its Joint Commission’s meeting on July 6. We believe that this work meets the interests of the entire international community.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3315118






Press release on agreement on peaceful settlement of domestic conflict in the Republic of South Sudan



7 August 2018 - 16:38



On August 5, an agreement on the outstanding issues of the administration and the division of responsibility between the sides in the conflict was signed in Khartoum as part of the talks conducted by the East-African Intergovernmental Authority on Development. This agreement naturally continues the Khartoum declaration of June 27 of this year on a ceasefire in South Sudan and the agreement of July 7 of this year on outstanding security issues.

The new document was signed by President of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit, leader of the armed opposition Riek Machar who must be reinstated as the country’s first Vice President, and representatives of other major military-political groups. President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir and President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni acted as guarantors of the agreement. The ceremony was attended by the presidents of Kenya and Djibouti, the prime minister of Somalia, and deputy prime minister of Ethiopia. The sides agreed to hold additional talks in Khartoum on the most complicated issues, such as the implementation mechanism and the order for the return of the armed opposition leaders to power.

Moscow welcomes the progress reached in the negotiations on South Sudan and hopes that the parties involved will continue their constructive dialogue aimed at consistent and strict implementation of all agreements.

We praise the personal mediation of President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir who made a tangible contribution to ensuring peace in South Sudan. We note that the persistent diplomatic efforts of the African community to defuse crises on the continent produce the best results, confirming by deed the African Union’s proclaimed principle of “African solutions to African problems.”




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3315172






Press release on the situation in Mozambique



8 August 2018 - 12:41



On August 6, President of the Republic of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi made a statement to the nation on the signing that day of a memorandum of understanding between the government and the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo). The memorandum stipulates the demilitarisation, demobilisation and partial integration of the main opposition party’s forces, which Renamo preserved after the end of the civil war in 1992, into the regular army of Mozambique. Although relatively small and only charged with protecting the Renamo leadership, these armed groups were often used in the ongoing political struggle to pressure the Mozambican legitimate authorities.

Together with the consensus previously reached between the government and the opposition regarding the decentralisation of power and the adoption of amendments to the constitution and the election legislation, the memorandum is a key element of the package of agreements that are designed to bring about a lasting political settlement in Mozambique.

President Filipe Nyusi also urged the international community to support the efforts of the Mozambican government and opposition to implement these agreements.

Moscow welcomes the signing of this memorandum. We support the friendly Mozambican people and hope that the settlement of differences between the government and the opposition will preclude a repetition of military confrontation and help establish a lasting peace, which Mozambique needs for a comprehensive and sustainable development.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3315517






Press release on Russia-Iran consultations on counterterrorism



9 August 2018 - 13:15



On August 9, Russia and Iran held foreign ministry consultations on counterterrorism that were co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Gholam Hossein Dehghani. During the meeting the officials discussed current issues on the international counterterrorism agenda, including the priority tasks of relevant international cooperation.

They exchanged views on terrorist threats in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and shared the two country’s experience and best practices used when countering terrorism.

They reaffirmed their commitment to a principled position on the need to consolidate the efforts of the international community, with the central coordinating role being played by the UN, in the global struggle against international terrorism and extremism on the basis of international legal standards.

The officials focused on the need to step up international cooperation with a view to countering foreign terrorist fighters and curbing the material and ideological support for terrorist organisations.

They also discussed prospects for cooperation and exchange of information in the area of combating terrorism in a bilateral format and at key international venues, primarily the UN.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3316375






Press release on the 120th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Plurinational State of Bolivia



9 August 2018 - 17:36



On August 9, Russia and Bolivia celebrate the 120th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. On that day in 1898, Bolivian Presidential Envoy Francisco de Argandona presented his credentials to Emperor Nicholas II.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Huanacuni Mamani exchanged messages of greetings on the occasion of this memorable date.

In his message, Mr Lavrov noted the long road travelled by the two countries in developing friendly and equitable interstate relations, the enduring traditions of bilateral cooperation and the tangible results in promoting the political dialogue and cooperating in the international arena.

In turn, Mr Mamani emphasised Russia’s important contribution to the formation of a more fair and equitable world arrangement and the trustworthy relations of friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3316509






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the US application to the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea (1718) on expanding sanctions



10 August 2018 - 10:53



Russia has blocked the US application to the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea (1718) on introducing international sanctions against one individual and several legal entities, including the Russian commercial bank Agrosoyuz that are allegedly involved in illegal activities that are violating the sanctions regime against that country.

The US-presented evidence in support of this proposal is totally unconvincing. We cannot accept the pressure exerted by the US delegation in the UN Security Council and its subsidiary bodies, which has already become a norm. By means of an artificially tightened deadline, it is trying to push through its own decisions without taking into account the opinion of the other members. The Americans are also obviously trying to use the prestige of UN Security Council Committee 1718 for justifying similar unilateral restrictions that they have just introduced under far-fetched pretexts.

Far from improving the atmosphere of Russia-US relations, the new US sanctions contradict the logic of easing tension around the DPRK. Clearly, Washington is trying to keep Pyongyang under maximum pressure as long as possible, in effect, up to the completion of the denuclearisation process. This policy is destructive for settling the issues of the Korean Peninsula and evokes extreme resentment.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3316726






Comment by the Information and Press Department on civilian casualties in Yemen



10 August 2018 - 14:34



Moscow is deeply concerned over the continued loss of civilian life as a result of the ongoing armed conflict in Yemen.

Reportedly, a civilian bus was attacked from the air in the northwestern province of Saada on the morning of August 9. At least 50 people were killed and 77 wounded, most of whom were children and teenagers.

Several days before that, on August 2, dozens of civilian casualties resulted from a similar strike on a fish market and a hospital in the town of Hodeida on the Red Sea coast.

Leaders of the Houthi movement Ansar Allah, which controls the areas where these shocking events took place, put the blame for what happened on the Saudi Arabia-led Arab coalition. At the same time, Riyadh categorically denies that its forces were involved in these incidents, claiming, in particular, that the target of the air strike on Saada was a missile launcher that was used to attack the Saudi province of Jazan the day before. It has also been stated that on August 2 the “coalition” air force did not conduct any military operations in the vicinity of ​​Hodeida, and the attack on the hospital and the market was allegedly staged by the Houthi themselves using mortars.

A thorough and comprehensive investigation of these tragic incidents is essential. Those responsible for killing and wounding innocent people should be held accountable. At the same time, we re-issue our call to the warring parties in Yemen to strictly observe the provisions of international humanitarian law and to take urgent measures that would help avoid such tragedies in the future. We continue to believe that the speedy cessation of bloodshed in Yemen and the settlement of all existing disagreements at the negotiating table on the basis of mutual consideration of the interests of the main political forces of that country is the only reasonable way to put an end to the suffering of peaceful Yemenis.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3316963






Press release on exchange of ratification letters regarding Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan



11 August 2018 - 17:48







On August 11 in Aktau (Kazakhstan), Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov exchanged letters of ratification regarding the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan signed by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on October 2, 2017, in Ashgabat. Under Article 18, the Agreement took effect on the day when the letters of ratification were exchanged.

The parties expressed confidence in the fact that practical implementation of the agreements formalised in the document will help to strengthen as well as further develop Russian-Turkmenistani cooperation. The officials shared their opinions on current matters concerning bilateral and regional affairs.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3317460
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Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, August 9, 2018



9 August 2018 - 19:22











Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to participate in the Meeting of the Caspian Littoral States’ Foreign Ministers

On August 11, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the 8th Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Caspian Littoral States dedicated to hosting the 5th Caspian Summit.

The most recent such meeting was held in Moscow on December 4-5, 2017.

I would also like to draw your attention to a detailed interview with State Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin published today in the Kommersant newspaper on Caspian issues and preparations for the events, which I just mentioned.



Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s upcoming visit to Turkey

On August 13-14, at the invitation of Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu, which was extended in February, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will attend a meeting of ambassadors and permanent representatives of Turkey to international organisations.

As part of his visit, Minister Lavrov will speak at the meeting and meet with Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. The focus of the Russian-Turkish meeting will be on important issues on the international agenda, including the state of affairs in the Syrian settlement process, the Middle East, the Transcaucasus, Central Asia, Ukraine and the Black Sea region, and other important matters.

The ministers will consider the agenda for promoting bilateral trade and economic relations with an emphasis on monitoring the implementation of key energy projects, in particular, the construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and the construction of the first nuclear power station in Turkey at the Akkuyu site, as well as expanding ties in new areas. The upcoming schedule of meetings at various levels will also be considered.

We will keep you posted of changes in Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s schedule.



The situation in Syria

Overall, the situation in Syria remains tense. However, positive dynamics are taking hold. Hotbeds of terrorism have been eliminated in southwestern Syria. Control over the border with Jordan was restored. The process of normalisation of life in the areas liberated from terrorists is nearing completion. The infrastructure is being restored in the reconciled provinces of Quneitra and Daraa, and assistance is being provided to returning civilians. The Syrian Red Crescent Society, in cooperation with UN World Food Programme, sent 64,000 food packages to Daraa over the past month. About 1,500 people received proper medical care at Syrian Red Crescent Society’s three mobile clinics. The legal status of former members of illegal armed groups continues to be settled. In particular, over the past months, over 500 militants and deserters in Teyiba and Amtaya towns have taken advantage of presidential amnesty.

With the elimination of terrorists near the Golan Heights, the UN Disengagement Observer Force received an opportunity to resume patrolling in the Ubur post area, which was interrupted in 2014. Syrian and Russian military are deployed along this UN demarcation line.

Syrian government forces launched a large-scale counter-terrorist operation in eastern Suwayda province. Artillery and aviation are working on the remaining ISIS strongholds.

In response to provocations staged by Jabhat al-Nusra and its associated illegal armed groups, the Syrian army is delivering strikes on their positions in western Idlib, as well as in the mountainous areas in northern Latakia province. An attack by Nusra in northern Hama province has been successfully pushed back.

Within the framework of the Syrian leadership's stated course on the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, the Syrian government decided to create a special Coordinating Committee headed by Minister of Local Administration and Environment Hussein Makhlouf who reported the return of over 3 million internally displaced persons to their homes.

In addition, according to the UN, about 890,000 refugees may return to Syria in the coming months. The administration of the town of Rastan in northern Homs province reported that about 1,500 local residents returned there over the three months since the city was liberated from terrorists. In the neighbouring town of Talbiseh, the population grew from 5,000 to 12,000 with many civilians returning home.



Progress of the investigation into the deaths of Russian journalists in the CAR

On August 7, officials of the Russian Embassy in the Central African Republic (CAR) held a meeting with the leadership of the National Gendarmerie of the CAR. Local law enforcers updated the Russian diplomats on the facts uncovered during the investigation of the journalists’ murder, and allowed them to talk with the chauffeur who drove them, an eyewitness of what happened.

According to the driver’s testimony, on July 28, the Russians met him in one of Bangui's cafes and asked him to accompany them in his private car for ten days.

On the next day, the journalists attempted to get into Berengo training camp, where Russian instructors train Central African soldiers, but, since they had no official approval from the Central African Defence Ministry to visit the military facility, they were denied access by the Central African soldiers guarding the camp.

On July 30, at about 11 am, the journalists went to the town of Bambari, north of the capital of the CAR. They stopped in Damara, 70 km away from Bangui, and spent one and a half hours filming and talking with the locals. After that, without explaining their motives, the journalists abruptly decided to deviate from the original itinerary, asking the driver to go to Dekoa. On arrival at Sibut, a town on the way to Dekoa, around 6.30 pm, their car was stopped by a Central African military patrol, who strongly recommended not going further and spending the night in Sibut, because beyond the city laid an uncontrolled area. However, the journalists insisted on going, saying they were in a hurry, and after a long dispute, they were allowed to go on.

Concerning the crime, the driver mainly repeated his previous account of the attack by unknown armed robbers on the Dekoa road between 8 and 9 pm.

CAR law enforcement authorities continue to investigate the attack. The laptop, removable storage media, and mobile phone with Russian and Central African sim cards belonging to one of the journalists could be important evidence for the investigators. A request is being prepared to the local cellular operator to provide information about calls and messages made from that phone.

In response to the Russian Investigative Committee, the director of the CAR National Gendarmerie confirmed to our embassy in Bangui that they are open to cooperation with Russian investigators, ready to receive them in the CAR and provide the necessary conditions for their work, including security and organising a visit to the crime scene.

We note the CAR authorities’ willingness to cooperate with the Russian side to clarify all the circumstances of the tragedy. We are satisfied with the way the interaction with the Central African authorities is currently proceeding.

The Russian Foreign Ministry continues to prioritise this matter and, as information becomes available, will report on the progress of the investigation, in cooperation with Russian law enforcement agencies.



Update on Maria Butina following her arrest in the US

A special focus for us is the case of Maria Butina, who was arrested on July 15 in the United States on charges of being an agent of a foreign government.

We are taking all possible measures to improve the conditions of her confinement, where she has faced outright discrimination on the part of the US authorities. This Russian woman is being subjected to overt psychological pressure, including frequent searches of her cell, denial of medical assistance, as well as various restrictions that do not apply to other prisoners.

It is quite obvious that all these steps are being taken in an attempt to force Butina to plead guilty. It stands to reason because all the accusations against our citizen are clearly contrived and based on social media messages taken out of context.

Therefore, we demand an immediate end to the criminal prosecution of Maria Butina, a victim of the internal politics of the United States, and her release.

For our part, we will continue to press the US authorities to respect her rights and legitimate interests.



Russian citizens’ detention in the United States

We are concerned about new reports of Russians arrested in the United States. Last week, FBI agents detained Maxim Suverin, Nikolay Tupikin, Stanislav Lisitsky, and Alexey Livadny on charges of fraud and money laundering as part of a criminal group.

The Russian Embassy in Washington appealed to the State Department for clarification, and the Consulate General in New York contacted the local FBI office and met with Suverin at the detention center. At present, we are determining the whereabouts of the others and working on organising a consular meeting with them.

We continue to closely monitor the situation, while taking all possible steps to protect the rights and legitimate interests of our citizens.



US decision introducing new anti-Russian sanctions

Unfortunately, we again have to return to the issue of Washington’s sanctions against Russia.

Yesterday, the US Department of State announced a new set of restrictions. This time the Skripal poisoning case was chosen as the trumped-up pretext. The Russian leadership is directly accused of using the nerve agent Novichok in spite of the fact that up to now the UK has failed to present any evidence of Russia’s involvement in what happened in Salisbury and has been refusing to cooperate with Russia in the investigation. Nevertheless, despite the absence of any evidence whatsoever, the US administration, hiding behind some notion of allied solidarity, considered it necessary to introduce odious new sanctions.

The announced restrictions, which are due to take effect on August 22, include a ban on any foreign assistance to Russia except humanitarian, a ban on the sale of military and dual purpose goods and a denial of government loans or other financial assistance. The demands that have been made as a condition for the sanctions to be lifted are patently unacceptable to us. And this is just the first phase. We are being threatened with tighter sanctions pressure.

In this way, the US is deliberately seeking to further aggravate bilateral relations that have already been reduced to almost zero through its own efforts. Instead of earnestly searching for ways to improve relations, as discussed during the recent summit in Helsinki, the US administration has done everything to make the situation even more complicated.

The goal of those who are behind the latest twist in the so-called Skripal case is obvious. They are seeking to keep the anti-Russian theme going for their own benefit in order to continue demonising Russia. Moreover, this is an attempt to portray our country as a state that fails to honour its international commitments. In this specific case, these are commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), although it is well known that Russia eliminated all its chemical weapons last year in strict compliance with its CWC obligations, whereas the Americans have yet to destroy their own chemical warfare arsenals and keep postponing the deadline for the implementation of the corresponding programme. Against this background, all these groundless accusations look utterly cynical.

Russia has repeatedly warned that talking to us from a position of strength and in the language of ultimatums is futile and pointless. We will consider counter measures to this most recent unfriendly move by Washington.

In this context, assurances by the US administrations that it will nevertheless continue working towards improving relations with Russia look bizarre. This is unconcealed hypocrisy. Unfortunately, Washington’s deeds suggest otherwise. One gets the impression that the US and its allies have adopted a new standard of conduct, levelling at Russia all sorts of odious accusations unsubstantiated by any evidence.

I would like to add that in response to a direct question by a Russian representative, who was invited to the US Department of State, as to whether the investigation into the “Skripal case” had concluded, no answer was forthcoming. What this means is that the accusations were not built on any legal foundation whatsoever, despite invocations of international law, compliance with legal norms and honouring of commitments. There was no answer to a direct question because there was nothing to say. This is evident because UK investigative authorities are scant of comments.

This is not the only u-turn that the US administration has made lately. There are also the new economic restrictions against China and the resumption of sanctions against Iran, which I will discuss in more detail. It looks like part of the political elite in the US has completely lost their senses.



Resumption of unilateral sanctions against Iran by the United States

On August 6, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that restores the anti-Iranian sanctions in two stages. The sanctions were suspended in 2016 in connection with the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear programme. The first restrictions came into force on August 7. They were related to financing and banking in the Islamic Republic and a number of commodities, including civilian aircraft. The second wave of sanctions is planned for November 5 and is aimed against Iran’s oil and energy sectors.

These are exterritorial restrictions, that also include individuals and organisations from third countries, against cooperating with Iran in the areas banned by US laws.

We have emphasised more than once that Washington’s course towards destroying the JCPOA and restoring the full-scale pressure of the sanctions on Iran is absolutely destructive. By taking this step, the US is again acting against the opinion of the majority of states and is pursuing its own narrow, opportunistic interests, flagrantly violating international legal standards, including UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that nobody in the US would have considered vetoing at one time.

Obviously, Washington’s grievances against Iran’s fully legitimate nuclear activities are just a cover up for its efforts to maintain political pressure against Tehran under far-fetched pretexts. In the process it is overtly ignoring the interests of other countries, including US European allies. Washington is twisting their arm by compelling them to give up mutually beneficial trade and economic relations with Iran.

It is clear that these voluntary actions by the US administration will have long-term negative consequences for global non-proliferation and will impart an additional destabilising effect on the situation in the Middle East.

Russia remains committed to the JCPOA and continues to be guided by the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2231. As far as we know, the other participants in the JCPOA intend to adhere to the same policy. It should not be forgotten that this so-called nuclear deal is an asset of the entire international community that has repeatedly confirmed interest in preserving it and in maintaining long-term sustainable implementation for enhancing world and regional peace and security, as well as a nuclear non-proliferation regime.



Developments around Salisbury and Amesbury

The British media have started a new round in the London-initiated information and propaganda game. When official London claimed that Russia had come up with several versions of this situation in order to confuse everyone, we decided to count the number of versions published by the British media. We were unable to do that as there are not dozens but hundreds of versions and suppositions. The situation has been completely tangled up.

Clearly, the journalists won’t leave this urgent subject alone, but we consider mainly the official position of the investigative bodies to be the most important. We believe they are working under political pressure. We think this pressure is aimed at directing the investigation towards the line of absurd accusations that the UK political leaders made shortly after the incident. No pressure should be exerted on the investigation or investigative bodies. This was a Western dogma. Can you imagine what investigators working on this case in the UK and trying, as we see it, to understand what happened in reality feel when they suddenly learn that Washington is adopting a package of what our Embassy in the US called “draconian” sanctions against Russia, saying that these sanctions are imposed on Russia for taking part in this crime? What position of distance between politics and law-enforcement investigations can one speak of when a country considered by Britain as one of the largest in the world and which protects it in many areas is taking such steps? This amounts to direct pressure on the investigation. This is also psychological pressure on the people that are meticulously restoring the picture of the incident. Seeing how a guilty verdict is summarily handed down against an entire state, British police and investigators understand full well what awaits them if they unexpectedly reach a conclusion that does not follow the mainstream. This is direct psychological pressure on those that are investigating the incident.

UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said recently, “chemical weapons have been used on the streets in England – something that we believe was authorised by the Russian government.” This is again confirmation of the political, psychological, and emotional pressure that politicians – people with power – are exerting on the investigative bodies.

The London police recently published a statement on the incident in Amesbury, the first in three weeks. It indicated that they are continuing to discover poisoned locations and items with the participation of the chemical lab at Porton Down. This is a kind of a vicious circle or a merry-go-round that carries, one after another, the British Government, the investigative bodies and the fog-enveloped lab at Porton Down. There is simply no way off this merry-go-round.

Given that Russian citizens sustained damage in Salisbury, Russia insists on a truly independent, objective and transparent investigation of the two incidents by the British authorities. As before, Russian law-enforcement agencies are willing to render them any necessary assistance.



Porton Down laboratory releases annual report and accounts 2017/2018

We took note of the annual report and accounts released recently by the Porton Down chemical laboratory on its performance in 2017-2018.

The Salisbury incident is mentioned very briefly and merely states the fact. Nothing is said about the type of agent that was allegedly used in Salisbury or the results of the analysis conducted by the OPCW. The laboratory’s chief executive, Gary Aitkenhead, is quoted in the report’s overview as saying that a “nerve agent attack” took place in Salisbury while refusing to talk about any finer details, citing an ongoing investigation and “reasons of national security.” So, what do we see? While political forces in Washington and London are undertaking new measures justified by what is presented as a clear insight into the incident, experts and specialists who are directly involved in the investigation and are in charge of these matters refer to an ongoing investigation, the sensitive nature of the file, and shy away from any clear-cut conclusions.

The report also stresses the challenges that the Porton Down chemical laboratory has been facing in recent years. Most of the incidents reported in 2017 and 2018 were “high potential/actual incidents” related to the institution’s safety. Considering that the laboratory’s profits have been declining in recent years, it is obvious that apart from technical matters the human factor is at play.

Was it a coincidence that the incident with the Skripals and the British couple in Amesbury took place not so far away from the famous Porton Down laboratory? This question is far from idle. We proceed from the premise that it is up to the investigation to provide answers to this and many other questions.

There is no doubt that the investigation should remain focused on the Porton Down chemical laboratory. Considering what has happened, we deem any reference made by the UK to some kind of “national security interests” to be inappropriate. If you take decisions and decide to drag the entire world into this affair, you must take responsibility before the international community and answer questions it has been asking for a long time.

Accordingly, we insist that the British authorities disclose data on the laboratory’s work to synthesise chemical warfare agents, including those referred to as Novichok in the West.



Daily Telegraph article on the outcome of investigation into the death of Alexander Perepelichny, a Russian national

We paid close attention to an article published by The Daily Telegraph, which attempts to question yet again the results of the investigation into the death of Alexander Perepelichny, a Russian national, carried out by the UK police, as well as the results of his autopsy conducted by experts from the Home Office in Great Britain.

In fact, the British media compete against one another in making up various incredible versions, and are interested in this case because part of the investigation was carried out behind closed doors and was accompanied by the decision made by the UK Government to classify material from its secret services on this incident, citing national security concerns.

Some media outlets were quick to fill the vacuum left by the lack of reasonable transparency in this investigation, which makes all the parties involved responsible.

At the same time, there are obvious attempts to make a political affair out of the coroner’s report, and add a pronounced anti-Russian twist to the results of the investigation. We believe this to be unacceptable. The Foreign Ministry continues to insist on creating conditions for drawing the line under this investigation in an unbiased and independent manner.



Detention of RIA Novosti Ukraine Editor-in-Chief Kirill Vyshinsky in Ukraine

Kirill Vyshinsky’s situation remains unchanged. The Kherson City Court has extended his arrest to September 20. Even though Russian consular officers are still being denied access to the detainee under the pretext that he is a Ukrainian national, the Russian Embassy in Ukraine and the Odessa Consulate General keep the situation under their constant control and provide every possible support to Vyshinsky’s defence.



UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths’s intention to summon intra-Yemeni consultations in Geneva

We noticed the plans to arrange intra-Yemeni talks in Geneva on September 6 under the auspices of the United Nations. The talks will focus on the de-escalation of the continuing armed conflict in the Republic of Yemen, to outline measures to strengthen mutual trust and other steps towards a political resolution of the Yemeni crisis.

We hope that the initiator of this meeting, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, will succeed in achieving the declared goals. Moscow has always supported and will support any efforts to ensure that the military confrontation in Yemen is replaced by peaceful talks, and to help the Yemeni nation in reaching an agreement on the future political system in the country.

We would like to remind you that the upcoming consultations in Switzerland will become the first direct contacts for two years between the Yemeni conflict parties. Therefore, it seems extremely important that these contacts do not share the same fate as the previous rounds of this dialogue in Geneva, Muscat, Biel and Kuwait City, and that they are fully oriented at achieving specific results and help to actually facilitate the long-awaited peace and stability in Yemen.



Situation in the Gaza Strip

The situation in the Gaza Strip has become tense once again. On August 7, an Israeli tank shell killed two members of Hamas’s militant wing in the area near the border with Israel. On August 8-9, some 150 missiles and mortar shells were launched from Gaza at the Israeli territory. As a result of these attacks, two Israeli nationals and a national of Thailand were injured, and several infrastructure facilities were damaged in the borderline Israeli towns.

During the same days, the Israeli Air Force struck more than 140 facilities belonging to Hamas and other Palestinian groups. The media reported three Palestinians dead, including a pregnant woman and her 18-month old child.

Moscow is deeply concerned with this dangerous escalation of events. As the tension on Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip has persisted since May, there is a significantly increasing risk of a full-scale military confrontation around the strip, which may cause new victims among civilians on both sides and a drastic deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave.

Once again, we call on the Palestinians and the Israelis to exercise restraint and to take measures in order to reliably prevent any repeated violence with unpredictable consequences. However, as we have stated many times before, to break this cycle of armed opposition it is necessary to move towards a speedy establishment of a constructive negotiation process based on the two-state formula of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and existing UNSC and UN General Assembly resolutions as well as the Arab Peace Initiative. Any unilateral decisions bypassing the existing international legal framework of the Middle East peace settlement will not help to achieve the goal.



Earthquake in Indonesia

On August 5 at around 7 pm local time, the island of Lombok (Lesser Sunda Islands, the Republic of Indonesia) was hit by a magnitude 7 earthquake that killed around 130 people and injured around 1,500. Residential construction, energy and transport infrastructure were seriously damaged.

The airports on the islands of Lombok and Bali were partially damaged, which resulted in the suspension of their operations. The flights from these terminals are currently operating as normal.

No Russian nationals were reported to be among the dead or injured. The Russian Embassy in Jakarta sent a diplomat to Lombok and is closely monitoring the developing situation in the region. The websites of Russian foreign missions have contact information for 24/7 inquiries from the public. The media are strongly encouraged to use these contacts to inform our nationals currently staying in the region.



Situation in Venezuela

The Foreign Ministry’s statement of August 5 strongly condemned the recent assassination attempt on the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. We are overjoyed that the head of state was unharmed.

As is now clear, the numerous warnings by Caracas about a plot to physically eliminate the Venezuelan leader were not unreasonable. The devious way the assassination was attempted, using modern technology, as well as the public nature of the incident were apparently designed to destabilise the situation in the country, and leave no doubts about its terrorist nature.

We consider it absolutely unacceptable that the Venezuelan anti-government forces are resorting to criminal methods of practicing politics that endanger the security and the stable development of both Venezuela and the entire Latin American region.

We expect that the investigation will reveal not only the perpetrators and organisers of the crime but also the funding sources and channels. The corresponding international bodies, responsible for countering the financing of terrorist activities, should be expected to pay close attention to the incident and draw the appropriate conclusions.

According to the Russian Embassy in Caracas, the situation in the country remains calm. We once again wish a speedy recovery to those who were hurt during that terrorist attack.



Incident involving an airplane of NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission

NATO’s military activity near the Russian borders under the far-fetched pretext of guarding against some mythical Russian threat gives us another reason for concern. On August 7, a Spanish Air Force jet on the NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission in Estonia accidentally launched an operational air-to-air missile.

This was to be expected since NATO has turned this once peaceful region in terms of military activity into an area of intensive training and combat operations in which dangerous incidents are a serious risk.

It is good that there were no casualties and no plane, such as a passenger jet, crossed the missile’s path. The incident is another vivid illustration that NATO’s actions, including in the Baltic states, create more security risks rather than enhance security.

In this situation it is becoming more evident that real steps are needed to de-escalate tensions and prevent unpremeditated incidents instead of leveling groundless accusations at Russia.

This morning at 7 am I was listening to the Full Contact show on Vesti FM radio with Vladimir Solovyov and Anna Shafran who had invited an expert on NATO and sanctions. I would be happy to listen to the show again. The expert said two very interesting things. The first is that the entire threat discussed in the EU countries – and we understand that it has NATO behind it – is a fabricated and fake story. The second point concerned the reason why, which was a very interesting point of view from an expert. Because it is practically impossible to unite in a natural way such different countries as, for example, those of northern, eastern and southern Europe. They are countries with different traditions, culture, history, as well as with different development rate, different economic and financial indicators, capabilities, and outlook on the future of their countries. What could be done? They can be united with a defence agenda when a common enemy is invented. Unification is occurring very rapidly on this basis and that paradigm and is presented as natural even though there is nothing natural about it. The expert quoted public opinion polls in the EU, NATO and Baltic countries containing questions on the circumstances under which Russia would attack their countries. Nobody gave any reasonable explanations. Why is this being done? Some tried to say “in order to enlarge its territory.” These people must have never seen a map of the Russian Federation.

In this, I think, the answer to the question of why it is needed can be found. It is difficult to unite on the basis of a constructive agenda, which requires work and doing something. Meanwhile, a destructive agenda and an agenda of intimidation make it very easy and simple to unite without any significant material costs.



A US citizen in Chukotka

We are keeping tabs on the situation concerning US citizen John Martin, who, boating down the Yukon River ended up in the open sea and, as we understand, lost his way and found himself off the Russian coast in the Chukotka Autonomous Area on August 1.

He was taken to Anadyr at the end of last week. During a medical checkup at a local hospital, Martin was diagnosed with an acute respiratory viral infection. His life is no longer in danger. According to doctors, his condition is satisfactory. He is receiving the necessary medical care and has no complaints.

The Ministry maintains contact with the local authorities and US diplomatic missions on this matter.



Introduction by Belgium of a compulsory security screening fee for journalists

We noted information from Belgium about a mandatory security screening fee. Predictably, this caused a wave of criticism from journalists and professional associations.

This innovation is due to the entry into force on June 1 of amendments to the Belgian security law of December 11, 1998, which were adopted in February 2018. Pursuant to the most recent changes, representatives of the media with Belgian citizenship, or the ones performing their professional activities in Belgium on a permanent basis, will now have to pay a fee of 50 euros for a background check every six months to be carried out by Belgian law enforcement officers.

Our interest in this innovation is due to the fact that Russian journalists working in Brussels on a permanent basis will also be affected by the new rules.

We cannot assess these requirements other than discriminatory and restricting freedom of the media, as journalists are actually forced to pay for the opportunity to do their job.

It is not yet known how the Belgian law will be implemented in practice. Notably, the European Commission condemned this move and said it was not going to apply Belgium’s "best practices" to European institutions. On the contrary, the European Commission will check the law for compliance with EU standards.

We will keep tabs on this matter. Those who plan to work in Belgium, should be aware of it, so as not to be accused of disloyalty.



Publications on new Russian "interferences" with elections in foreign countries

On August 3, a central Indian newspaper published an article by the Washington bureau of the Press Trust of India news agency titled "Russia now targeting elections in India, Brazil: Oxford expert tells US lawmakers.» It focuses on recent hearings at the US Senate Intelligence Committee on the impact of foreign states through social media platforms. Professor Philip N. Howard dealing with online studies at the Oxford University was invited to the hearings and argued that, following successful interference with elections in the United States and other countries, Russia is going to use its tried and tested technology to tamper with the outcomes of upcoming election campaigns in India and Brazil.

I think that endless Russophobic mudslinging by various American figures and British researchers no longer deserves to be even mentioned.

The meaning of the accusations is clear, and the goal of another get-together at the Senate is to drive a wedge between partners, in particular, BRICS. As you may be aware, a BRICS summit was successfully and constructively held just recently.

Clearly, the Americans were seriously upset by the weighty results of the most recently held BRICS summit in Johannesburg, the growing authority of the five powers and the ever strong interaction between its participants on matters of global order. Returning to consideration of a positive and constructive agenda, there’s nothing they can offer in terms of "smart power" or "soft power." So, they go ahead and publish such planted articles. Fake news again. We call attention, also of the Indian media, to the fact that this is a case of unadulterated fake news. Why? It’s simple and is all about anti-BRICS lobbying.

I’m confident that publishing such fake news will accomplish nothing. It is unpleasant by itself and poisons the information environment. However, this will not affect Russia-India relations which are improving as well as interaction within the BRICS group.



Russian priests having trouble obtaining Greek visas

The Foreign Ministry is closely following the situation with regard to the issuance of visas to Russian citizens. Any discrimination in the issuance of visas, whether on national or professional grounds, is unacceptable.

We have watched Tsargrad videos and have read publications on social media networks. We have sent the relevant note to the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in Moscow, asking them to explain the situation. We are expecting a response from the Greek side, and we will keep you informed.



Russian Ministry of Education launches online project

We would like to tell you that the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation has launched a database listing Russian online educational curricula and courses, established by professors of major Russian universities, under the high-priority project Development of the Russian Education System’s Export Potential. The above-mentioned project was approved on May 30, 2017 by members of the Presidium of the Russian Presidential Council for Strategic Development and Priority Projects.

Today, on the Ministry’s www.coursesinrussia.com website, there is a list of subjects for research, including economics, history, IT, management, sociology, etc. These subjects have been prepared by lecturers from 20 national universities and are presented in an easy-to-read English-language format. The website also contains materials providing an insight into Russia, including a course called Understanding Russia: Contexts of Inter-Cultural Communication.



Cooperation agreement signed between the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Department, the Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy, the Foreign Ministry’s Council of War and Labour Veterans, the Military Recruiting Office in the Golovinsky District of Moscow’s Northern Administrative Area and City School No. 1250

On August 9, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Department, its Diplomatic Academy, the Foreign Ministry’s Council of War and Labour Veterans, the Military Recruiting Office in the Golovinsky District in Moscow’s Northern Administrative Area and City School No. 1250 at the Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy. The aim of the agreement is to help school students receive professional orientation and enlarge their scope of knowledge in the area of international relations.

Under the Agreement, there are plans to implement the Moscow School’s Cadet Class project for training young specialists-diplomats, organising internship and practical training courses at the Foreign Ministry not only for university students but also general secondary school pupils in Moscow.

Hopefully, this pilot project will prove successful, in view of the number of specialists involved in it.

Even if students don’t opt for a diplomatic career and don’t link their future life with diplomacy, they will learn how to address complicated issues in life and will act diplomatically in everyday life, Diplomatic Academy Rector Yevgeny Bazhanov said.



Moscow to host Second Turkish Festival

At our previous briefing, a question was asked about the Turkish Festival in Moscow, due to take place between August 10 and 12 in Krasnaya Presnya Park.

We welcome this initiative from the Turkish side that aims to strengthen cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Turkey.

As we understand it, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as the Turkish Embassy in Moscow, are sponsoring this event. In this connection, we would like to advise you to ask them for more detailed information about the festival programme. It is great that we have an opportunity to implement such wonderful humanitarian projects.

It should be noted that the capital of Russia is a very hospitable venue for holding such festivals.



Moscow to host VTB Russian Open Golf Championship (Senior) and 23rd International Charity Golf Tournament

On August 17-19, the Moscow Country Club, affiliated with the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Main Directorate for Servicing the Diplomatic Corps (GlavUpDK), will host the VTB Russian Open Golf Championship (Senior), part of the European Senior Tour. VTB Bank is the 2018 Championship’s title sponsor.

The Championship is to involve 54 leading golf players from 20 countries, namely, legendary players over 50 years old. Its organisers are offering $500,000 in prize money.

The Championship’s official opening ceremony and the 23rd International Charity Golf Tournament are both scheduled for August 16. Amateurs taking part in the latter event will team up with professionals – national and world tournament prize-winners. As usual, the proceeds from the Charity Tournament will go to foundations providing assistance to children.

The Tournament is held from August 17 to 19, with the awards ceremony taking place on the final day.

The VTB Russian Open Golf Championship (Senior) will be the only international professional golf tournament in Russia this year.

We are inviting media representatives to take part in covering the event. Detailed information is posted on the GlavUpDK website.



Upcoming briefing of Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova in Kaliningrad

On August 15, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova will give a briefing on current foreign policy issues on the sidelines of the BaltArtek International Youth Educational Forum (Yantar Hall, 11 Lenina St., Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad Region). We are expanding the geography of our briefings and will be holding one in Kaliningrad for the first time.

We invite representatives of Russian and foreign media to attend.

Time and location updates will be provided.




Excerpts from answers to questions:



Question:

You said the Russian leadership will prepare and take some sort of retaliatory measures in response to the new sanctions announced by the United States. What kind of response could it be?

If the US sanctions affect Aeroflot flights, can the Russian leadership apply sanctions against US airlines?



Maria Zakharova:

We are talking about the response, not fantasies, of the Russian side, because we do not have an urge to escalate and further complicate US-Russian relations. We are planning nothing of the kind. This is about proportionate response measures. Whatever the anti-Russia sanctions are, so too will be the response. Specific measures will be worked out based on the moves the American side makes. I would add that talking about what might be is wrong, unprofessional and out of place in our serious expert dialogue here. Once there are new sanctions, we will make a decision on the basis of what the US legislators and political lobbyists came up with this time. It is quite simple: if nothing comes up, we do nothing; if something comes up, we respond. If they add something extra, we will respond in the same spirit. You know the rules of the game. They still apply in this case.

Again, this is not our choice by any means, and we are pointing out for umpteenth time where this path leads. It actually seems that, with Novichok and the Skripal case, the Salisbury and Amesbury incidents – even those experts who have not been pro-Russia all their lives and who harshly criticised Russia in all areas since Soviet times, even they are already running out of arguments to defend Washington's and London’s positions.

Obviously, this is part of one big game, where the roles are divided between London and Washington. We first saw it when Russian diplomats were expelled. Our diplomats in London and Washington were hit hardest, but what did Washington have to do with this? Another example is the sanctions package being developed. We can see that the sanctions policy is the focal point of an entire group of political lobbyists in Washington. Novichok and the “Skripal case” are simply fed into that sanctions machine. We can talk about classic collusion between the United States and Britain, their political elites that can influence this situation. It’s all part of the same collusion. It has nothing to do with the legal aspect of the case, international law, investigation or what actually happened. This we do not know, but if someone knows, please share reliable information, not fictitious and planted stories.

I will only be able to comment on the decisions that will be made if this actually happens. This is not about a Russian policy to aggravate bilateral relations, but about our response and the destructive course that Washington has taken. In this case, when it comes to Salisbury and Amesbury, London is following along, the game is obvious, and it is no longer possible to hide it. They call this “solidarity,” but in fact it is a vicious mutual cover-up.



Question:

Could you comment on the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s recent protest against the deployment of Russian Su-35S fighters on Iturup Island? Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Russia's actions are contrary to Japan's position and cause deep regret.



Maria Zakharova:

Russia's actions are in line with Russia's policy, including defence and foreign policy, which is not aggressive and is not aimed at destabilising relations, whether bilateral ties with Japan or in the larger region.

Everything that happens on the territory of the Russian Federation is done openly; our foreign colleagues are regularly informed, and we answer their questions. In this case, all explanations have been given at all levels, and I do not see any reason for further comment.



Question:

How do you think these actions and statements could affect the negotiations on the Kuril Islands issue?



Maria Zakharova:

We believe questions relating to the process of drafting a peace treaty that you mentioned definitely offer significant room for real, concrete work. The negotiation process is being conducted at the level of deputy ministers and corresponding representatives appointed by the parties. It includes economic interaction and humanitarian aspects. There are many facets. As such, this work should be conducted on several tracks. The parties can certainly express different views on various issues, but there is a main line previously indicated by the leadership of our countries. We are making headway in this format, implementing what was planned.



Question:

Former ambassador of the United States in the Russian Federation Michael McFaul strongly criticised actor Steven Seagal’s appointment as the Foreign Ministry’s Special Envoy and called it a desperate gesture. McFaul said he doubts that Seagal will achieve any success in improving Russia-US relations as he does not have any influence on the American public. The former ambassador called the appointment humiliating for Russia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in the US Anatoly Antonov and said that if he were Antonov he would be insulted by a trick like this.



Maria Zakharova:

Unlike many of his other statements, this statement made by Michael McFaul should be taken very seriously because there is no better expert in despair than Mr McFaul. I have one question for Mr McFaul. What happened to tolerance? I don’t even understand what this has to do with Anatoly Antonov. I think McFaul has not served as a diplomat long enough and he probably did not understand something. I am not sure what this has to do with Ambassador Antonov as we are talking about a public and political post. I have no idea how he linked these two but he will probably explain later.



Question (via interpreter):

You often say it yourself that the investigation of the so-called Skripal case requires transparency. Are you ready to maintain the transparency principle yourself and allow inspectors to check certain facilities in Russia as required by the new bill on US sanctions? The new bill states that UN inspectors are to inspect sites in Russia that could have been used to produce chemical weapons. Are you ready to allow this for the sake of transparency?



Maria Zakharova:

You are building an interesting connection between these two matters. Are you sure that London will be as pleased by your question? I really doubt that. As concerns transparency, can you give any examples of Russia not being transparent in performing its chemical disarmament obligations? Do you have any data to prove this? Perhaps we did not perform some of the obligations? I have not seen a single complaint against the Russian Federation in reports of the OPCW or any other UN agency. Speaking about transparency in the Salisbury and Amesbury incidents, aren’t you curious about what happened there? You represent Sky News, a British media outlet. It is you who will live in this country. I think you must be a British subject. Don’t you wonder yourself what actually happened there? You know that it has been more than four months and nobody there knows what happened. Moreover, for four months it was claimed that Salisbury and the surroundings are completely safe until they suddenly found some objects related to chemical weapons. Aren’t you concerned about this yourself?

We are concerned for one simple reason, because the case involves Russian nationals. As a state we must request access to them, to see them and understand what is happening there. We are conducting our own investigation into these matters. Therefore, we have to demand cooperation with the British law enforcement in order to establish connections between the Russian and the British investigations. One more thing. Russia has been subject to a number of political campaigns based on the accusations in the Salisbury and Amesbury case. We also really want to know the circumstances of the incidents. If you can refer to any reports claiming that Russia is exercising a non-transparent approach to chemical disarmament, please provide them. I have not read anything of the kind. There have never been any complaints against Russia in relation to this subject. I believe that matters should be addressed in the right order. We have complaints against the UK regarding the absolutely private course of investigation. We did not make up these stories. Making this case private is the official stance of British officials. They officially classified everything that has to do with Novichok, Salisbury, Amesbury and Porton Down. Perhaps, it is you who should start with transparency.



Question (via interpreter):

In view of the new bill and new sanctions, will you allow inspectors to see the sites in Russia? For example, in Shushary?



Maria Zakharova:

Can you specify? Which sites and which requirements? Do you have any specifics? Or are we going to hypothesise as with the first question? This is a practical matter, not a theory. Please explain what exactly is required. Is there a specific request from the US or the UN? We have not received any. This is all I can say.



Question (via interpreter):

If you see this new sanctions bill as an act of collusion between the UK and the US, I wondered what exactly you think the role of the UK in these new sanctions is?



Maria Zakharova:

What we see is double play by the US and the UK, who have staged a political provocation with Novichok. This is obvious. I have already given you specific facts.



Question (via interpreter):

So would countermeasures apply to the UK too?



Maria Zakharova:

Russia retaliates against countries that impose sanctions on Russia. When Great Britain imposes sanctions or takes any restrictive action, such as expelling Russian diplomats or any other unfriendly initiatives against Russia, we invariably come up with an adequate, retaliatory response. No matter the country, we always provide a symmetric, retaliatory response.



Question:

What is the Foreign Ministry’s perspective on the visit to Russia by US Senator Rand Paul?

When did the idea emerge to appoint Steven Seagull the Foreign Ministry’s Special Envoy on Russia-US humanitarian ties and cultural and historical heritage?



Maria Zakharova:

I think we have already commented on the first question, and information was released following the meetings that took place. We hope that constructive exchanges with the American side will continue in various areas. They can really happen, as it turns out.

As for the question on when the idea was born to appoint Steven Seagull the Foreign Ministry’s Special Envoy on Russia-US humanitarian ties and cultural and historical heritage, let me be diplomatic and say that we implemented this idea straight away.



Question:

Relations between Turkey and Syria are facing challenging times. What has Russia to offer in order to prevent them from sliding into war?

Could you provide an update on the operation to liberate Idlib?



Maria Zakharova:

Regarding Idlib, I refer you to military experts. I can make an inquiry on this matter, but my advice would be to ask the military about it.

As for what Russia is doing to normalise relations between Turkey and Syria, let me remind you, and I think that you know this better than I do, that Turkey and Syria are two independent actors and countries with a history of relations behind them. It is up to them to shape their relations, including bilaterally.

Being aware of the complex political, military and geopolitical situation in the region, Russia is not so much focused on trying to help specific countries find common ground, even though this is also part of our agenda, as it is on promoting an overall, global settlement. There are various formats to be used to this effect. There are formats that Russia opens to others, such as the Astana Process, for example, or uses as a platform for promoting normalisation in Syria, as a platform for internal dialogue that cannot be separated from interstate relations. For example, the Sochi Congress promotes normalisation and dialogue among various political, ethnic and religious groups. Similarly, we invited monitors, informed sides, and relayed concerns regarding regional developments to other countries using our mediation capabilities. These are bilateral and multilateral channels. I cannot go into details on talks and share specific proposals on ways to achieve a settlement, but I can say that we are working on it.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Turkey in the near future. Syria will be one of the central items on his agenda, just as during the recent meeting with his Turkish counterpart in Singapore.

All channels are being used. Content-wise, diplomats and the military are engaged in talks. In terms of the negotiating process, these include talks by traditional means, and through diplomatic efforts on the ground. Many issues are settled this way: representatives are dispatched to the region, and we keep you informed of these initiatives. Russian and Turkish foreign ministers regularly talk over the phone to follow up on the ongoing developments and resolve any matters that may arise.

This is one of the dimensions of our efforts, while the actual picture is much more complex and includes multiple formats.



Question:

On August 5, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell summoned Russia’s charge d’affaires in the US Dmitry Zhirnov in connection with Russia’s aggressive propaganda of discord and violence in the social media. How could you comment on this?



Maria Zakharova:

May I ask you to provide specific examples of the ways Russia promotes discord and violence in social media?



Question:

I have not found any.



Maria Zakharova:

Our requests to provide facts on the claims we have been hearing from our US colleagues, which range from election meddling to destructive action in social media and involvement in chemical warfare against the UK, are being left unanswered. Under the Obama administration they would say that everything comes from the social media, calling on people to read and subscribe, but now they have stopped it. I do not know the reasons why.

When a meeting on Novichok and a new sanctions package took place in the Department of State, our representatives asked for facts, anything at all. Nothing. There was no reply on the investigation either. When asked about facts, they said that they had them, but the file was classified. This is just impossible. All these questions have been left unanswered.

The same applies to social media. One network or another begins to talk about some kind of Russian meddling in the election by exploiting their technological or content-related features. All our requests to provide materials to this effect have been left unanswered.

You have not seen the materials, cited by the US social media. We are unable to get them from anyone. If they have anything, we would gladly take a look. But this is not the case.



Question:

At a March 2018 briefing, your colleague Artyom Kozhin and you at the previous briefing mentioned 170 civilian instructors in the Central African Republic. Who are they, how were they hired, and how did they get there?



Maria Zakharova:

This question definitely should not be addressed to the Foreign Ministry.



Question:

They are not representatives of the Russian Defence Ministry, aren’t they?



Maria Zakharova:

I can assure you that they are not representatives of the Foreign Ministry either. Replying to this question earlier, we noted that we don’t deal with private military companies. We discussed the absence of any legislative framework in detail. This is not within the Foreign Ministry’s remit.



Question:

But you, nevertheless, received this information.



Maria Zakharova:

Yes, we did, because they are staying there. Certain agreements have been reached. We cited them and noted that these agreements had been approved by UN expert agencies, with due account for the regime with regard to the Central African Republic. We also said that UN peacekeepers and specialists visit training camps and can see everything. We do not select, recruit or send any personnel there. You want to know who selected them, but this question should be addressed not to the Foreign Ministry.



Question:

Armenia has suggested the other day that an OCSE monitoring mission similar to the one along the demarcation line in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone be held on the border with Nakhichevan, although this region is not part of the conflict zone.

What is the position of Russia when it comes to this matter as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group? Is there any need for a monitoring mission along the border between Armenia and Nakhichevan?



Maria Zakharova:

I have not read these reports, but I will certainly check up on this and get back to you.



Question:

In a high-profile incident, various Internet giants, including Apple and Facebook, have turned against right-conservative American journalist Alex Jones who is known for sympathising with Russia. Does this have something to do with the US domestic agenda or is this a message that any pro-Russian opinion will be automatically suppressed?



Maria Zakharova:

I believe that we are now witnessing a domestic political struggle in the United States under a certain slogan.

The world has repeatedly witnessed such domestic political squabbles in the United States. This amounted to a struggle between political parties, as well as to that around these parties or inside them. There have been various pretexts, accusations and high-profile cases turning the entire US political system upside down. Today, this struggle is taking place under the pretext of a certain Russian aggression and its various manifestations, including alleged election-meddling, cyberattacks, the alleged use of chemical weapons in the United Kingdom and other kinds of alleged Russian involvement in everything linked with bad and negative developments. This is a certain trend set forth by a political slogan, to quote professional PR terminology, because any campaign takes place under a slogan. Today, everything linked with Russia and Russophobia is in high demand, and this campaign can hardly be called new. It was launched by the administration of US President Barack Obama, became part of the Democratic candidate’s campaign and remained in high demand even after the 2016 presidential elections. Actually, it was ratcheted up and received substantial resources, funding included. Why should one invent something new when this well-advertised and controlled campaign linked with Russia was already being conducted? Let’s recall how all this was incited. We have already discussed this: They started doing it in around 2012, when nothing much was on the international agenda and did not include such present day subjects as Crimea or Ukraine, and Syria was still part of the so-called Arab Spring. But anti-Russia moods were already being fomented in the United States, with the Obama administration setting this trend. This campaign later became part of the Democratic election campaign. Considering the fact that the Obama administration was completely involved in supporting the Democratic Party’s candidate (the President of the United States personally supported the candidate and invested his political capital), one can understand how this campaign emerged.

We also remember perfectly well that the former Secretary of State ran for president on a Democratic ticket. Books, published long before these current international developments, clearly stipulated an anti-Russia bias. To be honest, all these ideas are now being elaborated upon. People who have read these books, who have heard these statements and who are following the international developments are hardly surprised about this trend.



Question:

Several days ago Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on learning native languages. Immediately afterwards The Foreign Affairs, a fairly respected western media outlet, published a sharply critical article against signing this law. Why do you think the West via that media outlet is so negative towards allegedly a pure domestic political decision? Can we relate it to the fact that in the long run the law will put an end to the favourite practice of divide and rule?



Maria Zakharova:

In order to give you as accurate an answer as possible, I will study everything related to the law.



Question:

I am surprised that I have to pay a fee for accreditation and other things in Brussels. I have worked in the EU countries for twenty-five years, and it is the first time I hear of something like this. This is nonsense. Did I understand correctly that one has to apply for re-accreditation twice a year and this will cost 50 euros as well as one will have to obtain a sort of “loyalty certificate” like in a polyclinic?



Maria Zakharova:

Generally – yes.



Question:

Does it concern some special kind of journalist or all of them?



Maria Zakharova:

All of them.



Question:

Including US journalists?



Maria Zakharova:

I cannot say, maybe the Americans are coming with their own certificates. Taking into account that their favourite trick nowadays is the principle of extraterritoriality, their documents might be valid in Belgium. I cannot tell you.

But what we read was connected to certificates which must be obtained for a fee by journalists who work in Belgium with their respective citizenship. It also concerns foreign correspondents.



Question:

Russia does not have anything like this, does it? Isn’t Foreign Ministry accreditation free in Russia?



Maria Zakharova:

I haven’t heard anything about payment.



Question:

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating Foreign Ministry Special Representative for Russia-US Cultural Links, Cultural and Historical Heritage Steven Seagal following allegations of sexual harassment. What does the Foreign Ministry think of that? Did it consider this information when appointing Seagal?



Maria Zakharova:

I believe we should proceed from the presumption of innocence. Given the extraterritorial nature of what is going on now in the US, all sorts of political put-up job and the like, the presumption of innocence remains the immutable principle that we should be guided by.



Question:

Echo of Moscow editor-in-chief Alexei Venediktov wrote on his Telegram channel, citing a certain anonymous Russian diplomat, that Steven Seagal received guarantees of immunity which he is entitled to in his diplomatic position. Can you comment: Is it true that Seagal enjoys diplomatic immunity?



Maria Zakharova:

I have always said that it is dangerous to read anonymous Telegram channels, and now I see that this is the case with non-anonymous channels as well. I don’t know what sources were used. It is not accidental that they are anonymous, because what they say is a lie. At the moment, Steven Seagal does not have a diplomatic passport. We were asked if he can receive one. Yes, if the Ministry considers it necessary in the working process.



Question:

Does he have any kind of immunity?



Maria Zakharova:

I hope he does, in terms of health.

As for diplomatic immunity, you need to understand the procedure. One receives diplomatic immunity when he or she is sent to work abroad. In the past, when Vienna conventions on diplomatic and consular relations were complied with, there was a general understanding that a person travelling abroad had diplomatic immunity simply because he or she worked as a diplomat and had a diplomatic passport. At the moment the realities are different. As regards the United States, this rule does not work there. The US cares more about the type of visa the person has than about the colour of the passport or what is written on it. So every time a question of immunity arises.

There are countries that respect the Vienna Convention and comply with its provisions, but some countries have their own views on the matter, and we know about them. We have had unpleasant precedents. In particular, the issue of immunity was brought in the limelight in 2005, when diplomatic passport holders were sent to work in the UN. There was a whole story. Then I learned all the nuances of the US attitude towards diplomatic immunity. It is a very complicated matter, which is solved individually depending on the situation and on the country involved. Given that your question is related to the United States, all they care about is the visa type.



Question:

Will he receive a passport?



Maria Zakharova:

Steven Seagal is also an American citizen. He has a US passport, which seems to suggest a number of conclusions. I feel awkward explaining to you what that means. As a Russian citizen, can you request a Russian visa?

I think I answered your question in sufficient detail. What other nuances are not clear to you? Please be more specific. I think I mentioned everything – he has no diplomatic passport; the immunity issue is decided individually with each country because each country, unfortunately, has its own vision of the issue today. There is no standard solution.



Question:

Will you discuss the issue of granting Seagal diplomatic immunity separately in each case? He will have to travel to the United States.



Maria Zakharova:

Separately or automatically, we will think about it when it is necessary and expedient. Perhaps automatically will do.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/press_service/s...ent/id/3316569
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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres



13 August 2018 - 17:00







On August 13, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The two officials discussed the prospects of improving the efficiency of the UN, including in preventing conflicts and peacemaking efforts. They also exchanged opinions on the UN agenda with an emphasis on the Syrian settlement. They agreed that progress in resolving crises directly depends on the readiness of the UN member states to make joint efforts based on international law, goals and principles of the UN Charter.

At his request, the Secretary-General was informed about the contacts between the human rights commissioners of Russia and Ukraine.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3318352






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s greetings to organisers, participants and guests of the third International Charity Festival of Christian Culture, Russia-Greece: Together Through the Centuries



13 August 2018 - 21:00



Allow me to extend a warm welcome to the participants and guests of the International Charity Festival of Christian Culture, Russia-Greece: Together Through the Centuries.

This year our countries mark two significant anniversaries, 190 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. Our peoples share the same civilisational, spiritual, and cultural roots. Their centuries-old friendship and sympathies constitute a solid foundation for building fruitful cooperation in various fields. A good example is the Russia-Greece Tourism Cross-Year, a major programme now being successfully implemented, attracting more and more participants.

It is gratifying that the Festival has become a good tradition and is timed to the days of remembrance of Spyridon of Trimythous, an Orthodox saint and the patron of the island of Corfu, who is revered in Russia too. We also highly appreciate the island residents’ respectful attitude to the heroic deeds of the holy righteous warrior – great Russian naval commander Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, the liberator of the Ionian Islands.

I am confident that your forum will become part and parcel of the celebration marking these memorable dates and will contribute to the further strengthening of humanitarian as well as cultural ties between our countries, and the expansion of contacts between citizens.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best.


Sergey LAVROV - August 11, 2018




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3318762






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to media questions following a meeting of Turkish ambassadors and permanent representatives at international organisations, Ankara, August 14, 2018



14 August 2018 - 16:17








Esteemed Mr Minister, my dear friend,

Ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to thank our Turkish friends for the opportunity to speak before the ambassadors and permanent representatives of Turkey abroad. This is a clear example of a high level of mutual trust. Our relations are on an upward trajectory. The presidents of the two countries are always spurring on the common efforts to expand relations across the board. They personally coordinate the joint work of all the departments and agencies, including foreign ministries. Trade is steadily growing. Last year, it grew by over 40 percent. Major projects, including the Turkish Stream and the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Station by Russian specialists are being implemented successfully. We are also celebrating our rich cultural ties. Next year will be a Russia-Turkey cross-year of culture and tourism. In this connection, we are pleased to note the increased tourism from our country to Turkey’s wonderful resorts. Last year again, we came in first in terms of the number of recreational visits by Russians to Turkey which stood at 5 million people. This year will likely set a new record, as President Erdogan recently mentioned.

Russia and Turkey are pursuing independent foreign policies. We greatly appreciate our partners' refusal to join the anti-Russian sanctions.






In my remarks before the Turkish ambassadors and permanent representatives, I shared Russia’s vision of the key global development trends, outlined our fundamental approaches to the main challenges of our time and answered numerous questions from our colleagues. Our conversation was a professional one. Such an exchange of opinions is absolutely needed today, when the situation in the world remains alarming. Without exaggeration, we are at a turning point in world history. This is a stage of transition from bipolar and unipolar models and schemes to the construction of a polycentric world order, which is objectively taking place. We discussed this extensively today. Of course, these objective trends are clearly being opposed. Sanctions, threats, blackmail and diktat are being used. Given these circumstances, we can see that some of our Western partners have lost the culture of diplomacy, but I hope that objective reality will ensure that reason ultimately prevails, and that we will return to the foundations laid down in the UN Charter, which provides for collective work to address global challenges while respecting the sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs. Our interest in resolving numerous problems rests on precisely these principles. This can be seen in Syria, where we are now discussing − through different channels − ways to overcome the resistance of the remaining terrorist groups, the return to peaceful life of the armed opposition, which rejects terrorist methods, and full implementation of the agreements on de-escalation zones, including the de-escalation zone in Idlib. From similar positions of searching for common approaches and peaceful solutions, we reviewed other situations today, including in the Middle East region, Northern Africa, Libya, Yemen, the situation in the Balkans, the Ukraine settlement, the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, and more.

Today we confirmed the choice of our countries to deepen the strategic partnership in foreign affairs. I think that we will discuss specific aspects of our interaction in more detail during the working breakfast.

Once again, I want to thank our hosts, and Mr Cavusoglu personally, for inviting us and being excellent hosts.






Question:

Do Moscow and Ankara have any agreements on Idlib province, considering that Damascus wants to return it under its control, while Ankara is opposed?



Sergey Lavrov:

With regard to Idlib, I would like to note the following in addition to what I have already said in my opening remarks. Like all other de-escalation zones, the Idlib de-escalation zone was created on certain terms. An agreement that the ceasefire does not apply to terrorists and that the armed groups that do not want to associate with terrorists should distance themselves from them territorially so that the “irreconcilable” ones, primarily Jabhat al-Nusra, could be destroyed, was one of the prerequisites. This agreement remains valid with regard to Idlib. The situation there is more complicated than in other areas. It was the most difficult one from the start, including due to Jabhat al-Nusra’s domination. It has several tens of thousands of militants, including by UN estimates. When Turkey’s observation posts were deployed in Idlib zone, the situation calmed down, but recently we have seen quite aggressive actions, primarily, by Jabhat al-Nusra, such as shelling of the Syrian troops’ positions, daily drone attacks at the Russian Khmeimim air base and many other provocative actions. The Syrian army has every right to suppress such actions. There can be no question about “Russia allowing the Syrian army” anything. The Syrian army is on its own land and is fighting for its independence from terrorists in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, while we, in full compliance with international law, support it in these actions. The key to the Syria crisis is the chronic inability, beginning with the Obama administration, to separate truly patriotic groups of armed oppositionists from Nusra terrorists who show no willingness to negotiate and who should be the legitimate target of everyone who is fighting extremism and terrorism in Syria. Today, we will discuss this with the Minister. This is also what our military are saying as part of the mechanisms created under the Astana format.



Question:

What does Moscow think about the United States tightening its sanctions on Russia, Iran and Turkey? How much will this affect the crises in the region, especially the coordination of the Syrian dossier and Russia's desire to find a solution to the refugee problem?



Sergey Lavrov:

As a matter of fact, you’ve listed the countries participating in the Astana format. Of course, we will not see any direct reference to the Syria crisis in the statements made by the United States when it announces sanctions against our countries, but we can see the objective desire of the West, primarily, the United States, to not only prevent the Astana process from achieving specific results but to also portray it as not quite successful. These attempts have been made before. Perhaps, they will continue. I believe the fact that Russia, Turkey and Iran, which do not always agree on various aspects of the Syrian crisis, were able to show enough wisdom and willingness to address specific problems, has brought about a drastic change in the situation in Syria. The so-called Islamic State has been practically destroyed, and there remain only its isolated and scattered offshoots. Jabhat al-Nusra is our main focus, as we have already mentioned.

I don’t think the United States imposed sanctions to disrupt the Astana troika, but, in general, the position of the West on the situation with refugees is either quite surprising, or, in most cases, makes us feel we should tread cautiously. There was, however, a very useful effort with the participation of Russia and France to deliver humanitarian aid to East Ghouta. But we are now talking about much more ambitious tasks. Vast areas in Syria have been liberated from terrorists. They are free from hostilities. It's time to restore the infrastructure and all critical systems there, so that refugees from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Europe could return to their homes, including from Iraq. This process is already underway. We believe that it should be encouraged in every possible way. Given that, it was surprising to hear a statement, if it was correctly worded, by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi that, in his opinion, the return of refugees to Syria is premature now, because it is still a dangerous place to live. If such a statement really was made, this is a case of a lack of awareness, if not something more grave.

Returning to the question about our opinion of the policy of tightening the sanctions, we regard it as an illegitimate and illegal policy dictated mostly by a desire to dominate every sphere, and call the shots in global affairs without having to agree with anyone, with the aim of securing advantages on global markets and unilateral preferences for its businesses, even by resorting to protectionism, sanctions and unfair competition, including punishing its own allies, as you may be aware. This policy cannot form a foundation for a normal dialogue. I believe it cannot last long.






Question:

European countries recently condemned US sanctions on Turkey and Iran. What does Russia think about these sanctions? Is it possible to use national currency in international trade?



Sergey Lavrov:

I already said the sanctions are illegal and undermine every principle of global trade and the principles upheld by UN resolutions, according to which unilateral measures of economic coercion are illegitimate.

With regard to how to overcome these illegal barriers and restrictions, indeed, the use of national currencies in mutual trade has for several years been one of the tasks that the presidents of Russia and Turkey have been working on in our relations with Iran. Similar processes have already taken place not only with regard to Turkey and Iran, but also China, with which we are talking and are already settling in our respective national currencies in mutual trade.

I’m confident that such a gross abuse of the role of the US dollar as a world reserve currency will undermine that role. To be on the safe side, more and more countries, even the ones that are not affected by US sanctions, will gradually stop using the dollar and rely on more dependable partners with whom they can agree on using their currency.






Question:

The United States said it was willing to discuss compliance of the new Russian arms with the New START Treaty. In this regard, it is interesting to know Moscow’s position and to understand whether the issue is about purely technical variables or is it the beginning of a discussion about the possible withdrawal of Washington from the treaty?



Sergey Lavrov:

It’s hard for me to tell what the issue is about. What will happen in Washington in the coming days and even hours is anyone’s guess. I heard many experts and representatives of the US Administration say that they are interested in renewing the New START Treaty. Of course, as President Putin said, we need to begin talks now if we want to do so.

As far I understand, New START was recently mentioned in Congress when the Pentagon budget was approved. The law is not about the US willingness to discuss these issues with us, but about the US Administration's instruction to figure out what the issue is about and ask us certain questions. I can only remind everyone once again that, in Helsinki, during the meeting between President Putin and President Trump and my meeting with Secretary of State Pompeo, we reiterated our willingness to resume a full-fledged dialogue on all issues of strategic stability. If the United States wants to professionally ask us specific questions, this is the platform where it needs to be done.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3318954






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with the TV and Radio Complex of the President of Kazakhstan for the film “The Aktau Summit: Caspian Culmination,” Aktau, August 12, 2018



14 August 2018 - 19:11







Question:

Mr Lavrov, the convention has been signed. We would like to know your opinion about the historical importance of the Aktau summit.



Sergey Lavrov:

The presidents of the five countries all highly praised it in their statements for the press. The words “historical” and “epochal” were used and this is no exaggeration. The work took practically 22 years and it was not easy. Initially, there were polar positions on whether this was even a sea or a lake. If it’s a sea, let’s apply to the Caspian Sea all rules of conduct in the world oceans in line with the so-called 1982 Law of the Sea Convention. If it’s a lake, there is no need to agree on anything. Eventually, a desire to come to terms prevailed.

Diametrically opposed approaches were gradually reframed in a more constructive way. I am very pleased to say that it was in Moscow in December 2017 that the foreign minister meeting of the five Caspian countries hammered out the final language of the convention that was signed by the presidents today. Difficult work had to be done since December. It was necessary to ensure the texts were accurate in all languages of the Caspian countries and in English, which will be a common reference point in case there are issues related to the convention’s interpretation.

The fact that the convention has determined the legal status of the Caspian Sea is of decisive importance. It has laid the foundations to reach a final agreement on outstanding issues, including the water’s delimitation and methods to be used for determining the reference mark of 15 mile sovereign waters. It’s the main point. Once this is done it will be easier to define a 10 mile fishing zone for each country.

Secondly, the convention has created an absolutely universal basis for discussing any cooperation issues in the Caspian Sea. Until recently we had agreements on protecting biological resources, security in some other areas, but it is enough to note that seven international legal documents have been signed in Aktau. During the entire history of the Caspian summits - four summits in all since 2002 - nine documents were signed as compared to seven documents at one summit. Importantly, this is an achievement not only in quantity but also in quality. There is no need to repeat that the convention is a truly historical event. No less important are the intergovernmental agreements on trade and economic cooperation and transport. Moreover, in each area the formation of a permanent mechanism at the level of the relevant minister is envisaged. The participants also signed intergovernmental agreements on preventing incidents in the Caspian Sea. The military and border troops will be in charge of this. This is yet another important detail of the summit and its results. Three intergovernmental protocols have been signed - on countering terrorism and organised crime and improving cooperation of the border services.

This summit set an absolute record in the history of all inter-Caspian talks. I would like to sincerely congratulate the host of the summit, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and all Caspian nations. And I would like to express special gratitude to the negotiators that made such a result possible by their truly professional work at the very highest level.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3319029
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Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin’s meeting with Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation in Russia Yves Rossier



13 August 2018 - 13:45



On August 13, State Secretary - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin had a meeting with Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation in the Russian Federation Yves Rossier.

Mr Karasin noted the recently deteriorating situation around the Russian Federation Interests Section at the Embassy of Switzerland in Georgia as a result of actions by local criminal figures profiting from the high demand for Russian visas among Georgian citizens.

The atmosphere around the Russian foreign mission in Tbilisi contrasts sharply with the calm and benevolent manner surrounding the Georgian mission in Moscow.

The Swiss side promised to take steps to encourage the Georgian authorities to improve the situation.

The parties also exchanged views on the prospects for the practical implementation of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Georgia on the basic principles of the customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods dated November 9, 2011 with the participation of the Swiss company SGS.

Other matters of mutual interest were also discussed.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3318104






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko’s meeting with Ambassador of Slovenia to Russia Primoz Seligo



13 August 2018 - 14:07



On August 13, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko hosted a working breakfast in honour of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Slovenia to the Russian Federation Primoz Seligo in relation to the upcoming completion of the latter’s diplomatic mission in Moscow.

As partners, the two diplomats discussed current issues of bilateral relations, as well as some regional and international matters.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3318118






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with Ambassador of Syria to Russia Riad Haddad



14 August 2018 - 18:16



On August 14, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov received Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic Riad Haddad at his request.

The conversation included a detailed exchange of views on the situation in Syria and related developments. Special attention was paid to the implementation of the Russian initiative for the return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons to their places of permanent residence.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3319019






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s meeting with Lebanese Democratic Party leader and Acting Minister of the Displaced Talal Arslan



14 August 2018 - 20:08







On August 14, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov received a delegation of the Democratic Party of Lebanon led by its Chairman and Acting Minister of the Lebanese Republic of the Displaced Talal Arslan.

In the course of a thorough exchange of views on the developments in and around Lebanon, the Russian side confirmed its unchanged position in support of the Lebanese Republic’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the spirit of further deepening of Russia's traditionally friendly relations with the multi-religious Lebanese people.

The discussion also focused on the settlement of the Syrian crisis, including the problems with the return of the Syrian refugees currently residing in Lebanon.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3319043






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov's meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister’s Personal Representative George Shaaban



15 August 2018 - 20:08







On August 15, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov had a meeting with Lebanon’s Acting Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s Personal Representative George Shaaban.

Mr Shaaban informed Mr Bogdanov about developments in Lebanon, including the efforts to form a new Lebanese government. The two officials also discussed the situation in Syria with an emphasis on providing the necessary conditions to enable Syrian refugees in Lebanon to return home.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3319772






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin’s meeting with Ambassador of Armenia to Russia Vardan Toghanyan



16 August 2018 - 19:26



On August 16, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin received Ambassador of Armenia to Russia Vardan Toghanyan in Moscow.

The diplomats discussed major issues of bilateral relations and other subjects of mutual interest.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3320237






Reply by the head of the Russian delegation at multilateral talks on the legal status of the Caspian Sea and special envoy of the Foreign Ministry Igor Bratchikov to a media question about the possibility of building a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline after signing the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea



17 August 2018 - 15:08




Question:

After the signing of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, comments appeared in the foreign press, including in the Caspian countries, according to which all obstacles which might have got in the way of the construction of the so-called Trans-Caspian gas pipeline have been removed. Is it true that Russia has changed its initial position on the project, notably on the need of environmental expertise?



Igor Bratchikov:

The Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea signed by the presidents of the Caspian states in Aktau on August 12 detailed provisions for the laying of underwater pipelines on the bed of the Caspian Sea.

The Convention states the obvious right of all littoral states to lay technological pipelines in their section of the seabed. In fact, many thousands of kilometres of different kinds of pipelines (in-field, interfield pipelines, water pipelines) have already been laid and eventually there will be many more.

On a par with this, the convention makes a special reservation about the pipelines that were not built in the Caspian Sea before, notably long-distance or trans-Caspian pipelines. Article 14 reads that the parties can lay them but on condition that the projects dealing with their construction correspond to the environmental requirements and standards that are fixed in international treaties, of which they are parties, including the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea and relevant protocols.

On July 20, the ministers of the environment of the five Caspian littoral states signed a Protocol on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context to the 2003 Tehran Convention, which is directly mentioned in Article 14. It gives each Caspian littoral state the right to take part in the comprehensive environmental expertise of marine activities that may affect the marine environment of the Caspian Sea because of their transboundary character. In other words, in addition to the obvious need for an expertise at the national level, it will be necessary to conduct an additional meticulous analysis of such activities by all sides that may be potentially affected by them. Understandably, such large-scale invasive projects as the transfer of hydrocarbons from one coast of the Caspian Sea to another automatically come within the terms of the protocol.

So, if and when the plans of building trans-Caspian pipelines become a reality, each Caspian littoral state, if it deems it necessary, will be able to take part in assessing the potential consequences of such projects for the Caspian marine environment as early as at the design stage.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3320564






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko’s telephone conversation with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Guglielmo Picchi



17 August 2018 - 17:20



On August 16, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko had a telephone conversation with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Guglielmo Picchi. The call was initiated by Italy.

Mr Grushko expressed condolences over the tragic collapse of the motorway bridge near Genoa that caused many casualties.

The diplomats discussed plans for Italy’s OSCE Chairmanship in 2018 and in particular, preparations for the OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan on December 6-7, as well as the schedule for other political events and contacts.

Mr Picchi mentioned the developments around Oleg Sentsov.

For his part, Mr Grushko said politically motivated persecution and detention of Russian citizens in Ukraine was unacceptable.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3320644
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Foreign Ministry statement



13 August 2018 - 11:56



As is known, on August 8, the US administration announced the imminent imposition of new sanctions against Russia on the basis of the US national law on Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination. Our country is accused of having used chemical weapons in connection with the so-called Skripal case, although no one has yet been able to provide any evidence of this, and the British side, despite our repeated requests, refuses to cooperate in the investigation of the March 4 Salisbury incident.

It follows from the notification received from the State Department on this matter that Washington is calling into question the complete elimination of Russia’s arsenal of chemical weapons. They prefer to ignore the fact that the Russian programme for the destruction of chemical weapons, completed last year, was implemented under strict international control in full compliance with the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

We consider the unsubstantiated allegations as to Russia’s involvement in what happened in Salisbury as another attempt to present our country as being irresponsible in fulfilling its international obligations. Such an approach looks especially hypocritical considering that the US itself is in no hurry to destroy its own chemical weapons and remains the only CWC signatory still having a significant stockpile of chemical warfare agents.

Washington’s actions pose a threat to the integrity of the CWC and damage the credibility of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, with which Russia cooperated closely during the implementation of the national programme for the elimination of chemical weapons. The United States has once again demonstrated a disdain for the international legal system and the desire to use existing multilateral arms control mechanisms to advance its own political agenda.

This is fresh evidence that the US is purposefully moving in the direction of an erosion of the international disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. Other eloquent examples of Washington’s destructive behaviour were its sudden unilateral refusal to join the legally binding 2001 protocol on strengthening the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention; an official refusal to ratify the international monitoring system in the CTBT context, while at the same time working to put it to use for its own interests; the blocking of work on the development of legally binding agreements on the prevention of the arms race in outer space; and the withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to resolve the Iranian nuclear programme issue, in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that approved the JCPOA.

Russia has repeatedly confirmed its respect for and careful compliance with its international obligations. Any attempt to cast doubt on this is unacceptable. We intend to continue systematic work to strengthen both the CWC and the OPCW, as well as the entire international legal system for arms control and non-proliferation, which took the international community significant efforts and several decades to build. We urge Washington to abandon its irresponsible line which would result in further erosion of this.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3317969






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the act of terrorism in Jordan



13 August 2018 - 18:09



On August 10 one law enforcement officer was killed and six wounded as a result of the detonation of a self-made explosive near a patrol car carrying gendarmerie and police that were jointly patrolling the area in Amman’s suburb of Fuheis. They represented law enforcement agencies of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Following the incident, on August 11, Jordanian special task forces conducted an operation to neutralise the group of armed extremists involved in the attack in the city of Al-Salt, the administrative centre of the Al-Balqa Province. According to incoming reports, another three law enforcement officers were killed and some 20 people, including civilians, were wounded during the assault of the building where the militants had taken shelter.

As a result of the operation by Jordanian law enforcement forces, three militants were killed and another five arrested.

Moscow resolutely condemns yet another round of terrorist activity in Jordan, which graphically demonstrates the inhuman nature of extreme radicals who do not care who they hurt. We declare our support for the leaders and people of friendly Jordan in countering the terrorist threat. We express our condolences to the families and friends of the dead and wish early recovery to the wounded. This act of terrorism shows again the need for broad international coordination in the resolute and uncompromising struggle against transnational terrorist groups.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3318652






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the presidential elections in the Republic of Mali



13 August 2018 - 18:11



On August 12, the second round of the presidential elections took place in the Republic of Mali. The results are expected to be announced in the next few days.

The two candidates that received the highest number of votes in the first round – current President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and opposition leader Soumaïla Cisse – were in the running for president. According to African and international observers, the voting took place without serious violations or incidents. The authorities focused on ensuring security and preventing extremist provocations.

We hope the final counting of the ballots will be strictly in line with the constitution.

We believe the elections will help restore peace and achieve national accord in Mali and allow Malian society to continue moving along the road of stable and democratic development and to counter more effectively the terrorist threat in the Sahara-Sahel region as a whole.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3318662






Press release on incident involving Russian mountaineers in Tajikistan



14 August 2018 - 12:02



On August 12, a Mi-8 helicopter crash-landed in the lower section of Fortambek Glacier at an altitude of 4,530 metres while airlifting mountaineers from Somoni Peak, formerly Communism Peak. At the time of the incident, it was carrying 15 climbers, including 13 Russian citizens.

According to Tajik authorities, five people, including two crew members and three mountaineers from Russia, were killed as a result of the tragedy. The names of the Russian climbers who died are listed below:

Alexander Abrosimov, born December 31, 1971 in the Crimean Region;

Timur Barabanov, born March 10, 1986 in Voronezh;

Ruslan Tarakanov, born August 12, 1976 in Sverdlovsk.

All the others, who received injuries of varying degrees, were taken to Istiklol Medical Centre in Dushanbe where they are receiving all necessary treatment.

A hotline service for relatives and friends has been set up at the Russian Embassy in Dushanbe. The website of the diplomatic mission (dushanbe.mid.ru) provides updates on the condition of those injured.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3318815






Comment by the Information and Press Department on appointment of Michelle Bachelet as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights



14 August 2018 - 14:54



On August 10, the UN General Assembly reached a consensus and approved UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s decision to appoint Michelle Bachelet as the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She will take office on September 1 for the term of four years.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sent Ms Bachelet congratulations on her appointment and noted her high professionalism, vast experience and personal contribution to the development of international cooperation, including the encouragement and protection of human rights. He also expressed hope that in the role of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet will pay close attention to building an atmosphere of constructive and respectful cooperation and dialogue between the states within the UN human rights agencies, as well as to the exchange of best practices in promoting and protecting human rights, and providing technical assistance to countries involved in overcoming challenges and issues in this connection.

Russia believes that the human rights agenda is intended to bring states and groups of states closer together and to strengthen the atmosphere of trust and respect in international relations. Russia is open to cooperation on the entire range of human rights protection issues and is ready to further develop collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Office.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3318872






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the collapse of the bridge in Italy



15 August 2018 - 15:21



We noted with deep sorrow the report on yesterday’s bridge collapse near Genoa, Italy, which resulted in many casualties. According to recent reports, 37 people were killed and about ten are considered missing.

Developments are being monitored by the staff at the Russian Consulate General in Genoa. As of the middle of the day on August 15, there is no information that any Russian citizens were among the victims.

President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev sent messages of condolences to the Italian leadership and the Italian people.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3319638






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the desecration of a cemetery of Soviet soldiers and war prisoners in Gdansk



16 August 2018 - 13:12



The Foreign Ministry is outraged by yet another hideous act that was committed against the Soviet memorial sites in Poland. Vandals left broken or damaged 23 stars on mass graves at a cemetery in Gdansk that holds the remains of some 3,000 Soviet servicemen, civilians and prisoners of war. Efforts are underway to eliminate the damage, and Russian diplomats are working with the Polish authorities.

We must point out that it was the heroic exploits of Red Army personnel that at the cost of many lives paved the way to the liberation of that city in the spring of 1945.

The Gdansk incident is yet another link in a series of thuggish attacks against our monuments at Polish cemeteries that we have been witnessing in recent years. We believe incidents of this kind result from Warsaw’s destructive policy to cleanse the country from any reminders of its liberation by the Red Army at the end of the Second World War and rewrite the history of what followed, while claiming to promote “decommunisation”.

The Foreign Ministry insists that this outrageous incident be investigated in all urgency, and the perpetrators held to account. We call on Poland to honour its international commitments and remind it of its moral duty towards the fallen heroes and victims of the war.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3319871






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the latest round of US sanctions



16 August 2018 - 20:54



On August 15, the United States took another unfriendly step against Russia. This time sanctions were imposed on the Russian port agency Profinet and its Director General Vasily Kolchanov, ostensibly for violating US unilateral restrictions on the DPRK. Washington did not bother to present any evidence or even explain its motives.

We consider this most recent anti-Russian act of Washington to be an attempt to punish our country for its principled position on the North Korea issue, including in the UN Security Council. It is regrettable that the sanctions were announced at a time when the enormous challenge of denuclearising the Korean Peninsula requires close international cooperation. The destructive tactics used by the United States outside the bounds of the UN Security Council and its 1718 Sanctions Committee can only undermine recent progress towards a settlement. We have to conclude that Washington does not realise the danger of persisting in its policy of maximum pressure on Pyongyang.

No matter how many waves of unilateral sanctions Washington sends (their total number stands at 55), they will never be legitimate. The reliance of US politicians on such restrictions is an attempt to conceal their futility. At any rate, this escalation of restrictions against the backdrop of unprecedented Russophobic hysteria, without regard for facts or the consequences for bilateral relations, is a road to nowhere.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3320256






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the presidential election in the Republic of Mali



17 August 2018 - 10:51



On August 12, the Republic of Mali held the second round of the presidential election. According to the official tally of August 16, victory belongs to the incumbent head of state, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who won 67.17 per cent of the vote. His competitor, Soumaila Cisse, leader of the biggest opposition party, the Union for the Republic and Democracy, was supported by 32.83 per cent of the voters.

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is known as an experienced and reputable politician. We are confident that the substantial support of the Malian citizens will allow the President-elect to work efficiently towards overcoming the protracted crisis in Mali, stabilising the situation and restoring Bamako’s active role in international affairs. We hope that the long-time friendly relations between Russia and Mali will continue their productive development for the benefit of the two nations.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3320440






Press release



17 August 2018 - 13:33



In the face of the United States of America’s continuing gross violation of the norms of international law with regard to the Russian Federation’s diplomatic missions and consular institutions in US territory, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has lodged a strong protest with the US Department of State by sending an appropriate note through diplomatic channels.

The attention of the United Nations has also been drawn to this situation, which goes far beyond Russian-US bilateral relations and affects the interests of the entire international community. On May 18, 2018, an appropriate Russian Federation Message was conveyed to the UN Secretary-General for use in preparing the report to the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3320519






Press release on normalisation of Eritrea-Somalia relations



17 August 2018 - 18:56



The situation on the Horn of Africa has seen major improvements recently. The end of the longstanding confrontation between Ethiopia and Eritrea was reinforced by constructive processes in other areas, particularly, relations between Eritrea and Somalia.

For the first time in 15 years, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed paid an official visit to Asmara on July 28-30. During his talks with President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki, agreements were reached on restoring diplomatic relations and bilateral cooperation, which were formalised in the Joint Declaration adopted after the meeting of the heads of state. The practical aspects of implementing the agreements were discussed during a working visit to Mogadishu by Foreign Minister of Eritrea Osman Saleh on August 13.

Moscow hopes that neighbourly relations between Eritrea and Somalia will have a beneficial effect on the general situation on the Horn of Africa, further enhance stability and security in the subregion, and deepen integration within the East African Intergovernmental Authority on Development.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3320671






Press release on the progress of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for the Iranian nuclear programme



17 August 2018 - 18:57



Russia continues to consistently implement its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation is carrying out a series of projects designed to ensure compliance with the terms of the JCPOA.

A bilateral high-tech Russian-Iranian project to reconfigure two centrifuge cascades at a former uranium enrichment plant in Fordo to produce stable isotopes is being successfully implemented. Stable isotopes will be used for industrial and medical purposes.

Fuel stockpiles with enrichment levels of up to 20 percent for the Tehran Research Reactor are being stored in Russia. They are being returned to Iran in batches of under 5 kg at Iran’s request and after receiving confirmation from the IAEA that all JCPOA prerequisites outlined for doing so have been met. The first batch was transferred to Iran in early 2017. Preparations are underway to send a second batch.

In addition, Russia has confirmed its willingness to assist Iran, on an as-needed basis, in managing the surplus low-enriched uranium, the reserves of which are not to exceed 300 kg in Iran. We are also providing various types of assistance in implementing Annex III to the JCPOA, which contains a list of specific areas of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran for the peaceful use of atomic energy.

The above cooperation with Iran is being carried out strictly in accordance with the JCPOA terms and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and under full IAEA control. We reiterate our decisive commitment to take all the necessary measures to preserve and fully implement the JCPOA.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3320681






Press release on the death of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan



18 August 2018 - 14:35



Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sent his condolences to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the death of former UN Secretary General, Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan.

In his message, the Minister noted Mr Annan’s considerable contribution to strengthening the central role of the UN in world affairs, and reforming the organisation to make it more influential and broaden its opportunities for long-term settlement of global issues on the basis of the rule of law and respect for the fundamental objectives and principles of the UN Charter. In retirement, Mr Annan continued to work hard to find solutions to the most dramatic crises of our times, including as part of The Elders.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/...ent/id/3320718
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Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Svetlogorsk, August 15, 2018



15 August 2018 - 17:14











Kaliningrad’s international and interregional ties

I would like to begin today’s briefing by discussing the region’s international and interregional ties considering that we are working here today.

The Kaliningrad Region’s unique geographical location predetermines its active involvement in Russia's international relations with its European partners. The region is a leader among the Russian regions in terms of foreign contacts. Currently, interregional relations play a special role in establishing direct dialogue with the peoples of Europe and pursuing a policy of openness and neighbourliness. The region’s successful participation in the Russian-German cross-year of regional and municipal partnerships and an annual forum of partner regions held in the Kaliningrad Region are examples of such cooperation.

Four 2018 FIFA World Cup matches in Kaliningrad in June which were attended by over 100,000 foreign fans were key to boosting the region’s tourist appeal. Taking into account the success of the 2018 World Cup matches, other major international sporting events will be held in the region as well, the first of which will be the UEFA Nations League match between the national teams of Russia and Sweden on October 11.

The Kaliningrad Region’s participation in international programmes of cross-border Russia-EU cooperation (Russia-Poland 2014-2020 and Russia-Lithuania 2014-2020) is an important contribution to developing our interaction with the European Union.

Despite the anti-Russian sanctions, the Kaliningrad Region’s foreign trade grew in 2018, in particular with Poland and Lithuania. The law on the special economic zone in the Kaliningrad Region, which came into force on January 1, will help expand the region’s foreign economic relations. A special administrative district with a special tax regime will be created on Oktyabrsky Island in Kaliningrad in October 2019 and serve as a new tool for bringing in investors.

In recent years, much has been done to improve Russia’s regulatory and legal framework in an attempt to make it easier to do business and to provide state support for the investment development of the Kaliningrad Region, to address energy supply and environmental issues, Kaliningrad transit, to simplify visa procedures and to develop transport infrastructure. At the initiative of the Foreign Ministry, electronic visas, similar to the ones developed for the free port of Vladivostok, are being introduced for foreign citizens visiting the Kaliningrad Region. We will post detailed information about this on our website soon.

It is no accident that a town in the Kaliningrad Region which, as we all had the chance to see for ourselves, receives guests with an open heart, was chosen to host Baltic Artek. Thank you for your hospitality.



New high level working group on the Caspian Sea

The Caspian Summit has just ended. The participants were efficient and achieved great results based on the efforts of the experts from each country in recent years. The Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea (Article 19) signed at the Fifth Caspian Summit in Aktau on August 12 of this year, provides for establishing a mechanism for five-sided high-level regular meetings under the aegis of the foreign ministers of the Caspian states with a view to ensuring the effective implementation of the convention and reviewing cooperation in the Caspian Sea.

There were questions about this instrument and the time frame of these meetings. The Summit’s communiqué contains instructions by the presidents to hold the first meeting at the deputy foreign minister level or full representatives of the Caspian states in accordance with the Convention no later than sixth months from the day of signing.

The foreign ministers of the Caspian Five decided to convene the high-level working group on Caspian Sea issues before the end of this year. The venue and date will be coordinated through diplomatic channels.



Flash mob #ReadAitmatov

At the initiative of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), has been declared 2018 the Year of Russian-Speaking Writer Chinghiz Aitmatov in connection with his 90th birth anniversary.

Aitmatov’s writings have been translated into many languages – 126 in all. The creative work of this great writer is evidence that Soviet-Russian cultural heritage continues to bring the post-Soviet nations, and others, together, and helps in bringing up the younger generations in the spirit of intransient human values.

Aitmatov’s personality has a unifying symbolic significance for our ministry as well. The writer rose to prominence as a diplomat: in 1990 he was assigned to head the Soviet Embassy (since 1992 the Russian Embassy) in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and was the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan in the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg).

In tribute to the memory of this outstanding writer, we invite you to take part in the following flash mobs in 2018: #Reading Aitmatov in Russian and the multi-lingual project “ReadAitmatov.” Today they will be published on the Foreign Ministry’s official website and social media accounts, as well as the online resources of our embassies. I suggest reading excerpts from his works and posting them on social media with the above hash tags, given how much young people gravitate towards internet multimedia. This will become a very important and effective tool for drawing the attention of the younger generation to his writing.

I hope this initiative will prompt young people to turn to Aitmatov’s masterpieces for themselves not only in the post-Soviet space but also in the rest of the world. I am confident that anyone can find something relevant in it and can probably find answers to eternal questions that worry all of humanity regardless of age, nationality, religion or ethnic origin.



Syria update

The situation on the ground in Syria has been steadily improving, thanks in part to the successful actions of government forces in the south of the country where, with the strong support of Russian military intelligence, they destroyed the hotbeds of terrorism in the provinces of Deraa and Quneitra. The operation to evacuate the “irreconcilables” and their families to the north of Syria has also been completed in Deraa. Last Sunday, the last group of 452 people was moved out.

The “mop-up” of the east of the province of Suwayd to take out the last of the ISIS fighters is nearing completion. Over the past two weeks, the Syrian forces successfully liberated about 2,000 square kilometers.

The return of refugees continues to gain momentum. Last Monday alone, 204 refugees returned from Lebanon (61 women, 104 children). As for internally displaced persons (IDPs), 316 Syrian citizens returned to their places of residence on the same day, including 189 in Homs, 85 in Eastern Ghouta, and 42 in Deir ez-Zor.

In 117 localities least affected by the hostilities, there are refugee reception and accommodation camps for more than 490,000 people. In addition, in 295 villages, intensive work is underway to create an infrastructure for accommodating almost 1 million refugees and IDPs.

Over the past 24 hours (August 14), 16 residential buildings were restored in Syria, 1 km of motor road was repaired, 1.5 km of power lines laid, and one water supply facility resumed operation. These are figures for only one day. They show the speed and scale at which Syria is reviving.

In the village of Hirdjilla in the suburbs of Damascus, more than 3.5 tonnes of food was distributed as part of humanitarian aid. In Aleppo, 1 tonne of bread was distributed in the Sheikh-Said district from the Kadyrov Foundation.

Russian military doctors provided medical care to six residents, including three children, in the village of Salhiyah of the Deir ez-Zor province, and to 54 patients, including 16 children, in Yalda, a suburb of Damascus.

The engineering units of the Syrian Armed Forces continued demining the area and facilities in the Homs province – two hectares of land and ten buildings were demined. They detected and destroyed 50 explosive items, including 21 improvised explosive devices.



Media reports on UNHCR’s involvement in evacuating the White Helmets

The Foreign Ministry took note of media reports on the involvement of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in evacuating from Syria a large group of the infamous White Helmets, who under the pretence of working for a humanitarian organisation, actually served as a tool in the information and propaganda warfare waged by a number of countries in Syria, including by relying on illegal armed groups and would-be humanitarian organisations.

It is unfortunate that the UNHCR confirmed its involvement on its official website.

By doing so, the UN body supported the false narrative on these While Helmets promoted by the Western media and officials, misrepresenting them as genuine and fearless humanitarian workers.

But how come these fearless humanitarian workers need to be evacuated from Syria? Why can’t the White Helmets stay there as peace returns to cities and communities? How come the White Helmets are not there to distribute bread rations or to restore medical aid stations and civilian infrastructure? Have they thought about Syrian children who have to go to school, and what are civilians supposed to do? What happened to their commitment to the humanitarian cause? As a matter of fact, it never existed to begin with. All the White Helmets did was contribute to fake stories, in exchange for huge sums of money, on the alleged chemical weapons attacks, and helped spread this propaganda online. They alleged that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against its own people. That is all there is to it. That is what all these would-be humanitarian efforts were all about.

Considering that the UNHCR is a high-profile and respected international institution, we would like to draw the attention of its representatives that they need to show a greater sense of responsibility in their actions and avoid steps that could not only hurt the reputation of this international organisation, but most importantly affect UN’s role in addressing major humanitarian tasks, including in Syria.

We would like to reiterate that the White Helmets are experts at provocation and disinformation who spread fake information under the guise of humanitarian work. In fact, they have colluded with the most dangerous terrorist groups with a mission to malign and undermine counter-terrorist efforts undertaken by the Syrian government with Russia’s assistance.

The White Helmets were behind a series of cynical fake stories that were concocted to prevent stabilisation in Syria and consequently making it impossible to address humanitarian needs, including assisting refugees.

Having the UNHCR provide any kind of assistance to the provocative undertakings of the White Helmets is a grave mistake, at best.

We call on the Office to act in strict compliance with its mandate, avoid any political bias and abide by the humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence, humaneness and impartiality in their work, as well as focus on maximising international efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Syrian refugees, which is currently the main objective. It is interesting that international agencies and the international community are working on the evacuation of the White Helmets at a time when life is returning to normal in Syria. But when it comes to helping civilians and refugees who want to return to Syria, many are those who take a step back or say that it would be unsafe. What an interesting story. When civilians were in Syria and multiple regional and Western powers sponsored fighters, they were not in danger, but now having people voluntarily return to their homeland is viewed as being unsafe. This is absurd, but facts speak for themselves.



Progress of investigation into Russian journalists’ murder in Central African Republic

The Russian Foreign Ministry continues to monitor the investigation into the murder of Russian journalists Orkhan Dzhemal, Alexander Rastorguyev and Kirill Radchenko in the Central African Republic on July 30. The Russian Investigative Committee’s plan to visit to the CAR to monitor the procedural actions taken by Central African law enforcement agencies has now moved to the practical stage.

There have been media reports, which I can confirm, of Russian journalists from various media arriving in the CAR. The Federal News Agency project has been launched there – on August 12, a group of correspondents arrived in the Central African Republic as part of this.

I would like to confirm that this time, the journalists going to the CAR are in touch with the Russian Embassy. We very much hope that all Russian journalists who intend to visit the CAR will let our diplomats know in advance and report upon arrival; it is also advisable to inform the Russian Foreign Ministry in advance. At a meeting with the Russian Embassy staff in Bangui, the journalists said they planned to cover the work of Russian advisors in the CAR, visit the training base in Berengo, and travel their deceased colleagues’ itinerary. Safety will be provided by Central African law enforcement agencies and the staff of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the CAR. The Russian diplomatic staff in Bangui will also provide them with any necessary assistance when they ask. We expect that the journalists will help shed more light on what happened to their colleagues and refute the many insinuations that appeared in the media and on the internet on this incident, as well as about the nature and purpose of the Russian presence in the CAR, which, hopefully, will stop the speculation on who killed the three members of the Russian film crew and how. From our point of view, this needs to be done in addition to the work of the law enforcement agencies in the CAR and the Russian Federation, which was started immediately. Only an official investigation jointly conducted by the Russian and the Central African sides can clarify the true picture of this crime.



Update on Maria Butina

We continue to closely follow the situation around Russian citizen Maria Butina who was arrested in the US on July 15 on preposterous charges of acting as an agent of a foreign power with all the ensuing consequences.

Russian diplomats in Washington managed to bring about an improvement in the conditions of her confinement. She was allowed to use the telephone and her food is better now. At the same time, in spite of our numerous requests, the rules remain onerous. As a result, Maria Butina’s health has deteriorated. It seems as if Washington is trying to force her to cooperate with the investigation by making her living conditions as difficult as possible.

We consider such actions of the US government to be unacceptable and demand that Maria Butina immediately be given full medical assistance and that her criminal prosecution, which is based on frivolous accusations, come to an end. Everything the US government has presented to the public, at least, does not hold water.



The case of Kirill Vyshinsky, Editor-in-Chief of RIA Novosti Ukraine

According to information received from the Russian Embassy in Ukraine, the Kherson Appeal Court has reduced Kirill Vyshinsky’s term of arrest to 8 September because the first-instance court exceeded the deadline for extending pre-trial custody, which is 60 days. At the same time, the court refused to release Kirill Vyshinsky on bail.

In spite of the fact that Russian consular officers are repeatedly refused permission to meet with the detainee on the grounds of Kirill Vyshinsky’s Ukrainian citizenship, the Russian Embassy in Ukraine and the Russian Consulate General in Odessa continue to closely monitor the situation and provide all possible assistance to Kirill Vyshinsky’s defence counsels.



The centenary of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s diplomatic courier service

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s diplomatic courier service is marking an anniversary on August 27. Exactly one hundred years ago “a diplomatic courier desk” was established at the People’s Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR. It was charged with ensuring reliable and confidential communication with Russia’s missions abroad. We have not congratulated our colleagues yet; we are preparing for that.

Ahead of our common professional holiday I would like to say a few worlds about the service. A diplomatic courier is a position in the diplomatic service that requires huge responsibility for the safety of entrusted state secrets and has always involved considerable risk. The most indicative example of diplomatic courier heroism was that of Teodors Nete and Johannes Machmastal, Soviet diplomats who in February 1926 were delivering diplomatic mail from Moscow to Berlin via Riga. On February 5, the diplomatic couriers were assaulted on a train in order to take the mail. In the ensuing shootout Teodors Nete who fiercely resisted the bandits was killed. Johannes Machmastal continued to fight, and with three gunshot wounds, he delivered the diplomatic mail to Riga where he handed it over to the Soviet mission staff. Both men were awarded the Order of the Red Banner. Their names were given to streets, boats and airplanes. The Red Couriers film dedicated to this deed will be aired by Zvezda TV on Diplomatic Courier Day on August 27. Nete’s and Machmastal’s heroism in the first quarter of the 20th century is far from exceptional; it is common for the diplomatic courier service staff.

During the Great Patriotic War diplomatic couriers kept delivering diplomatic mail, crossing the frontlines a number of times on combat planes and on Soviet and allied military transport ships. After the war, diplomatic couriers carried diplomatic mail to countries embroiled in armed conflicts and political instability including Vietnam, Afghanistan, Mozambique, Lebanon and Syria. Diplomatic couriers who gave their lives for their country account for a third of the deceased Foreign Ministry staff listed on the memorial plaque in the lobby of the Foreign Ministry building on Smolenskaya Square.

Over the past one hundred years our diplomatic courier service has gone through a number of structural and functional changes, but it has never lost the high professionalism and reliability that were established a century ago. Despite the introduction of the radio, the internet and other scientific and technical advances, the diplomatic service has not lost its significance and remains one of the most reliable ways to forward service and working reports as well as documents. The successful operation of the service largely depends on personnel selection, the human factor. Diplomatic service staff have been awarded many state decorations, letters of acknowledgment and appreciation from the ministry. Some became ambassadors, consuls, heads of departments, and have worked in international organisations.

Since 2003, the diplomatic courier service has been run by the independent Department of Diplomatic Courier Communications. Thanks to its highly professional staff, this department provides reliable courier services not only to the Foreign Ministry of Russia but also other government agencies. Today, diplomatic mail is sent to over 120 foreign countries. The department is headed by a professional diplomat, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Sergey Lukyanchuk.

I can tell you that in addition to the next briefing to be held in Moscow at 11 am on August 23, a themed photo documentary exhibit, 100 Years of Diplomatic Communication of the Russian Foreign Ministry, will be unveiled at the Foreign Ministry. We will arrange it so that accredited journalists will be able to cover it in detail, and shoot the exhibition prior to the briefing. We will arrange a small guided tour for them. You will see the diplomatic pouches and different artifacts, and learn how the work of a diplomatic courier is performed. So you are welcome; it will be interesting. We will certainly post all of this on our social network pages for those who cannot attend.



Afghanistan update

We are watching with alarm the situation in the province of Ghazni, where the Taliban has captured and has held a significant part of the city of Ghazni for several days. Hundreds of people have died on both sides including civilians, and a large part of the city has been destroyed. Although the Afghan authorities reported that the Taliban fighters had retreated from the city, they continue to hold the districts adjacent to Ghazni.

We recorded an escalation in tension in the northern provinces, also triggered by the recent Taliban attacks on the Afghan army base in Ghormach District, Faryab Province where at least 17 service personnel were killed and 20 injured last Sunday.

This is not the first time that major military operations have taken place simultaneously in several parts of the country since the beginning of the year, and the army and the police have difficulty controlling everything. The numerous foreign military contingents based in Afghanistan are failing to change the situation as well.

The ongoing instability in Afghanistan is aggravated by a depressed economic situation, as evidenced by the recent World Bank report, which shows a slowdown in economic growth, a low rate of job creation, and a sharp increase in the number of Afghans living below the poverty line, up to 55 percent. So far, there are no prospects for improvement.



Territorial dispute over Western Sahara

We received a number of inquiries regarding the prospects for resolving the territorial dispute over Western Sahara. Indeed, the fate of this former Spanish colony has remained unresolved for over 40 years now. The efforts to develop an acceptable conflict resolution approach for the parties to the conflict – Morocco and the POLISARIO Front – undertaken under the auspices of the United Nations have been repeatedly disrupted for various reasons. Meanwhile, the fragile local status quo causes serious concern, because it is fraught with major challenges to regional security.

In this regard, we note with satisfaction that Horst Kohler, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara and former President of Germany, is stepping up efforts to get the peace process going by resuming direct talks without preconditions between the two protagonists, including neighbouring Algeria and Mauritania as observers.

We support this approach and do not see any sensible alternative to searching for a compromise based on the well-known resolutions of the Security Council and the UN General Assembly within the framework of procedures consistent with the UN Charter’s principles and goals.

We operate on the premise that lasting peace in Western Sahara can be achieved exclusively by political means. While maintaining contacts with all interested parties, we will continue to help create positive dynamics in order to achieve a Western Sahara settlement.



Investigation into Salisbury and Amesbury incidents

We are concerned about the lack of information about Yulia Skripal and her father’s condition or whereabouts, and are stunned by the British authorities’ continued refusal to provide consular staff of the Russian embassy access to them. Britain continues to ignore requests for legal assistance sent by the General Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation to London regarding the criminal lawsuit opened by the Russian Investigative Committee on March 16 in connection with the attempted murder of Yulia Skripal in a manner that endangers the general public. This is the official wording.

Politicians in the United States immediately joined the provocation involving these Russian citizens in Salisbury. They came up with more anti-Russian sanctions, which they are now rationalising by citing Salisbury and Amesbury. We consider these decisions, made without any proof, to be biased and politically motivated. It is all reminiscent of the story dating back over a decade about the alleged presence of irrefutable data on chemical weapons in Iraq, when the United Kingdom and the United States made a decision (the US initiated that decision and Britain supported it), which was not backed by real facts. Later, as we found out, it was backed up by manipulated and fake data. It appears that London and Washington learnt nothing from the Iraqi lesson. However, this time, I can assure you, the reputational costs of such actions will be much greater.

The situation is further aggravated by the fact that the British law enforcement agencies conducting the investigation into the Salisbury and Amesbury incidents are under unrelenting political pressure from the British government. Here, we should talk about political pressure coming not only from the British authorities, but also the US authorities. Long before the completion of the investigation (we do not know whether it will be completed, or how it is being conducted, either), the British government has issued a guilty verdict. Following Washington's announcement of US sanctions, such pressure further increased.

In this regard, Russia continues to firmly insist on an independent, objective and transparent investigation into the above incidents. It is worth emphasising again that Russian citizens were affected in the Salisbury attack. We cannot stay on the sidelines, and we demand consular access to them.



Recent statement by US Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert Wood Johnson

To continue the previous subject, I would like to draw your attention to an article in The Telegraph. This article was written by US Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert Wood Johnson. It urges London to follow Washington’s example and withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear programme. These kinds of “policy statements” are required to show that it is ostensibly impossible to deal with this subject without the US Ambassador.

The article contains many interesting points. Johnson has accused the Iranian Government of sponsoring terrorism and launching cyberattacks against Western democracies. Needless to say, no evidence was provided, as usual. He also gave this appeal: “We are asking global Britain to use its considerable diplomatic power and influence and join us as we lead a concerted global effort towards a genuinely comprehensive agreement.” Johnson wants Britain to join the US policy against Iran’s nuclear deal. He was even more specific when he wrote that rupturing the agreement with Iran was the only sensible plan of action. He also said: “Together, we can help bring about the peace and prosperity in Iran that the whole world wants to see.”

This is beyond common sense. First, in the past two years it was the US that kept declaring at all levels that it was unacceptable to interfere in the domestic affairs of other states. This is its thesis, its concept that it is unacceptable to interfere in the elections, in the internal affairs of other states, that it is necessary to respect their sovereignty. Johnson writes that together, the US and the UK can “help bring peace and prosperity to Iran that the whole world wants to see.” Apparently, in his mind someone has charged Washington and London with a mission to care for Tehran’s prosperity. This is absurd.

Secondly, we have said more than once that we are concerned about Washington’s withdrawal from the JCPOA, which is a very important element of the global regime for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and a reliable guarantee of security in the Middle East. These are not wild guesses but a conclusion based on analysis and supported by the international community in the mandatory UN Security Council resolution. We believe that everything the US Ambassador and many US politicians have said in this context is in error. We again emphasise that it is not Tehran that is destabilising the region. There are those who are free-and-easy with multilateral international agreements, especially agreements on nuclear security. The comments made by this American diplomat are absolutely out of place, considering that the US is actively trying to destabilise the situation inside Iran with its illegal economic sanctions, political pressure and influence from within.

The idea that the UK and the US can ensure “peace and prosperity” in the Middle East is mind numbing. Where and when in the past few decades have the US and the UK ensured what Johnson called “peace and prosperity” in the Middle East? Where in the Middle East and North Africa is this “island of stability”? Where has the project of this tandem been carried out and produced relevant results? In Libya or Syria, in Yemen? The region has barely survived the horrible consequences of the Arab Spring that was sponsored politically and otherwise by these countries. Recent history in the region and the activities of the US and the UK demonstrate the opposite. I don’t think we can take seriously the phrase about what “the whole world wants to see.” Nobody has delegated any right to anyone as regards Iran, and least of all to Washington and London.



The new US defence budget

There have been masses of requests to comment on the new US defence budget. Some preliminary estimates were already offered and today I would like to dwell on this matter in more detail.

Signed by the US president on August 13, the Fiscal 2019 National Defense Authorization Act has, in effect, consolidated Washington’s policy to build up its international dominance by force. The unprecedented $716 billion defence check, a record of sorts covering the last 15 years, will have a destructive impact on the existing international security system.

Characteristically, the document allocates funding for specific anti-Russia and anti-China projects mentioned in the US national security strategy and the US national defence strategy, as well as in the Nuclear Posture Review.

These actions are driving Russian-US relations even deeper into an impasse and making problematic the very chance of their retaking a constructive path. In the practical sense, this Act (named after a rabid Russophobe, Sen. John McCaine) extends a ban on military cooperation with Russia amid a serious surge of threats and challenges. The document approves $6.3 billion ($1.7 billion more than last year) in allocations for the European Reassurance Initiative to build up US military presence in Europe as well as to counteract the so-called “Russian aggression.”

The Act has other anti-Russian provisions, too, specifically a likely suspension of the US compliance with the INF Treaty under the pretext of its “violation” by Russia. The US is going to “retaliate” by continuing R&D on a ground-based missile banned under the INF Treaty and strengthening the European segment of the US global antimissile system, this in order to defend itself from Russian missiles that allegedly are at odds with the INF Treaty’s constraints. Thereby they finally dispel all doubts as to the real target of the US antimissile defence.

Referring to Russia’s “violation” of the Treaty on Open Skies, the Act introduces restrictions on cooperation under this document. The budget bans allocations for modernising the long obsolescent fleet of aircraft performing flights under this Treaty, something that endangers security of both the US crews and Russian representatives on board.

The Act confirms the course for unilateral and unrestricted development of the US global antimissile system. Among other things, funds have been allocated for the creation of its space segment, which is actually yet another step towards deploying weapons in outer space.

Some other measures of counteraction to Russia and other “aggressors” are plans to produce “low-yield” nuclear warheads, something that leads to the lowering of the nuclear threshold and to greater risks of a nuclear war being unleashed, and hypersonic weapons to suit the “prompt strike” concept.

There is a separate entry on lethal weapons deliveries to the Poroshenko regime in Ukraine, a country that is actually in a state of civil war. This is certain to please those Ukrainian politicians who are not interested in an early settlement of the conflict in Donbass.

For its part, Russia is taking and will continue to take the necessary measures for reliable protection of its own security by all means available – political, diplomatic and military.



Resistance among some NATO members to increasing military budgets on US orders

We also received questions concerning NATO member states’ response to increasing their military budgets on US orders. The declaration of NATO’s July summit confirms the goal of raising the member states’ military spending to 2 percent of their GDP. And this when their combined military spending makes up over half of world total and far exceeds Russian spending: combined they spend 14 times more than us.

We understand there were even appeals to increase this figure to 4 percent. It is clear that now, amid growing trade and economic competition and “trade wars”, that not everyone welcomes the prospect or necessity of additional spending. For some countries the required increase of defence spending even exceeds planned GDP growth, which will result is a shift toward spending on weapons at the expense of the needs of peaceful civilian life. The more so that Russia is not a threat to NATO member states and there are no dangers in Europe that lend themselves to a military solution. We all live in peaceful times.

At the same time, we should note that there are countries trying, at least in words, to defend their real national interests. However, there are countries that, like characters from world fiction, romanticise the outdated practices of previous periods and tilt at the windmills of non-existent dangers. This is what they feel, which they take for reality. We do not know their genuine aims, be it attracting attention, reaping political dividends or just making money. But all this certainly does not promote security in Europe – just the opposite, it creates additional risks.



Russian-Greek relations

The attention of the Russian and Greek media, experts, analysts and the public is currently focused on relations between our two countries. Numerous articles by political analysts are being published. Unfortunately, some fake news are being circulated and causing quite a stir. We regularly comment on this, but I would like to touch upon this issue once more today.

We have read the August 10, 2018 comment on the website of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which evaluates the current stage of bilateral relations.

Our partners have demoted bilateral cooperation and relations, which have always been perceived as special and traditionally friendly by Russia, to the level of routine “coexistence”. This decision hardly meets the demands, expectations and wishes of the two nations or the nature of interstate cooperation, as highlighted by an unprecedented degree of top-level and high-level political dialogue and ambitious projects that have been implemented over the past few years. We have always cited the friendly, open and practical nature of Russian-Greek relations as an example for our European partners. The degradation of our cooperation at a time when we celebrate the 190th anniversary of establishing bilateral relations is deplorable, all the more so as Russia played a substantial role in reinstating the independence and state sovereignty of Greece. For their part, scholars from Byzantium and Greece played a major role in asserting the Russian identity. Russia has never meddled in the Greek domestic affairs or its foreign policy. Yet this is how the situation is being portrayed by those who cannot be described as true friends of Greece.

The allegations being voiced by Athens still amount to mere assertions, and they have failed to present us with any evidence whatsoever. Local media outlets launched an unprecedented campaign to discredit our bilateral cultural and humanitarian ties. These indisputably positive contacts that were perceived as nothing but exemplary turned into elements of hybrid war overnight. Various longtime pillars of Russian-Greek relations, including our common religious and historical heritage, mutual sympathy between our nations and the contribution of ethnic diasporas to both countries’ well-being began to be portrayed as suspicious and ill-intentioned. Russia was unjustifiably reproached for infringing upon Greece’s interests in the Balkan region and for undermining the Prespa agreement on the official name of Macedonia. Someone clearly ordered media publications alleging that that Moscow financed large-scale protests in the run-up to the September 2018 Thessaloniki International Fair. The preposterous nature of these publications is obvious, but the scale of the ongoing media campaign is truly staggering.

We have repeatedly stated at all levels that Russia does not side with one party against another. For example Russia’s cooperation with Turkey is not directed against third countries. I am mentioning this as an example because the media has also actively exploited this allegation.

By way of example, it is unacceptable to distort history and to interpret the goals of establishing the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society international public organisation and its activities. Like many other nongovernmental organisations, it implements solely cultural and educational projects and only if our foreign partners are interested in them. Yet this organisation is also being lambasted today.

I would like to note once again that Russia did not initiate the steps that have led to the degradation of Russian-Greek relations. On the contrary, we remain committed to expanding all-round cooperation with Greece. We consider the current situation to be abnormal and temporary, and we hope that it will be resolved soon. We are ready to be patient and act responsibly in the interests of resuming full-fledged cooperation for the benefit of both nations.



Kiev intends to create its own Magnitsky List

We also received questions about Kiev’s intentions to create its own Magnitsky List. The package of measures announced by Kiev is actually similar to the Magnitsky List in that it constitutes yet another attempt to impose unilateral coercive measures that are at odds with the international law and cannot be viewed as a civilised way for countries to communicate among them. By seeking to accuse foreign nationals of wrongdoing that have never been proven, the Ukrainian authorities seem to be taking their cues from overseas in violation of the presumption of innocence.

We believe that the Ukrainian version of the Magnitsky List represents an inquisition-style approach to the administration of justice, since it introduces collective punishment for nonexistent crimes. For us, the fact that political figures may be designated on this list is a blatant violation of international norms regarding the immunity of senior government official representing sovereign states.

We strongly believe that the true cause behind this initiative is that Kiev wants to have more options for perpetuating its policy of impunity and covering up the crimes committed by neo-Nazis and extremists, who have on their hands the blood of people who perished during Maidan, in Odessa’s Trade Union House and in southeastern Ukraine.



Discrimination against Russian-speaking population in Baltic countries

Discrimination against the Russian-speaking population in Baltic countries is another recurrent topic for our briefings. We have to talk about it again and again, since the Russian leadership and the Foreign Ministry monitor developments in this sphere on an ongoing basis and attach great importance to them. Today, the Russian language is being squeezed out from all areas of public life, which is probably the most urgent problem. This has to do primarily with Latvia where an initiative is underway to switch the curriculum in schools attended by ethnic minorities to the Latvian language only, despite mass protests by Russian speakers. Decisions banning education in the Russian language in private Latvian universities and colleges have been taken. Russia strongly condemns these discriminatory measures, as we have said on multiple occasions. I have already mentioned what people living in this country think about it and what was their response.

Unfortunately, Latvia’s example was contagious, since Lithuanian authorities have tried to go down a similar path. For example, in the country’s parliament, a group of conservative MPs has recently proposed amendments whereby 60 percent of the school curriculum for ethnic minorities is to be offered in the Lithuanian language by 2023. Those behind this proposal do not hide that their initiative is designed to “neutralise Russia’s influence” on the local Russian and Polish population. While pretending to guarantee equal job opportunities for all school graduates in Lithuania, this draft law is hypocritical, to say the least. As a matter of fact, what we see is outright discrimination and an attempt to assimilate the Russian-speaking population.

The proposal made by Lithuanian conservative MPs led to a predictable backlash from Polish and Russian minorities, who had every reason to refer to this initiative as “a setback in state policy” toward this group of citizens, as well as compromising for ethnic minorities in terms of their education and violating their rights. We hope that the Lithuanian MPs will refrain from taking an unpopular decision of this kind.

We have also learned about the increasing number of so-called “preventative conversations” held by officials from Lithuania’s Education Ministry with high school students from Russian-language schools in Vilnius as well as other cities. During these meetings, officials seek to understand to what extent school students are “loyal” to the Lithuanian state, its foreign policy, etc. They also inquire about the availability of textbooks printed in Russia and other “banned” books. Conversations of this kind were also reported in areas of Latvia and Estonia with a high density of Russian-speaking young people.

Moreover, the Estonian parliament is reviewing a draft law whereby companies whose workers do not speak the Estonian language well enough would be subject to a EUR 6,400 fine, up from EUR 600, which makes it a ten-fold increase. I have a question in this respect: When the Estonian authorities review all these initiatives and submit them to parliament, can they imagine something similar happening in other parts of the world, for example with people who speak the Estonian language but are not very proficient in the national language of the country they live in? Would this be normal?

Once again, we call on the relevant international bodies, including the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the European Union, to finally send a clear message so that everyone hears it, and share their view of the ongoing violation of linguistic and educational rights of ethnic minorities in the Baltic states.



Invite to Artek for young Thai football players rescued from flooded cave

Since we are meeting today at the Baltic Artek venue, here is some news from the actual Crimean Artek. A little over a month ago, on July 10, Thailand successfully completed a unique operation to rescue young football players trapped for more than two weeks in a flooded cave. The whole world, and certainly the Russian people, felt sincere empathy with what had happened. We offered assistance. Russian-made helicopters were used in the rescue operations. And I don’t have to tell you how many people expressed support and sympathy.

We were all filled with awe at the dedication of the rescuers, and even more struck by the courage and steadfastness of the children. They showed real courage and dignity all the way through the hard trials that were not a game but real life. One can only guess what they had to face.

To help in their rehabilitation, and also as a reward for their strong will, steadfastness, and struggle for life in a horrific situation, Artek Director Alexey Kasprzhak invited the children to the camp – a place where children from different countries live (this is not a slip of the tongue – not exist, not stay, but live), where they have real adventures during their stay, where they get acquainted with each other and combine study and life experience with relaxation, friendship and companionship.

I want to quote Mr Kasprzhak, who said that Artek appreciated the children's real heroic deed, commensurable with adult heroism. The children are expected there. We are confident that the atmosphere of Artek and the cordiality of its population will help them forget what they have endured − not to forget the experience itself, but forget the horrors they had to fight. Back in Artek, there is the best football team on the peninsula, the leader of the Crimean championship, so they will not have to abandon playing football while they are there, which, as we remember, is especially important for the children.

All the children I mentioned will be given free Artek vouchers within the international quota. Our Embassy in Thailand will be in touch with the local side in the next few days to convey this invitation and discuss the specifics and the trip in more detail.




Answers to media questions:



Question:

What is your view of the US grievances about the ban on their flights under the Open Skies Treaty over the entire territory of the Kaliningrad Region, the Chechen Republic and other border regions of the Russian Federation?



Maria Zakharova:

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov commented extensively on the statements made by the United States regarding the Open Skies. Even if there are complaints – and the complaints made by our US counterparts are groundless – even if any party such as Washington believes its rights are being violated and the treaty is not being duly fulfilled, there are modern international institutions for resolving issues on a bilateral basis, through diplomatic channels, between respective agencies and at the expert level. There used to be entire commissions on culture, arms, the media and other areas that were engaged in dialogue. The Americans have shut that down. However, there are other institutions to deal with these issues. Obviously, what we see here is other objectives, issues and goals on the agenda, which is to aggravate problems instead of working to resolve them and to exploit the completely contrived problems (if the problems were real, we would have seen facts) for more sanctions, pressure on the Russian Federation or for information campaigns against our countries. This is exactly what we think about it.

There is an opportunity for dialogue and for handling problems in a constructive and practical manner. For example, the meeting between the two presidents demonstrated to the entire world that Russia and the United States can sit down at a negotiations table. In fact, this has never been a matter of doubt. So much time has been spent, including by heads of the two countries’ foreign policy agencies, on developing an action plan on Iran’s nuclear programme, Syria, Ukraine and other matters. We were engaged in dialogue and we can conduct it during the most complicated times. The problem is that none of this is being employed. When issues arise, instead of referring to normal, well-established and operating channels, everybody takes over microphones and starts telling wild tales.



Question:

Can you comment on the fact that, while the majority of military cooperation programmes are being wrapped up, the Open Skies will still remain in the US defence budget?



Maria Zakharova:

I have already outlined our position on the Open Skies and the arms budget in general terms. It is our military experts who should give a more detailed comment.



Question:

What are the possible risks of a US-Turkish trade war?



Maria Zakharova:

The absolute paradox and main contradiction of US policies is that for several years they told us that all the measures with regard to Russia, including the pressure of sanctions, black lists, restrictions, etc., amounted to punishment and a certain response from the United States that has independently assumed the role of an international arbiter, and that can punish and isolate Russia for its allegedly “incorrect” behaviour. We have said that this is not true because all this, including the decision to put off President Barack Obama’s visit and compilation of the “Magnitsky list,” began long before the dramatic developments in Ukraine, referred to by the United States. Today, no one doubts that, even if Russia is at the top of various restrictive lists, it is not the only such country. It is Washington that has launched trade wars with China. Add to this the financial and economic pressure on Turkey and efforts to ratchet up sanctions against Iran that are bolstered by financial and economic actions and tremendous political pressure.

It may be a paradox, but if the United States earlier used the term “axis of evil” with regard to some countries and regions that simply could not be regarded by it as “good” due to their history, culture and political system, it now turns out that, in Washington’s opinion, a country does not even have to belong to a certain “axis of evil” in order to be pressured by the United States in its own interests. The European Union is a case in point: don’t actions against European companies amount to trade war? This is already a matter of one’s taste and subtle nuances on the part of experts, be it trade wars, pressure or the policy of sanctions. Even the closest partners of the United States, including Canada, which has always followed in the wake of US policies, are targeted by the United States on the basis of its own interests.

The point is whether it is possible to talk about US national interests when implementing this policy. In my opinion, it would be more appropriate to talk about the interests of a specific political group that assumes power. There is clear proof of this in the fact that, every four to eight years, Washington’s interests, being passed for national interests, become diametrically opposite. Two, three and four years ago, it was advantageous to suggest any action plan for Iran and to simultaneously expand, resume or reboot financial and economic cooperation. But everything is completely topsy-turvy now: Iran has been branded as an aggressor, etc. It is very important to understand these mechanisms in order to make any assessment.



Question:

How could a trade war with Turkey affect Russia? It probably will have some effect on Russia, won’t it?



Maria Zakharova:

This is the correct way to frame the question, since the concept of globalisation was not invented by Russia. After all, it was a Western product. Everyone believed in it and started making their contributions, in one way or another, to the financial and economic globalisation. In the process, the world was regarded as presenting some kind of a whole, in which everyone can make its own contribution and operate independently and as an equal in economic and financial terms. Today, we can see that this is not the way things are.

As for Russia, we will act depending on the specific outcomes of these economic wars. We have made our choice after the sanctions were announced. We decided to benefit from this opportunity, although we were not the ones who initiated it and did not expect this to happen. However, considering the situation back then, we opted for a path that enabled us to move forward on our own and build up our domestic resources. Accordingly, depending on how the events play out, we will seek to mitigate losses without rejoicing at the fact that they have now reached Turkey. This would not be the right attitude, since globalisation has gone so far that you never know what sanctions against which country could have negative implications, and how it would happen. We definitely oppose initiatives of this kind. All we can do is take note and respond to developments as they happen. I do hope that this wave calms down, but the latest events prove otherwise.



Question:

Some in the UN opposed the return of refugees back to Syria. Why is the UN refusing to accept normalisation in Syria?



Maria Zakharova:

I cannot agree with you when you claim that the UN has a negative attitude regarding the return of Syrian refugees. I have already mentioned this today. The approach adopted by the UN is that conditions have yet to be created to enable refugees to voluntarily and sustainably return back to Syria in safety and dignity. The lingering obstacles pinpointed by the UN are the continuation of hostilities, devastation, a general lack of security, poor social infrastructure, contamination with unexploded ordnances, etc. The question is who can be tasked with improving social infrastructure, if not the Syrians themselves? Who should do it? Who should be in charge of mine clearance? It’s clear that for the time being Russia is doing all this, but Syrians must be the ones to improve their own territory. This is what our question boils down to once statements of this kind are made.

The position of UN leadership is of course influenced by major member countries who are the main donors of international humanitarian programmes. Unfortunately, the US and other Western countries have been pursuing a regime change in Syria for quite some time. They condition the provision of recovery relief on what they call a political transition, which means the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The unilateral sanctions these countries imposed on Syria show this all too well. In fact, this is a paradox. The country that has already been torn apart is being bombarded with more challenges such as the unilateral sanctions. This is an obstacle as far as reconstruction is concerned.

Considering the tough stance adopted by the main donors, the UN is unfortunately unable to contribute to addressing Syria’s immediate needs, including facilitating the return of refugees. The leadership of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees strongly believes that a number of political conditions have to be met in order to enable large numbers of Syrians to return back to their homes. We believe this position to be questionable. So far it is too early to discuss UNHCR’s active involvement in enabling Syrian refugees to return back to their homes. This does not mean that the UN is against normalisation in Syria. We know this from our contacts with the UN, and the talks that we are holding. We remain in touch at all times. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently had a conversation with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. There are projects to resettle Syrian refugees from neighbouring countries and a number of other humanitarian initiatives that are implemented with the help of UNHCR as well as other UN agencies.



Question:

What could be done about the state vandalism in Poland regarding monuments to Soviet soldiers? What do you think of an idea of making, with government support, a detailed digital map showing all the monuments in Poland, including those that have been demolished and forgotten, marked on it with multimedia descriptions that can be downloaded to devices? How effective could it be to counter the Polish authorities’ attempts to erase our common memory?



Maria Zakharova:

I'm not sure about downloading to devices, nor that it could change the local authorities’ approach. I fully support your idea. I even think it is already being discussed; at least we are working on it. Firstly, it is about building a database, a virtual map of monuments located in Europe (maybe even wider), where fierce battles were fought for the liberation of countries and peoples. Secondly, we spoke about this today with the BaltArtek participants, similar ideas were expressed by young people.

I think that we must do this, absolutely; moreover, not only at the state level, but also in cooperation with civil society. It should not be something imposed from the top, a requirement, but rather done as joint work. We are ready to render all necessary assistance for this.

I would like to say that the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Department initiated the signing of a special agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Military Historical Society. We are doing a lot to prevent vandalism and the rewriting of history, and to support all sober-minded people that advocate the preservation of monuments. Now we have an agreement with the Russian Military Historical Society, which deals with this matter.

We take a lot of practical steps. Almost every week we make statements that are an extension of the work of the embassies in contact with the host country. We issue notes of protest (indeed, an effective thing), and hold talks on the preservation of monuments and war memorials and prevention of vandalism.

We hope that certain governments will finally heed our repeated reminders that we issue as answers to their question, how can we prevent vandalism? At least, there is a trend. With modern technology, it is possible to install web cameras, as is done at other facilities, which will record any violations, so that the incidents could be investigated. People who have such aggressive ideas in their heads will think twice whether they do it or not. If they get captured on camera, the police will know immediately. Since all cities are already equipped with cameras, it will be easier to track these people.

We insist on opening relevant criminal cases, damages claims if it is about vandalism and we certainly work with civil society locally. In particular, the Pole Jerzy Tyc is already renowned for his detailed work to restore monuments, and fundraising activity. We support him morally when he requests help, and cooperate with him – but not to influence the situation, as we are often accused of – to ensure that the monuments to Soviet soldiers, who were not involved in any politics and simply gave their lives so that others could live, remain intact in Poland. Moreover, we see a sincere desire to do this, and we see the people who are willing to help him, who are his assistants and comrades in this project.

Another important part is publishing materials and maintaining relevant pages on websites on this topic. We are also involved in these activities.




The source of information - http://www.mid.ru/en/press_service/s...ent/id/3319709
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
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