tass--2020-06-19--Lavrov: Russian constitution changes absolutely legitimate in terms of international law

MINSK , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Amendments to Russia ’ s constitution regarding the priority of national legislation are absolutely legitimate in terms of international law , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told TASS on Friday during his visit to Minsk .
`` Should the European Court of Human Rights be taken , a variety of countries , such as Germany , Great Britain and some others , which identify themselves as developed democracies , have similar reservations in their legislations ensuring that no decisions against them are to be enacted once they contradict the relevant constitution , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission ’ s final opinion on amendments to the Russian Constitution .
`` I can not even understand why so much attention is paid to the given issue , which is absolutely legitimate in terms of international law , '' said the Russian foreign minister .
Lavrov recalled that the amendment to Article 79 of the Russian constitution , which is put to a public vote , pursues a goal of `` ensuring the implementation of all international obligations once they do not contravene the constitution of the Russian Federation . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international treaties which Russia signs voluntarily after the negotiations on their drafts have ended and we have made sure that the balance of interests is ensured , '' the minister emphasized .
`` What Russia has ratified on the basis of its constitution remains our international obligations . ''
According to the Russian foreign minister , in recent years Western countries have vested the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) , in breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention , `` with the powers to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are prerogatives of the United Nations Security Council . ''
`` We definitely won ’ t be cooperating in the way that our Western counterparts are attempting to impose [ tailoring ] the investigations into incidents in line with their own patterns , which are not specified in the Convention .
Should anybody reproach us that we have ratified the treaty but are not implementing it , we will be in a different position , we will be in the position of a dutiful party to the treaty .
However , those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the convention will be among the violators , '' Lavrov explained .
On Thursday , the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe ( CE ) released its final opinion on amendments to the Russian Constitution .
The Venice Commission stated that the rulings of the European Court for Human Rights ( ECHR ) are mandatory for all the members of the Council of Europe .
The document says that the Venice Commission expressed serious concerns that the amendment vesting the Russian Constitutional Court with powers to declare an international decision `` non-executable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European Convention on Human Rights .
The Commission says that those powers would be boosted by the draft amendment to Article 79 , which stipulates the supremacy of Russia ’ s Constitution over international agreements and the resolutions of international institutions .

MINSK, June 19. /TASS/. Amendments to Russia’s constitution regarding the priority of national legislation are absolutely legitimate in terms of international law, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told TASS on Friday during his visit to Minsk.
"Should the European Court of Human Rights be taken, a variety of countries, such as Germany, Great Britain and some others, which identify themselves as developed democracies, have similar reservations in their legislations ensuring that no decisions against them are to be enacted once they contradict the relevant constitution," he said, commenting on the Venice Commission’s final opinion on amendments to the Russian Constitution.
"I cannot even understand why so much attention is paid to the given issue, which is absolutely legitimate in terms of international law," said the Russian foreign minister.
Lavrov recalled that the amendment to Article 79 of the Russian constitution, which is put to a public vote, pursues a goal of "ensuring the implementation of all international obligations once they do not contravene the constitution of the Russian Federation."
"International obligations are imposed on Russia by international treaties which Russia signs voluntarily after the negotiations on their drafts have ended and we have made sure that the balance of interests is ensured," the minister emphasized. "What Russia has ratified on the basis of its constitution remains our international obligations."
According to the Russian foreign minister, in recent years Western countries have vested the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), in breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention, "with the powers to determine the guilt," although they "are prerogatives of the United Nations Security Council."
"We definitely won’t be cooperating in the way that our Western counterparts are attempting to impose [tailoring] the investigations into incidents in line with their own patterns, which are not specified in the Convention. Should anybody reproach us that we have ratified the treaty but are not implementing it, we will be in a different position, we will be in the position of a dutiful party to the treaty. However, those who have grossly violated the procedures stipulated in the convention will be among the violators," Lavrov explained.
Venice Commission’s report
On Thursday, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe (CE) released its final opinion on amendments to the Russian Constitution. The Venice Commission stated that the rulings of the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) are mandatory for all the members of the Council of Europe. The document says that the Venice Commission expressed serious concerns that the amendment vesting the Russian Constitutional Court with powers to declare an international decision "non-executable" contradicts Russia’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. The Commission says that those powers would be boosted by the draft amendment to Article 79, which stipulates the supremacy of Russia’s Constitution over international agreements and the resolutions of international institutions.


tass--2020-06-19--Russia, Belarus sign agreement on mutual recognition of each other’s visas

MINSK , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
The foreign ministers of Russia and Belarus , Sergey Lavrov and Vladimir Makei , signed on Friday an agreement between Russia and Belarus on mutual recognition of each other ’ s visas , TASS reported from the scene .
Earlier in the day , the presidents of Russia and Belarus , Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko , talked on the phone voicing `` satisfaction that the work on the Russian-Belarusian intergovernmental agreement on mutual recognition of each other ’ s visas has ended . ''
On December 12 , 2018 , Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a government resolution ‘ On signing an agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Belarus on mutual recognition of each other ’ s visas and other issues related to entry of foreign nationals and stateless citizens on the territory of the states - signatories to the Treaty on the Creation of a Union State.
’ Under the agreement , citizens of third countries with a valid visa of either Russia or Belarus will be allowed to enter , leave and stay in the other country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the land border of Russia and Belarus by rail or air and via major highways .
Each party reserves the right to deny entry to those persons or to shorten their stay on its territory .
Moscow and Minsk had planned to sign an intergovernmental agreement on mutual recognition of each other ’ s visas at a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Union State of Russia and Belarus in Brest on December 13 , 2018 .
However , the signing was postponed as Minsk had not finalized some internal procedures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Alexander Lukashenko announced that all proposals had been taken into account in the final draft .
Bilateral discussions were underway until now .

MINSK, June 19. /TASS/. The foreign ministers of Russia and Belarus, Sergey Lavrov and Vladimir Makei, signed on Friday an agreement between Russia and Belarus on mutual recognition of each other’s visas, TASS reported from the scene.
Earlier in the day, the presidents of Russia and Belarus, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, talked on the phone voicing "satisfaction that the work on the Russian-Belarusian intergovernmental agreement on mutual recognition of each other’s visas has ended."
On December 12, 2018, Russia’s then Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a government resolution ‘On signing an agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Belarus on mutual recognition of each other’s visas and other issues related to entry of foreign nationals and stateless citizens on the territory of the states - signatories to the Treaty on the Creation of a Union State.’
Under the agreement, citizens of third countries with a valid visa of either Russia or Belarus will be allowed to enter, leave and stay in the other country until their visa expires, to cross the land border of Russia and Belarus by rail or air and via major highways. Each party reserves the right to deny entry to those persons or to shorten their stay on its territory.
Moscow and Minsk had planned to sign an intergovernmental agreement on mutual recognition of each other’s visas at a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Union State of Russia and Belarus in Brest on December 13, 2018. However, the signing was postponed as Minsk had not finalized some internal procedures. That was amended later and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that all proposals had been taken into account in the final draft. Bilateral discussions were underway until now.


tass--2020-06-19--Russia’s 2021 expedition crew to practice spacewalk in lab conditions

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
The crewmembers of the first expedition to the International Space Station ( ISS ) in 2021 will practice preparations for a spacewalk in a weightless environment facility at Russia ’ s Cosmonaut Training Center , Roscosmos announced on Friday .
`` The cosmonauts are set to hold preparations for the tasks of making a spacewalk under the program of the ISS-65 long-term expedition at the weightless environment facility of the Cosmonaut Training Center in July 2020 , '' Roscosmos said in a statement .
A source in the space industry earlier told TASS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manned spacecraft with the crew of the ISS expedition 64 was planned for October 14 this year .
The ISS expedition 65 will be the first in 2021 .
Deputy Department Head of Russia ’ s Cosmonaut Training Center Alexei Altunin was quoted as saying in Roscosmos ’ s statement that the weightless environment lab has already tested the operation of the spacesuit air supply system , pressure chambers , communications , telemetry and lighting systems , and also the working capacity of Orlan spacesuits and diving equipment .
The tests of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fulfilment of the real program of making a spacewalk , using an experimental installation ( a mock-up ) of Russia ’ s new Nauka ( Science ) laboratory module for the ISS .
Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Borisenko and Cosmonaut Training Center tester Anatoly Panin took part in the trials .
`` They practiced the cycle scheme of making a spacewalk , sequentially performing all the operations with the equipment , which cosmonauts use during their extra-ship activity : cables , handrails , the cargo boom and special tools , '' the statement says @

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. The crewmembers of the first expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2021 will practice preparations for a spacewalk in a weightless environment facility at Russia’s Cosmonaut Training Center, Roscosmos announced on Friday.
"The cosmonauts are set to hold preparations for the tasks of making a spacewalk under the program of the ISS-65 long-term expedition at the weightless environment facility of the Cosmonaut Training Center in July 2020," Roscosmos said in a statement.
A source in the space industry earlier told TASS that the launch of a Soyuz MS-17 manned spacecraft with the crew of the ISS expedition 64 was planned for October 14 this year. The ISS expedition 65 will be the first in 2021.
Deputy Department Head of Russia’s Cosmonaut Training Center Alexei Altunin was quoted as saying in Roscosmos’s statement that the weightless environment lab has already tested the operation of the spacesuit air supply system, pressure chambers, communications, telemetry and lighting systems, and also the working capacity of Orlan spacesuits and diving equipment.
Nauka module tests
The tests of the weightless environment facility are running with the fulfilment of the real program of making a spacewalk, using an experimental installation (a mock-up) of Russia’s new Nauka (Science) laboratory module for the ISS.
Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Borisenko and Cosmonaut Training Center tester Anatoly Panin took part in the trials.
"They practiced the cycle scheme of making a spacewalk, sequentially performing all the operations with the equipment, which cosmonauts use during their extra-ship activity: cables, handrails, the cargo boom and special tools," the statement says.


tass--2020-06-19--Russia, France could counter militarization of space together, policymaker suggests

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Chairman of the Federation Council ’ s Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev sees opportunities for interaction between Russia and France on preventing the militarization of space .
He stated that during a meeting of the committee and the French Senate Foreign Affairs , Defense and Armed Forces Committee , where a second joint report on Russian-French relations was discussed .
`` The issue of the militarization of space is extremely important .
If we don ’ t pool our efforts now , at some point an arms race could erupt in space which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is currently impossible to stop an arms race on Earth .
< ... > It seems to me that here Russia and France may have an additional field for interaction .
In my opinion , our interests do not contradict each other , '' Kosachev said .
According to the Russian side , the initiative for the militarization of space `` still comes from the US , '' the senator pointed out .
He reiterated that back in 2002 , the Pentagon announced a space military program and in 2010 , America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with corresponding directives from the Department of Defense .
`` Unfortunately , according to our data , both the UK and France , as well as some other NATO members are cooperating with the US to implement this program .
I am not saying that you are placing some sort of weapons in space but in any case there is no willingness to discuss any legally binding documents on the prevention of the militarization of space at the level of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly as is constantly suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kosachev specified .
In his turn , Christian Cambon , who chairs the French Senate commission , emphasized that `` France will always be with Russia on the issue of demilitarization of space . ''
`` We are in favor of space remaining peaceful .
We are confident that it is utterly unacceptable to place military weapons in space , '' he said .
Cambon stressed that the French space program is `` absolutely peaceful in nature and is not in any way directed at any hostile action towards Russia , or other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it seems to me that it is very important to confirm our mutual desire to develop outer space for peaceful purposes only .
France is also ready to hold international dialogue on a space doctrine .
I think that as two large space nations , Russia and France can achieve a lot here , '' Cambon insisted .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. Chairman of the Federation Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev sees opportunities for interaction between Russia and France on preventing the militarization of space. He stated that during a meeting of the committee and the French Senate Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces Committee, where a second joint report on Russian-French relations was discussed.
"The issue of the militarization of space is extremely important. If we don’t pool our efforts now, at some point an arms race could erupt in space which would be equally difficult to stop as it is currently impossible to stop an arms race on Earth. <...> It seems to me that here Russia and France may have an additional field for interaction. In my opinion, our interests do not contradict each other," Kosachev said.
According to the Russian side, the initiative for the militarization of space "still comes from the US," the senator pointed out. He reiterated that back in 2002, the Pentagon announced a space military program and in 2010, America’s national space policy emerged along with corresponding directives from the Department of Defense.
"Unfortunately, according to our data, both the UK and France, as well as some other NATO members are cooperating with the US to implement this program. I am not saying that you are placing some sort of weapons in space but in any case there is no willingness to discuss any legally binding documents on the prevention of the militarization of space at the level of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly as is constantly suggested both by Russia and China," Kosachev specified.
In his turn, Christian Cambon, who chairs the French Senate commission, emphasized that "France will always be with Russia on the issue of demilitarization of space." "We are in favor of space remaining peaceful. We are confident that it is utterly unacceptable to place military weapons in space," he said.
Cambon stressed that the French space program is "absolutely peaceful in nature and is not in any way directed at any hostile action towards Russia, or other countries." "That is why it seems to me that it is very important to confirm our mutual desire to develop outer space for peaceful purposes only. France is also ready to hold international dialogue on a space doctrine. I think that as two large space nations, Russia and France can achieve a lot here," Cambon insisted.


tass--2020-06-19--Serbia intends to bolster brotherhood with Russia, says politician

`` Serbia intends in the coming years to strengthen friendly and brotherly ties with Russia , yet on the other hand develop relations with countries which haven ’ t always been friendly to us in the past .
Serbia , as a neutral country from a military standpoint , intends in the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation , to strengthen its positions with its immediate neighbors and then act in a more global sense .
The friendship with Russia for us is a constant historical fact that is unchangeable .
This is a strategic definition which is based on centuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties of the Serbian and Russian peoples , '' the politician stated .
BELGRADE , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
In the upcoming political cycle , Serbia intends to strengthen friendly and brotherly ties with Russia , stated Marko Djuric , director for the office of Kosovo and Metohija and the deputy of President Aleksandar Vucic of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party , in his exclusive commentary for TASS before the June 21 parliamentary election in the country .
`` Serbia remains a sincere and loyal friend of the Russian Federation , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains a relationship of reciprocal friendship .
Presidents Aleksandar Vucic and Vladimir Putin invested a lot of personal energy into the development of the relations of our countries , while their personal friendship set the tone of the development of the bilateral relations , and we hope this will continue in the future .
Serbia and Russia , besides their similarities based on the historical ties , share many positions in terms of the future of foreign relations , multilateralism , and respect for international law .
We possess a solid value foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more productive relationship in the future.I don ’ t have to remind you about the extent of our gratitude to Russia for is support of the Serbian state and national interests , this kind of help and support is invaluable and demands eternal gratitude , '' the Serbian politician said .
Answering a question about the internal political priorities of the Serbian Progressive Party ( SPP ) in the upcoming political cycle , Djuric singled out economic development , peace preservation , and demographic increase as the main trajectories .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vucic in the upcoming election wants to achieve an absolute majority in the Serbian Parliament in order to have a firm political base to continue the implementation of the program of Serbia ’ s strategic development .
Our strategic priorities are the preservation of peace and stability , the defense of sovereignty and independence in decision-making , economic development , the demographic renewal of Serbia and the preservation of Serbian culture and traditions , that is , the preservation of the memory of significant events of the past which allows us to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions .
The precise goals of our policy are listed in the plan Serbia-2025 which , if implemented , would transform Serbia .
President Vucic as a state-minded person , thinking about the future of the country for 20-30 years ahead , brought to the political stage the practice of estimating political success through economic parameters and in this regard the rule of SPP was unambiguously the most successful over the past several decades , '' said the senator .
`` Economics , industrial growth , GDP growth , the opening of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our attention , since only by means of Serbia ’ s economic strengthening may we get a chance to achieve other goals of our party .
Thus , we are not talking about the party ’ s priorities in the narrow sense yet about the multifaceted program of development and rebirth of Serbia around which we would like to unite the critical mass of the country ’ s population , '' concluded the Vice-President of the ruling party .
On June 21 , in Serbia will hold elections to the parliament and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , 21 political parties are vying for 250 spots in a single-chamber parliament .
The voting will be held at over 8,000 voting stations .
According to the data of the public opinion agency Factor Plus , the ruling Serbian Progressive Party may gain 58.2 % in the election , while second place is held by the Socialist Party of Serbia ( SPS ) led by Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic with 12.5 % .
According to the polls , several other parties also have a chance of getting into parliament .

"Serbia intends in the coming years to strengthen friendly and brotherly ties with Russia, yet on the other hand develop relations with countries which haven’t always been friendly to us in the past. Serbia, as a neutral country from a military standpoint, intends in the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation, to strengthen its positions with its immediate neighbors and then act in a more global sense. The friendship with Russia for us is a constant historical fact that is unchangeable. This is a strategic definition which is based on centuries of cultural, civilizational, and other ties of the Serbian and Russian peoples," the politician stated.
BELGRADE, June 19. /TASS/. In the upcoming political cycle, Serbia intends to strengthen friendly and brotherly ties with Russia, stated Marko Djuric, director for the office of Kosovo and Metohija and the deputy of President Aleksandar Vucic of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, in his exclusive commentary for TASS before the June 21 parliamentary election in the country.
"Serbia remains a sincere and loyal friend of the Russian Federation, and we hope that in the future this remains a relationship of reciprocal friendship. Presidents Aleksandar Vucic and Vladimir Putin invested a lot of personal energy into the development of the relations of our countries, while their personal friendship set the tone of the development of the bilateral relations, and we hope this will continue in the future. Serbia and Russia, besides their similarities based on the historical ties, share many positions in terms of the future of foreign relations, multilateralism, and respect for international law. We possess a solid value foundation for the creation of an even stronger and more productive relationship in the future.I don’t have to remind you about the extent of our gratitude to Russia for is support of the Serbian state and national interests, this kind of help and support is invaluable and demands eternal gratitude," the Serbian politician said.
Answering a question about the internal political priorities of the Serbian Progressive Party (SPP) in the upcoming political cycle, Djuric singled out economic development, peace preservation, and demographic increase as the main trajectories.
"The Serbian Progressive Party" led by Aleksandar Vucic in the upcoming election wants to achieve an absolute majority in the Serbian Parliament in order to have a firm political base to continue the implementation of the program of Serbia’s strategic development. Our strategic priorities are the preservation of peace and stability, the defense of sovereignty and independence in decision-making, economic development, the demographic renewal of Serbia and the preservation of Serbian culture and traditions, that is, the preservation of the memory of significant events of the past which allows us to set a clear foundation of identity for future actions.
The precise goals of our policy are listed in the plan Serbia-2025 which, if implemented, would transform Serbia. President Vucic as a state-minded person, thinking about the future of the country for 20-30 years ahead, brought to the political stage the practice of estimating political success through economic parameters and in this regard the rule of SPP was unambiguously the most successful over the past several decades," said the senator.
"Economics, industrial growth, GDP growth, the opening of new factories, infrastructure construction are the focus of our attention, since only by means of Serbia’s economic strengthening may we get a chance to achieve other goals of our party. Thus, we are not talking about the party’s priorities in the narrow sense yet about the multifaceted program of development and rebirth of Serbia around which we would like to unite the critical mass of the country’s population," concluded the Vice-President of the ruling party.
Election in Serbia
On June 21, in Serbia will hold elections to the parliament and regional and municipal representative bodies. That said, 21 political parties are vying for 250 spots in a single-chamber parliament. The voting will be held at over 8,000 voting stations.
According to the data of the public opinion agency Factor Plus, the ruling Serbian Progressive Party may gain 58.2% in the election, while second place is held by the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) led by Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic with 12.5%. According to the polls, several other parties also have a chance of getting into parliament.


tass--2020-06-19--Iran is urging IAEA to resist manipulations of outside actors - Iran’s envoy

VIENNA , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Iran is calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) Secretariat to take their time to drafting reports and not facilitate manipulations of international actors who realize their political goals , Iran ’ s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna Kazem Gharibabadi said Friday after the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) Board of Governors adopted a draft resolution urging Iran to grant access to the two facilities where , the agency suspects , the country could be illegally stockpiling nuclear materials .
`` Finally , Iran does also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Agency to : adhere to the limits of your authorities ; acknowledge the cooperation between Iran and Agency ; carry out your mandate in a professional , independent and impartial manner ; do not pave the way for manipulation of issues for those with political agendas through taking positions and reporting hastily ; behave in a way not to be blamed for the obliteration of the last bastion of multilateralism in Vienna and the destruction of the JCPOA , '' Gharibabadi said in a statement issued by the Iranian diplomatic mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this situation as a trap set by the US and Israel who were very active in trying to demolish the nuclear deal with Iran and also used all means possible to pressure the agency , including by putting forward unfounded accusations .
On Friday , the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a draft resolution sponsored by the UK , France and Germany , demanding that Iran grants access to two facilities where , the agency suspects , the country could be illegally stockpiling nuclear materials .
The draft resolution was prepared based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rafael Grossi .
Out of 35 states in the Board of Governors , 25 members backed the resolution , Meanwhile , Russia and China opposed it , and seven states abstained .
Ulyanov called on IAEA and Tehran to settle this issue which can be exacerbated by the resolution .
China ’ s permanent mission to international organizations in Vienna warned about major consequences for the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on the Iranian nuclear program after this document was adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international organizations in Vienna Kazem Gharibabadi rejected the resolution and warned about retaliatory actions .

VIENNA, June 19. /TASS/. Iran is calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Secretariat to take their time to drafting reports and not facilitate manipulations of international actors who realize their political goals, Iran’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna Kazem Gharibabadi said Friday after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors adopted a draft resolution urging Iran to grant access to the two facilities where, the agency suspects, the country could be illegally stockpiling nuclear materials.
"Finally, Iran does also have a solemn advice to the Secretariat of the Agency to: adhere to the limits of your authorities; acknowledge the cooperation between Iran and Agency; carry out your mandate in a professional, independent and impartial manner; do not pave the way for manipulation of issues for those with political agendas through taking positions and reporting hastily; behave in a way not to be blamed for the obliteration of the last bastion of multilateralism in Vienna and the destruction of the JCPOA," Gharibabadi said in a statement issued by the Iranian diplomatic mission.
According to him, Iran views this situation as a trap set by the US and Israel who were very active in trying to demolish the nuclear deal with Iran and also used all means possible to pressure the agency, including by putting forward unfounded accusations.
On Friday, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a draft resolution sponsored by the UK, France and Germany, demanding that Iran grants access to two facilities where, the agency suspects, the country could be illegally stockpiling nuclear materials. The draft resolution was prepared based on a comprehensive report of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Out of 35 states in the Board of Governors, 25 members backed the resolution, Meanwhile, Russia and China opposed it, and seven states abstained.
Ulyanov called on IAEA and Tehran to settle this issue which can be exacerbated by the resolution. China’s permanent mission to international organizations in Vienna warned about major consequences for the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program after this document was adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors. Iran’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna Kazem Gharibabadi rejected the resolution and warned about retaliatory actions.


tass--2020-06-19--Russia, Vietnam sign plan of cooperation in information security area

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Vietnam have signed in Hanoi a plan for cooperation in the @ @ @ @ @ , the Russian foreign ministry said on Friday .
`` This document will give an @ @ @ @ @ between Russia and Vietnam in this area , '' the ministry said .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ implement the key provisions of the bilateral intergovernmental cooperation agreement , which was signed on @ @ @ @ @ which laid organizational and legal basis for joint efforts to repel growing threats to information @ @ @ @ @ .
`` .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. Russia and Vietnam have signed in Hanoi a plan for cooperation in the area of international information security, the Russian foreign ministry said on Friday.
"This document will give an extra impetus to practical cooperation between Russia and Vietnam in this area," the ministry said. "The plan envisages concrete measures to implement the key provisions of the bilateral intergovernmental cooperation agreement, which was signed on September 6, 2018 and which laid organizational and legal basis for joint efforts to repel growing threats to information security of the two states.".


tass--2020-06-19--Yakutia sets up nature reserve to protect polar bear population

YAKUTSK , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
An official document to set up the Medvezhyi Islands nature reserve in Yakutia @ @ @ @ @ population is due in late 2020 - early 2021 , the regional government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
How to endure winter if your neighbors are polar bears The Medvezhyi Islands , @ @ @ @ @ is an uninhabited group of islands at the western end of the Kolyma Gulf in @ @ @ @ @ `` A document on establishing the nature reserve will be inked in late 2020 - @ @ @ @ @ press service said .
`` All design works have been complete .
The islands will @ @ @ @ @ the bears ’ migration .
The project will offer new jobs . ''
The group @ @ @ @ @ Krestovsky , Andreyev , Pushkaryov , Leontyev , Lysov and Chetyrokhstolbovoi ) is some 130km @ @ @ @ @ ’ s estuary .
The distance to the nearest mainland is 35-90 km .

YAKUTSK, June 19. /TASS/. An official document to set up the Medvezhyi Islands nature reserve in Yakutia to protect the polar bear population is due in late 2020 - early 2021, the regional government’s press service said on Friday.
How to endure winter if your neighbors are polar bears
The Medvezhyi Islands, or the Bear Islands, is an uninhabited group of islands at the western end of the Kolyma Gulf in the East Siberian Sea.
"A document on establishing the nature reserve will be inked in late 2020 - early 2021," the press service said. "All design works have been complete. The islands will include the infrastructure to monitor the bears’ migration. The project will offer new jobs."
The group of Bear Islands (the Krestovsky, Andreyev, Pushkaryov, Leontyev, Lysov and Chetyrokhstolbovoi) is some 130km north of the Kolyma River’s estuary. The distance to the nearest mainland is 35-90 km.


tass--2020-06-19--Nornickel plans to build fish farm to restore fish population after fuel spill

KRASNOYARSK , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Norilsk Nickel Company ( Nornickel ) will restore the fish population and will open a fish farm in northern Krasnoyarsk Region following the fuel spill at Norilsk ’ s thermal power plant in May , the company wrote on its Telegram channel .
`` Nornickel will support fishing companies in the accident ’ s area : the money will be used to form a fund to support the North ’ s low-numbered indigenous peoples , to restore the fish population and to build a fish farm , '' the company said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ working for more than 30 years , the company added .
Over 21,000 cubic meters of petroleum products spilled at Thermal Power Plant No .
3 of the Norilsk and Taimyr Energy Company ( part of the metals giant Norilsk Nickel ) on May 29 after the concrete foundation of a fuel storage tank sank , causing the fuel facility ’ s collapse .
The fuel spilled into the ground on an area of 180,000 square meters as well as into local rivers , contaminating the territory and causing damage to the environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 290 vehicles are involved in eliminating effects of the oil spill .
A special group of the Marine Rescue Service from Murmansk , possessing experience of eliminating 50 oil spills in different parts of the world , was commissioned to participate in the operation .
Booms are placed across the Ambarnaya River every day in order to prevent fuel from spreading further .

KRASNOYARSK, June 19. /TASS/. The Norilsk Nickel Company (Nornickel) will restore the fish population and will open a fish farm in northern Krasnoyarsk Region following the fuel spill at Norilsk’s thermal power plant in May, the company wrote on its Telegram channel.
"Nornickel will support fishing companies in the accident’s area: the money will be used to form a fund to support the North’s low-numbered indigenous peoples, to restore the fish population and to build a fish farm," the company said. Another fish farm near Norilsk has been working for more than 30 years, the company added.
Over 21,000 cubic meters of petroleum products spilled at Thermal Power Plant No. 3 of the Norilsk and Taimyr Energy Company (part of the metals giant Norilsk Nickel) on May 29 after the concrete foundation of a fuel storage tank sank, causing the fuel facility’s collapse. The fuel spilled into the ground on an area of 180,000 square meters as well as into local rivers, contaminating the territory and causing damage to the environment.
A force of 679 specialists and 290 vehicles are involved in eliminating effects of the oil spill. A special group of the Marine Rescue Service from Murmansk, possessing experience of eliminating 50 oil spills in different parts of the world, was commissioned to participate in the operation. Booms are placed across the Ambarnaya River every day in order to prevent fuel from spreading further.


tass--2020-06-19--Anti-Russian measures over Georgian national’s murder to depend on court verdict — Merkel

`` We always focus on concrete reasons , '' she told reporters when asked whether the anti-Russian sanctions could be toughened in the light of the German prosecutor office ’ s stance that the suspected killer had been allegedly tasked by the Russian government structures to kill the Georgian national .
BERLIN , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
The German government reserves the right to impose further anti-Russian measures depending on the prosecution ’ s findings in the case of the murder of a Georgian national in Berlin and court rulings , German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state and government .
`` One of the reasons is the conflict in Ukraine and today we spoke about the sanctions linked with this conflict , '' she said .
`` The second reason is the prosecution findings on cyberattacks on the German Bundestag .
We discuss this topic within the European dimension .
And the third reason is the recently brought charges [ in the Georgian national ’ s murder case ] .
Here , we reserve the right to react , as the foreign minister said , but we should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said earlier in the day that Germany could take `` further measures based on a verdict that will be pronounced on this case sooner or later . ''
He recalled that Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev had been summoned to the Foreign Ministry over this case .
He stressed the importance of a comprehensive probe .
A 40-year-old Georgian citizen was killed on August 23 .
On the same day the Berlin prosecutor ’ s office declared the detention of a suspect , which , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian citizen .
On Thursday , the Prosecutor General ’ s Office brought charges against Vadim K. who was detained near the crime scene a year ago .
According to German investigators , the suspect , said to be a Russian national , is accused of murder and weapon trafficking .
The prosecution claims that `` at an unknown moment , Russian central government agencies tasked the suspect to kill the Georgian national . ''
Moreover , the victim , listed as a terrorist in Russia , is said to have taken part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chechnya in 2000-2004 .
The Russian ambassador to Berlin , who was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry over the case , said the German prosecutors ’ findings were absolutely groundless , with `` no fact or evidence '' to back them .
The Russian side has repeatedly denied involvement in the Berlin murder .
Nevertheless , the German Foreign Ministry on December 4 , 2019 announced the expulsion of two Russian embassy staffers from Germany due to what was described as insufficient cooperation by the Russian authorities in investigating this murder .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ German Federal Public Prosecutor ’ s Office in early May issued an international arrest warrant for Russian national Dmitry Badin , suspected of taking part in the cyberattack on Bundestag networks in 2015 .
The man is said to be a member of the Fancy Bear hacker group .
Moreover , the German Foreign Ministry said there was `` reliable evidence '' that the man had then been a member of the Main Intelligence Directorate , or GRU .
The cyberattack on the Bundestag networks began on April 30 , 2015 .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in @ un.org , making them look as if they were sent from the United Nations .
The emails contained a hyperlink to a spy program .
In a bid to stop its spread , German cyber security operators had to temporarily shut off the entire Bundestag IT system .
At least 16 gigabytes of data , including the lawmakers ’ emails , were stolen in the attack .
Russia has repeatedly denied allegations of involvement in the attack .
No German security agency has ever provided any evidence in support of media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow .

"We always focus on concrete reasons," she told reporters when asked whether the anti-Russian sanctions could be toughened in the light of the German prosecutor office’s stance that the suspected killer had been allegedly tasked by the Russian government structures to kill the Georgian national.
BERLIN, June 19. /TASS/. The German government reserves the right to impose further anti-Russian measures depending on the prosecution’s findings in the case of the murder of a Georgian national in Berlin and court rulings, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday after a videoconference meeting of the EU heads of state and government.
"One of the reasons is the conflict in Ukraine and today we spoke about the sanctions linked with this conflict," she said. "The second reason is the prosecution findings on cyberattacks on the German Bundestag. We discuss this topic within the European dimension. And the third reason is the recently brought charges [in the Georgian national’s murder case]. Here, we reserve the right to react, as the foreign minister said, but we should wait for the court verdict first."
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said earlier in the day that Germany could take "further measures based on a verdict that will be pronounced on this case sooner or later." He recalled that Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev had been summoned to the Foreign Ministry over this case. He stressed the importance of a comprehensive probe.
Murder in Berlin
A 40-year-old Georgian citizen was killed on August 23. On the same day the Berlin prosecutor’s office declared the detention of a suspect, which, according to its sources, was a 49-year-old Russian citizen.
On Thursday, the Prosecutor General’s Office brought charges against Vadim K. who was detained near the crime scene a year ago. According to German investigators, the suspect, said to be a Russian national, is accused of murder and weapon trafficking. The prosecution claims that "at an unknown moment, Russian central government agencies tasked the suspect to kill the Georgian national." Moreover, the victim, listed as a terrorist in Russia, is said to have taken part in combat operation against federal forces in Chechnya in 2000-2004.
The Russian ambassador to Berlin, who was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry over the case, said the German prosecutors’ findings were absolutely groundless, with "no fact or evidence" to back them.
The Russian side has repeatedly denied involvement in the Berlin murder. Nevertheless, the German Foreign Ministry on December 4, 2019 announced the expulsion of two Russian embassy staffers from Germany due to what was described as insufficient cooperation by the Russian authorities in investigating this murder. Moscow gave a tit-for-tat response.
Bundestag hacker attack
The German Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office in early May issued an international arrest warrant for Russian national Dmitry Badin, suspected of taking part in the cyberattack on Bundestag networks in 2015. The man is said to be a member of the Fancy Bear hacker group. Moreover, the German Foreign Ministry said there was "reliable evidence" that the man had then been a member of the Main Intelligence Directorate, or GRU.
The cyberattack on the Bundestag networks began on April 30, 2015. Many German lawmakers received similar emails that ended in @un.org, making them look as if they were sent from the United Nations. The emails contained a hyperlink to a spy program. In a bid to stop its spread, German cyber security operators had to temporarily shut off the entire Bundestag IT system. At least 16 gigabytes of data, including the lawmakers’ emails, were stolen in the attack.
Russia has repeatedly denied allegations of involvement in the attack. No German security agency has ever provided any evidence in support of media reports about cybercriminals’ alleged links with Moscow.


tass--2020-06-19--Russians unite amid pandemic, Putin says

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the Russians have united in the face of pandemic and that helped to minimize losses .
`` The most important thing is that this situation [ with the coronavirus ] has united us all - it is a fact - and that helped us get out of this situation with minimal losses , '' Putin said on Friday during a videoconference with representatives of those economic sectors that have been affected by the coronavirus fallout .
After the video conference , Putin stated that `` the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have reserves along with successful models for a real - what is more , substantial - increase in labor productivity and efficiency in all spheres . ''
`` We can see that - thanks to the new , phased-in approaches - the time has been considerably reduced before beginning treatment of the patients with coronavirus infection , by several times in some cases , and that the output of personal protective equipment , medical equipment and medicines has multiplied .
These are not just statistics or dry indicators of performance , they stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and human lives being saved , '' the president emphasized .
Putin believes that `` the tried and tested practices that enable a rapid , cost-effective growth in productivity should have across-the-board support . ''
`` Reserves for this growth are available everywhere .
It is crucial that not only are technological improvements taking place , but that employees are changing their attitude to work , that the culture of production and labor is changing , and thus the competitiveness of our entire country is growing up , '' the president stressed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Russia ’ s long-term growth .
Apart from that , the president emphasized that `` we must not forget that there are enough problems and that it is not as good everywhere as we would prefer to , since people still face problems they can not solve quickly and effectively . ''
Nevertheless , Putin is convinced that the country `` could overcome all the difficulties and is on the right track . ''
`` All we need to do is circulate positive practices , '' he said .
Putin said thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working hard during the pandemic and promised that the authorities would take into consideration the proposals aimed at enhancing efficiency in a wide range of economic sectors .
To date , 569,063 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 324,406 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 7,841 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the Russians have united in the face of pandemic and that helped to minimize losses.
"The most important thing is that this situation [with the coronavirus] has united us all - it is a fact - and that helped us get out of this situation with minimal losses," Putin said on Friday during a videoconference with representatives of those economic sectors that have been affected by the coronavirus fallout.
After the video conference, Putin stated that "the economy, and the country in general, have reserves along with successful models for a real - what is more, substantial - increase in labor productivity and efficiency in all spheres."
"We can see that - thanks to the new, phased-in approaches - the time has been considerably reduced before beginning treatment of the patients with coronavirus infection, by several times in some cases, and that the output of personal protective equipment, medical equipment and medicines has multiplied. These are not just statistics or dry indicators of performance, they stand for [human] health being protected and human lives being saved," the president emphasized.
Putin believes that "the tried and tested practices that enable a rapid, cost-effective growth in productivity should have across-the-board support."
"Reserves for this growth are available everywhere. It is crucial that not only are technological improvements taking place, but that employees are changing their attitude to work, that the culture of production and labor is changing, and thus the competitiveness of our entire country is growing up," the president stressed. In his opinion, it is vital for Russia’s long-term growth.
Apart from that, the president emphasized that "we must not forget that there are enough problems and that it is not as good everywhere as we would prefer to, since people still face problems they cannot solve quickly and effectively."
Nevertheless, Putin is convinced that the country "could overcome all the difficulties and is on the right track."
"All we need to do is circulate positive practices," he said.
Putin said thank you to all those who had been working hard during the pandemic and promised that the authorities would take into consideration the proposals aimed at enhancing efficiency in a wide range of economic sectors.
To date, 569,063 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 324,406 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 7,841 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-19--This week in photos: Paris fights racism, V-Day rehearsal, and a lone Sakhalin lighthouse

Protesters are reflected on a balloon rising in the sky during a demonstration against racism and police brutality at Republique Square in Paris , France , June 13 © EPA-EFE/MOHAMMED BADRA People watching penguins at the Moscow Zoo on the first day of its reopening after restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) were eased , in Moscow , Russia , June 16 © REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva A ceremony to consecrate the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ , Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces , in the town of Kubinka , Russia , June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patriot Park to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War © Mikhail Metzel/TASS A visitor in face mask sitting in the auditorium before the start of the 'Kylian - Bridges of Time ' performance of the Czech National Ballet at the National Theatre in Prague , Czech Republic , June 14 © EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK US President Donald Trump listening to applause after signing an executive order on police reform during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ © REUTERS/Leah Millis British Prime minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron watching The Red Arrows and La Patrouille de France flying over Horseguards parade ground to commemorate the appeal of the 18th June speech by Charles De Gaulle in London , UK , June 18 .
The Appeal of 18 June was the speech made by Charles de Gaulle in 1940 .
It called for the Free French Forces to fight against German occupation © Jack Hill - WPA pool/Getty Images A T-14 Armata tank and other military hardware moving along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military parade in Red Square marking the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII , Moscow , Russia , June 17 .
Victory Day parades across Russia have been postponed from May 9 to June 24 due to lockdown restrictions imposed in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic © Sergei Bobylev/TASS Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni is led on a tour of the National Archaeological Museum by its director , Dr. Maria Lagogianni-Georgakarakos on its first day open since lockdown in Athens , Greece , June 15 © Byron Smith/Getty Images 3-year-old Merlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ascot on TV at his home in Bere Regis , Britain , June 17 © REUTERS/Paul Childs A view of the abandoned lighthouse Aniva on the rock Sivuch off the southern coast of the Russian Far Eastern island of Sakhalin , Russia , June 14 .
The lighthouse was built between 1937 and 1939 to a design by Japanese engineer Miura Shinobu © Sergei Krasnoukhov/TASS

United States Military Academy graduating cadets celebrating at the end of their commencement ceremonies, in West Point, USA, June 13 © AP Photo/John Minchillo, Pool
Protesters are reflected on a balloon rising in the sky during a demonstration against racism and police brutality at Republique Square in Paris, France, June 13 © EPA-EFE/MOHAMMED BADRA
People watching penguins at the Moscow Zoo on the first day of its reopening after restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were eased, in Moscow, Russia, June 16 © REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva
A ceremony to consecrate the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces, in the town of Kubinka, Russia, June 14. The cathedral was built in Patriot Park to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War © Mikhail Metzel/TASS
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Serbia's Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic taking part in a press conference following their meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, June 18 © Valery Sharifulin/TASS
A visitor in face mask sitting in the auditorium before the start of the 'Kylian - Bridges of Time' performance of the Czech National Ballet at the National Theatre in Prague, Czech Republic, June 14 © EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK
US President Donald Trump listening to applause after signing an executive order on police reform during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, US, June 16 © REUTERS/Leah Millis
British Prime minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron watching The Red Arrows and La Patrouille de France flying over Horseguards parade ground to commemorate the appeal of the 18th June speech by Charles De Gaulle in London, UK, June 18. The Appeal of 18 June was the speech made by Charles de Gaulle in 1940. It called for the Free French Forces to fight against German occupation © Jack Hill - WPA pool/Getty Images
A T-14 Armata tank and other military hardware moving along Barrikadnaya Street before a rehearsal of a military parade in Red Square marking the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII, Moscow, Russia, June 17. Victory Day parades across Russia have been postponed from May 9 to June 24 due to lockdown restrictions imposed in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic © Sergei Bobylev/TASS
Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni is led on a tour of the National Archaeological Museum by its director, Dr. Maria Lagogianni-Georgakarakos on its first day open since lockdown in Athens, Greece, June 15 © Byron Smith/Getty Images
3-year-old Merlin Coles watching the horse racing from Royal Ascot on TV at his home in Bere Regis, Britain, June 17 © REUTERS/Paul Childs


tass--2020-06-19--Armenian PM tells Putin he won’t be able to attend Victory Parade in Moscow over pandemic

`` Mr. President , I am telling you with regret that I won ’ t be able to attend the events devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War , '' the letter reads .
YEREVAN , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told Russian President Vladimir Putin he would be unable to attend the Victory Parade in Moscow over the tense coronavirus situation in the republic , according to Pashinyan ’ s letter published by his press office on Friday .
`` You know that I accepted with great love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrations .
However , as it turned out later , the current epidemiological situation in Armenia does not allow me to make this trip , '' Pashinyan said .
The Armenian PM said it would have been a great honor for him to attend the jubilee parade in Moscow .
`` I am confident that millions of residents of our countries will watch the festivities , mentally travelling to 1945 when our grandfathers proudly marched on Red Square , '' the Armenian premier said , calling the Soviet Union ’ s victory over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War the common heritage , the memory about which unites peoples .
Pashinyan said he hoped that he would soon be able to meet with the Russian leader and discuss the issues of the two countries ’ allied relations .
The Armenian premier ’ s trip to the Victory celebrations in Moscow was initially called into question after he and his family members contracted the coronavirus .
However , Pashinyan said in early June he had fully recovered from the illness and his press office confirmed he would attend the military parade in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Defense Ministry , 75 Armenian troops will take part in the Victory Parade in Moscow on June 24 .
They have already arrived in the Russian capital .
Russia postponed its military parade traditionally held on Moscow ’ s Red Square on May 9 for a later date due to the coronavirus pandemic .
At a video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 26 , Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the anticipated Victory Parade would be held on Moscow ’ s Red Square on June 24 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this date because June 24 was the day when in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place , when soldiers , who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad , who stood their ground for Stalingrad , liberated Europe and stormed Berlin , marched on Red Square .
The Russian president instructed the defense chief to make sure that there weren ’ t any risks to the health of the military parade ’ s participants .

"Mr. President, I am telling you with regret that I won’t be able to attend the events devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War," the letter reads.
YEREVAN, June 19. /TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told Russian President Vladimir Putin he would be unable to attend the Victory Parade in Moscow over the tense coronavirus situation in the republic, according to Pashinyan’s letter published by his press office on Friday.
"You know that I accepted with great love your invitation to take part in the celebrations. However, as it turned out later, the current epidemiological situation in Armenia does not allow me to make this trip," Pashinyan said.
The Armenian PM said it would have been a great honor for him to attend the jubilee parade in Moscow.
"I am confident that millions of residents of our countries will watch the festivities, mentally travelling to 1945 when our grandfathers proudly marched on Red Square," the Armenian premier said, calling the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War the common heritage, the memory about which unites peoples.
Pashinyan said he hoped that he would soon be able to meet with the Russian leader and discuss the issues of the two countries’ allied relations.
The Armenian premier’s trip to the Victory celebrations in Moscow was initially called into question after he and his family members contracted the coronavirus. However, Pashinyan said in early June he had fully recovered from the illness and his press office confirmed he would attend the military parade in Moscow.
At the invitation of Russia’s Defense Ministry, 75 Armenian troops will take part in the Victory Parade in Moscow on June 24. They have already arrived in the Russian capital.
Russia postponed its military parade traditionally held on Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 for a later date due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At a video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the anticipated Victory Parade would be held on Moscow’s Red Square on June 24.
The head of state explained he had chosen this date because June 24 was the day when in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place, when soldiers, who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad, who stood their ground for Stalingrad, liberated Europe and stormed Berlin, marched on Red Square.
The Russian president instructed the defense chief to make sure that there weren’t any risks to the health of the military parade’s participants.


tass--2020-06-19--Russia decisively condemns crimes of terrorists in Nigeria

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia decisively condemns crimes committed by the terrorists in Nigeria and supports the efforts of the authorities on fighting militants , Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday .
`` Russian Foreign Ministry decisively condemns new crimes conducted by bandit groups in Nigeria , which caused large human casualties , as well as destabilization of the social and economic situation in the northeastern part of this country , as well as worsening of the crime situation , '' the Ministry said .
`` We consistently and invariably support the measures taken by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of terrorist groups , including efforts within collective efforts on the African continent .
The Foreign Ministry confirmed its intent for further cooperation with the Nigerian authorities on the counter-terrorism track , but on a bilateral basis and on various international venues , including the United Nations .
`` We express our deep condolences to the relatives and close ones of the deceased , and our wishes of prompt recovery to the injured , '' the Ministry added .
According to the Ministry , between June 9 and 13 , squads of Boko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Province terror groups conducted a number of attacks against Nigerian servicemen and local civilians .
Serious clashes took place near the city of Monguno , where the coordination center of a number of international organizations working in Nigeria is located .
Over 120 civilians and servicemen became the victims of the attacks , many people sustained injuries .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. Russia decisively condemns crimes committed by the terrorists in Nigeria and supports the efforts of the authorities on fighting militants, Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday.
"Russian Foreign Ministry decisively condemns new crimes conducted by bandit groups in Nigeria, which caused large human casualties, as well as destabilization of the social and economic situation in the northeastern part of this country, as well as worsening of the crime situation," the Ministry said. "We consistently and invariably support the measures taken by the government of Nigeria on efficient countering of terrorist groups, including efforts within collective efforts on the African continent.
The Foreign Ministry confirmed its intent for further cooperation with the Nigerian authorities on the counter-terrorism track, but on a bilateral basis and on various international venues, including the United Nations.
"We express our deep condolences to the relatives and close ones of the deceased, and our wishes of prompt recovery to the injured," the Ministry added.
According to the Ministry, between June 9 and 13, squads of Boko Haram and the Islamic State Western Africa Province terror groups conducted a number of attacks against Nigerian servicemen and local civilians. Serious clashes took place near the city of Monguno, where the coordination center of a number of international organizations working in Nigeria is located. Over 120 civilians and servicemen became the victims of the attacks, many people sustained injuries.


tass--2020-06-19--Hainan's Yangpu port eyes opening two new trade routes

HAIKOU , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Yangpu Cargo Port , located in Hainan 's economic development zone , plans to launch at least two new trade routes .
According to the Hainan Daily , their opening is scheduled for the second half of 2020 .
Currently , this international port serves 28 trade routes : 16 foreign trade routes and 12 domestic routes connecting Hainan with other regions of China .
In particular , in the first half of 2020 , six new maritime routes were already launched .
Thus , the total number of routes launched during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as in the previous year .
Despite the difficult economic conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic , the growth rate of cargo turnover at the Yangpu port is increasing .
Thus , in January-May , this indicator in the weight measurement increased by 10.28 % compared to the same period last year to about 22.26 million tonnes .
Exports and imports also grew by about 10 % .
Over this period , the international cargo turnover of Yangpu port increased by 15.23 % year on year , and domestic — by 3.14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 327,600 TEU ( the equivalent of a standard 20-foot container ) have passed through the port of Yangpu since the beginning of 2020 .
Last year , this indicator grew by 27.13 % and reached 708,000 TEU .
Earlier , the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “ General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan , ” according to which the island ’ s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region 's development .
In April 2018 , President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province .
By 2050 , according to the authorities , the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy , developed tourism , top-notch scientific , technical and financial potential , and modern medicine .
The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hainan .

HAIKOU, June 19. /TASS/. The Yangpu Cargo Port, located in Hainan's economic development zone, plans to launch at least two new trade routes. According to the Hainan Daily, their opening is scheduled for the second half of 2020.
Currently, this international port serves 28 trade routes: 16 foreign trade routes and 12 domestic routes connecting Hainan with other regions of China. In particular, in the first half of 2020, six new maritime routes were already launched. Thus, the total number of routes launched during the year, will amount to eight, as in the previous year.
Despite the difficult economic conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the growth rate of cargo turnover at the Yangpu port is increasing. Thus, in January-May, this indicator in the weight measurement increased by 10.28% compared to the same period last year to about 22.26 million tonnes. Exports and imports also grew by about 10%. Over this period, the international cargo turnover of Yangpu port increased by 15.23% year on year, and domestic — by 3.14%.
As of June 14, 327,600 TEU (the equivalent of a standard 20-foot container) have passed through the port of Yangpu since the beginning of 2020. Last year, this indicator grew by 27.13% and reached 708,000 TEU.
Earlier, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan,” according to which the island’s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025, and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region's development.
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province. By 2050, according to the authorities, the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy, developed tourism, top-notch scientific, technical and financial potential, and modern medicine. The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan.


tass--2020-06-19--Merkel: Implementation of Minsk accords makes it impossible to lift anti-Russian sanctions

BERLIN , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
The course of the implementation of the Minsk agreements on settling the conflict in Ukraine makes it impossible to lift the European Union ’ s anti-Russian sanctions , German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday after a videoconference meeting of the EU heads of state and government .
`` Progress [ in the implementation of the Minsk agreements ] is not such that we can recommend not to extend the sanctions against Russia , '' she said .
`` So , we in the European Council decided today to extend the sanctions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU anti-Russian sanctions expire on July 31 .
Following the developments in Ukraine and Crimea ’ s reunification with Russia in 2014 , the European Union imposed sanctions against Russia , which have been extended and expanded regularly ever since .
Talks on visa-free travel and a new framework cooperation agreement were suspended , a number of Russian officials were banned to enter the European Union and their assets were frozen .
Apart from that , the European Union imposed trade , financial and defense-related restrictions .
In response , Moscow imposed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food products from the European Union .

BERLIN, June 19. /TASS/. The course of the implementation of the Minsk agreements on settling the conflict in Ukraine makes it impossible to lift the European Union’s anti-Russian sanctions, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday after a videoconference meeting of the EU heads of state and government.
"Progress [in the implementation of the Minsk agreements] is not such that we can recommend not to extend the sanctions against Russia," she said. "So, we in the European Council decided today to extend the sanctions for six more months."
The current EU anti-Russian sanctions expire on July 31. Following the developments in Ukraine and Crimea’s reunification with Russia in 2014, the European Union imposed sanctions against Russia, which have been extended and expanded regularly ever since. Talks on visa-free travel and a new framework cooperation agreement were suspended, a number of Russian officials were banned to enter the European Union and their assets were frozen. Apart from that, the European Union imposed trade, financial and defense-related restrictions. In response, Moscow imposed a ban on imports of a number of food products from the European Union.


tass--2020-06-19--Archaeologists discover ancient ritual burial site near Russia’s Krasnodar

ROSTOV-ON-DON , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Archaeologists discovered a late bronze-era burial site while surveying a tumulus near Novotitarovskaya settlement in Russia ’ s Krasnodar Region , where a section of the M-4 highway bypassing Krasnodar is being built , Russian Highways State company ( Avtodor ) told journalists Friday .
`` Paired burials were discovered near Novotitarovskaya settlement in the Dinsky district , attributed to late Bronze Age , or the end of the 3rd millennium BC .
The archaeologists discovered these ancient artefacts on the territory being prepared for the construction of the M-4 highway 's remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company said in the announcement .
A ritual burial is traditional for that period .
The scientists believe that a chieftain or a nobleman is buried there .
According to tradition , a warrior of a high social status was followed by servants , members of the bloodline or even children into the grave .
`` The status of the buried person is confirmed by items discovered nearby — a bronze knife , two silver temporal pendants , and piercing tools made of bone , used in the household , '' the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers expect to find other burials in this tumulus as well .
Archaeological excavations on the territory of the future bypass road began in May 2020 and will end this fall .
In early June , specialists discovered a burial site of an ancient Sarmat warrior from the Iron Age , as well as other burials of the catacomb culture and artefacts .

ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 19. /TASS/. Archaeologists discovered a late bronze-era burial site while surveying a tumulus near Novotitarovskaya settlement in Russia’s Krasnodar Region, where a section of the M-4 highway bypassing Krasnodar is being built, Russian Highways State company (Avtodor) told journalists Friday.
"Paired burials were discovered near Novotitarovskaya settlement in the Dinsky district, attributed to late Bronze Age, or the end of the 3rd millennium BC. The archaeologists discovered these ancient artefacts on the territory being prepared for the construction of the M-4 highway's remote western bypass of Krasnodar," the company said in the announcement.
A ritual burial is traditional for that period. The scientists believe that a chieftain or a nobleman is buried there. According to tradition, a warrior of a high social status was followed by servants, members of the bloodline or even children into the grave.
"The status of the buried person is confirmed by items discovered nearby — a bronze knife, two silver temporal pendants, and piercing tools made of bone, used in the household," the company press service said, adding that the researchers expect to find other burials in this tumulus as well.
Archaeological excavations on the territory of the future bypass road began in May 2020 and will end this fall. In early June, specialists discovered a burial site of an ancient Sarmat warrior from the Iron Age, as well as other burials of the catacomb culture and artefacts.


tass--2020-06-19--Sino-Russian trade to return to previous level in 2021, says envoy

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Trade turnover between Russia and China will return to the previous level following @ @ @ @ @ as in 2021 , Russian Ambassador to China Andrey Denisov said on Friday in an @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman .
The pandemic has hit the economic cooperation between the @ @ @ @ @ , noting that it will unfortunately influence the final figures that will slightly drop .
@ @ @ @ @ projections by Chinese specialists , which we share , we can leapfrog this year ’ @ @ @ @ @ reach the level of $ 200 bln worth of trade turnover per year by 2024 @ @ @ @ @ the middle of the decade , '' Denisov said , adding that trade turnover amounted @ @ @ @ @ bln at the end of last year .
`` .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. Trade turnover between Russia and China will return to the previous level following the coronavirus pandemic as early as in 2021, Russian Ambassador to China Andrey Denisov said on Friday in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
The pandemic has hit the economic cooperation between the two countries, he said, noting that it will unfortunately influence the final figures that will slightly drop. "However, according to projections by Chinese specialists, which we share, we can leapfrog this year’s losses next year and reach the level of $200 bln worth of trade turnover per year by 2024 or 2025, meaning by the middle of the decade," Denisov said, adding that trade turnover amounted to "around $113 bln at the end of last year.".


tass--2020-06-19--Base case scenario does not imply second wave of coronavirus — Central Bank

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
The base case macroeconomic scenario of the Bank of Russia does not anticipate @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina said at the press conference on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ does not include risks of the second coronavirus wave , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ , economic consequences will be smaller because the economic and the financial system , the @ @ @ @ @ to risks of such kind .
Nevertheless , we will make decisions depending on the @ @ @ @ @ added .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. The base case macroeconomic scenario of the Bank of Russia does not anticipate the second wave of the coronavirus, Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina said at the press conference on Friday.
"Our base case scenario does not include risks of the second coronavirus wave," she said.
"Even if such risks happen, economic consequences will be smaller because the economic and the financial system, the behavior of people already adapted to risks of such kind. Nevertheless, we will make decisions depending on the developing situation," Nabiullina added.


tass--2020-06-19--Haikou's urban forests exceed 38% of its territory

HAIKOU , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
The area of forest parks in Hainan 's administrative center , Haikou , over the past five years has increased by 4.7 percentage points and exceeded 38 % of its territory , amounting to about 51 square kilometers , reported by the Haikou Daily newspaper .
According to the news outlet , as forests in Haikou grew , so did the level of ecology .
First of all , this concerns the reservoirs located in the city and the lowlands adjacent to them .
They , according to experts , are inhabited by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Hainan 's administrative center has already won a number of prestigious government awards , including the National Award for an Exemplary Gardening Policy , for its successful environment protection measures .
The city was especially noted for its progress in protecting wildlife .
`` Over recent years , we have made significant progress here as we strictly stick to the established standards .
Our task is to turn Haikou into the the forest city of Hainan '' , a representative of the local administration noted .
According to the official , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forest parks , the local authorities constantly take into account 18 key standards .
Accordint to those standards , the provincial leadership evaluates the success of the work of relevant government agencies , which should contribute to improving the regional environment .
According to statistics , since 1988 the Hainan province 's foundation the area of forests covering the island increased by more than 1.6 times to 21 , 300 square kilometers .
As a result , they already occupy approximately 62 % of the island 's territory .
According to the authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 71.5 million people have taken part in the urban greening , planting over 300 million trees in the province .

HAIKOU, June 19. /TASS/. The area of forest parks in Hainan's administrative center, Haikou, over the past five years has increased by 4.7 percentage points and exceeded 38% of its territory, amounting to about 51 square kilometers, reported by the Haikou Daily newspaper.
According to the news outlet, as forests in Haikou grew, so did the level of ecology. First of all, this concerns the reservoirs located in the city and the lowlands adjacent to them. They, according to experts, are inhabited by many small mammals and rare birds species.
The Hainan's administrative center has already won a number of prestigious government awards, including the National Award for an Exemplary Gardening Policy, for its successful environment protection measures. The city was especially noted for its progress in protecting wildlife.
"Over recent years, we have made significant progress here as we strictly stick to the established standards. Our task is to turn Haikou into the the forest city of Hainan", a representative of the local administration noted.
According to the official, while implementing the state strategy to cultivate forest parks, the local authorities constantly take into account 18 key standards. Accordint to those standards, the provincial leadership evaluates the success of the work of relevant government agencies, which should contribute to improving the regional environment.
According to statistics, since 1988 the Hainan province's foundation the area of forests covering the island increased by more than 1.6 times to 21, 300 square kilometers. As a result, they already occupy approximately 62% of the island's territory. According to the authorities, over the past 30 years, more than 71.5 million people have taken part in the urban greening, planting over 300 million trees in the province.


tass--2020-06-19--Russian senator informs French counterparts Russians’ right to travel violated in EU

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Chairman of the Russian Federation Council ( upper house ) Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev has told French senators that Russian citizens could be deprived of their right to travel in the European Union and asked the counterparts to pay attention to the issue of granting Schengen visas .
`` The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ( PACE ) is currently drafting a report on the Schengen visa issuance .
Our colleague , a member of our delegation to PACE , Senator [ Irina ] Rukavishnikova is the rapporteur .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention to the issue and cooperated in drafting this report , as a solution must eventually be found , at least for humanitarian considerations , '' Kosachev said on Friday at a meeting of the Russian upper house ’ s Foreign Affairs Committee and the French Senate ’ s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs , Defense and Armed Forces , devoted to drafting a joint report on Russian-French relations .
Kosachev recalled that Russian citizens are required to apply for a Schengen visa to visit France .
`` It happens that — perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our citizens experience that frequently — a certain European country ( for example , Estonia or Poland ) denies entry to some Russian citizen out of their own considerations , but this national decision automatically applies to the entire Schengen zone .
Therefore , the Russian citizen , who for some reasons ( I do not know whether they are justified or unjustified ) becomes an unwelcome guest on the territory of a particular country of the European Union , is deprived of the opportunity to visit any country within the European Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our opinion , it is a problem .
It is a violation of the right to travel , or human rights , '' the senator added .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. Chairman of the Russian Federation Council (upper house) Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev has told French senators that Russian citizens could be deprived of their right to travel in the European Union and asked the counterparts to pay attention to the issue of granting Schengen visas.
"The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is currently drafting a report on the Schengen visa issuance. Our colleague, a member of our delegation to PACE, Senator [Irina] Rukavishnikova is the rapporteur. We would welcome if our French colleagues drew attention to the issue and cooperated in drafting this report, as a solution must eventually be found, at least for humanitarian considerations," Kosachev said on Friday at a meeting of the Russian upper house’s Foreign Affairs Committee and the French Senate’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces, devoted to drafting a joint report on Russian-French relations.
Kosachev recalled that Russian citizens are required to apply for a Schengen visa to visit France.
"It happens that — perhaps, you do not experience it but our citizens experience that frequently — a certain European country (for example, Estonia or Poland) denies entry to some Russian citizen out of their own considerations, but this national decision automatically applies to the entire Schengen zone. Therefore, the Russian citizen, who for some reasons (I do not know whether they are justified or unjustified) becomes an unwelcome guest on the territory of a particular country of the European Union, is deprived of the opportunity to visit any country within the European Union," Kosachev said.
"In our opinion, it is a problem. It is a violation of the right to travel, or human rights," the senator added.


tass--2020-06-19--Putin emphasizes his obligation to stay connected round-the-clock

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin says that as head of state , he is @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The head of state always has to stay connected , all the time @ @ @ @ @ It is just an obligation , '' the Russian leader said in an interview for @ @ @ @ @ .
Putin , a segment of which TV host Pavel Zarubin published on Instagram .
@ @ @ @ @ interview that he feels at ease among common people .
`` You know , I @ @ @ @ @ people .
In some ways , this is what I ’ m used to , @ @ @ @ @ very simple working family , '' the Russian leader said .
The full interview of @ @ @ @ @ Zarubin ’ s documentary Russia .
Kremlin .
Putin will run on Sunday , June @ @ @ @ @ Channel at 10 PM .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin says that as head of state, he is obligated to stay connected 24/7.
"The head of state always has to stay connected, all the time, round the clock. It is just an obligation," the Russian leader said in an interview for the documentary Russia. Kremlin. Putin, a segment of which TV host Pavel Zarubin published on Instagram.
Feeling comfortable among common people
Vladimir Putin said in the interview that he feels at ease among common people. "You know, I feel very comfortable among common people. In some ways, this is what I’m used to, as I come from a very simple working family," the Russian leader said.
The full interview of the Russian leader from Pavel Zarubin’s documentary Russia. Kremlin. Putin will run on Sunday, June 21 on the Russia-1 TV Channel at 10 PM.


tass--2020-06-19--Lukashenko says Russian-Belarusian issues can be solved

Before the meeting , Lukashenko held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin .
`` We really did have an honest and kind conversation , although some think that tensions are sparked between us — this is not true , there are always some issues , '' the Belarusian leader noted .
`` I think we will solve them .
These are not catastrophic issues . ''
`` A spark is needed to start the engine , to move forward , '' Lavrov noted .
`` I absolutely agree , '' Lukashenko said .
`` This is how we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have enough issues .
This pandemic has spotlighted many issues , many international issues , you see and understand this better than me .
You are rife with political issues due to the approval of new amendments to the Constitution , and we have the presidential election . ''
He noted that Russia and Belarus mirror each other `` like brothers . ''
`` So , if someone wishes to pit us against each other and worsen our relations , this won ’ t work , '' Lukashenko said .
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several pandemics : economic-related , 'political , ' oil- and gas-related and 'information ' pandemics .
`` We will overcome this all .
We can do it .
We have discussed the issues of the pandemic .
I see how the situation with the treatment of people in Russia stabilizes .
He [ Putin ] offered me a new drug approved in Russia that has proven to be effective .
We are using a Japanese version , but yours has been improved , '' Lukashenko said .
He informed that he had ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug from Russia .
For his part , Lavrov said that his visit to Belarus had been planned a month ago , but the epidemiological situation had changed these plans .
`` I am grateful for your hospitality and for the cooperation between our foreign ministries based on the plan approved by you and the Russian president .
We will discuss our progress today .
The work is going smoothly in all areas , in all international organizations , '' the minister said .
He informed that on Friday a mutual visa recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed .
`` I think this will be well-received , contributing to our joint establishment of the Union State , '' Lavrov stressed .

Before the meeting, Lukashenko held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We really did have an honest and kind conversation, although some think that tensions are sparked between us — this is not true, there are always some issues," the Belarusian leader noted. "I think we will solve them. These are not catastrophic issues."
"A spark is needed to start the engine, to move forward," Lavrov noted. "I absolutely agree," Lukashenko said. "This is how we see our relations. Both of us have enough issues. This pandemic has spotlighted many issues, many international issues, you see and understand this better than me. You are rife with political issues due to the approval of new amendments to the Constitution, and we have the presidential election." He noted that Russia and Belarus mirror each other "like brothers."
"So, if someone wishes to pit us against each other and worsen our relations, this won’t work," Lukashenko said. He added that both countries would be able to overcome several pandemics: economic-related, 'political,' oil- and gas-related and 'information' pandemics. "We will overcome this all. We can do it. We have discussed the issues of the pandemic. I see how the situation with the treatment of people in Russia stabilizes. He [Putin] offered me a new drug approved in Russia that has proven to be effective. We are using a Japanese version, but yours has been improved," Lukashenko said. He informed that he had ordered the Belarusian Health Ministry to import this drug from Russia.
For his part, Lavrov said that his visit to Belarus had been planned a month ago, but the epidemiological situation had changed these plans. "I am grateful for your hospitality and for the cooperation between our foreign ministries based on the plan approved by you and the Russian president. We will discuss our progress today. The work is going smoothly in all areas, in all international organizations," the minister said. He informed that on Friday a mutual visa recognition agreement between Russia and Belarus would be signed. "I think this will be well-received, contributing to our joint establishment of the Union State," Lavrov stressed.


tass--2020-06-19--Putin, Belarusian president discuss fight against coronavirus

`` Certain aspects of the cooperation of the two countries in the fight against coronavirus and its consequences were discussed @ @ @ @ @ service informed .
The leaders also talked about the current issues on the bilateral agenda @ @ @ @ @ and Lukashenko expressed `` satisfaction with completion of the work on the Russian-Belarusian inter-governmental agreement @ @ @ @ @ which is planned to be signed during the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov @ @ @ @ @ The Kremlin press service also clarified that the conversation focused on the particular importance of @ @ @ @ @ WW2 victory for the two nations who treasure the memory of the feat achieved by @ @ @ @ @ rear in the context of Alexander Lukashenko taking part in the upcoming commemorative events in @ @ @ @ @

"Certain aspects of the cooperation of the two countries in the fight against coronavirus and its consequences were discussed," the Kremlin press service informed.
The leaders also talked about the current issues on the bilateral agenda. In particular, Putin and Lukashenko expressed "satisfaction with completion of the work on the Russian-Belarusian inter-governmental agreement on mutual recognition of visas which is planned to be signed during the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Minsk today."
The Kremlin press service also clarified that the conversation focused on the particular importance of the 75th anniversary of the WW2 victory for the two nations who treasure the memory of the feat achieved by soldiers and workers in the rear in the context of Alexander Lukashenko taking part in the upcoming commemorative events in Moscow on June 24.


tass--2020-06-19--Study of herd immunity to coronavirus to be held in June in 22 Russian regions

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
The first stage of a study on herd immunity to coronavirus conducted by the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing will take place in June , in 22 Russian regions , the watchdog ’ s press service reported on Friday .
`` The first stage of the study in June 2020 is planned to take place in 22 subjects of all federal districts of the Russian Federation with the participation of local authorities , organizations , and the agency ’ s research and development facilities , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federation ’ s subjects .
The study will randomly include children aged 1 through 17 as well as six adult age groups : 18-29 , 30-39 , 40-49 , 50-59 , 60-69 , 70 and older , '' the statement said .
The study will use enzyme immunoassay test systems of the State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing .
The data obtained will enable experts to identify the specifics of the epidemic process , develop the prognoses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions and countrywide , as well as to plan specific and nonspecific preventative measures against the virus .
`` The use of serological monitoring to study herd immunity to the novel coronavirus under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic is an indispensable element of epidemiological surveillance because the epidemiological welfare of the population concerning this disease is defined by the state of herd immunity , '' the agency noted .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. The first stage of a study on herd immunity to coronavirus conducted by the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing will take place in June, in 22 Russian regions, the watchdog’s press service reported on Friday.
"The first stage of the study in June 2020 is planned to take place in 22 subjects of all federal districts of the Russian Federation with the participation of local authorities, organizations, and the agency’s research and development facilities, as well as government healthcare agencies of the Russian Federation’s subjects. The study will randomly include children aged 1 through 17 as well as six adult age groups: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and older," the statement said.
The study will use enzyme immunoassay test systems of the State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing. The data obtained will enable experts to identify the specifics of the epidemic process, develop the prognoses of the situation’s development in the regions and countrywide, as well as to plan specific and nonspecific preventative measures against the virus.
"The use of serological monitoring to study herd immunity to the novel coronavirus under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic is an indispensable element of epidemiological surveillance because the epidemiological welfare of the population concerning this disease is defined by the state of herd immunity," the agency noted.


tass--2020-06-19--EU leaders agree to extend economic sanctions against Russia for six months

BRUSSELS , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Heads of state and government of the European Union made a political decision @ @ @ @ @ extend economic sanctions against Russia due to expire on July 31 for six months , @ @ @ @ @ the delegations told TASS on Friday .
`` The leaders agreed to extend sanctions for @ @ @ @ @ the source said .
The European Union introduced sanctions against Russia in view of the @ @ @ @ @ of Crimea and Russia in 2014 .
Restrictions were repeatedly expanded since then .

BRUSSELS, June 19. /TASS/. Heads of state and government of the European Union made a political decision at the online summit to extend economic sanctions against Russia due to expire on July 31 for six months, a source in one of the delegations told TASS on Friday.
"The leaders agreed to extend sanctions for six months more," the source said.
The European Union introduced sanctions against Russia in view of the developments in Ukraine and reunification of Crimea and Russia in 2014. Restrictions were repeatedly expanded since then.


tass--2020-06-19--Protesters tear down monument to George Washington in Portland, Oregon — CBS

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Protesters in Portland , Oregon , toppled a statue of George Washington , @ @ @ @ @ , who led the country from 1789 to 1797 , CBS reported Friday .
The @ @ @ @ @ the building of the non-profit German-American Society .
According to the report , the vandals @ @ @ @ @ first draped it with a US flag , and then set fire to it .
@ @ @ @ @ statue , smeared it with red paint and wrote `` 1619 '' on it .
@ @ @ @ @ first African slaves arrived in the United States .
According to the report , this @ @ @ @ @ monument damaged in the state during the last week .
On June 13 , two @ @ @ @ @ settlers were torn down on the campus of the University of Oregon  and on @ @ @ @ @ of Thomas Jefferson , the third US president , was demolished in Portland .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. Protesters in Portland, Oregon, toppled a statue of George Washington, America’s first president, who led the country from 1789 to 1797, CBS reported Friday.
The bronze monument was installed near the building of the non-profit German-American Society. According to the report, the vandals who attacked the statue, first draped it with a US flag, and then set fire to it. Then, they toppled the statue, smeared it with red paint and wrote "1619" on it. This is the year the first African slaves arrived in the United States.
According to the report, this is at least the fourth monument damaged in the state during the last week. On June 13, two sculptures to the first English settlers were torn down on the campus of the University of Oregon  and on June 14, a statue of Thomas Jefferson, the third US president, was demolished in Portland.