tass--2020-01-20--Algerian President Tebboune says his country ready to host talks between ‘Libyan brothers’

BERLIN , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
Algeria is categorically against the current armed conflict in Libya and is ready to host a dialogue between Libya ’ s conflicting parties , Algeria Press Service news agency reported on Monday citing President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as saying .
The news agency quoted President Tebboune as saying at the international high-level conference on Libya in Germany on Sunday that the international community should `` assume its responsibilities by imposing respect for peace and security in this country . ''
`` Algeria refuses to undermine Libya ’ s national unity and the sovereignty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated .
`` We are required to set a clear and binding roadmap for the two parties , which would make the truce permanent and stop providing the Libyan parties with weapons … and invite them to the negotiating table to find peaceful solution to the crisis through dialogue… , '' Tebboune said adding that Algeria is ready to `` host this much-awaited-for dialogue between the Libyans . ''
The Algerian president also said he was confident that the people of Libya would be able to `` overcome their ordeal , through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national reconciliation and a comprehensive political solution . ''
According to Tebboune , the security in Libya has a direct impact on the security in the neighboring countries and the inflow of weapons to Libya only escalates the current situation .
`` The security in Libya is the indispensable part of our own security , '' he said .
`` The best way to protect our regional security is the cooperation between the neighbors and the mutual assistance in the fight against terrorism and extremism . ''
`` The inflow of arms for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggravating the situation in the country , '' Tebboune continued .
`` It adds to the involvement of foreign mercenaries and the presence of extremist and terrorist groups , whose activities reinvigorated jointly with the military escalation and is threatening the local , regional and global peace . ''
The high-level conference on Libya was held in the German capital of Berlin on Sunday and it was attended by the leaders of ten nations , including the Russian , Turkish and French presidents and the UK prime minister .
The United Nations secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives from Algeria , Egypt , China and the United Arab Emirates took part in the conference as well .
Leaders of Libya ’ s conflicting parties , Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , Fayez Sarraj , and Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Commander Khalifa Haftar were also present at the conference in Berlin .
Participants in the Berlin Conference on Sunday stated in their final document that : `` We reaffirm our strong commitment to the sovereignty , independence , territorial integrity and national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Libyan owned political process can end the conflict and bring lasting peace . ''
The conference ’ s participants called for a lasting ceasefire in Libya , proposed to form a unified government , and to assist Libyans in addressing `` structural governance and security issues .
`` .

BERLIN, January 20. /TASS/. Algeria is categorically against the current armed conflict in Libya and is ready to host a dialogue between Libya’s conflicting parties, Algeria Press Service news agency reported on Monday citing President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as saying.
The news agency quoted President Tebboune as saying at the international high-level conference on Libya in Germany on Sunday that the international community should "assume its responsibilities by imposing respect for peace and security in this country."
"Algeria refuses to undermine Libya’s national unity and the sovereignty of its institutions," the Algerian president stated.
"We are required to set a clear and binding roadmap for the two parties, which would make the truce permanent and stop providing the Libyan parties with weapons … and invite them to the negotiating table to find peaceful solution to the crisis through dialogue…," Tebboune said adding that Algeria is ready to "host this much-awaited-for dialogue between the Libyans."
The Algerian president also said he was confident that the people of Libya would be able to "overcome their ordeal, through a UN backed dialogue which would lead to national reconciliation and a comprehensive political solution."
According to Tebboune, the security in Libya has a direct impact on the security in the neighboring countries and the inflow of weapons to Libya only escalates the current situation.
"The security in Libya is the indispensable part of our own security," he said. "The best way to protect our regional security is the cooperation between the neighbors and the mutual assistance in the fight against terrorism and extremism."
"The inflow of arms for the conflicting sides in Libya is only aggravating the situation in the country," Tebboune continued. "It adds to the involvement of foreign mercenaries and the presence of extremist and terrorist groups, whose activities reinvigorated jointly with the military escalation and is threatening the local, regional and global peace."
The high-level conference on Libya was held in the German capital of Berlin on Sunday and it was attended by the leaders of ten nations, including the Russian, Turkish and French presidents and the UK prime minister. The United Nations secretary general, US secretary of state, representatives from Algeria, Egypt, China and the United Arab Emirates took part in the conference as well.
Leaders of Libya’s conflicting parties, Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez Sarraj, and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar were also present at the conference in Berlin.
Participants in the Berlin Conference on Sunday stated in their final document that: "We reaffirm our strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya. Only a Libyan-led and Libyan owned political process can end the conflict and bring lasting peace."
The conference’s participants called for a lasting ceasefire in Libya, proposed to form a unified government, and to assist Libyans in addressing "structural governance and security issues.".


tass--2020-01-20--President Trump says good relations with Russia, China are beneficial for US

WASHINGTON , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump believes that Washington should be maintaining good relations with Moscow and Beijing , but the United States should never allow other countries using it in their own interests .
Speaking at the American Farm Bureau Federation 's 101st Annual Convention on January 19 in Austin , Texas , the US president said it is beneficial enjoying good relations with China and Russia , as well as with other countries .
`` Having a good relationship with China is good , and Russia - is good , and with many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump said addressing the convention .
`` But we don ’ t want people taking an advantage of us . ''
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov paid a working visit to the United States at the invitation of the US side on December 10 , 2019 .
While in Washington DC , Lavrov held talks with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and was received by US President Donald Trump .
After the visit , Lavrov stated that President Trump was aware of beneficial results from good relations with Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagree with the presidential point of view and obstruct the development or relations between Moscow and Washington .

WASHINGTON, January 20. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump believes that Washington should be maintaining good relations with Moscow and Beijing, but the United States should never allow other countries using it in their own interests.
Speaking at the American Farm Bureau Federation's 101st Annual Convention on January 19 in Austin, Texas, the US president said it is beneficial enjoying good relations with China and Russia, as well as with other countries.
"Having a good relationship with China is good, and Russia - is good, and with many other countries - is a good thing," Trump said addressing the convention. "But we don’t want people taking an advantage of us."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov paid a working visit to the United States at the invitation of the US side on December 10, 2019. While in Washington DC, Lavrov held talks with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and was received by US President Donald Trump.
After the visit, Lavrov stated that President Trump was aware of beneficial results from good relations with Russia, but some forces in the United States disagree with the presidential point of view and obstruct the development or relations between Moscow and Washington.


tass--2020-01-20--US Secretary of State Pompeo hopes oilfields in Libya to reopen after Berlin conference

BERLIN , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo hopes that major oil fields in Libya would be reopened following an international conference on Libya in Berlin on Sunday , the US Department of State said in a statement .
`` America has a counterterrorism interest there [ in Libya ] , '' the statement quoted Pompeo as saying to journalists after the conference .
`` There are important energy opportunities there in Libya . ''
`` One of the things I did mention is that we hope that the closure that had taken place - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil getting out - we hope that will be opened up as a result of this conversation as well , '' Pompeo said .
`` And we ’ re committed to a political resolution , as we have been for a long time , and we ’ re implementing United States ’ efforts , diplomatic efforts to achieving that outcome . ''
Two major oilfields in the southwest of Libya , El Sharara and El Feel , were closed on Sunday after Prime Minister of Libya ’ s Government of National Accord Fayez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate resumption of oil exports .
The El Sharara oilfield was closed upon the request of representatives of Libyan tribes working there .
The oil production of Libya is likely to be paralyzed with the closure of the El Sharara and El Feel oilfields , which are located some 800 kilometers ( almost 500 miles ) to the southwest of Tripoli .
Pompeo also said that the conference in Berlin was a considerable step to a ceasefire agreement in Libya .
`` There was progress made towards a full-fledged ceasefire , a truce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that , `` there ’ s still a lot of work to do .
It ’ s a complicated battlefield . ''
`` But you had [ Turkish ] President [ Recep Tayyip ] Erdogan , [ Russian ] President [ Vladimir ] Putin , [ German ] Chancellor [ Angela ] Merkel , all making a sincere commitment… and said we ’ re going to do this - we ’ re going to reduce risks , we ’ re going to conduct the ceasefire , '' the US secretary of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Berlin conference also succeeded in negotiations on the issue of maintaining embargo on arms supplies to Libya .
`` I think we made progress , at least progress in getting fewer new weapons systems , fewer new forces to flow into the region , so that we can get at least a standstill so that we can begin to unwind this potential tragedy and get to the political resolution that I know everybody that came there today wanted to achieve , '' the statement from the US Department of State quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Libya was held in the German capital of Berlin on Sunday and it was attended by the leaders of ten nations , including the Russian , Turkish and French presidents and the UK prime minister .
The United Nations secretary general , US secretary of state , representatives from Algeria , Egypt , China and the United Arab Emirates took part in the conference as well .
Leaders of Libya ’ s conflicting parties , Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , Fayez Sarraj and Libyan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haftar also arrived in Berlin .

BERLIN, January 20. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo hopes that major oil fields in Libya would be reopened following an international conference on Libya in Berlin on Sunday, the US Department of State said in a statement.
"America has a counterterrorism interest there [in Libya]," the statement quoted Pompeo as saying to journalists after the conference. "There are important energy opportunities there in Libya."
"One of the things I did mention is that we hope that the closure that had taken place - the closure of some of the crude oil getting out - we hope that will be opened up as a result of this conversation as well," Pompeo said. "And we’re committed to a political resolution, as we have been for a long time, and we’re implementing United States’ efforts, diplomatic efforts to achieving that outcome."
Two major oilfields in the southwest of Libya, El Sharara and El Feel, were closed on Sunday after Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Accord Fayez Sarraj demanded at the Berlin conference an immediate resumption of oil exports.
The El Sharara oilfield was closed upon the request of representatives of Libyan tribes working there. The oil production of Libya is likely to be paralyzed with the closure of the El Sharara and El Feel oilfields, which are located some 800 kilometers (almost 500 miles) to the southwest of Tripoli.
Pompeo also said that the conference in Berlin was a considerable step to a ceasefire agreement in Libya.
"There was progress made towards a full-fledged ceasefire, a truce, temporary stand-down," he said adding that, "there’s still a lot of work to do. It’s a complicated battlefield."
"But you had [Turkish] President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, [German] Chancellor [Angela] Merkel, all making a sincere commitment… and said we’re going to do this - we’re going to reduce risks, we’re going to conduct the ceasefire," the US secretary of state continued.
Pompeo also said the participants in the Berlin conference also succeeded in negotiations on the issue of maintaining embargo on arms supplies to Libya.
"I think we made progress, at least progress in getting fewer new weapons systems, fewer new forces to flow into the region, so that we can get at least a standstill so that we can begin to unwind this potential tragedy and get to the political resolution that I know everybody that came there today wanted to achieve," the statement from the US Department of State quoted Pompeo as saying.
The high-level conference on Libya was held in the German capital of Berlin on Sunday and it was attended by the leaders of ten nations, including the Russian, Turkish and French presidents and the UK prime minister. The United Nations secretary general, US secretary of state, representatives from Algeria, Egypt, China and the United Arab Emirates took part in the conference as well.
Leaders of Libya’s conflicting parties, Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez Sarraj and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar also arrived in Berlin.


tass--2020-01-20--Drone attack on Russian airbase at Syria’s Hmeymim repelled

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
Air defense systems of the Russian base at Syria ’ s Hmeymim repelled @ @ @ @ @ , no one was hurt , the Russian defense ministry said .
`` At dark @ @ @ @ @ , Russian air defense systems at the Hmeymim airbase spotted three small aerial targets ( @ @ @ @ @ a long distance approaching the Russia military facility from the northeasterly direction , '' it @ @ @ @ @ airbase ’ s regular missile systems destroyed these targets at a safe distance from the @ @ @ @ @ hurt .
No material damage was done , '' the ministry stressed .
According to @ @ @ @ @ operates routinely .
Earlier , an attempted drone attack on the Russian airbase was reported @ @ @ @ @ news agency .
According to SANA , the drones were launched from the de-escalation zone @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. Air defense systems of the Russian base at Syria’s Hmeymim repelled a drone attack on Sunday, no one was hurt, the Russian defense ministry said.
"At dark on January 19, 2020, Russian air defense systems at the Hmeymim airbase spotted three small aerial targets (unmanned aerial vehicles) at a long distance approaching the Russia military facility from the northeasterly direction," it said.
"The Russia airbase’s regular missile systems destroyed these targets at a safe distance from the base. No one was hurt. No material damage was done," the ministry stressed.
According to the ministry, the airbase operates routinely.
Earlier, an attempted drone attack on the Russian airbase was reported by Syria’s SANA news agency. According to SANA, the drones were launched from the de-escalation zone in northern Syria.


tass--2020-01-21--Blast in Sudan's capital kills 7, injures 25 — media

CAIRO , January 21 .
/TASS/ .
At least seven people were killed and 25 more injured in a blast @ @ @ @ @ late Monday , Baj News portal reported .
According to the news portal , an @ @ @ @ @ in a residential building in Khartoum 's Shegla neighborhood during a wedding ceremony .
Police @ @ @ @ @ , the area has been cordoned off , and the investigation is underway .

CAIRO, January 21. /TASS/. At least seven people were killed and 25 more injured in a blast in Sudan's capital Khartoum late Monday, Baj News portal reported.
According to the news portal, an improvised explosive device went off in a residential building in Khartoum's Shegla neighborhood during a wedding ceremony.
Police have arrived at the scene, the area has been cordoned off, and the investigation is underway.


tass--2020-01-21--Syrian government forces repel terrorists' attacks near Palmyra — media

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
Syrian servicemen with support of the National Defense Forces have repelled @ @ @ @ @ the Islamic State terrorist organization ( banned in Russia ) to the north-east of Palmyra @ @ @ @ @ Damascus ) , Al Masdar news portal reported .
According to Al-Masdar , terrorists attacked @ @ @ @ @ connecting Al-Sukhnah and Deir ez-Zor .
Syrian government forces defened their positions and inflicted losses @ @ @ @ @ equipment .
Syrian Air Force jets supported the ground forces and delivered air strikes at @ @ @ @ @ Syrian Desert controlled by terrorists .
Terrorists regularly stage attacks at military-transport convoys in attempts @ @ @ @ @ and food .
According to Al-Masdar , commanders of the Syrian Armed Forces sent reinforcements @ @ @ @ @ Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces in order to secure the highway between Damascus and Iraq @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. /TASS/. Syrian servicemen with support of the National Defense Forces have repelled attacks staged by terrorists from the Islamic State terrorist organization (banned in Russia) to the north-east of Palmyra (in 240 km from Damascus), Al Masdar news portal reported.
According to Al-Masdar, terrorists attacked army posts along the highway connecting Al-Sukhnah and Deir ez-Zor. Syrian government forces defened their positions and inflicted losses on terrorists in manpower and equipment. Syrian Air Force jets supported the ground forces and delivered air strikes at the Al-Shula oasis in the Syrian Desert controlled by terrorists.
Terrorists regularly stage attacks at military-transport convoys in attempts to seize weapons, oil and food.
According to Al-Masdar, commanders of the Syrian Armed Forces sent reinforcements to the eastern parts of Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces in order to secure the highway between Damascus and Iraq's border.


tass--2020-01-21--WHO's Emergency Committee to convene on novel coronavirus on January 22

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
Director-General of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will hold an Emergency Committee session on the novel coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) outbreak in China on Wednesday , the WHO said in a statement published on its official Twitter account .
`` WHO Director-General [ Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus ] will convene an Emergency Committee on the novel coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) under the International Health Regulations .
The Committee will meet on Wednesday , 22 January 2020 , '' the statement said .
`` The Emergency Committee on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ascertain whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern , and what recommendations should be made to manage it , '' the statement added .
On December 31 , the Chinese authorities informed the WHO about the outbreak of a new type of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in central China .
On January 7 , Chinese specialists determined the virus behind the infection - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
All suspected cases of new pneumonia were tested for the coronavirus .
According to latest reports , 217 people were infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents of Wuhan .
Three people have died from the new virus .
Isolated cases were also confirmed in South Korea , Thailand and Japan .

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. /TASS/. Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will hold an Emergency Committee session on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak in China on Wednesday, the WHO said in a statement published on its official Twitter account.
"WHO Director-General [Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus] will convene an Emergency Committee on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) under the International Health Regulations. The Committee will meet on Wednesday, 22 January 2020," the statement said.
"The Emergency Committee on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) will ascertain whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, and what recommendations should be made to manage it," the statement added.
On December 31, the Chinese authorities informed the WHO about the outbreak of a new type of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in central China. On January 7, Chinese specialists determined the virus behind the infection - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. All suspected cases of new pneumonia were tested for the coronavirus.
According to latest reports, 217 people were infected with the novel coronavirus, including 198 residents of Wuhan. Three people have died from the new virus. Isolated cases were also confirmed in South Korea, Thailand and Japan.


tass--2020-01-21--Chinese authorities confirm human-to-human transmission of new coronavirus

BEIJING , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
China 's National Health Commission has confirmed Monday that a novel coronavirus ( @ @ @ @ @ people-to-people , Xinhua news agency reported .
The Chinese authorities said that evidence suggests that @ @ @ @ @ people-to-people which requires urgent measures in dealing with the outbreak .
Chief epidemiologist of the @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention Zeng Guang said that the outbreak of the new coronavirus can be reversed @ @ @ @ @ .
Head of the expert team of China 's National Health Commission Zhong Nanshan said @ @ @ @ @ staff were infected with the new coronavirus .
Zhong said that over 95 % of @ @ @ @ @ city of Wuhan .
A total of 218 cases of the new coronavirus have been @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , Beijing , Shanghai and in the Guandong province in China 's south .

BEIJING, January 20. /TASS/. China's National Health Commission has confirmed Monday that a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) can be transmitted people-to-people, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Chinese authorities said that evidence suggests that the virus can be transmitted people-to-people which requires urgent measures in dealing with the outbreak.
Chief epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Zeng Guang said that the outbreak of the new coronavirus can be reversed if measures are taken now.
Head of the expert team of China's National Health Commission Zhong Nanshan said that at least 14 medical staff were infected with the new coronavirus. Zhong said that over 95% of cases are linked to the city of Wuhan.
A total of 218 cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in China — in Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai and in the Guandong province in China's south.


tass--2020-01-21--Public vote on constitutional amendments will be held on the law as a whole — official

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
The public vote on the draft law on amending the Russian Constitution will be held on the bill as a whole , not on its separate articles , head of the Russian Federation Council 's Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrey Klishas told TASS on Monday .
`` The public vote envisaged by Article 2 of the draft law on making amendments to the Russian Constitution submitted by the president , will be held after the law is approved by the parliament .
The public vote will be held on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its separate articles .
The working group will soon discuss the voting procedure and organizing principles , '' Klishas , who chairs the working group , said .
He added that members of the working group will proceed from the assumption that the same basic principles should lay at the basis of the voting procedure as during the 2018 presidnetial election — transparency , clarity and accessibility for citizens , as well as their trust to the results of the public vote .
Commenting on the draft law submitted earlier on Monday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klishas noted that proposed amendments to the Russian Constitution envisage strengthening of democratic principles of public authority , securing additional guarantees for the exercise of citizens ' rights , as well as expanding the social obligations of the state .
`` The working group will continue working on the draft law on amending the Constitution .
The next session of the working group will be held on Tuesday , January 21 , '' he added .

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. The public vote on the draft law on amending the Russian Constitution will be held on the bill as a whole, not on its separate articles, head of the Russian Federation Council's Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrey Klishas told TASS on Monday.
"The public vote envisaged by Article 2 of the draft law on making amendments to the Russian Constitution submitted by the president, will be held after the law is approved by the parliament. The public vote will be held on the law as a whole, not on its separate articles. The working group will soon discuss the voting procedure and organizing principles," Klishas, who chairs the working group, said.
He added that members of the working group will proceed from the assumption that the same basic principles should lay at the basis of the voting procedure as during the 2018 presidnetial election — transparency, clarity and accessibility for citizens, as well as their trust to the results of the public vote.
Commenting on the draft law submitted earlier on Monday to the State Duma by the president, Klishas noted that proposed amendments to the Russian Constitution envisage strengthening of democratic principles of public authority, securing additional guarantees for the exercise of citizens' rights, as well as expanding the social obligations of the state. "The working group will continue working on the draft law on amending the Constitution. The next session of the working group will be held on Tuesday, January 21," he added.


tass--2020-01-21--VEB head hopes that Russian prime minister will atend WEF in Davos in 2021

`` At the level of ministers , we can not expect adequate interest .
This is normal , but we are actively working , '' Kostin told TASS on the sidelines of the 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos .
`` We are working rather actively at the level of businesses , and the governmental delegation , I think , does the same , as a rather representative person will arrive .
I hope that next year one of our leaders will maybe attend .
Maybe the prime minister will attend .
This will generate a lot of interest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last years , Russia has not been widely represented at the WEF , but stressed that `` it is important that it was represented at all . ''
`` As you know , Vladimir Vladimirovich [ Putin ] met with [ Executive Chairman of the WEF Klaus ] Schwab in St. Petersburg not so long ago and confirmed our interest .
Of course , it is a different level when [ US President Donald Trump ] attends , because US presidents never attended [ the WEF ] before .
Of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ naturally gets a lot of attention , '' he added .

"At the level of ministers, we cannot expect adequate interest. This is normal, but we are actively working," Kostin told TASS on the sidelines of the 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos. "We are working rather actively at the level of businesses, and the governmental delegation, I think, does the same, as a rather representative person will arrive. I hope that next year one of our leaders will maybe attend. Maybe the prime minister will attend. This will generate a lot of interest," he added.
Kostin noted that in the last years, Russia has not been widely represented at the WEF, but stressed that "it is important that it was represented at all."
"As you know, Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] met with [Executive Chairman of the WEF Klaus] Schwab in St. Petersburg not so long ago and confirmed our interest. Of course, it is a different level when [US President Donald Trump] attends, because US presidents never attended [the WEF] before. Of course, when the president attends, it naturally gets a lot of attention," he added.


tass--2020-01-21--Third Project 22220 serial icebreaker to be laid by July 2020 — Baltic Shipyard

ST. PETERSBURG , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
The third serial icebreaker of Project 22220 is planned to be laid @ @ @ @ @ April — June 2020 , the company 's press service told TASS on Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ [ serial ] icebreaker of Series 22220 is planned in the second quarter of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ .
Two serial icebreakers of Project 22220 — Sibir and Ural — are currently under @ @ @ @ @ .
The lead icebreaker Arktika of this project successfully completed the first stage of sea @ @ @ @ @ icebreakers can lead caravans of ships in three-meter Arctic ice .
The dual-draft design allows @ @ @ @ @ ice and in Polar river deltas .
The lead Arktika icebreaker of Project 22220 was @ @ @ @ @ the Baltic Shipyard .
The second [ first serial ] Sibir icebreaker was laid in @ @ @ @ @ [ second serial ] Ural in July 2016 .
All three ships are to be @ @ @ @

ST. PETERSBURG, January 20. /TASS/. The third serial icebreaker of Project 22220 is planned to be laid at the Baltic Shipyard in April — June 2020, the company's press service told TASS on Monday.
"Laying of the third [serial] icebreaker of Series 22220 is planned in the second quarter of 2020," the spokesperson said.
Two serial icebreakers of Project 22220 — Sibir and Ural — are currently under construction at the Baltic Shipyard. The lead icebreaker Arktika of this project successfully completed the first stage of sea trials.
Project 22220 nuclear icebreakers can lead caravans of ships in three-meter Arctic ice. The dual-draft design allows the icebreaker to operate in ice and in Polar river deltas. The lead Arktika icebreaker of Project 22220 was laid in November 2013 by the Baltic Shipyard. The second [first serial] Sibir icebreaker was laid in May 2015 and the third [second serial] Ural in July 2016. All three ships are to be commissioned by 2022.


tass--2020-01-20--Russia slams US allegations about UN nonproliferation standards as mythmaking

`` Regrettably , such mythmaking as Hook ’ s statement has been typical of the US approaches to nuclear nonproliferation , '' the ministry said .
`` Explicitly twisting commonly known facts , alas , has become a general practice for the representative of one of the world ’ s biggest powers claiming authority in nuclear nonproliferation . ''
`` This treaty grants all signatory nations the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy .
Article IV of the Treaty reads , ‘ Nothing in this Treaty shall be interpreted as affecting the inalienable right of all the Parties to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with Articles I and II of this Treaty ' , '' the ministry stressed .
`` In other words , the treaty places no restrictions on non-nuclear states in terms of uranium enrichment or development of other stages of a nuclear fuel cycle .
There is only one condition : all works are to have peaceful purposes and be controlled by the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) . ''
The ministry stressed that voluntary refusal from uranium enrichment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and research in this area , as well as similar commitments under bilateral agreements , are the sovereign right of states rather than the `` UN standard , '' as the United States seeks to present it .
Moreover , according to the Russian Foreign Ministry , the United States is not implementing this so-called standard and the UN and its Security Council have never supported the United States ’ years-long attempts to promote a model depriving non-nuclear nations of their `` inalienable right < … > to develop research , production and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` We reject the attempts to present the United States ’ national approaches and requirements as an ‘ international standard ' , especially under the auspices of the UN , as no one has ever authorized the United States to do that , '' the ministry stressed .
The ministry recalled that the UN sanctions against Iran were never geared to once and for all deprive Iran of its legitimate rights to nuclear research granted by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty but are rather of a temporary nature .
Besides , UN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the necessity to remove some of the IAEA ’ s doubts and settle the situation around Iran ’ s nuclear program and all the previous UN resolutions became null and void after the signing of the Joint Comprehsnive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) in 2015 .
`` The current US administration is obviously unhappy with that .
But Washington ’ s blatant violations of the JCPOA and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed it are unacceptable for the international community , '' the ministry said .
`` Instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN standards ' , colleagues from the United States should better think twice about their own international reputation in the sphere on nuclear nonproliferation , stop misleading the world community and take immediate measures to ensure strict compliance with the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 . ''
Hook told a briefing on Friday that his country ’ s position is that there should be no enrichment for Iran .
He alleged that the United Nations passed a resolution in 2006 or 2007 prohibiting Iran from such activities .
In his words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' which was abandoned in the Iran nuclear deal .

"Regrettably, such mythmaking as Hook’s statement has been typical of the US approaches to nuclear nonproliferation," the ministry said. "Explicitly twisting commonly known facts, alas, has become a general practice for the representative of one of the world’s biggest powers claiming authority in nuclear nonproliferation."
"This treaty grants all signatory nations the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy. Article IV of the Treaty reads, ‘Nothing in this Treaty shall be interpreted as affecting the inalienable right of all the Parties to the Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with Articles I and II of this Treaty'," the ministry stressed. "In other words, the treaty places no restrictions on non-nuclear states in terms of uranium enrichment or development of other stages of a nuclear fuel cycle. There is only one condition: all works are to have peaceful purposes and be controlled by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."
The ministry stressed that voluntary refusal from uranium enrichment, development of the corresponding technical potential and research in this area, as well as similar commitments under bilateral agreements, are the sovereign right of states rather than the "UN standard," as the United States seeks to present it. Moreover, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the United States is not implementing this so-called standard and the UN and its Security Council have never supported the United States’ years-long attempts to promote a model depriving non-nuclear nations of their "inalienable right <…> to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes."
"We reject the attempts to present the United States’ national approaches and requirements as an ‘international standard', especially under the auspices of the UN, as no one has ever authorized the United States to do that," the ministry stressed.
The ministry recalled that the UN sanctions against Iran were never geared to once and for all deprive Iran of its legitimate rights to nuclear research granted by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty but are rather of a temporary nature. Besides, UN Security Council Resolution 1696 of 2006 stemmed from the necessity to remove some of the IAEA’s doubts and settle the situation around Iran’s nuclear program and all the previous UN resolutions became null and void after the signing of the Joint Comprehsnive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015.
"The current US administration is obviously unhappy with that. But Washington’s blatant violations of the JCPOA and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed it are unacceptable for the international community," the ministry said. "Instead of cherishing the idea of nonexistent US-styled ‘UN standards', colleagues from the United States should better think twice about their own international reputation in the sphere on nuclear nonproliferation, stop misleading the world community and take immediate measures to ensure strict compliance with the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231."
Hook told a briefing on Friday that his country’s position is that there should be no enrichment for Iran. He alleged that the United Nations passed a resolution in 2006 or 2007 prohibiting Iran from such activities. In his words, it is "the UN standard," which was abandoned in the Iran nuclear deal.


tass--2020-01-20--Boris Johnson sought contact with Putin in Berlin, says high-ranking source

MOSCOW , January 20./TASS/ .
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson sought contact with the Russian side on the sidelines of @ @ @ @ @ Berlin , and in his brief conversation with President Vladimir Putin he sounded quite conciliatory @ @ @ @ @ Moscow told TASS on Monday .
`` We were surprised by commentaries from Downing Street @ @ @ @ @ and Putin .
To begin with , it was Johnson himself who was seeking contact @ @ @ @ @ Secondly , his tone was closer to conciliatory , there were no harsh statements whatsoever @ @ @ @ @ message of the British prime minister was a bid to improve relations with Russia , @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 20./TASS/. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson sought contact with the Russian side on the sidelines of the conference on Libya in Berlin, and in his brief conversation with President Vladimir Putin he sounded quite conciliatory, a high-ranking source in Moscow told TASS on Monday.
"We were surprised by commentaries from Downing Street about a meeting of Johnson and Putin. To begin with, it was Johnson himself who was seeking contact with the Russian side. Secondly, his tone was closer to conciliatory, there were no harsh statements whatsoever. Thirdly, the main message of the British prime minister was a bid to improve relations with Russia," the source said.


tass--2020-01-20--China to boost partnership with Russia for the sake of global stability

BEIJING , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
Beijing seeks to boost strategic partnership with Russia for the sake of global @ @ @ @ @ Wang Yi said on Monday .
`` We will step up efforts to boost partnership @ @ @ @ @ stability and confidence '' he said , as cited by the Chinese Foreign Ministry .
@ @ @ @ @ of strategic partnership with Russia in all areas , '' Wang Yi added .
According @ @ @ @ @ Russia took some important steps in 2019 , which made it possible to deepen mutually @ @ @ @ @ was crucial in terms of ensuring global stability , '' the Chinese top diplomat pointed @ @ @ @ @ that in order to improve the global situation , Beijing also plans to boost cooperation @ @ @ @ @ as well as with African , Latin American and Middle Eastern countries .

BEIJING, January 20. /TASS/. Beijing seeks to boost strategic partnership with Russia for the sake of global stability, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.
"We will step up efforts to boost partnership for the sake of global stability and confidence" he said, as cited by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. "China will strengthen relations of strategic partnership with Russia in all areas," Wang Yi added.
According to him, China and Russia took some important steps in 2019, which made it possible to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. "It was crucial in terms of ensuring global stability," the Chinese top diplomat pointed out.
Wang Yi added that in order to improve the global situation, Beijing also plans to boost cooperation with the European Union, as well as with African, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries.


tass--2020-01-20--Syrian government forces repel two militants’ attacks in Idlib

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
Syria ’ s government army repelled two militants attacks on its positions in @ @ @ @ @ of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria , Yuri Borenkov @ @ @ @ @ `` On January 20 , terrorist groups attempted two attacks on the positions of government @ @ @ @ @ .
The first attack was staged near the settlement of Jarjanaz in the Idlib governorate @ @ @ @ @ seven pickup cars equipped with heavy weapons advanced on the government army positions .
`` @ @ @ @ @ The militants retreated to their initial positions , '' Borenkov said .

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. Syria’s government army repelled two militants attacks on its positions in the Idlib governorate, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, Yuri Borenkov, said on Monday.
"On January 20, terrorist groups attempted two attacks on the positions of government troops," he said.
The first attack was staged near the settlement of Jarjanaz in the Idlib governorate when about 50 militants in seven pickup cars equipped with heavy weapons advanced on the government army positions. "The attack was repelled. The militants retreated to their initial positions," Borenkov said.


tass--2020-01-20--UN Security Council to discuss this week conference on Libya results, says source

UNITED NATIONS , January 20./TASS/ .
The UN Security Council will hold this week an unscheduled meeting behind closed doors to discuss the results of Sunday ’ s conference on Libya in Berlin , a UN source told TASS on Monday .
`` Germany , the UK and Tunisia requested respective consultations , '' the source said , adding that the meeting will be held either on Tuesday or on Wednesday .
Earlier , German UN Ambassador Christoph Heusgen declined to answer whether the Security Council would pass a resolution in support of the agreements achieved in Berlin .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions over violation of the arms embargo , as well as creating a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire presupposes an approval from the UN Security Council .
On January 19 , Berlin hosted a high-level conference on the settlement process in Libya .
In the final document , the participants in the meeting called for a ceasefire , pledged to refrain from meddling in Libya ’ s affairs , proposed to form a unified government and trigger reforms to restore the country ’ s nationhood destroyed by NATO ’ s intervention almost ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict also agreed to set up a commission to monitor the ceasefire .
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power : the internationally recognized Government of National Accord ( GNA ) and the interim cabinet operating in the country ’ s east together with the parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .

UNITED NATIONS, January 20./TASS/. The UN Security Council will hold this week an unscheduled meeting behind closed doors to discuss the results of Sunday’s conference on Libya in Berlin, a UN source told TASS on Monday.
"Germany, the UK and Tunisia requested respective consultations," the source said, adding that the meeting will be held either on Tuesday or on Wednesday.
Earlier, German UN Ambassador Christoph Heusgen declined to answer whether the Security Council would pass a resolution in support of the agreements achieved in Berlin. At the same time, an appeal to sanctions over violation of the arms embargo, as well as creating a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire presupposes an approval from the UN Security Council.
On January 19, Berlin hosted a high-level conference on the settlement process in Libya. In the final document, the participants in the meeting called for a ceasefire, pledged to refrain from meddling in Libya’s affairs, proposed to form a unified government and trigger reforms to restore the country’s nationhood destroyed by NATO’s intervention almost ten years ago. The parties to the conflict also agreed to set up a commission to monitor the ceasefire.
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power: the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and the interim cabinet operating in the country’s east together with the parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA).


tass--2020-01-20--Russian, Turkish defense ministers discuss Libya, Syria

MOSCOW , January 20./TASS/ .
Russian Acting Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu held talks on Monday with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi @ @ @ @ @ Ministry reported .
`` The sides discussed the developments in the Middle East and North @ @ @ @ @ situation in the Syrian Arab Republic and in Libya , '' the ministry said .
@ @ @ @ @ of National Accord ( GNA ) accused forces of Libyan National Army ( LNA ) @ @ @ @ @ of violating the ceasefire after a high-level conference on Libya in Berlin on Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ reporting ceasefire violations by the LNA in the area of Tripoli .

MOSCOW, January 20./TASS/. Russian Acting Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu held talks on Monday with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.
"The sides discussed the developments in the Middle East and North Africa, focusing on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic and in Libya," the ministry said.
Earlier, the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) accused forces of Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar of violating the ceasefire after a high-level conference on Libya in Berlin on Sunday, saying that government units were reporting ceasefire violations by the LNA in the area of Tripoli.


tass--2020-01-20--Over 120 missiles for Russian S-400 systems delivered to Turkey, says source

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
More than 120 surface-to-air guided missile have been supplied by Russia to Turkey along with a regiment set of S-400 air defense missile systems , a military diplomatic source told TASS on Monday .
`` Turkey has received two S-400 battalions , more than 120 surface-to-air missiles , as well as auxiliary equipment , spare parts and tools , '' the source said , adding that technology transfer , even partial , was not envisaged by the contract .
According to the source , the delivery and acceptance act was signed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early December , giving the start to a 20-month warranty maintenance period .
Turkey ’ s National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on January 15 that Turkish military continued works to put the Russia S-400 missile systems into operation , promising to finish the process in April or May .
Russia said in September 2017 that it had signed a $ 2.5 bln contract for supplies of its S-400 missile systems with Turkey .
The first batch under the contract was delivered to Ankara by air transport in July 2019 .
Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : SA-21 Growler ) is the most advanced long-range air defense missile system that went into service in Russia in 2007 .
It is designed to destroy aircraft , cruise and ballistic missiles , including medium-range missiles , and can also be used against ground-based targets .
The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of 400 km and at an altitude of up to 35 km .

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. More than 120 surface-to-air guided missile have been supplied by Russia to Turkey along with a regiment set of S-400 air defense missile systems, a military diplomatic source told TASS on Monday.
"Turkey has received two S-400 battalions, more than 120 surface-to-air missiles, as well as auxiliary equipment, spare parts and tools," the source said, adding that technology transfer, even partial, was not envisaged by the contract.
According to the source, the delivery and acceptance act was signed by the Turkish and Russian sides in Ankara in early December, giving the start to a 20-month warranty maintenance period.
Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state-run arms exporter, refrained from commenting this information.
Turkey’s National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on January 15 that Turkish military continued works to put the Russia S-400 missile systems into operation, promising to finish the process in April or May.
Russia said in September 2017 that it had signed a $2.5 bln contract for supplies of its S-400 missile systems with Turkey. The first batch under the contract was delivered to Ankara by air transport in July 2019.
Russia’s S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is the most advanced long-range air defense missile system that went into service in Russia in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and can also be used against ground-based targets. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of 400 km and at an altitude of up to 35 km.


tass--2020-01-20--Top Russian scholars warn about main global threats for this year

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
In their annual analytical report focusing on threats facing the globe in 2020 , experts from Russia ’ s MGIMO University listed the main global challenges , highlighting a possible flare-up of armed conflicts and the start of a large-scale economic crisis .
`` We are witnessing the reduction of the power potential of US global hegemony , we see a trend towards the strengthening of sovereignties among leading powers , a crisis of solidarity inside NATO and a crisis of the ultra-liberal political project , as well as a growing military might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director of the MGIMO ’ s Institute for International Studies , Andrey Sushentsov , told a news conference at TASS on Monday .
`` Taken together , these trends on the international front meet Russia ’ s interests , '' he said .
`` But at the same time we see that the possibility of the use of force by the leading powers is growing , though the catastrophic consequences from this are decreasing '' he added .
The report emphasized that armed conflicts around North Korea and Iran could worsen , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ networks .
`` The Ukrainian crisis is still an obstacle for a dialogue between Russia and the European Union .
In the mid-term , observers expect the start of a large-scale economic crisis .
An economic and social vacuum in Central Eurasia , south of Russia ’ s Siberia and the Far East , would prevent the active development of that region , '' Sushentsov noted .
Among the factors obstructing Russia ’ s interests , he mentioned the `` warfare against memory '' initiated in Eastern Europe , explaining that this implies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sake of achieving often fleeting political interests , undermining the fundamental foundations of history , the memory of and attitude towards WWII , '' he said .
`` We see that international relations are increasingly often guided by individual and sovereign factors , countries begin to act not out of collective interests , and not out of interests of solidarity , '' the analyst noted .
A trajectory will continue this year , in which Russia will not be establishing friendly relations with the West on any terms , Senior Researcher from MGIMO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Markedonov said .
`` I don ’ t think Russia will be ready to sacrifice its own interests for the notion of a fixed friendship with the West , '' he explained .
According to the expert , two factors are prevailing in Europe at the moment that contradict each other - a bid to develop constructive relations with Moscow and the fear of marring relations with Washington , and losing military support from the US .
`` Hence , the pragmatics of deterrence is on the agenda in relations with Russia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice , '' he pointed out .
As for the situation in the US , the report forecasts that President Donald Trump will manage to stay in power , putting the odds of 60 to 40 in favor of Trump .
Environmental issues are high on the agenda , the report said , with the issues of climate change and environmental protection moving into the category of global risks and threats .
`` These threats and challenges can not be compensated , no money whatsoever can make up for irreversible climate change .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental challenge is one of the major challenges to post-modern society , '' Yelena Maslova , a senior researcher at MGIMO ’ s Center for European Studies told the news conference .

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. In their annual analytical report focusing on threats facing the globe in 2020, experts from Russia’s MGIMO University listed the main global challenges, highlighting a possible flare-up of armed conflicts and the start of a large-scale economic crisis.
"We are witnessing the reduction of the power potential of US global hegemony, we see a trend towards the strengthening of sovereignties among leading powers, a crisis of solidarity inside NATO and a crisis of the ultra-liberal political project, as well as a growing military might of countries outside the West," Director of the MGIMO’s Institute for International Studies, Andrey Sushentsov, told a news conference at TASS on Monday.
"Taken together, these trends on the international front meet Russia’s interests," he said. "But at the same time we see that the possibility of the use of force by the leading powers is growing, though the catastrophic consequences from this are decreasing" he added.
The report emphasized that armed conflicts around North Korea and Iran could worsen, and it highlighted the activity of global terrorist networks. "The Ukrainian crisis is still an obstacle for a dialogue between Russia and the European Union. In the mid-term, observers expect the start of a large-scale economic crisis. An economic and social vacuum in Central Eurasia, south of Russia’s Siberia and the Far East, would prevent the active development of that region," Sushentsov noted.
Among the factors obstructing Russia’s interests, he mentioned the "warfare against memory" initiated in Eastern Europe, explaining that this implies "the politicization of history for the sake of achieving often fleeting political interests, undermining the fundamental foundations of history, the memory of and attitude towards WWII," he said.
"We see that international relations are increasingly often guided by individual and sovereign factors, countries begin to act not out of collective interests, and not out of interests of solidarity," the analyst noted.
A trajectory will continue this year, in which Russia will not be establishing friendly relations with the West on any terms, Senior Researcher from MGIMO’s Center for Euro-Atlantic Security Sergey Markedonov said. "I don’t think Russia will be ready to sacrifice its own interests for the notion of a fixed friendship with the West," he explained.
According to the expert, two factors are prevailing in Europe at the moment that contradict each other - a bid to develop constructive relations with Moscow and the fear of marring relations with Washington, and losing military support from the US. "Hence, the pragmatics of deterrence is on the agenda in relations with Russia. No meaningful dialogue is being conducted in practice," he pointed out.
As for the situation in the US, the report forecasts that President Donald Trump will manage to stay in power, putting the odds of 60 to 40 in favor of Trump.
Environmental issues are high on the agenda, the report said, with the issues of climate change and environmental protection moving into the category of global risks and threats.
"These threats and challenges cannot be compensated, no money whatsoever can make up for irreversible climate change. Thus, we can say that the environmental challenge is one of the major challenges to post-modern society," Yelena Maslova, a senior researcher at MGIMO’s Center for European Studies told the news conference.


tass--2020-01-20--Zelensky, Iran’s envoy discuss handover of black boxes from downed Ukrainian plane

KIEV , January 20./TASS/ .
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky met on Monday with a special envoy of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani , who arrived in Kiev to discuss the handover of the flight data recorders from the Ukrainian passenger plane , which was accidentally downed outside Tehran on January 8 , the press service of Zelensky ’ s Office reported on Monday .
`` Vladimir Zelensky has discussed with a special envoy of Iran ’ s president the issue of handing over to Ukraine the flight recorders from the Ukrainian plane to decode them , '' the report said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary technical capabilities and experienced specialists for doing this work properly , '' the report said .
According to the Office , Ukraine expects the arrival of a team of Iranian specialists , who will familiarize themselves with Kiev ’ s technical potentials to decode the black boxes .
`` The sides agreed that all fragments of the plane remaining after the crash must be returned to Ukraine , '' the report said .
Besides , the Office quoted Zelensky as saying that all agreements with the Iranian president `` were basically implemented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work in Tehran for 45 Ukrainian specialists , identification of the Ukrainian nationals killed in the crash and their airlifting to Ukraine .
Earlier on Monday , the chief of the air incidents investigation board of Iran ’ s Civil Aviation Organization , Hassan Rezaiefar , said that the Iranian authorities would pass data from the black boxes to Ukraine .
Earlier , he said that Iran had not yet taken the decision to send the black boxes abroad and was itself decoding the fight recorders .
On Monday , Iranian Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was dispatching to Kiev Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami with a letter from the president to Zelensky over the plane crash .
On January 8 , a Boeing-737 of the Ukrainian International Airlines bound for Kiev crashed minutes after takeoff from Tehran ’ s Imam Khomeini Airport .
The crash killed all 176 people on board - citizens of Afghanistan , Germany , Iran , Canada and Ukraine and also British and Swedish subjects .
On January 11 , Iran ’ s Armed Forces General Staff released a statement admitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Iranian Brigadier-General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh , the plane was misidentified as a cruise missile by the air defense force .

KIEV, January 20./TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky met on Monday with a special envoy of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who arrived in Kiev to discuss the handover of the flight data recorders from the Ukrainian passenger plane, which was accidentally downed outside Tehran on January 8, the press service of Zelensky’s Office reported on Monday.
"Vladimir Zelensky has discussed with a special envoy of Iran’s president the issue of handing over to Ukraine the flight recorders from the Ukrainian plane to decode them," the report said. "He emphasized that Ukraine had all necessary technical capabilities and experienced specialists for doing this work properly," the report said.
According to the Office, Ukraine expects the arrival of a team of Iranian specialists, who will familiarize themselves with Kiev’s technical potentials to decode the black boxes. "The sides agreed that all fragments of the plane remaining after the crash must be returned to Ukraine," the report said.
Besides, the Office quoted Zelensky as saying that all agreements with the Iranian president "were basically implemented," specifying them as an access to work in Tehran for 45 Ukrainian specialists, identification of the Ukrainian nationals killed in the crash and their airlifting to Ukraine.
Earlier on Monday, the chief of the air incidents investigation board of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, Hassan Rezaiefar, said that the Iranian authorities would pass data from the black boxes to Ukraine. Earlier, he said that Iran had not yet taken the decision to send the black boxes abroad and was itself decoding the fight recorders.
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said that Tehran was dispatching to Kiev Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami with a letter from the president to Zelensky over the plane crash.
On January 8, a Boeing-737 of the Ukrainian International Airlines bound for Kiev crashed minutes after takeoff from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport. The crash killed all 176 people on board - citizens of Afghanistan, Germany, Iran, Canada and Ukraine and also British and Swedish subjects. On January 11, Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff released a statement admitting the plane had been mistakenly shot down. According to Iranian Brigadier-General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, the plane was misidentified as a cruise missile by the air defense force.


tass--2020-01-20--Lavrov, ambassadors of post-Soviet security bloc members discuss cooperation

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has held a meeting with @ @ @ @ @ Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) countries , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ parties discussed steps to boost comprehensive cooperation during Russia ’ s CSTO chairmanship in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The meeting ’ s participants also exchanged views on several global and regional @ @ @ @ @ interest to the organization ’ s members , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry added .
@ @ @ @ @ Secretary General Stanislav Zas and Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov @

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. Russia’s Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has held a meeting with the envoys of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
"The parties discussed steps to boost comprehensive cooperation during Russia’s CSTO chairmanship in 2020," the statement reads. "The meeting’s participants also exchanged views on several global and regional issues, which are of interest to the organization’s members," the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
The meeting also involved CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas and Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov.


tass--2020-01-20--Putin submits constitutional amendment to Duma authorizing president to form State Council

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
One of the constitutional amendments that Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted to the State Duma ( the lower house of parliament ) on Monday authorizes the country ’ s president to form the State Council .
`` In order to ensure effective coordination and cooperation between Russia ’ s state bodies , outline the key principles of foreign and domestic policies and the priorities of the country ’ s social and economic development , the Russian president is supposed to form the State Council of the Russian Federation , '' says an explanatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the document , Article 83.4 of the Russian Constitution will have to be amended in this regard .
While delivering his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on January 15 , Putin suggested strengthening the role of the State Council and regional governors .
He pointed out that the State Council , which involved the heads of all Russian regions , was revived in 2000 and `` has proved its efficiency , while its working groups provide an expert , comprehensive and quality analysis of issues that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people . ''
The head of state emphasized that `` it is reasonable to enshrine the role and status of the State Council in the Russian Constitution . ''
On September 1 , 2000 , Putin signed a decree creating the State Council and determined its goals .
The State Council was made up of incumbent heads of Russia ’ s regions .
In 2007 , the president obtained the right to include former governors in the council and in 2012 , the speakers of the Federation Council and the State Duma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal districts and the heads of parliamentary factions joined the State Council .

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. One of the constitutional amendments that Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted to the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) on Monday authorizes the country’s president to form the State Council.
"In order to ensure effective coordination and cooperation between Russia’s state bodies, outline the key principles of foreign and domestic policies and the priorities of the country’s social and economic development, the Russian president is supposed to form the State Council of the Russian Federation," says an explanatory note published in the State Duma database.
According to the document, Article 83.4 of the Russian Constitution will have to be amended in this regard.
While delivering his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on January 15, Putin suggested strengthening the role of the State Council and regional governors. He pointed out that the State Council, which involved the heads of all Russian regions, was revived in 2000 and "has proved its efficiency, while its working groups provide an expert, comprehensive and quality analysis of issues that are pressing for the country and its people." The head of state emphasized that "it is reasonable to enshrine the role and status of the State Council in the Russian Constitution."
On September 1, 2000, Putin signed a decree creating the State Council and determined its goals. The State Council was made up of incumbent heads of Russia’s regions. In 2007, the president obtained the right to include former governors in the council and in 2012, the speakers of the Federation Council and the State Duma, the presidential envoys to Russia’s federal districts and the heads of parliamentary factions joined the State Council.


tass--2020-01-20--Aircraft towed after landing in Sheremetyevo Airport due to thrust loss

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
A passenger jet en route from Venice to Moscow lost thrust and it @ @ @ @ @ the runway after landing in the Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo Airport , regional air services @ @ @ @ @ `` A Boeing 738 passenger jet arriving from Venice at Sheremetyevo landed normally but can @ @ @ @ @ because of low thrust , '' a source said .
A tow bar was used @ @ @ @ @ Causes of the incident are investigated .
Nobody was injured .

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. A passenger jet en route from Venice to Moscow lost thrust and it had to be towed along the runway after landing in the Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, regional air services told TASS on Monday.
"A Boeing 738 passenger jet arriving from Venice at Sheremetyevo landed normally but cannot move independently after landing because of low thrust," a source said. A tow bar was used to move the airplane.
Causes of the incident are investigated. Nobody was injured.


tass--2020-01-20--Law on constitutional amendments to come into effect after approval at nationwide vote

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
The presidential bill on amendments to the Constitution will come into effect only @ @ @ @ @ nationwide vote , head of the State Duma Statehood and Constitutional Legislation Committee Pavel Krasheninnikov @ @ @ @ @ `` We are now registering this procedure , and this is a rather difficult thing @ @ @ @ @ will be one of the conditions for it to come into effect , '' he @ @ @ @ @ on amendments to the Russian Constitution is due after the country ’ s parliament passes @ @ @ @ @ Krasheninnikov specified .

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. The presidential bill on amendments to the Constitution will come into effect only after being approved by a nationwide vote, head of the State Duma Statehood and Constitutional Legislation Committee Pavel Krasheninnikov told journalists on Monday.
"We are now registering this procedure, and this is a rather difficult thing. Of course, this will be one of the conditions for it to come into effect," he said.
The nationwide vote on amendments to the Russian Constitution is due after the country’s parliament passes the relevant bill, Pavel Krasheninnikov specified.


tass--2020-01-20--Libya’s GNA accuses LNA forces of violating ceasefire after Berlin conference

Libya Alahrar also cited a GNA unit commander near Ain Zara as saying that his soldiers had repelled an LNA attack south of Tripoli .
`` [ LNA commander Khalifa ] Haftar ’ s units fired several mortar shells at dwelling quarters in Salah al-Din , which constitutes another ceasefire violation after the Berlin conference , '' Libya Alahrar television channel said on Monday citing Mohammed Gununu , spokesman for the Libyan Army under the GNA ’ s command .
Meanwhile , according to Al-Mashhad , fierce fighting was reported in Tripoli ’ s southern suburbs several hours after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The news outlet cited sources saying that roar of guns had been heard all through the capital city .
Later , the command of the LNA ’ s 155th infantry brigade said its soldiers had got into action to stop an attack on Ain Zara by Syrian militants who had `` repeatedly violated the ceasefire . ''
Berlin hosted a high-level international conference on Libyan settlement on January 19 , with at least ten heads of state and government , including Russian President Vladimir Putin , taking part .
In their final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for a ceasefire in Libya , reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from interfering in Libya ’ s affairs , suggested a unified government be formed and reforms be launched to restore Libya ’ s state system destroyed by NATO ’ s intervention of ten years ago .
The conflicting parties also agreed to set up a commission to monitor the ceasefire .
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power , namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) and the interim government , seated in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the parliament , which is supported by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .

Libya Alahrar also cited a GNA unit commander near Ain Zara as saying that his soldiers had repelled an LNA attack south of Tripoli.
"[LNA commander Khalifa] Haftar’s units fired several mortar shells at dwelling quarters in Salah al-Din, which constitutes another ceasefire violation after the Berlin conference," Libya Alahrar television channel said on Monday citing Mohammed Gununu, spokesman for the Libyan Army under the GNA’s command.
Meanwhile, according to Al-Mashhad, fierce fighting was reported in Tripoli’s southern suburbs several hours after the international conference on Libyan settlement in Berlin. The news outlet cited sources saying that roar of guns had been heard all through the capital city.
Later, the command of the LNA’s 155th infantry brigade said its soldiers had got into action to stop an attack on Ain Zara by Syrian militants who had "repeatedly violated the ceasefire."
Berlin hosted a high-level international conference on Libyan settlement on January 19, with at least ten heads of state and government, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, taking part. In their final document, participants in the Berlin meeting called for a ceasefire in Libya, reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from interfering in Libya’s affairs, suggested a unified government be formed and reforms be launched to restore Libya’s state system destroyed by NATO’s intervention of ten years ago. The conflicting parties also agreed to set up a commission to monitor the ceasefire.
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power, namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and the interim government, seated in the east of the country, along with the parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA).


tass--2020-01-20--BRICS may be expanded in future, says senior Russian diplomat

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
BRICS countries ( Brazil , Russia , India , China and South Africa @ @ @ @ @ , while the group ’ s expansion is a matter for the future , said @ @ @ @ @ Ryabkov , who serves and the country ’ s BRICS Sherpa .
`` As for @ @ @ @ @ that we need to continue pursuing the current path , first and foremost , seeking @ @ @ @ @ increase gains from it and specifying activities in many areas , so that our countries @ @ @ @ @ that BRICS ’ existence is important in terms of creating new positive elements in the @ @ @ @ @ development of our countries , as well as for other areas of development , '' @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) need to boost cooperation, while the group’s expansion is a matter for the future, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who serves and the country’s BRICS Sherpa.
"As for expansion plans, I think that we need to continue pursuing the current path, first and foremost, seeking to boost practical cooperation, increase gains from it and specifying activities in many areas, so that our countries and our people can feel… that BRICS’ existence is important in terms of creating new positive elements in the economic, social and scientific development of our countries, as well as for other areas of development," he pointed out.


tass--2020-01-20--Serbian president calls dialogue with Russia ‘very intense’

BELGRADE , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
Dialogue between Russia and Serbia is `` very intense '' and is set @ @ @ @ @ achieve progress in bilateral cooperation , Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told a meeting with Russian @ @ @ @ @ .
`` President Vucic expressed satisfaction that his very intense dialogue with President [ Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ .
The president said he was confident that under new Russian Prime Minister [ Mikhail @ @ @ @ @ keep this fruitful cooperation based on understanding and trust like under former Prime Minister [ @ @ @ @ @ the press service said in a statement .

BELGRADE, January 20. /TASS/. Dialogue between Russia and Serbia is "very intense" and is set to continue in order to achieve progress in bilateral cooperation, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko.
"President Vucic expressed satisfaction that his very intense dialogue with President [Vladimir Putin] continues in 2020. The president said he was confident that under new Russian Prime Minister [Mikhail] Mishustin the sides would keep this fruitful cooperation based on understanding and trust like under former Prime Minister [Dmitry] Medvedev," the press service said in a statement.


tass--2020-01-20--Russian diplomat calls on US to heed signal about curtailing military presence in Syria

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia hopes that the United States will finally heed Moscow ’ s and Damascus ’ signals concerning reduction of its military presence in Syria , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday .
`` It is obvious for us that this presence has an illegal aspect that runs counter to the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter .
The legitimate government in Damascus has not invited the United States to the Syrian territory and there have been no resolutions on that matter from the United Nations Security Council as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he stressed .
`` So , everything the United States is doing in Syria in terms of its military presence is illegal .
We say it quite unequivocally in our contacts with the Americans , '' he stressed .
`` Regrettably , they keep sticking to their stance . ''
According to the diplomat , Russia doesn ’ t see how such presence can help stabilize the situation .
`` We would like to hope that in the long run the United States will heed the signals coming from us and from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curtailing its military presence in Syria that were announced at the highest level , '' he added .

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. Russia hopes that the United States will finally heed Moscow’s and Damascus’ signals concerning reduction of its military presence in Syria, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday.
"It is obvious for us that this presence has an illegal aspect that runs counter to the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter. The legitimate government in Damascus has not invited the United States to the Syrian territory and there have been no resolutions on that matter from the United Nations Security Council as the only body that can legitimize it," he stressed.
"So, everything the United States is doing in Syria in terms of its military presence is illegal. We say it quite unequivocally in our contacts with the Americans," he stressed. "Regrettably, they keep sticking to their stance."
According to the diplomat, Russia doesn’t see how such presence can help stabilize the situation. "We would like to hope that in the long run the United States will heed the signals coming from us and from Damascus and will implement the plans of curtailing its military presence in Syria that were announced at the highest level," he added.


tass--2020-01-20--Russia, Japan kick off anti-piracy drills in Arabian Sea

KALININGRAD , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Navy ships and a destroyer of Japan ’ s Maritime Self-Defense Force started anti-piracy drills in the Arabian Sea , the press office of Russia ’ s Baltic Fleet reported on Monday .
`` A group of the Baltic Fleet ’ s ships comprising the guard ship Yaroslav Mudry , the tanker Yelnya and the sea tug Viktor Konetsky has arrived at the designated area of the Arabian Sea for a joint exercise with the destroyer Harusame of Japan ’ s Maritime Self-Defense Force , '' the press office said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Japanese destroyer will hold communications and maneuvering drills in one of the areas of the Arabian Sea on January 20-21 and practice inspecting and freeing a vessel notionally seized by pirates and landing on the ships ’ decks .
The Russian Baltic Fleet and the Japanese navy will hold their drills for the first time , the press office stressed .
The Russian and Japanese chiefs of the drills will hold a planning conference aboard the destroyer Harusame in the area of the naval maneuvers today to discuss details of the episodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security .
After that , the participating ships will hold joint communications , signal exchange and tactical maneuvering drills , including at night .
The active phase of the naval maneuvers will take place on January 21 .
The guard ship Yaroslav Mudry , the tanker Yelnya and the sea tug Viktor Konetsky embarked on their long-distance deployment from the Baltic Fleet ’ s main naval base of Baltiysk in the westernmost Kaliningrad Region on October 1 and set off for the Indian Ocean .
In December , the warships took part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drills and in the Maritime Security Belt Russia-China-Iran naval maneuvers .

KALININGRAD, January 20. /TASS/. Russian Navy ships and a destroyer of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force started anti-piracy drills in the Arabian Sea, the press office of Russia’s Baltic Fleet reported on Monday.
"A group of the Baltic Fleet’s ships comprising the guard ship Yaroslav Mudry, the tanker Yelnya and the sea tug Viktor Konetsky has arrived at the designated area of the Arabian Sea for a joint exercise with the destroyer Harusame of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force," the press office said in a statement.
The Russian Navy ships and the Japanese destroyer will hold communications and maneuvering drills in one of the areas of the Arabian Sea on January 20-21 and practice inspecting and freeing a vessel notionally seized by pirates and landing on the ships’ decks. The Russian Baltic Fleet and the Japanese navy will hold their drills for the first time, the press office stressed.
The Russian and Japanese chiefs of the drills will hold a planning conference aboard the destroyer Harusame in the area of the naval maneuvers today to discuss details of the episodes and the issues of information exchange and security.
After that, the participating ships will hold joint communications, signal exchange and tactical maneuvering drills, including at night. The active phase of the naval maneuvers will take place on January 21.
The guard ship Yaroslav Mudry, the tanker Yelnya and the sea tug Viktor Konetsky embarked on their long-distance deployment from the Baltic Fleet’s main naval base of Baltiysk in the westernmost Kaliningrad Region on October 1 and set off for the Indian Ocean. In December, the warships took part in the naval phase of the Indra-2019 Russian-Indian drills and in the Maritime Security Belt Russia-China-Iran naval maneuvers.


tass--2020-01-20--Russia’s lower house to consider constitutional amendment bill on January 23

MOSCOW , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian State Duma ( parliament ’ s lower house ) is planning @ @ @ @ @ on constitutional amendment at a plenary meeting on January 23 , a source in the @ @ @ @ @ was confirmed by First Deputy Speaker Ivan Melnikov .
`` The bill will be considered @ @ @ @ @ 10 am on January 23 , '' he said .

MOSCOW, January 23. /TASS/. The Russian State Duma (parliament’s lower house) is planning to debate the presidential bill on constitutional amendment at a plenary meeting on January 23, a source in the lower chamber told TASS which was confirmed by First Deputy Speaker Ivan Melnikov.
"The bill will be considered at a plenary meeting at 10 am on January 23," he said.


tass--2020-01-20--Libya ceasefire to open up opportunity for political regulation, says Erdogan

ANKARA , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
Libya ceasefire will open up an opportunity for political regulation in the country , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on board the plane returning from the Berlin international conference on Libya .
His quotes were published by the Turkiye newspaper on Monday .
`` We took part in the Berlin summit on Libya within the framework of our efforts on political regulation .
We have approved the summit ’ s declaration consisting of 55 points , '' the president stressed .
`` If the ceasefire that [ Russian President Vladimir ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an opportunity for political process will open up . ''
Erdogan stressed that he would never negotiate with Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Commander Khalifa Haftar , as the Turkish leader considers him `` a terrorist . ''
The international high-level conference on Libya took place on Sunday in the German capital , with at least ten heads of states and governments attending the event including Russian President Vladimir Putin .
The talks were also visited by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , French President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , as well as representatives of Algeria , Egypt , the United Arab Emirates and China .
Moreover , Berlin also welcomed Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , Fayez Sarraj , and Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Commander Khalifa Haftar .
The conference ’ s final communique includes a call to ceasefire , refrain from intervening into Libya ’ s affairs , while it also proposes creation of a single government and launch of reforms to restore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten years ago .
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power , namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) and , along with the parliament , the interim government , seated in the east of the country , which is supported by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .

ANKARA, January 20. /TASS/. Libya ceasefire will open up an opportunity for political regulation in the country, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on board the plane returning from the Berlin international conference on Libya. His quotes were published by the Turkiye newspaper on Monday.
"We took part in the Berlin summit on Libya within the framework of our efforts on political regulation. We have approved the summit’s declaration consisting of 55 points," the president stressed. "If the ceasefire that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and I have been supporting holds, an opportunity for political process will open up."
Erdogan stressed that he would never negotiate with Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar, as the Turkish leader considers him "a terrorist."
Berlin conference on Libya
The international high-level conference on Libya took place on Sunday in the German capital, with at least ten heads of states and governments attending the event including Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks were also visited by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as representatives of Algeria, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and China.
Moreover, Berlin also welcomed Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez Sarraj, and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar.
The conference’s final communique includes a call to ceasefire, refrain from intervening into Libya’s affairs, while it also proposes creation of a single government and launch of reforms to restore statehood that was demolished by NATO almost ten years ago.
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power, namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and, along with the parliament, the interim government, seated in the east of the country, which is supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA).


tass--2020-01-20--Putin submits bill on constitutional amendments to State Duma

One of the constitutional amendments authorizes the country ’ s president to form the State Council .
`` In order to ensure effective coordination and cooperation between Russia ’ s state bodies , outline the key principles of foreign and domestic policies and the priorities of the country ’ s social and economic development , the Russian president is supposed to form the State Council of the Russian Federation , '' says an explanatory note published in the State Duma database .
`` Vladimir Putin has submitted a bill on constitutional amendments to the State Duma .
The co-chairs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klishas , [ Pavel ] Kresheninnikov and [ Taliya ] Khabrieva - will represent the president at the bill ’ s hearings , '' Peskov said .
On January 15 , the Russian president signed an order to create a task force to hammer out constitutional amendments .
The task force consists of 75 members , including politicians , lawmakers , researchers and public figures .
Head of the Federation Council ( the upper house of parliament ) Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrei Klishas , Head of the State Duma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Director of the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation Taliya Khabrieva co-chair the task force .
While delivering his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on January 15 , Putin proposed a number of constitutional amendments , particularly calling for providing the State Duma with the powers to approve the appointment of Russia ’ s prime minister , deputy prime ministers and federal ministers , as well as for holding consultations with the Federation Council on the appointment of senior law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state emphasized the need to enshrine the priority of national legislation over international law within Russia ’ s legal space .
Some of the other amendments are aimed at strengthening the role of the State Council and regional governors .
Putin also suggested putting the constitutional amendments to the public vote .
The bill limits the country ’ s president to serving two terms in office .
`` Russia ’ s president can not serve more than two terms , '' the bill reads .
Article 81.3 of the Russian Constitution limits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two terms `` in a row . ''
The president suggested that the words `` in a row '' could be removed from the Constitution .
However , he pointed out that he did not consider the matter to be crucial .
The document particularly increases time of residence in Russia from 10 to 25 years for candidates vying for Russian presidency and banning them from possessing foreign citizenship or permit residence at any point in time .
This qualification will not be applied to Russians formerly having citizenships of states that became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published in the State Duma electronic database and envisages overhaul of article 81 part 4 ( Russian President ) of the constitution .
It currently says that a Russian citizen aged 35 or older who has been residing in Russia for at least 10 years can get elected as president .
The new text now reads that a Russian citizen can be elevated president if they are aged 35 or older , have been residing in Russia for at least 25 years and do not have and have never had foreign citizenship or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to the Russian citizen to permanently reside in foreign state .
At the same time , it is specifically mentioned that the citizenship qualification is not applied to Russian citizens who previously held citizenship of a foreign state that was accepted into Russia or a part of it was accepted into Russia in accordance with a federal constitutional law .

One of the constitutional amendments authorizes the country’s president to form the State Council. "In order to ensure effective coordination and cooperation between Russia’s state bodies, outline the key principles of foreign and domestic policies and the priorities of the country’s social and economic development, the Russian president is supposed to form the State Council of the Russian Federation," says an explanatory note published in the State Duma database.
"Vladimir Putin has submitted a bill on constitutional amendments to the State Duma. The co-chairs of the constitutional commission — [Andrei] Klishas, [Pavel] Kresheninnikov and [Taliya] Khabrieva - will represent the president at the bill’s hearings," Peskov said.
On January 15, the Russian president signed an order to create a task force to hammer out constitutional amendments. The task force consists of 75 members, including politicians, lawmakers, researchers and public figures. Head of the Federation Council (the upper house of parliament) Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrei Klishas, Head of the State Duma Statehood and Constitutional Legislation Committee Pavel Krasheninnikov and Director of the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation Taliya Khabrieva co-chair the task force.
Putin’s initiatives
While delivering his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on January 15, Putin proposed a number of constitutional amendments, particularly calling for providing the State Duma with the powers to approve the appointment of Russia’s prime minister, deputy prime ministers and federal ministers, as well as for holding consultations with the Federation Council on the appointment of senior law enforcement officials. In addition, the head of state emphasized the need to enshrine the priority of national legislation over international law within Russia’s legal space. Some of the other amendments are aimed at strengthening the role of the State Council and regional governors.
Putin also suggested putting the constitutional amendments to the public vote.
Bill
The bill limits the country’s president to serving two terms in office. "Russia’s president cannot serve more than two terms," the bill reads. Article 81.3 of the Russian Constitution limits the country’s president to serving two terms "in a row."
The president suggested that the words "in a row" could be removed from the Constitution. However, he pointed out that he did not consider the matter to be crucial.
The document particularly increases time of residence in Russia from 10 to 25 years for candidates vying for Russian presidency and banning them from possessing foreign citizenship or permit residence at any point in time. This qualification will not be applied to Russians formerly having citizenships of states that became part of Russia.
The document was published in the State Duma electronic database and envisages overhaul of article 81 part 4 (Russian President) of the constitution. It currently says that a Russian citizen aged 35 or older who has been residing in Russia for at least 10 years can get elected as president.
The new text now reads that a Russian citizen can be elevated president if they are aged 35 or older, have been residing in Russia for at least 25 years and do not have and have never had foreign citizenship or residence permit or any other document granting right to the Russian citizen to permanently reside in foreign state. At the same time, it is specifically mentioned that the citizenship qualification is not applied to Russian citizens who previously held citizenship of a foreign state that was accepted into Russia or a part of it was accepted into Russia in accordance with a federal constitutional law.


tass--2020-01-20--Celebrating the centenary of cinematic talent: Federico Fellini would have been 100 today

Italian film director Federico Fellini and Italian screenwriter Sergio Amidei , 1947 .
Both were nominated for Oscar for the best film story as authors of Open City © AP Photo/ Frank Noel Federico Fellini , his wife Giulietta Masina and Dino De Laurentiis holding the Oscars awarded for `` La Strada '' , 1957 , Los Angeles , USA © AP Photo/ Ellis Bosworth , File Italian actress Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni in Fellini 's 1960 film La Dolce Vita which received Palme d'Or at Festival de Cannes © AP Photo Federico Fellini in front of a portrait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Masina , 1970 at the opening of an exhibition of still photographs from his film `` Le Notti di Cabiria '' ( Nights of Cabiria ) in Germany .
Fellini won his second Academy Award for this film in 1957 © AP Photo/Claus Hampel Federico Fellini accepting the Oscar his film won in Hollywood in 1964 .
The winning film , in the category of best foreign language film of the year , was Fellini ’ s 8½ © AP Photo Italian director Federico Fellini and American fashion actress Donyale Luna on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for which he got Academy Award nomination for Best Director © AP Photo Federico Fellini with actors while shooting of the film Rome , 1972 © Fotokhronika TASS Fellini giving instructions to French actress Magali Noel on set of movie Amarcord near Bologna , Italy in 1973 .
The movie was awarded Oscar prize as best film in foreign language in 1974 © AP Photo Federico Fellini directs on the set of his movie Fred and Ginger during filming at Rome 's Cinecitta studios in 1985 © AP Photo/Luffoli Federico Fellini holding his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loren and Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni at the 65th Academy Awards show in Los Angeles , United States , 1993 © AP Photo/Reed Saxon

West was covering up crimes of Kiev regime that led to Ukraine’s tragedy, Lavrov says
"During this entire period, the population of DPR and LPR was subjected to abuse, perennial shelling on the part of the Kiev regime that openly adopted a course towards Russophobia and genocide," the Russian top diplomat noted
Read more


tass--2020-01-20--Iran’s curtailing cooperation with IAEA will give grounds for speculations — diplomat

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has called on Iran to continue full-scale cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) not to give Tehran ’ s opponents grounds for speculations .
Iranian officials , in his words , say now and then that the country may curtail its cooperation with the IAEA .
`` We don ’ t think this is the right way .
We think it will be in the interests of the Iranian side to continue full-scale cooperation with the IAEA under the additional protocol to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
`` It will strengthen Iran ’ s positions in dialogue with the international community and , what is most important , will give no grounds to Tehran ’ s opponents to speculate on the lack of information about what is going on concerning Iran ’ s nuclear program . ''
In this context , the diplomat called on Tehran not to give those who are seeking to destabilize the situation in the region `` extra material to fuel tensions . ''
`` We believe it would be counterproductive , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament Ali Larijani stated earlier Tehran would dramatically change its relations with the IAEA in case European nations `` take unfair measures while using '' the dispute resolution mechanism in the Iran nuclear deal .

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has called on Iran to continue full-scale cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) not to give Tehran’s opponents grounds for speculations.
Iranian officials, in his words, say now and then that the country may curtail its cooperation with the IAEA.
"We don’t think this is the right way. We think it will be in the interests of the Iranian side to continue full-scale cooperation with the IAEA under the additional protocol to the safeguards agreement," he said on Monday. "It will strengthen Iran’s positions in dialogue with the international community and, what is most important, will give no grounds to Tehran’s opponents to speculate on the lack of information about what is going on concerning Iran’s nuclear program."
In this context, the diplomat called on Tehran not to give those who are seeking to destabilize the situation in the region "extra material to fuel tensions." "We believe it would be counterproductive," he added.
Speaker of Iran’s parliament Ali Larijani stated earlier Tehran would dramatically change its relations with the IAEA in case European nations "take unfair measures while using" the dispute resolution mechanism in the Iran nuclear deal.