tass--2020-12-16--Moscow expects new US administration to make up its mind on New START treaty

ZAGREB , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia expects the new US administration to make up their mind regarding arms control , especially regarding the future of the New START treaty , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference Wednesday .
`` I can not even contemplate or speculate on this right now , because nothing depends on us anymore .
The treaty could or could not be extended .
The conditions that the Americans have been decorating their position in this regard recently meant not an extension of the existing treaty but a development of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And they must make up their mind .
So we wait until the new administration decides on its approach and then we will decide on our own . ''
Moscow repeatedly called on Washington not to delay the decision on the treaty ’ s extension , calling the treaty a golden standard in disarmament .
On October 16 , Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to extend the New START for at least one year without preconditions .
The Trump administration previously proposed to increase the number of signatories , inviting China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US President-Elect Joe Biden spoke in favor of prolongation of the current treaty .

ZAGREB, December 16. /TASS/. Russia expects the new US administration to make up their mind regarding arms control, especially regarding the future of the New START treaty, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference Wednesday.
"I cannot even contemplate or speculate on this right now, because nothing depends on us anymore. The treaty could or could not be extended. The conditions that the Americans have been decorating their position in this regard recently meant not an extension of the existing treaty but a development of a new one," he said. "And they must make up their mind. So we wait until the new administration decides on its approach and then we will decide on our own."
Moscow repeatedly called on Washington not to delay the decision on the treaty’s extension, calling the treaty a golden standard in disarmament. On October 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to extend the New START for at least one year without preconditions.
The Trump administration previously proposed to increase the number of signatories, inviting China, but Beijing rejected this idea. The US President-Elect Joe Biden spoke in favor of prolongation of the current treaty.


tass--2020-12-16--New Angara rocket to cope with Russian cosmonautics tasks through 2032 — Roscosmos chief

MOSCOW , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s new Angara-A5V carrier rocket will be twice as powerful as its Proton predecessor and will cope with all the country ’ s space tasks through 2032 , state space corporation Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin said on Wednesday .
`` In this version [ A5V ] , the Angara will be twice as powerful as the Proton .
This is not yet a super-heavy carrier but quite a heavy rocket capable of solving all our tasks through 2032 , '' the Roscosmos chief wrote on Facebook .
Roscosmos views the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perspective , Rogozin said .
`` Roscosmos as the customer has initiated the Amur R & D work for creating a more powerful Angara-A5M and also a KVTK booster and an RD-0150 hydrogen engine for developing a ‘ muscular ’ third stage , '' he said .
The Angara is a family of next-generation Russian space rockets .
It consists of light , medium and heavy carrier rockets with a lifting capacity of up to 37.5 tonnes .
The new family of rockets uses environmentally-friendly propellant components .
Overall , Russia has carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them from the Plesetsk spaceport : a light Angara-1.2PP blasted off in July 2014 while its heavy version lifted off for the first time on December 23 , 2014 and for the second time on December 14 , 2020 .
The Roscosmos head told TASS in August that the 2021 plan envisaged the launch of heavy Angara-A5 rocket No .
3 with a new Persei booster and a light Angara-1.2 launch vehicle .
He also said that a fourth Angara heavy carrier rocket would be ready in 2021 .
He confirmed these plans @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. Russia’s new Angara-A5V carrier rocket will be twice as powerful as its Proton predecessor and will cope with all the country’s space tasks through 2032, state space corporation Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin said on Wednesday.
"In this version [A5V], the Angara will be twice as powerful as the Proton. This is not yet a super-heavy carrier but quite a heavy rocket capable of solving all our tasks through 2032," the Roscosmos chief wrote on Facebook.
Roscosmos views the new rocket as the vehicle for the medium-term perspective, Rogozin said. "Roscosmos as the customer has initiated the Amur R&D work for creating a more powerful Angara-A5M and also a KVTK booster and an RD-0150 hydrogen engine for developing a ‘muscular’ third stage," he said.
The Angara is a family of next-generation Russian space rockets. It consists of light, medium and heavy carrier rockets with a lifting capacity of up to 37.5 tonnes. The new family of rockets uses environmentally-friendly propellant components.
Overall, Russia has carried out three Angara launches, all of them from the Plesetsk spaceport: a light Angara-1.2PP blasted off in July 2014 while its heavy version lifted off for the first time on December 23, 2014 and for the second time on December 14, 2020.
The Roscosmos head told TASS in August that the 2021 plan envisaged the launch of heavy Angara-A5 rocket No. 3 with a new Persei booster and a light Angara-1.2 launch vehicle. He also said that a fourth Angara heavy carrier rocket would be ready in 2021. He confirmed these plans on December 14.


tass--2020-12-16--Russia’s upper house endorses bill to grant immunity to ex-presidents

Under the document , in order to deprive an ex-president of immunity , the State Duma ( lower house ) would have to put forward accusations of high treason or gravely serious felonies .
However , they would have to be confirmed by the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court .
Based on these accusations , the Federation Council would have to make a decision on revoking an ex-president ’ s immunity .
Under the current laws , a former head of state could be stripped of immunity if a criminal case is opened over serious indictable felonies or capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term in office .
The procedure is initiated by Russia ’ s Investigative Committee Chairperson and the State Duma must give its consent .
Then the approved regulation is sent to the Federation Council , which has three months to consider stripping an ex-president of immunity .
The State Duma ’ s decision on handing down charges and the Federation Council ’ s decision on rescinding immunity would have to be approved by two-thirds of the votes of all Russian senators and lawmakers at the initiative of at least one-third of the MPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a conclusion of a special commission set up by the State Duma .
After the lower house puts forward the accusations , the upper house would have three months to make a decision on stripping a former president of immunity .
If this is not done , the accusations would be dismissed .
The bill outlines that the ex-president can neither be held criminally nor administratively liable , nor detained , arrested , interrogated , nor be subject to searches .
Now , this limitation only concerns acts committed while in office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise of his powers as the head of state .
Andrey Klishas , Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building , noted that the bill had been drawn up in an effort to bring the provisions of a law on guarantees to former Russian presidents in sync with the constitutional amendments .
The senator pointed out that the ex-president ’ s immunity refers to his dwellings and office , vehicles , the means of communication , documents and baggage as well as correspondence .

Under the document, in order to deprive an ex-president of immunity, the State Duma (lower house) would have to put forward accusations of high treason or gravely serious felonies. However, they would have to be confirmed by the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. Based on these accusations, the Federation Council would have to make a decision on revoking an ex-president’s immunity.
Under the current laws, a former head of state could be stripped of immunity if a criminal case is opened over serious indictable felonies or capital offenses committed during a president’s term in office. The procedure is initiated by Russia’s Investigative Committee Chairperson and the State Duma must give its consent. Then the approved regulation is sent to the Federation Council, which has three months to consider stripping an ex-president of immunity.
The State Duma’s decision on handing down charges and the Federation Council’s decision on rescinding immunity would have to be approved by two-thirds of the votes of all Russian senators and lawmakers at the initiative of at least one-third of the MPs of the lower house and if there is a conclusion of a special commission set up by the State Duma. After the lower house puts forward the accusations, the upper house would have three months to make a decision on stripping a former president of immunity. If this is not done, the accusations would be dismissed.
The bill outlines that the ex-president can neither be held criminally nor administratively liable, nor detained, arrested, interrogated, nor be subject to searches. Now, this limitation only concerns acts committed while in office or proceedings in cases related to the exercise of his powers as the head of state.
Andrey Klishas, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, noted that the bill had been drawn up in an effort to bring the provisions of a law on guarantees to former Russian presidents in sync with the constitutional amendments. The senator pointed out that the ex-president’s immunity refers to his dwellings and office, vehicles, the means of communication, documents and baggage as well as correspondence.


tass--2020-12-16--Press review: US Electoral College confirms Biden win and Navlany points finger at FSB

The US Electoral College officially confirmed Democrat Joe Biden ’ s election victory on December 14 .
The Democrat received 306 votes , while incumbent President Donald Trump secured 232 votes , Izvestia informs , adding that despite this , incumbent US President Donald Trump still has not conceded the election .
It seems that Trump plans to contest the election results further .
Experts quizzed by Izvestia point out that although the Electoral College has cemented Biden ’ s win , the political situation will begin to stabilize only in January 2021 , when the Congress confirms the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on December 15 , Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Biden on his win .
That said , the Trump team continues to contest the results of the election in court .
President of the American University in Moscow Edward Lozansky told the paper that the incumbent president ’ s lawyers filed several additional lawsuits , including one submitted to the US Supreme Court .
`` However , it is clear at this point that this is useless .
While the majority of Conservative members of the Supreme Court think that the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News , 77 % of Republicans and 10 % of Democrats are of this opinion ) , they decided to sacrifice their principles and save the country from large-scale riots and violence , as Trump supporters are not known for this , unlike the left .
If the Supreme Court took Trump ’ s side , the country would plunge into chaos , '' the expert said .
President of the Center on Global Interests in Washington Nikolai Zlobin told the paper that the US public has different opinions on Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s doing a great job , he fights like a lion using all legal means , spending money and energy .
Some think that the man does not know how to lose , which is a disadvantage for a politician , he needs to move on to a new fight instead of going on about the old one .
Many don ’ t like this , including the Republicans .
We have entered uncharted territory .
A large share of Trump supporters think that the election was a fraud , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Zlobin stated .
In many ways , the development of the political situation will depend on what Trump thinks the future holds for him .
If he wants to stay in politics , for example , and establish his wing within the Republican Party and be the leader of ‘ Trumpism ’ , he needs to act in accordance with US tradition , the expert noted .
However , it is unclear so far how his behavior affects the position of Republicans in general .
On December 15 , Russian opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be launched into his alleged poisoning attempt after an investigation by The Insider and Bellingcat allegedly linking Russia ’ s FSB to the case was published , Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports , noting that this activity may be timed to coincide with the annual press conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin set for December 17 .
Earlier , The Insider , Bellingcat and CNN , aided by Germany ’ s Der Spiegel daily and Navalny himself , published an investigation which claimed that a group of active FSB agents are involved in the opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of the Central Committee of the Russian Communist Party Sergei Obukhov told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that investigations involving accusations against Putin and details of his personal life have become a common affair .
`` A desacralization and even demonization of the head of state is underway , '' he said , listing several possible factors behind it .
One of the versions is a split within the Russian establishment , he said , while the second version is geopolitical : `` It is clear that stability is pinned to the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well , and perhaps , there may be special , influential groups that decided to strike at [ Putin ’ s ] underpinning .
Obviously , the FSB can not hold such investigations alone , '' Obukhov stated .
The politician added that the investigation into Navalny ’ s poisoning was published in the run-up to Putin ’ s annual press conference for a reason .
`` The liberal opposition simply used this situation to distract from the pro-government agenda .
It was clear that the president was planning to reassure the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being practically a terrorist state . ''
For his part , President of the Russian Association of Political Consultants Alexei Kurtov assumed that the timing of the publication may be accidental .
`` Usually , such things are in the works for a long time , foreign intelligence takes months to prepare , and there were reports about it a couple of months ago . ''
However , if someone did try to time the accusations to the president ’ s press conference , they might have struck out , Kurtov said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters fast , and the questions during the press conference are `` 100 % scrutinized beforehand , so there can be no accidents . ''
The expert said that he would look for interested parties abroad .
`` Of course , this is not an initiative of Navalny and the opposition , but Navalny is using the situation for his own PR .
If he plans to return to Russia and work in politics , he needs protection , including media protection , '' the expert pointed out .
Lately , relations between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharply , Izvestia reports .
Earlier , the EU decided to expand sanctions against Turkey for drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean .
Washington also hammered out a set of restrictive measures to punish Ankara for purchasing Russia ’ s S-400 missile systems .
The Turkish government has taken a rather restrained reaction to the unfriendly steps of its allies so far .
In any case , Turkey does not intend to leave NATO , since this is not in its interest , Turkish political analyst Serkan Demirtas told Izvestia .
Ankara has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy has close ties to the West , he noted , adding that the alliance does not want to ruin relations with Turkey completely either .
The political commentator added that the looming US presidency of Joe Biden promises a more stable Transatlantic partnership .
According to Demirtas , European leaders noted that the EU would coordinate issues relating to Turkey and the situation in Eastern Mediterranean with the US , which means that Brussels will wait and see how the relationship between Turkey and the US is going to develop under a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Ankara , as it needs a stronger Turkey , Senior Researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations Vladimir Avatkov told Izvestia .
`` However , at the same time , the increasing independence of Ankara does not mean that it will have a more positive policy on Russia .
Moreover , it can act more aggressively due to a lack of resources to carry out an offensive-dominated foreign policy , '' the expert said .
Russian peacekeepers have settled an incident in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in favor of Baku , with the territory marked as Azerbaijanian on a new map .
A video published on Telegram channels showed Armenian soldiers handing over their guns .
It turns out that the conflict sides have a different interpretation of the statement made by Russian , Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders on November 10 .
Baku is confident that the Armenian forces must leave the entire region of Nagorno-Karabakh , while Yerevan thinks that the agreement only concerns the territories around the unrecognized republic , Kommersant reports .
`` Yes , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peacekeepers , '' Azerbaijani political analyst and an expert with the Valdai Discussion Club Farkhad Mammadov told Kommersant .
`` The Azerbaijani public has focused on the fourth provision of the November 10 agreement , which says that `` the peacekeeping contingency of the Russian Federation is deployed at the same time as the pullout of the Armenian Armed Forces . ''
We see that the peacekeeping mission has been deployed fully , in addition , a hospital has been opened , and an inter-agency humanitarian center , but there are still armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We think that they represent a threat not only to the Azerbaijanis , but first and foremost to the Russian peacekeepers . ''
Yerevan interprets the text of the agreement differently : according to Kommersant ’ s Armenian sources , the first provision is the one that should take precedence .
The provision says that after a full ceasefire at midnight on November 10 , Azerbaijan and Armenia keep their positions .
That is , the provinces near Hadrut should remain under the control of the Armenian and Nagorno-Karabakh forces .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kommersant that this interpretation is wrong and that Armenia should pull out its forces from the entire territory of Nagorno-Karabakh .
Armenian political analyst Vigen Akopyan said that the government ’ s stance on this demand depends on whether it came as a surprise or not .
`` If this was an unpleasant surprise for them , this is one thing .
But if it was a secret agreement , for example , in a package with a prisoner swap , the relations won ’ t be affected , '' he noted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a prisoner exchange , with 44 Armenian prisoners swapped for 14 Azerbaijani ones .
However , Akopyan added that `` the Armenian government is not in a position right now to change its stance on the Russian peacekeepers . ''
Russia ’ s unemployment rate has reached a high not seen in a decade , Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports .
Millions of unemployed workers have made their voices heard by applying to employment services .
The SuperJob recruitment portal told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that the real unemployment numbers are much higher than the official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mln people in Russia may be jobless .
The main lesson of 2020 is that workers should learn to adapt to new work formats , the paper says .
`` According to the SuperJob portal , there are twice as many jobless Russians that are not registered at unemployment offices and do not receive benefits than those who are officially unemployed .
That is , the number of registered unemployed workers should be multiplied by three to get the real picture on the labor market , '' representatives of the company told Nezavisimaya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be about 10.5 mln unemployed people in Russia right now .
`` We expect that in 2021 , the number of new employment offers will go down , so the search for a new job may take longer .
It is likely that many companies will wait for the crisis trends to end before resuming an active search for employees , '' Anna Mikheeva , an HR director at Hays recruitment company , told the paper .
Besides , the situation with working from home has shown how quickly Russian companies have managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the key trends that has had a huge effect on the labor market and will continue to have it is the telework format , '' Mikheeva said .
`` The approval of the telework law , which has practically cemented the relations between employers and employees , will facilitate it .
It is likely that after the restrictions are lifted , a hybrid working format will remain in place , when employees work from the office some days , and some days they work from home . ''
TASS is not responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviews .

Izvestia: Democrat Joe Biden officially wins US presidential race
Read also Putin congratulates Joe Biden on US presidential election victory
The US Electoral College officially confirmed Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory on December 14. The Democrat received 306 votes, while incumbent President Donald Trump secured 232 votes, Izvestia informs, adding that despite this, incumbent US President Donald Trump still has not conceded the election. It seems that Trump plans to contest the election results further. Experts quizzed by Izvestia point out that although the Electoral College has cemented Biden’s win, the political situation will begin to stabilize only in January 2021, when the Congress confirms the results of the electoral college vote. Meanwhile, on December 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Biden on his win. That said, the Trump team continues to contest the results of the election in court. President of the American University in Moscow Edward Lozansky told the paper that the incumbent president’s lawyers filed several additional lawsuits, including one submitted to the US Supreme Court. "However, it is clear at this point that this is useless. While the majority of Conservative members of the Supreme Court think that the election was stolen from them (according to Fox News, 77% of Republicans and 10% of Democrats are of this opinion), they decided to sacrifice their principles and save the country from large-scale riots and violence, as Trump supporters are not known for this, unlike the left. If the Supreme Court took Trump’s side, the country would plunge into chaos," the expert said. President of the Center on Global Interests in Washington Nikolai Zlobin told the paper that the US public has different opinions on Trump’s behavior. "Some say: he’s doing a great job, he fights like a lion using all legal means, spending money and energy. Some think that the man does not know how to lose, which is a disadvantage for a politician, he needs to move on to a new fight instead of going on about the old one. Many don’t like this, including the Republicans. We have entered uncharted territory. A large share of Trump supporters think that the election was a fraud, and they can consider Biden an illegitimate president," Zlobin stated. In many ways, the development of the political situation will depend on what Trump thinks the future holds for him. If he wants to stay in politics, for example, and establish his wing within the Republican Party and be the leader of ‘Trumpism’, he needs to act in accordance with US tradition, the expert noted. However, it is unclear so far how his behavior affects the position of Republicans in general. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Bellingcat investigation links Russia’s FSB to Navalny’s alleged poisoning
Read also Criminal case on Navalny incident cannot be opened in Russia so far, says Putin
On December 15, Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny demanded that criminal proceedings be launched into his alleged poisoning attempt after an investigation by The Insider and Bellingcat allegedly linking Russia’s FSB to the case was published, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports, noting that this activity may be timed to coincide with the annual press conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin set for December 17. Earlier, The Insider, Bellingcat and CNN, aided by Germany’s Der Spiegel daily and Navalny himself, published an investigation which claimed that a group of active FSB agents are involved in the opposition figure’s alleged poisoning attempt. Secretary of the Central Committee of the Russian Communist Party Sergei Obukhov told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that investigations involving accusations against Putin and details of his personal life have become a common affair. "A desacralization and even demonization of the head of state is underway," he said, listing several possible factors behind it. One of the versions is a split within the Russian establishment, he said, while the second version is geopolitical: "It is clear that stability is pinned to the president’s ratings. It is clear abroad as well, and perhaps, there may be special, influential groups that decided to strike at [Putin’s] underpinning. Obviously, the FSB cannot hold such investigations alone," Obukhov stated. The politician added that the investigation into Navalny’s poisoning was published in the run-up to Putin’s annual press conference for a reason. "The liberal opposition simply used this situation to distract from the pro-government agenda. It was clear that the president was planning to reassure the population, and there are accusations of Russia being practically a terrorist state." For his part, President of the Russian Association of Political Consultants Alexei Kurtov assumed that the timing of the publication may be accidental. "Usually, such things are in the works for a long time, foreign intelligence takes months to prepare, and there were reports about it a couple of months ago." However, if someone did try to time the accusations to the president’s press conference, they might have struck out, Kurtov said, noting that Putin never comments on such matters fast, and the questions during the press conference are "100% scrutinized beforehand, so there can be no accidents." The expert said that he would look for interested parties abroad. "Of course, this is not an initiative of Navalny and the opposition, but Navalny is using the situation for his own PR. If he plans to return to Russia and work in politics, he needs protection, including media protection," the expert pointed out. Izvestia: EU, US mull widening sanctions against Turkey
Lately, relations between Ankara and its NATO allies have deteriorated sharply, Izvestia reports. Earlier, the EU decided to expand sanctions against Turkey for drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean. Washington also hammered out a set of restrictive measures to punish Ankara for purchasing Russia’s S-400 missile systems. The Turkish government has taken a rather restrained reaction to the unfriendly steps of its allies so far. In any case, Turkey does not intend to leave NATO, since this is not in its interest, Turkish political analyst Serkan Demirtas told Izvestia. Ankara has no alternatives to NATO, and the Turkish economy has close ties to the West, he noted, adding that the alliance does not want to ruin relations with Turkey completely either. The political commentator added that the looming US presidency of Joe Biden promises a more stable Transatlantic partnership. According to Demirtas, European leaders noted that the EU would coordinate issues relating to Turkey and the situation in Eastern Mediterranean with the US, which means that Brussels will wait and see how the relationship between Turkey and the US is going to develop under a new administration. NATO is increasing pressure on Ankara, as it needs a stronger Turkey, Senior Researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations Vladimir Avatkov told Izvestia. "However, at the same time, the increasing independence of Ankara does not mean that it will have a more positive policy on Russia. Moreover, it can act more aggressively due to a lack of resources to carry out an offensive-dominated foreign policy," the expert said. Kommersant: Armenia, Azerbaijan clash over interpretation of ceasefire agreement
Read also Pashinyan says Baku’s actions in Karabakh aimed against Russian peacekeepers
Russian peacekeepers have settled an incident in the Nagorno-Karabakh villages of Hin Tager and Htsaberd in favor of Baku, with the territory marked as Azerbaijanian on a new map. A video published on Telegram channels showed Armenian soldiers handing over their guns. It turns out that the conflict sides have a different interpretation of the statement made by Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders on November 10. Baku is confident that the Armenian forces must leave the entire region of Nagorno-Karabakh, while Yerevan thinks that the agreement only concerns the territories around the unrecognized republic, Kommersant reports. "Yes, there was dissatisfaction with the activity of the peacekeepers," Azerbaijani political analyst and an expert with the Valdai Discussion Club Farkhad Mammadov told Kommersant. "The Azerbaijani public has focused on the fourth provision of the November 10 agreement, which says that "the peacekeeping contingency of the Russian Federation is deployed at the same time as the pullout of the Armenian Armed Forces." We see that the peacekeeping mission has been deployed fully, in addition, a hospital has been opened, and an inter-agency humanitarian center, but there are still armed people [Armenians - Kommersant]. We think that they represent a threat not only to the Azerbaijanis, but first and foremost to the Russian peacekeepers." Yerevan interprets the text of the agreement differently: according to Kommersant’s Armenian sources, the first provision is the one that should take precedence. The provision says that after a full ceasefire at midnight on November 10, Azerbaijan and Armenia keep their positions. That is, the provinces near Hadrut should remain under the control of the Armenian and Nagorno-Karabakh forces. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva told Kommersant that this interpretation is wrong and that Armenia should pull out its forces from the entire territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian political analyst Vigen Akopyan said that the government’s stance on this demand depends on whether it came as a surprise or not. "If this was an unpleasant surprise for them, this is one thing. But if it was a secret agreement, for example, in a package with a prisoner swap, the relations won’t be affected," he noted. On December 14, Azerbaijan and Armenia held a prisoner exchange, with 44 Armenian prisoners swapped for 14 Azerbaijani ones. However, Akopyan added that "the Armenian government is not in a position right now to change its stance on the Russian peacekeepers." Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Millions of Russians left jobless in 2020
Read also Number of unemployed in Russia due to coronavirus may grow to 8 mln


tass--2020-12-16--EU representatives agree on six-month extension of sanctions against Russia

BRUSSELS , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
Permanent representatives of the 27 member states of the European Union agreed on a six-month extension of economic sanctions against Russia , which expire on January 31 , 2021 , a source in the delegation of one of the European countries in the EU Council told TASS .
`` Yes , the ambassadors have just agreed to extend the restrictive measures until July 31 , 2021 , '' the source said .
According to the diplomat , this decision will be formally approved by the EU Council in the near future , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Official Journal of the European Union and come into force .
The EU summit on December 10 made a political decision to extend the EU sanctions against Russia until July 31 , 2021 .
In 2014 , the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia in connection with the events in Ukraine and Crimea .
The restrictive measures have been expanded and extended several times .
Negotiations on a visa-free regime and a new basic cooperation agreement were suspended , a ban was introduced on entry to EU countries for officials from Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures of a commercial , financial and military nature were also introduced .
In response , Russia imposed a ban on the import of a number of food products from the EU countries .

BRUSSELS, December 16. /TASS/. Permanent representatives of the 27 member states of the European Union agreed on a six-month extension of economic sanctions against Russia, which expire on January 31, 2021, a source in the delegation of one of the European countries in the EU Council told TASS.
"Yes, the ambassadors have just agreed to extend the restrictive measures until July 31, 2021," the source said. According to the diplomat, this decision will be formally approved by the EU Council in the near future, after which it will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and come into force.
The EU summit on December 10 made a political decision to extend the EU sanctions against Russia until July 31, 2021.
In 2014, the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia in connection with the events in Ukraine and Crimea. The restrictive measures have been expanded and extended several times. Negotiations on a visa-free regime and a new basic cooperation agreement were suspended, a ban was introduced on entry to EU countries for officials from Russia, and their assets were frozen. Restrictive measures of a commercial, financial and military nature were also introduced. In response, Russia imposed a ban on the import of a number of food products from the EU countries.


tass--2020-12-16--Shipbuilders to launch construction of latest corvettes for Russian Navy in 2021

MOSCOW , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Amur Shipyard in the Russian Far East will launch the construction of a new series of Project 20380 and Project 20385 corvettes for the Navy in 2021 , a source in the shipbuilding industry told TASS on Wednesday .
`` The first ships out of six corvettes stipulated by the contract will be laid down already in 2021 .
The contract is expected to be fulfilled in 2028 , '' the source said .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry announced on December 15 that it had concluded a contract with the Amur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four Project 20385 corvettes due to enter service with the Pacific Fleet in 2024-2028 .
The Project 20380 and Project 20385 corvettes will enable the Russian Navy to boost the efficiency of detecting and eliminating enemy submarines , surface ships and vessels and protect naval bases , the coastline and sea lanes , the ministry said in a statement .
The corvettes under construction in Russia today are unrivaled in the world by some operational characteristics and armament and have vast upgrade potential .
These are advanced warships outfitted with the latest multi-functional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uran anti-ship missile launchers ( Project 20380 ) , Paket-NK anti-submarine warfare complexes and the universal shipborne launchers ( Project 20385 ) for Kalibr-NK cruise missiles and eventually for Tsirkon hypersonic missiles .
Project 20380 and Project 20385 corvettes are being built by the Severnaya Shipyard in St. Petersburg and the Amur Shipyard in the Far East .
As of today , six warships of this type are operational in the Russian Navy and the same number of these corvettes is at various stages of construction , including vessels of the improved Project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Amur Shipyard is undergoing state trials .

MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. The Amur Shipyard in the Russian Far East will launch the construction of a new series of Project 20380 and Project 20385 corvettes for the Navy in 2021, a source in the shipbuilding industry told TASS on Wednesday.
"The first ships out of six corvettes stipulated by the contract will be laid down already in 2021. The contract is expected to be fulfilled in 2028," the source said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on December 15 that it had concluded a contract with the Amur Shipyard on building two Project 20380 and four Project 20385 corvettes due to enter service with the Pacific Fleet in 2024-2028.
The Project 20380 and Project 20385 corvettes will enable the Russian Navy to boost the efficiency of detecting and eliminating enemy submarines, surface ships and vessels and protect naval bases, the coastline and sea lanes, the ministry said in a statement.
The corvettes under construction in Russia today are unrivaled in the world by some operational characteristics and armament and have vast upgrade potential. These are advanced warships outfitted with the latest multi-functional radars, Redut surface-to-air missile systems and Uran anti-ship missile launchers (Project 20380), Paket-NK anti-submarine warfare complexes and the universal shipborne launchers (Project 20385) for Kalibr-NK cruise missiles and eventually for Tsirkon hypersonic missiles.
Project 20380 and Project 20385 corvettes are being built by the Severnaya Shipyard in St. Petersburg and the Amur Shipyard in the Far East. As of today, six warships of this type are operational in the Russian Navy and the same number of these corvettes is at various stages of construction, including vessels of the improved Project 20386. The corvette Aldar Tsydenzhapov built by the Amur Shipyard is undergoing state trials.


tass--2020-12-16--Russian peacekeepers dispose of 2,000 pieces of ammunition in Nagorno-Karabakh

MOSCOW , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Emergencies Ministry ’ s bomb disposal specialists have collected and rendered harmless @ @ @ @ @ in Nagorno-Karabakh , as follows from the ministry ’ s news release .
`` Humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ around it has been carried out on an area of more than 30 hectares .
@ @ @ @ @ were collected , '' the press service said .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia @ @ @ @ @ with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
On November 9 , @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on @ @ @ @ @ starting from November 10 .
On November 13 , Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a @ @ @ @ @ humanitarian response center for Nagorno-Karabakh , involving representatives from the Emergencies Ministry , Foreign Ministry @ @ @ @ @ FSB ) and other federal bodies of executive power concerned .
The Defense Ministry was @ @ @ @ @ issues .
Russian peacekeepers arrived in the region on November 16 .

MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. Russian Emergencies Ministry’s bomb disposal specialists have collected and rendered harmless more than 2,000 explosive items in Nagorno-Karabakh, as follows from the ministry’s news release.
"Humanitarian mine clearance in Stepanakert and around it has been carried out on an area of more than 30 hectares. More than 2,000 explosive items were collected," the press service said.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. On November 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to create a joint humanitarian response center for Nagorno-Karabakh, involving representatives from the Emergencies Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Federal Security Service (FSB) and other federal bodies of executive power concerned. The Defense Ministry was made in charge of organizational issues. Russian peacekeepers arrived in the region on November 16.


tass--2020-12-16--Ukraine documents 10,622 COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours

KIEV , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine has documented 10,622 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours , @ @ @ @ @ than the day before , when 8,416 cases were recorded , Ukrainian Health Minister Maxim @ @ @ @ @ `` As of December 16 , 2020 , Ukraine has documented 10,622 new cases of @ @ @ @ @ children and 579 medical workers got sick , '' he wrote on Facebook .
Stepanov @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours , 3,242 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms , 264 died and 12,549 @ @ @ @ @ PCR tests for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours .
Since the start of the @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 cases , including 535,417 recoveries and 15,744 fatalities .
Ukraine documented its first case @ @ @ @ @ .
On March 17 , it introduced quarantine restrictions .
A state of emergency is @ @ @ @ @ February 28 , 2021 .
The Ukrainian government ruled to introduce a strict quarantine in @ @ @ @ @ to January 24 , 2021 .

KIEV, December 16. /TASS/. Ukraine has documented 10,622 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, which is 26.2% higher than the day before, when 8,416 cases were recorded, Ukrainian Health Minister Maxim Stepanov informed on Wednesday.
"As of December 16, 2020, Ukraine has documented 10,622 new cases of COVID-19. Namely, 501 children and 579 medical workers got sick," he wrote on Facebook. Stepanov added that in the past 24 hours, 3,242 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms, 264 died and 12,549 recovered. Ukraine held 40,470 PCR tests for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
Since the start of the pandemic, Ukraine recorded 919,704 COVID-19 cases, including 535,417 recoveries and 15,744 fatalities.
Ukraine documented its first case of COVID-19 on March 3. On March 17, it introduced quarantine restrictions. A state of emergency is active in the country until February 28, 2021. The Ukrainian government ruled to introduce a strict quarantine in the country from January 8 to January 24, 2021.


tass--2020-12-16--Russia records over 26,500 new coronavirus cases

In the past two days the growth rate did not exceed 1 % .
MOSCOW , December 16 .
/TASS/ @ @ @ @ @ case tally rose by 26,509 in the past day to 2,734,454 , the anti-coronavirus crisis @ @ @ @ @ .
Vaccination against coronavirus begins in all of Russia ’ s regions The lowest growth @ @ @ @ @ hours were recorded in the Republics of Tuva and Altai , the Nenets Autonomous Region @ @ @ @ @ the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region , the Mari El Republic , the Magadan and Novosibirsk Regions @ @ @ @ @ Moscow confirmed 5,028 new COVID-19 cases .
Some 3,758 coronavirus cases were registered in St. @ @ @ @ @ second largest city , 1,477 in the Moscow Region , 492 in the Nizhny Novgorod @ @ @ @ @ Arkhangelsk Region and 395 in the Sverdlovsk Region .
According to the crisis center , @ @ @ @ @ people are ill in Russia .

In the past two days the growth rate did not exceed 1%.
MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus case tally rose by 26,509 in the past day to 2,734,454, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday.
Vaccination against coronavirus begins in all of Russia’s regions
The lowest growth rates in the past 24 hours were recorded in the Republics of Tuva and Altai, the Nenets Autonomous Region (0.4%), the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, the Mari El Republic, the Magadan and Novosibirsk Regions (0.6%).
Moscow confirmed 5,028 new COVID-19 cases. Some 3,758 coronavirus cases were registered in St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city, 1,477 in the Moscow Region, 492 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 397 in the Arkhangelsk Region and 395 in the Sverdlovsk Region.
According to the crisis center, currently as many as 509,790 people are ill in Russia.


tass--2020-12-16--Yantai promotes marine ecological protection and treatment with great effort

YANTAI , China , Dec. 16 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ According to Xinhua ( Qingdao ) International Ocean Information Center , since Yantai launched the `` Clean Beach '' campaign to engage all the coastal districts and county-level cities in cleaning up floating garbage and domestic waste from the rivers , mudflats and the coastal zone , a total of 875 tons of waste in 125 locations have been cleaned up by this December .
The coastal zone stretching nearly 10,000 meters that used to be messy has taken on a clean and fresh look .
Yantai , situated in Shandong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection in recent years .
Measures have been strengthened to manage marine resources and restore ecological environment , laying the foundation for sustainable development and improving people 's living environment .
Facing both the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea , Yantai has a sea area of 26,000 square kilometers , ranking among the top in China based on the marine economy .
According to Zhang Shuping , Secretary of the CPC Yantai Municipal Committee , Yantai is striving to explore the path of marine ecological conservation and accumulate experience for the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common problem of declining inshore fishery resources .
Yantai , as a seaside city and home to the largest number of national-level marine ranch , deems marine ranch development as an important way to grow fishery resources , protect biodiversity and develop marine culture .
In this process , Yantai pays attention to striking a balance between land and sea and between aquaculture and eco-protection .
It encourages and supports relevant enterprises to build circular culture workshops and to efficiently treat the waste water which has realized comprehensive waste utilization and regional water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aquaculture area is being monitored at all times .
Last year , the good quality rate of the sea area in the Bohai Sea under Yantai 's jurisdiction reached 98.62 % , up 26 % from the previously year .
And the good quality rate of the inshore sea area exceeded 99 % , up 15 % year on year .
Yantai is committed to the restoration of the coastal zone .
It has enacted a series of new regulations such as the Regulations on Coastal Zone Protection of Yantai , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Changdao Island , where comprehensive pilot marine eco-culture zone has been established to restore the natural coastline and save it from receding .
In the past three years , 2 billion yuan has been invested to restore the marine ecology of Changdao and over 40 kilometers of coastal zone has been restored .
With the beautiful ocean environment , Changdao Island has seen its tourism booming .
At present , there are 14,000 people working in the tourism sector in Changdao , accounting for 1/3 of the total population .
More are joining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better life .
With constant efforts , now various kinds of algae rarely seen in the past years such as zostera marina and gloiopetis appear again in Changdao .
So do white finless porpoise and whales .
The quantities of such species as oriental white stork , harbor seal and the Chinese egret , whose habitats require high ecological quality , have also increased .
Tang Junwei , deputy director of Changdao Economic Promotion Center says , `` There are 30 more kinds of algae than there was five years ago .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Bohai Bay have doubled in quantity .
The vanished fishing season has returned on a small scale . ''
Mr. Ye , a local resident says , `` Great changes have taken place in Yantai these years .
After the coastal zone has been repaired , there are now several sea bays for leisure and recreation in the city .
We can enjoy the clear seawater and fine sand beach close to our house .
It is very nice to walk and work out by the sea during weekends . ''

YANTAI, China, Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ According to Xinhua (Qingdao) International Ocean Information Center, since Yantai launched the "Clean Beach" campaign to engage all the coastal districts and county-level cities in cleaning up floating garbage and domestic waste from the rivers, mudflats and the coastal zone, a total of 875 tons of waste in 125 locations have been cleaned up by this December. The coastal zone stretching nearly 10,000 meters that used to be messy has taken on a clean and fresh look.
Yantai, situated in Shandong Peninsula, gives top priority to ecological protection in recent years. Measures have been strengthened to manage marine resources and restore ecological environment, laying the foundation for sustainable development and improving people's living environment.
Facing both the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, Yantai has a sea area of 26,000 square kilometers, ranking among the top in China based on the marine economy. According to Zhang Shuping, Secretary of the CPC Yantai Municipal Committee, Yantai is striving to explore the path of marine ecological conservation and accumulate experience for the whole country.
Most coastal areas face the common problem of declining inshore fishery resources. Yantai, as a seaside city and home to the largest number of national-level marine ranch, deems marine ranch development as an important way to grow fishery resources, protect biodiversity and develop marine culture. In this process, Yantai pays attention to striking a balance between land and sea and between aquaculture and eco-protection. It encourages and supports relevant enterprises to build circular culture workshops and to efficiently treat the waste water which has realized comprehensive waste utilization and regional water use circulation. The water quality in the aquaculture area is being monitored at all times. Last year, the good quality rate of the sea area in the Bohai Sea under Yantai's jurisdiction reached 98.62%, up 26% from the previously year. And the good quality rate of the inshore sea area exceeded 99%, up 15% year on year.
Yantai is committed to the restoration of the coastal zone. It has enacted a series of new regulations such as the Regulations on Coastal Zone Protection of Yantai, and implemented the eco-protection and restoration project for Changdao Island, where comprehensive pilot marine eco-culture zone has been established to restore the natural coastline and save it from receding. In the past three years, 2 billion yuan has been invested to restore the marine ecology of Changdao and over 40 kilometers of coastal zone has been restored. With the beautiful ocean environment, Changdao Island has seen its tourism booming. At present, there are 14,000 people working in the tourism sector in Changdao, accounting for 1/3 of the total population. More are joining this line of work to earn a better life.
With constant efforts, now various kinds of algae rarely seen in the past years such as zostera marina and gloiopetis appear again in Changdao. So do white finless porpoise and whales. The quantities of such species as oriental white stork, harbor seal and the Chinese egret, whose habitats require high ecological quality, have also increased. Tang Junwei, deputy director of Changdao Economic Promotion Center says, "There are 30 more kinds of algae than there was five years ago. Some economic species such as hairtail and prawns of the Bohai Bay have doubled in quantity. The vanished fishing season has returned on a small scale."
Mr. Ye, a local resident says, "Great changes have taken place in Yantai these years. After the coastal zone has been repaired, there are now several sea bays for leisure and recreation in the city. We can enjoy the clear seawater and fine sand beach close to our house. It is very nice to walk and work out by the sea during weekends."
CONTACT: Ms. Yu, Tel: +86-10-63074558


tass--2020-12-16--Over 579,000 remain under medical supervision over coronavirus in Russia

Vaccination against coronavirus begins in all of Russia ’ s regions MOSCOW , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
More than @ @ @ @ @ supervision in Russia over a suspected coronavirus infection , the sanitary watchdog said on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ remain under medical supervision in Russia , '' the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer @ @ @ @ @ reported .
More than 83.8 mln COVID-19 tests have been carried out , including 427,000 @ @ @ @ @ , according to the sanitary watchdog .

Vaccination against coronavirus begins in all of Russia’s regions
MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. More than 579,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia over a suspected coronavirus infection, the sanitary watchdog said on Wednesday.
"Some 579,177 people remain under medical supervision in Russia," the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported.
More than 83.8 mln COVID-19 tests have been carried out, including 427,000 tests in the past day, according to the sanitary watchdog.


tass--2020-12-16--UnionPay International and ATU Duty Free introduce QR code payment at Turkish airports

ISTANBUL , Dec. 16 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ UnionPay International ( `` UPI '' ) has teamed up with ATU Duty Free , Turkey 's leading duty free shop operating chain , to launch UnionPay QR code payment service at the chain 's 45 duty free shops in airports nationwide .
According to UPI , this is the first time for all ATU duty free shops to accept QR code payment , which offers global UnionPay cardholders traveling in Turkey the convenience of digital payment service .
`` Payment behaviors are changing and users are looking for the fastest and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
UPI has long along been taking this into consideration .
ATU Duty Free has been our valuable partner in Turkey over the years and I believe UnionPay users will better enjoy shopping at ATU Duty Free shops with this new experience , '' said James Yang , General Manager of Unionpay International Middle East Branch .
ATU Duty Free CEO Ersan Arcan stated , `` As ATU Duty Free , we always attach importance to following the innovations and maintaining cooperation with global brands .
We are considering the changes in passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ code payment in our stores with UnionPay .
We are launching a new era in shopping with this valuable partnership .
I would like to say that , we are happy to provide a modern and safe shopping experience to our clients . ''
Established in 2000 as a joint venture between TAV Airports Holding and Unifree Duty Free , ATU Duty Free operates 45 shops at Istanbul New Airport and the country 's other four airports - Ankara Esenboga Airport , Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport , Mugla Bodrum Milas Airport and Antalya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ATU Duty Free since 2015 .
Currently , over 95 % of POS terminals and 85 % of ATM terminals accept UnionPay cards in Turkey .
UnionPay cardholders can use their UnionPay cards in shopping malls , restaurants , hotels , supermarkets and many others , according to UPI .
With the launch of UnionPay QR code payment , the local payment scene in the country will be powered by digital services which will speed up the shift in payment behavior in going mobile .
Apart from Turkey , UnionPay QR code payment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , with over 300 millions global users .
UnionPay International is a subsidiary of China UnionPay focused on the growth and support of UnionPay 's global business .
In partnership with over 2,300 institutions worldwide , UnionPay International has enabled card acceptance in 179 countries and regions with issuance in 61 countries and regions .
UnionPay International provides high quality , cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world 's largest cardholder base .
At the end of 1999 's , ATU Duty Free was founded in partnership with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the operation of TAV Airports and tax-free sales outlets , with a forward vision of the modern airport operations .
Since its foundation , ATU has been at the forefront of aviation and retailing in its genres .
With its innovative approach , ATU is among the world leaders in the Duty Free market .
And since the first day of this challenging marathon with 7/24 working tempos , it has been proceeding unceasingly .
Providing duty free services at over 120 stores in 7 countries across 3 continents , offering passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantageous prices .
ATU operates , Old Bazaar local concept stores and more than 20 world famous luxury brand boutique stores at Istanbul Airport , the sole duty free operator at Ankara Esenboga , Izmir Adnan Menderes , Gazipasa Alanya and Mugla Bodrum airports in Turkey ; also Tbilisi , Batumi and Kutaisi airports in Georgia ; Skopje and Ohrid airports in North Macedonia ; Enfidha , Monastir , Tunis-Carthage , Djerba , Sfax , Tozeur and Tabarka airports in Tunisia ; Riga Airport in Latvia ; Salalah Airport in Oman and Madinah @ @ @ @ @

ISTANBUL, Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ UnionPay International ("UPI") has teamed up with ATU Duty Free, Turkey's leading duty free shop operating chain, to launch UnionPay QR code payment service at the chain's 45 duty free shops in airports nationwide.
According to UPI, this is the first time for all ATU duty free shops to accept QR code payment, which offers global UnionPay cardholders traveling in Turkey the convenience of digital payment service.
"Payment behaviors are changing and users are looking for the fastest and the most secure ways to make their payments. UPI has long along been taking this into consideration. ATU Duty Free has been our valuable partner in Turkey over the years and I believe UnionPay users will better enjoy shopping at ATU Duty Free shops with this new experience," said James Yang, General Manager of Unionpay International Middle East Branch.
ATU Duty Free CEO Ersan Arcan stated, "As ATU Duty Free, we always attach importance to following the innovations and maintaining cooperation with global brands. We are considering the changes in passenger and payment behaviors and offer customers QR code payment in our stores with UnionPay. We are launching a new era in shopping with this valuable partnership. I would like to say that, we are happy to provide a modern and safe shopping experience to our clients."
Established in 2000 as a joint venture between TAV Airports Holding and Unifree Duty Free, ATU Duty Free operates 45 shops at Istanbul New Airport and the country's other four airports - Ankara Esenboga Airport, Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Mugla Bodrum Milas Airport and Antalya Gazipasa Airport.
UPI has partnered with ATU Duty Free since 2015. Currently, over 95% of POS terminals and 85% of ATM terminals accept UnionPay cards in Turkey. UnionPay cardholders can use their UnionPay cards in shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and many others, according to UPI.
With the launch of UnionPay QR code payment, the local payment scene in the country will be powered by digital services which will speed up the shift in payment behavior in going mobile.
Apart from Turkey, UnionPay QR code payment has been launched in 41 markets around the world, with over 300 millions global users.
About UnionPay International
UnionPay International is a subsidiary of China UnionPay focused on the growth and support of UnionPay's global business. In partnership with over 2,300 institutions worldwide, UnionPay International has enabled card acceptance in 179 countries and regions with issuance in 61 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base.
ATU Duty Free
At the end of 1999's, ATU Duty Free was founded in partnership with Unifree and Gebr. Heinemann, experienced in the operation of TAV Airports and tax-free sales outlets, with a forward vision of the modern airport operations. Since its foundation, ATU has been at the forefront of aviation and retailing in its genres. With its innovative approach, ATU is among the world leaders in the Duty Free market. And since the first day of this challenging marathon with 7/24 working tempos, it has been proceeding unceasingly.
Providing duty free services at over 120 stores in 7 countries across 3 continents, offering passengers 50,000 products from leading world brands at advantageous prices. ATU operates, Old Bazaar local concept stores and more than 20 world famous luxury brand boutique stores at Istanbul Airport, the sole duty free operator at Ankara Esenboga, Izmir Adnan Menderes, Gazipasa Alanya and Mugla Bodrum airports in Turkey; also Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi airports in Georgia; Skopje and Ohrid airports in North Macedonia; Enfidha, Monastir, Tunis-Carthage, Djerba, Sfax, Tozeur and Tabarka airports in Tunisia; Riga Airport in Latvia; Salalah Airport in Oman and Madinah Airport in Saudi Arabia.
CONTACT: Ou Shuting, +86-21-20265118, oushuting@unionpayintl.com


tass--2020-12-16--Crimea’s daily coronavirus cases hit all-time high at 354

SIMFEROPOL , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 354 coronavirus patients were identified in Crimea in the past @ @ @ @ @ s head Sergei Aksyonov wrote on VKontakte on Wednesday .
`` As many as 354 @ @ @ @ @ Crimea on December 15 , including 16 asymptomatic ones .
A total of 269 patients @ @ @ @ @ requested medical assistance and 85 were traced as contacts of existing cases , '' he @ @ @ @ @ , 4,069 coronavirus tests were carried out in Crimea in the past 24 hours .
@ @ @ @ @ by 355 to 15,118 .
The region has so far reported about 20,000 coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ of healthcare workers kicked off in the Crimean capital of Simferopol .
Akysonov said earlier @ @ @ @ @ was set to begin in January .

SIMFEROPOL, December 16. /TASS/. As many as 354 coronavirus patients were identified in Crimea in the past day, the region’s head Sergei Aksyonov wrote on VKontakte on Wednesday.
"As many as 354 coronavirus cases were recorded in Crimea on December 15, including 16 asymptomatic ones. A total of 269 patients were identified after they had requested medical assistance and 85 were traced as contacts of existing cases," he said.
According to Aksyonov, 4,069 coronavirus tests were carried out in Crimea in the past 24 hours. The number of recoveries rose by 355 to 15,118. The region has so far reported about 20,000 coronavirus cases.
On Tuesday, vaccination of healthcare workers kicked off in the Crimean capital of Simferopol. Akysonov said earlier that a mass vaccination campaign was set to begin in January.


tass--2020-12-16--Germany sees new high of 952 COVID-19 deaths over past day

BERLIN , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
Germany ’ s death toll from the coronavirus in the past day rose by 952 , a new high during the entire pandemic , the Robert Koch Institute ( RKI ) , a German federal government agency and research institute responsible for disease control and prevention , said on Wednesday .
The country ’ s total death toll from the coronavirus hit 23,427 .
Over the past day , 27,728 coronavirus cases were registered in the country and since the start of the pandemic the coronavirus case tally has reached 1,379,238 .
Head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday that Germany was facing the most challenging time since the start of the pandemic .
Since Wednesday , Germany will introduce new quarantine measures until at least January 10 .
All shops besides those selling foodstuffs and other essential goods , will be shut down .
Hair , beauty , massage salons and tattoo studios will be closed .
Banks , pharmacies , post offices , car repair shops , petrol stations and pet shops will remain open .
Not more than five people are allowed to meet in private houses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to children under 14 years of age .
On December 24-26 , a maximum of 10 citizens will be able to gather , but only relatives .

BERLIN, December 16. /TASS/. Germany’s death toll from the coronavirus in the past day rose by 952, a new high during the entire pandemic, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), a German federal government agency and research institute responsible for disease control and prevention, said on Wednesday.
The country’s total death toll from the coronavirus hit 23,427. Over the past day, 27,728 coronavirus cases were registered in the country and since the start of the pandemic the coronavirus case tally has reached 1,379,238.
Head of the institute Lothar Heinz Wieler announced on Tuesday that Germany was facing the most challenging time since the start of the pandemic.
Since Wednesday, Germany will introduce new quarantine measures until at least January 10. All shops besides those selling foodstuffs and other essential goods, will be shut down. Hair, beauty, massage salons and tattoo studios will be closed. Banks, pharmacies, post offices, car repair shops, petrol stations and pet shops will remain open. Not more than five people are allowed to meet in private houses and flats. This does not refer to children under 14 years of age. On December 24-26, a maximum of 10 citizens will be able to gather, but only relatives.


tass--2020-12-16--Tive Secures $12 Million Series A Capital Funding

BOSTON , December 16 .
/PRNewswire/ .
.
, a leading provider of global supply chain visibility insights , announced today that it secured a $ 12 million Series A funding round from , followed by , with participation from existing investors , , , , and others .
The new investment will fuel Tive 's rapid growth and drive product innovation for seamless shipment tracking , alerts and analytics .
Shipment tracking is incredibly complicated , unreliable and expensive .
Tive is changing that by providing real-time visibility into the entire shipment process , including hyper-accurate location data and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , light exposure and humidity .
Tive 's release of the industry 's first 5G-ready single-use tracker was met with intense market interest and approval .
Customer adoption is on the rise with aggressive growth in new customers and 570 % growth in annual revenue , driven in part by the delivery of the first Non-Lithium powered tracker to address the market 's concerns over Lithium-Ion safety and environmental impact .
`` The $ 20 trillion shipping industry is starting to expect more , '' said Raju Rishi , General Partner at RRE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tive to gain real-time insights on their shipments , giving them a level of visibility not yet seen before in the industry as well as a new window of opportunity to actually intervene if shipments are being improperly handled .
Over the four years we 've known Krenar , we 've seen Tive 's full-stack tracking solution be aggressively pulled into the market by a diverse customer base and we 're proud to be backing him and his team as they build a category-defining company in supply chain tracking . ''
`` Given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line of tracking solutions , it was obvious that now was the time to dramatically expand our ability to meet industry demand , '' said Krenar Komoni , CEO at Tive , Inc. `` Gaining the support of RRE Ventures and Two Sigma Ventures , as well as our current valued investors , means we can leverage their expertise and focus on growing our customer-centric platform .
The infusion of growth capital means bringing products to market faster , enhancing our sales and marketing efforts , adding key leadership , and growing our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-transit visibility of shipments around the globe with data-driven insights from an enterprise-class Visibility as a Service ( VaaS ) platform .
With Tive , shippers and third-party logistics providers ( 3PLs ) can track and monitor the location and condition of their products while in transit .
Tive 's VaaS solution provides data generated by its industry-leading trackers allowing clients to proactively optimize their shipments , improve their customers ' experience , and unlock supply chain insights in an actionable real-time manner .
Tive is based in Boston , MA .
For @ @ @ @ @ @

BOSTON, December 16. /PRNewswire/. Tive, Inc ., a leading provider of global supply chain visibility insights, announced today that it secured a $12 million Series A funding round from RRE Ventures , followed by Two Sigma Ventures , with participation from existing investors NextView Ventures , Hyperplane Ventures , One Way Ventures , Fathom Ventures , and others. The new investment will fuel Tive's rapid growth and drive product innovation for seamless shipment tracking, alerts and analytics.
Shipment tracking is incredibly complicated, unreliable and expensive. Tive is changing that by providing real-time visibility into the entire shipment process, including hyper-accurate location data and condition insights such as temperature, shock, light exposure and humidity. Tive's release of the industry's first 5G-ready single-use tracker was met with intense market interest and approval. Customer adoption is on the rise with aggressive growth in new customers and 570% growth in annual revenue, driven in part by the delivery of the first Non-Lithium powered tracker to address the market's concerns over Lithium-Ion safety and environmental impact.
"The $20 trillion shipping industry is starting to expect more," said Raju Rishi, General Partner at RRE Ventures. "They are rapidly adopting Tive to gain real-time insights on their shipments, giving them a level of visibility not yet seen before in the industry as well as a new window of opportunity to actually intervene if shipments are being improperly handled. Over the four years we've known Krenar, we've seen Tive's full-stack tracking solution be aggressively pulled into the market by a diverse customer base and we're proud to be backing him and his team as they build a category-defining company in supply chain tracking."
"Given the growing demand for Tive's full line of tracking solutions, it was obvious that now was the time to dramatically expand our ability to meet industry demand," said Krenar Komoni, CEO at Tive, Inc. "Gaining the support of RRE Ventures and Two Sigma Ventures, as well as our current valued investors, means we can leverage their expertise and focus on growing our customer-centric platform. The infusion of growth capital means bringing products to market faster, enhancing our sales and marketing efforts, adding key leadership, and growing our international presence."
About Tive
Tive delivers real-time in-transit visibility of shipments around the globe with data-driven insights from an enterprise-class Visibility as a Service (VaaS) platform. With Tive, shippers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) can track and monitor the location and condition of their products while in transit. Tive's VaaS solution provides data generated by its industry-leading trackers allowing clients to proactively optimize their shipments, improve their customers' experience, and unlock supply chain insights in an actionable real-time manner. Tive is based in Boston, MA. For more information, visit: www.tive.co
Contact: James Waters, jim@tive.co


tass--2020-12-16--Moscow court to start hearing Baring Vostok’s founder case

`` The Meshchansky court will hold preliminary hearings into the case , to consider procedural issues and set the date when the case will be heard on merits , '' the court said .
The defense team said it was preparing to file several requests during the session , but did not disclose their contents .
In line with the Russian law , a lawyer can request returning the case to prosecutors to have all irregularities fixed .
The court will also choose a measure of pretrial restraint for the suspects .
In November , the Russian Supreme Court changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six other defendants in the case of a 2.5 billion rubles ( $ 32.4 mln ) embezzlement from house arrest to a number of restrictions .
Russia ’ s Investigative Committee launched a criminal case into the embezzlement of 2.5 bln rubles ( $ 32.4 mln ) from the Vostochny Bank on February 13 , 2019 .
Michael Calvey is the key defendant in the case .
According to the initial version of the investigation , Calvey and his accomplices put together a scheme , where the `` First Collection Bureau '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a 59.9 % stake in a Luxembourg-based company called the International Financial Technology Group ( IFTG ) , to the Vostochny bank to pay it back for a 2.5 billion-ruble debt .
Before the deal , IFTG ’ s shares were valued at 3 bln rubles .
However , the investigation is examining another estimate of 600,000 rubles ( according to a Cyprus-based company ’ s valuation ) .
That said , the Central Bank claimed that the price of these shares was close to zero , the investigator noted .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to lack of results of the financial expertise .
On February 15 , 2019 , law enforcement agencies arrested Calvey and five others in connection with the ongoing investigation : Vagan Abgaryan , partner at Baring Vostok , Philippe Delpale , an investment partner for the financial industry sector at Baring Vostok , Ivan Zyuzin , Investment Director at Baring Vostok and also General Director of the First Collection Bureau Maxim Vladimirov and Advisor to the Management Board of Norvik Bank , Alexey Kordichev .
They are all facing charges under part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Criminal Code ( embezzlement committed on a large scale by an organized group ) .
Calvey denies all the charges and says that his prosecution is an illegal attempt of the Vostochny bank ’ s minority shareholders to resolve a corporate dispute .
Baring Vostok is one of the largest private equity firms focusing on Russia and the CIS with $ 3.7 bln in capital .
Since 1994 , the fund has poured more than $ 2.4 bln of investments into 70 projects in the areas of financial services , oil and gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the consumer sector .
Baring Vostok ’ s projects include CTC Media , Yandex , Avito , Ozon , ER-Telecom , 1C , and Novomet .

"The Meshchansky court will hold preliminary hearings into the case, to consider procedural issues and set the date when the case will be heard on merits," the court said.
The defense team said it was preparing to file several requests during the session, but did not disclose their contents. In line with the Russian law, a lawyer can request returning the case to prosecutors to have all irregularities fixed.
The court will also choose a measure of pretrial restraint for the suspects. In November, the Russian Supreme Court changed the measure of restraint for Calvey and six other defendants in the case of a 2.5 billion rubles ($32.4 mln) embezzlement from house arrest to a number of restrictions.
Baring Vostok’s case
Russia’s Investigative Committee launched a criminal case into the embezzlement of 2.5 bln rubles ($32.4 mln) from the Vostochny Bank on February 13, 2019. Michael Calvey is the key defendant in the case. According to the initial version of the investigation, Calvey and his accomplices put together a scheme, where the "First Collection Bureau", under their control, waived its right to a 59.9% stake in a Luxembourg-based company called the International Financial Technology Group (IFTG), to the Vostochny bank to pay it back for a 2.5 billion-ruble debt. Before the deal, IFTG’s shares were valued at 3 bln rubles. However, the investigation is examining another estimate of 600,000 rubles (according to a Cyprus-based company’s valuation). That said, the Central Bank claimed that the price of these shares was close to zero, the investigator noted. The defense later challenged that appraisal of shares referring to lack of results of the financial expertise.
On February 15, 2019, law enforcement agencies arrested Calvey and five others in connection with the ongoing investigation: Vagan Abgaryan, partner at Baring Vostok, Philippe Delpale, an investment partner for the financial industry sector at Baring Vostok, Ivan Zyuzin, Investment Director at Baring Vostok and also General Director of the First Collection Bureau Maxim Vladimirov and Advisor to the Management Board of Norvik Bank, Alexey Kordichev. They are all facing charges under part 4 article 160 of Russia’s Criminal Code (embezzlement committed on a large scale by an organized group).
Calvey denies all the charges and says that his prosecution is an illegal attempt of the Vostochny bank’s minority shareholders to resolve a corporate dispute.
Baring Vostok is one of the largest private equity firms focusing on Russia and the CIS with $3.7 bln in capital. Since 1994, the fund has poured more than $2.4 bln of investments into 70 projects in the areas of financial services, oil and gas, telecommunications and media, and into the consumer sector. Baring Vostok’s projects include CTC Media, Yandex, Avito, Ozon, ER-Telecom, 1C, and Novomet.


tass--2020-12-16--US Senate unanimously approves new ambassador to Minsk

WASHINGTON , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Senate of the US Congress unanimously approved Julie Fisher as the United States ’ new ambassador to Belarus , the first since 2008 , according to a live broadcast of the parliamentary session .
Acting Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker earlier called for approving Fisher ’ s candidacy to the post , because Washington needs to maintain contact with Minsk .
In September , the US Senate ’ s foreign affairs committee recommended approving Fisher ’ s nomination .
In early May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appoint Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Europe and the EU Julie Fisher as an Ambassador to Belarus .
In June 2006 , the US introduced economic sanctions against two enterprises of the Belarusian state petrochemical corporation Belneftekhim over reports on alleged encroachments on human rights in Belarus .
In 2008 , the number of staff members at the US embassy in Minsk was reduced to five from thirty-five at the insistence of the Belarusian side .
After that Belarus called off its ambassador in the US for consultations , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the insistence of the Belarusian authorities .
The US-Belarusian relations started to thaw after the 2016 presidential election in Belarus .
In 2019 , both countries spoke about the possibility of returning ambassadors .
On July 20 , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Kravchenko as his country ’ s ambassador to the United States .
However , the process of mending US-Belarusian ties de-facto stopped this year after the August 9 presidential election in Belarus and subsequent unrest in the former Soviet republic .

WASHINGTON, December 16. /TASS/. The Senate of the US Congress unanimously approved Julie Fisher as the United States’ new ambassador to Belarus, the first since 2008, according to a live broadcast of the parliamentary session.
Acting Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker earlier called for approving Fisher’s candidacy to the post, because Washington needs to maintain contact with Minsk.
In September, the US Senate’s foreign affairs committee recommended approving Fisher’s nomination.
In early May, US President Donald Trump announced his decision to appoint Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Europe and the EU Julie Fisher as an Ambassador to Belarus.
In June 2006, the US introduced economic sanctions against two enterprises of the Belarusian state petrochemical corporation Belneftekhim over reports on alleged encroachments on human rights in Belarus. In 2008, the number of staff members at the US embassy in Minsk was reduced to five from thirty-five at the insistence of the Belarusian side.
After that Belarus called off its ambassador in the US for consultations, while the US ambassador left Minsk, also at the insistence of the Belarusian authorities.
The US-Belarusian relations started to thaw after the 2016 presidential election in Belarus. In 2019, both countries spoke about the possibility of returning ambassadors. On July 20, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Kravchenko as his country’s ambassador to the United States. However, the process of mending US-Belarusian ties de-facto stopped this year after the August 9 presidential election in Belarus and subsequent unrest in the former Soviet republic.


tass--2020-12-16--Development of new missiles for Russia’s strategic forces to begin soon — commander

MOSCOW , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
The development of new missile systems for Russia ’ s Strategic Missile Forces ( RVSN ) will begin in the short-and mid-term perspective , RVSN commander Sergey Karakayev said .
`` Maintaining the combat readiness of the required number of launchers , including during the period of rearmament , creating new missile systems , rearming the troops with advanced missile systems and laying the scientific and technological basis for creating new types of strategic weapons are among the steps aimed at future buildout and development for the short-term and mid-term perspective , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RVSN currently has in service different missile systems with versatile combat use , including silo-based Avangard , Voyevoda , Stilet , Topol-M and Yars systems .
Mobile deployment units operate Topol , Topol-M and Yars land-based mobile missile systems .
`` Domestic enterprises keep up with the pace of delivering elements of new missile systems to the troops , envisaged by the state procurement program .
This applies primarily to the Yars missile system in the silo-based and the mobile variants , and the Avangard silo-based missile system .
All together , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annually , '' the RVSN commander said .
The share of advanced missile systems currently in service with RVSN reached 81 % this year , the official said .

MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. The development of new missile systems for Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) will begin in the short-and mid-term perspective, RVSN commander Sergey Karakayev said.
"Maintaining the combat readiness of the required number of launchers, including during the period of rearmament, creating new missile systems, rearming the troops with advanced missile systems and laying the scientific and technological basis for creating new types of strategic weapons are among the steps aimed at future buildout and development for the short-term and mid-term perspective," Karakayev said.
In his words, RVSN currently has in service different missile systems with versatile combat use, including silo-based Avangard, Voyevoda, Stilet, Topol-M and Yars systems. Mobile deployment units operate Topol, Topol-M and Yars land-based mobile missile systems.
"Domestic enterprises keep up with the pace of delivering elements of new missile systems to the troops, envisaged by the state procurement program. This applies primarily to the Yars missile system in the silo-based and the mobile variants, and the Avangard silo-based missile system. All together, this is about 20 launchers and supporting systems annually," the RVSN commander said.
The share of advanced missile systems currently in service with RVSN reached 81% this year, the official said.


tass--2020-12-15--Hainan Film Festival wraps up in Sanya

Hainan Film Festival wraps up in Sanya

SANYA , December 15 .
/TASS/ .
The official closing ceremony of the Third Hainan International Film Festival took place in the Haitang Bay , Sanya , reported Xinhua .
The event , which concluded the eight-day art festival on Hainan , was attended by prominent representatives of the global film industry .
Among them are the famous Chinese actor and director Jackie Chan , the famous actress Zhang Ziyi , who became the ambassador of this film festival , and the Iranian director Majid Majidi , the author of films that have repeatedly participated in international film festivals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they took the stage and shared their impressions of the film festival and thoughts on its significance .
As the agency notes , the Hainan Film Festival has become the `` cultural landmark '' of this Chinese province .
At the closing ceremony , an expert group of Chinese directors and film industry figures made a special selection of films from the Hainan Film Festival and announced a list of the official recommendation for the Golden Coconut award .
There are three categories : feature film , short and documentary .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were recommended , as well as eight documentaries .
The organizers of the festival noted that `` those wonderful films would hit the country 's silver screens next year . ''
The Third Hainan International Film Festival takes place on Hainan on December 5-12 .
During the week , 189 films from 60 countries will be shown here , the Chinese viewers will see 97 of those for the first time , this is a record number of new films at the Hainan Film Festival .
Film screenings will be held in several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be shown online .
Some of the movies will be shown right on the picturesque beaches of this tropical island .
In addition to film screenings , special forums , master classes , and events aimed at promoting films and attracting investment in film projects will be held on the island as well .
The Hainan Island International Film Festival is recognized as one of the four main film screenings held in China .
It was first held in December 2018 in Sanya and has been held there regularly since .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and directors as Jackie Chan , Aamir Khan , Nicolas Cage , Johnny Depp , Nuri Bilge Ceylan and others .

SANYA, December 15. /TASS/. The official closing ceremony of the Third Hainan International Film Festival took place in the Haitang Bay, Sanya, reported Xinhua.
The event, which concluded the eight-day art festival on Hainan, was attended by prominent representatives of the global film industry. Among them are the famous Chinese actor and director Jackie Chan, the famous actress Zhang Ziyi, who became the ambassador of this film festival, and the Iranian director Majid Majidi, the author of films that have repeatedly participated in international film festivals and received prestigious awards. During the ceremony, they took the stage and shared their impressions of the film festival and thoughts on its significance. As the agency notes, the Hainan Film Festival has become the "cultural landmark" of this Chinese province.
At the closing ceremony, an expert group of Chinese directors and film industry figures made a special selection of films from the Hainan Film Festival and announced a list of the official recommendation for the Golden Coconut award. There are three categories: feature film, short and documentary. In total, 12 feature and short films were recommended, as well as eight documentaries. The organizers of the festival noted that "those wonderful films would hit the country's silver screens next year."
The Third Hainan International Film Festival takes place on Hainan on December 5-12. During the week, 189 films from 60 countries will be shown here, the Chinese viewers will see 97 of those for the first time, this is a record number of new films at the Hainan Film Festival. Film screenings will be held in several Hainan cities. Some of the films will be shown online. Some of the movies will be shown right on the picturesque beaches of this tropical island. In addition to film screenings, special forums, master classes, and events aimed at promoting films and attracting investment in film projects will be held on the island as well.
The Hainan Island International Film Festival is recognized as one of the four main film screenings held in China. It was first held in December 2018 in Sanya and has been held there regularly since. It was attended by such world famous actors and directors as Jackie Chan, Aamir Khan, Nicolas Cage, Johnny Depp, Nuri Bilge Ceylan and others.


tass--2020-12-15--‘Defending our values’: Lavrov spotlights cornerstones of Russian-Serbian relationship

BELGRADE , December 15 .
/TASS/ .
Joint struggle against a common enemy and for common values and spiritual proximity lays a firm groundwork for cooperation between Russia and Serbia , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference following talks with his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic on Tuesday .
`` The program of our visit to Belgrade began with a very solemn ceremony at the cemetery of liberators and the lighting of an Eternal Flame with a particle of the Eternal Flame from the Tomb of the Unknow Soldier in Moscow .
Then there followed a visit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceremonies were held in areas of Belgrade that embody our joint struggle against a common enemy , our joint struggle for defending our values , our spiritual proximity , our culture , our languages and everything else that the term ‘ a people ’ implies .
I believe that this is the most solid groundwork , which will always enable us to cooperate , hear each other and support each other , '' Lavrov said .
He stressed that Russia and Serbia were unanimous in their approach to the need for the full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not some rules invented by somebody . ''
For his part Serbia ’ s foreign minister said that it was a great honor for him to host Sergey Lavrov , whom he described as the `` doyen of world diplomacy . ''
`` We discussed a number of topics on which our opinions often coincide and also signed a plan for consultations between the foreign ministries in the future , '' Selakovic said .
`` Our relations are at an exceptionally high level .
Our cooperation received a great impetus after President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are linked by kind relations we had in the past .
While the graves of guerillas and Red Army soldiers are a symbol of our common struggle against Nazism , the Church of St. Sava is a symbol of our friendship today . ''
Selakovic thanked Russia for its firm support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia in international organizations .

BELGRADE, December 15. /TASS/. Joint struggle against a common enemy and for common values and spiritual proximity lays a firm groundwork for cooperation between Russia and Serbia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference following talks with his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic on Tuesday.
"The program of our visit to Belgrade began with a very solemn ceremony at the cemetery of liberators and the lighting of an Eternal Flame with a particle of the Eternal Flame from the Tomb of the Unknow Soldier in Moscow. Then there followed a visit to the Church of St. Sava. Both ceremonies were held in areas of Belgrade that embody our joint struggle against a common enemy, our joint struggle for defending our values, our spiritual proximity, our culture, our languages and everything else that the term ‘a people’ implies. I believe that this is the most solid groundwork, which will always enable us to cooperate, hear each other and support each other," Lavrov said.
He stressed that Russia and Serbia were unanimous in their approach to the need for the full respect for international law, "and not some rules invented by somebody."
For his part Serbia’s foreign minister said that it was a great honor for him to host Sergey Lavrov, whom he described as the "doyen of world diplomacy."
"We discussed a number of topics on which our opinions often coincide and also signed a plan for consultations between the foreign ministries in the future," Selakovic said. "Our relations are at an exceptionally high level. Our cooperation received a great impetus after President Vladimir Putin’s visit in January 2019. We are linked by kind relations we had in the past. While the graves of guerillas and Red Army soldiers are a symbol of our common struggle against Nazism, the Church of St. Sava is a symbol of our friendship today."
Selakovic thanked Russia for its firm support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia in international organizations.


tass--2020-12-15--Hainan signs package of agreements on 75 projects worth about $ 6 bln

SANYA , December 15 .
/TASS/ .
The fourth package of agreements on key projects for Hainan 's free trade port was signed in Haikou on December 13 worth 39 billion yuan ( about $ 6 billion ) , reported the local newspaper `` Hainan Daily '' .
The signing ceremony was attended by Hainan Provincial Party Secretary Shen Xiaoming , and Acting Mayor Feng Fei made a speech .
In total , agreements were signed on 75 projects , 14 of which — with foreign investments .
The documents relate to such areas as tourism , modern service sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , medicine , finance , smart logistics , and a number of others .
In June 2020 , the Chinese government published a program for the development of a free trade port in the Hainan province .
According to this document , Hainan will be turned into a special customs zone .
The country 's authorities expect to complete the creation of a free port on the territory of the province by 2025 : by this time , a system for ensuring free trade and investment should be built on the island .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its model will become more solid .
By this time , it is planned to ensure freedom of trade and investment on Hainan , cross-border movement of capital and people , freight traffic .

SANYA, December 15. /TASS/. The fourth package of agreements on key projects for Hainan's free trade port was signed in Haikou on December 13 worth 39 billion yuan (about $ 6 billion), reported the local newspaper "Hainan Daily".
The signing ceremony was attended by Hainan Provincial Party Secretary Shen Xiaoming, and Acting Mayor Feng Fei made a speech. In total, agreements were signed on 75 projects, 14 of which — with foreign investments. The documents relate to such areas as tourism, modern service sector, high technology, culture and sports, medicine, finance, smart logistics, and a number of others.
In June 2020, the Chinese government published a program for the development of a free trade port in the Hainan province. According to this document, Hainan will be turned into a special customs zone. The country's authorities expect to complete the creation of a free port on the territory of the province by 2025: by this time, a system for ensuring free trade and investment should be built on the island.
By 2035, the free port and its model will become more solid. By this time, it is planned to ensure freedom of trade and investment on Hainan, cross-border movement of capital and people, freight traffic.


tass--2020-12-17--Russian watch factory to help Paris restore clock of Notre Dame Cathedral

ST. PETERSBURG , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Engineers of the St. Petersburg-based Raketa watch factory are helping the Horloge Notre-Dame association restore the clock of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris , the factory ’ s press service reported on Wednesday .
The clock was destroyed by the fire that broke out in the cathedral in April 2019 .
`` The engineers of Raketa have already begun to study the clock mechanism in the Notre Dame Cathedral to understand what details they can design for it at the Raketa watch factory in St. Petersburg , '' the press service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Raketa watch factory has experience in the design and production of the biggest clock mechanism in the world - a monumental clock in the atrium of the central store of the Detsky Mir ( Russia ’ s largest children ’ s goods retailer . )
in Moscow : it weighs 4.5 tonnes , is 6 by 7 meters in size and consists of more than 5,000 parts made of steel , aluminum and titanium .
At its website the Horloge Notre-Dame Association expresses gratitude to Russian `` friends for participating in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Notre Dame Cathedral broke out in the evening on April 15 , 2019 .
The investigation ascertained that the fire started around the spire .
Several hours before that restoration works were carried out on the upper levels of the Cathedral .
The fire fully destroyed the wooden roof and the spire .
The fire lasted more than 15 hours .
For centuries , the Notre Dame Cathedral has been one of the most famous building in Paris , it is designated as a UNESCO world heritage site .
The cathedral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1163 under Louis VII , 2013 marked Notre Dame ’ s 850th anniversary .
The French authorities and businessmen pledged to allocate hundreds of millions of euros to restore one of the main sights of Paris .
France also received offers to help from Russia , the UK , Germany and other countries .
The Raketa watch factory dates back to 1721 ( then - the Petrodvorets Watch Factory ) .
Since 1961 it has been producing watches under the Raketa brand .

ST. PETERSBURG, December 17. /TASS/. Engineers of the St. Petersburg-based Raketa watch factory are helping the Horloge Notre-Dame association restore the clock of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the factory’s press service reported on Wednesday. The clock was destroyed by the fire that broke out in the cathedral in April 2019.
"The engineers of Raketa have already begun to study the clock mechanism in the Notre Dame Cathedral to understand what details they can design for it at the Raketa watch factory in St. Petersburg," the press service said.
The press service also recalled that the Raketa watch factory has experience in the design and production of the biggest clock mechanism in the world - a monumental clock in the atrium of the central store of the Detsky Mir (Russia’s largest children’s goods retailer.) in Moscow: it weighs 4.5 tonnes, is 6 by 7 meters in size and consists of more than 5,000 parts made of steel, aluminum and titanium.
At its website the Horloge Notre-Dame Association expresses gratitude to Russian "friends for participating in this wonderful business."
The fire in the Notre Dame Cathedral broke out in the evening on April 15, 2019. The investigation ascertained that the fire started around the spire. Several hours before that restoration works were carried out on the upper levels of the Cathedral. The fire fully destroyed the wooden roof and the spire. The fire lasted more than 15 hours.
For centuries, the Notre Dame Cathedral has been one of the most famous building in Paris, it is designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. The cathedral’s foundation stone was laid in 1163 under Louis VII, 2013 marked Notre Dame’s 850th anniversary. The French authorities and businessmen pledged to allocate hundreds of millions of euros to restore one of the main sights of Paris. France also received offers to help from Russia, the UK, Germany and other countries.
The Raketa watch factory dates back to 1721 (then - the Petrodvorets Watch Factory). Since 1961 it has been producing watches under the Raketa brand.