tass--2020-10-13--Germany doubles gas imports from Russia in August

MOSCOW , October 13 .
/TASS/ .
Germany became the largest buyer of Russian gas in Europe as of the @ @ @ @ @ supplies growing 2.2-fold in monthly terms to 3.21 bln cubic meters , the Russian Customs @ @ @ @ @ to Germany rose by 10.4 % in annual terms in this August .
Gas exports @ @ @ @ @ % monthly and by 7.2 times annually to 2.2 bln cubic meters in August 2020 @ @ @ @ @ by 8.4 % year-on-year and 1.9-fold monthly to 1.41 bln cubic meters in the reporting @ @ @ @ @ Belarus dropped by 3.2 % year-on-year to 1.38 bln cubic meters .
Gas imports by @ @ @ @ @ an annual basis to 1.05 bln cubic meters .
Gas deliveries to Turkey fell 29 @ @ @ @ @ threefold to 1.05 mln cubic meters in the reporting period .

MOSCOW, October 13. /TASS/. Germany became the largest buyer of Russian gas in Europe as of the end of August, with supplies growing 2.2-fold in monthly terms to 3.21 bln cubic meters, the Russian Customs Service reports.
Gas supplies to Germany rose by 10.4% in annual terms in this August.
Gas exports to Italy surged by 18.3% monthly and by 7.2 times annually to 2.2 bln cubic meters in August 2020. Deliveries to France rose by 8.4% year-on-year and 1.9-fold monthly to 1.41 bln cubic meters in the reporting month.
Gas supplies to Belarus dropped by 3.2% year-on-year to 1.38 bln cubic meters. Gas imports by Slovakia gained 11.1% on an annual basis to 1.05 bln cubic meters.
Gas deliveries to Turkey fell 29% annually but rose almost threefold to 1.05 mln cubic meters in the reporting period.


tass--2020-10-13--Putin orders to run marking trials for beer, low-alcohol beverages

MOSCOW , October 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin assigned the government with running trial markings on bottled @ @ @ @ @ low-alcohol beverages by April 1 , 2021 and later deciding on compulsory labelling of such @ @ @ @ @ conducting trial-runs on providing bottled drinking water , beer produce and low-alcohol beverages with identification @ @ @ @ @ of compulsory labelling for the said product groups subject to their [ the trials ] @ @ @ @ @ of the head of state ’ s assignments reads .
The list was posted on @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is appointed in charge of the trial run @ @ @ @ @ labelling on furs , tobacco products , footwear and pharmaceuticals .
Labelling perfumes and photo @ @ @ @ @ October 1 .
Digital marking of tires will be introduced by the end of this @ @ @ @ @ five groups of light industry goods and dairy products will start to be labelled .

MOSCOW, October 13. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin assigned the government with running trial markings on bottled drinking water, beer and low-alcohol beverages by April 1, 2021 and later deciding on compulsory labelling of such products.
"To ensure conducting trial-runs on providing bottled drinking water, beer produce and low-alcohol beverages with identification marks and decide on introduction of compulsory labelling for the said product groups subject to their [the trials] results," the list of the head of state’s assignments reads. The list was posted on the Kremlin’s website on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is appointed in charge of the trial run.
Russia currently has compulsory labelling on furs, tobacco products, footwear and pharmaceuticals. Labelling perfumes and photo items became mandatory this past October 1. Digital marking of tires will be introduced by the end of this year and in 2021, five groups of light industry goods and dairy products will start to be labelled.


tass--2020-10-13--At least 46 investment agreements worth $2.5 bln signed on Hainan

HAIKOU , October 13 .
/TASS/ .
Agreements on 46 projects totaling 17 billion yuan ( about $ 2.52 billion ) were signed on Tuesday at the Haikou International Exhibition Center in the southern Chinese province of Hainan , reported Xinhua .
The said investment agreements have been drafted and signed as part of Hainan 's free trade port ptoject .
At the same time , nine agreements were signed with foreign investors , and the remaining 37 — with the Chinese .
This is the third package of such agreements since the adoption of the port 's development program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in particular , such areas as the free trade port 's construction , development of industry and services .
The US electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla 's investment project on Hainan was on the list .
The authorities presented a plan for the free trade port ’ s development on June , 1 .
In accordance with the plan , the Hainan province will be turned into a special customs zone .
The country ’ s government intends in general to wrap up the creation of the free trade port on the island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island should acquire a system to ensure free trade and investments .
By 2035 , the free trade port and its model will become more solid .
By this time , Hainan intends to ensure the freedom of trade and investments , trans-border movement of capital , people and shipping .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , thick rainforests and great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotels , which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .

HAIKOU, October 13. /TASS/. Agreements on 46 projects totaling 17 billion yuan (about $ 2.52 billion) were signed on Tuesday at the Haikou International Exhibition Center in the southern Chinese province of Hainan, reported Xinhua.
The said investment agreements have been drafted and signed as part of Hainan's free trade port ptoject. At the same time, nine agreements were signed with foreign investors, and the remaining 37 — with the Chinese. This is the third package of such agreements since the adoption of the port's development program in June.
The agreements touch upon, in particular, such areas as the free trade port's construction, development of industry and services. The US electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla's investment project on Hainan was on the list.
The authorities presented a plan for the free trade port’s development on June, 1. In accordance with the plan, the Hainan province will be turned into a special customs zone. The country’s government intends in general to wrap up the creation of the free trade port on the island by 2025: by this time the island should acquire a system to ensure free trade and investments.
By 2035, the free trade port and its model will become more solid. By this time, Hainan intends to ensure the freedom of trade and investments, trans-border movement of capital, people and shipping.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-10-13--IEA expects global oil consumption to peak by 2030

MOSCOW , October 13 .
/TASS/ .
The era of growth in global oil consumption is coming to an end and will end in the period until 2030 , follows from the forecast of the International Energy Agency ( IEA ) World Energy Outlook 2020 ( WEO ) , received by TASS on Tuesday .
`` The era of rising global oil demand will come to an end within 10 years , but the shape of the economic recovery is a key uncertainty , '' the report said .
However , even under the most favorable scenarios for oil ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , demand will plateau until 2030 .
If the fight against coronavirus drags on , then global oil consumption will no longer exceed 100 mln barrels per day .
This is partly influenced by consumer behavior , the IEA points out .
`` The longer lockdowns last , the more consumer behavior changes .
For example , work from home and the habit of avoiding air travel has become the norm , '' the agency 's experts explain .
By contrast , other shifts in consumer behavior are helping to sustain oil demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public transport , the increased popularity of SUVs and the delayed replacement of old cars .
The IEA 's Stated Policies Scenario envisions taking control of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021 .
In this case , the demand for oil will increase by 5 million barrels per day , but it will only reach the pre-crisis level in 2023 .
At the same time , the peak of demand has already passed in developed countries , where oil consumption is below the 2005 maximum .
By 2030 , demand in EU countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrels per day below the 2019 level .
However , this decline will be fully offset by an increase in oil consumption in developing countries - by 9 million barrels per day by 2030 .
If the fight against coronavirus is delayed ( Delayed Recovery Scenario ) , then oil consumption will reach pre-crisis levels only in 2027 .
Finally , the most radical scenario ( Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Case ) , according to which humanity sets a goal to reduce CO2 emissions to zero by 2050 , assumes that oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day in 2019 to 65 million barrels per day by 2030 .

MOSCOW, October 13. /TASS/. The era of growth in global oil consumption is coming to an end and will end in the period until 2030, follows from the forecast of the International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2020 (WEO), received by TASS on Tuesday.
"The era of rising global oil demand will come to an end within 10 years, but the shape of the economic recovery is a key uncertainty," the report said. However, even under the most favorable scenarios for oil (there are four in the report), demand will plateau until 2030. If the fight against coronavirus drags on, then global oil consumption will no longer exceed 100 mln barrels per day.
This is partly influenced by consumer behavior, the IEA points out. "The longer lockdowns last, the more consumer behavior changes. For example, work from home and the habit of avoiding air travel has become the norm," the agency's experts explain. By contrast, other shifts in consumer behavior are helping to sustain oil demand. Among them are the fear of public transport, the increased popularity of SUVs and the delayed replacement of old cars.
The IEA's Stated Policies Scenario envisions taking control of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. In this case, the demand for oil will increase by 5 million barrels per day, but it will only reach the pre-crisis level in 2023.
At the same time, the peak of demand has already passed in developed countries, where oil consumption is below the 2005 maximum. By 2030, demand in EU countries, for example, will be 5 million barrels per day below the 2019 level. However, this decline will be fully offset by an increase in oil consumption in developing countries - by 9 million barrels per day by 2030.
If the fight against coronavirus is delayed (Delayed Recovery Scenario), then oil consumption will reach pre-crisis levels only in 2027.
Finally, the most radical scenario (Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Case), according to which humanity sets a goal to reduce CO2 emissions to zero by 2050, assumes that oil demand will drop from 98 million barrels per day in 2019 to 65 million barrels per day by 2030.


tass--2020-10-13--Russia, Serbia can restart air service shortly, sources say

MOSCOW , October 13 .
/TASS/ .
The air traffic between Russia and Serbia can restart in the near future @ @ @ @ @ aviation authorities told TASS on Tuesday .
`` A government resolution opening flights to Serbia @ @ @ @ @ source says .
Flights can restart as early as in October , he adds .
@ @ @ @ @ aviation industry added that the relevant idea was discussed at one of recent meetings of @ @ @ @ @ Direct scheduled flights between capitals of Russia and Serbia have started again , press service @ @ @ @ @ airport said yesterday .
Flights since October are made twice per week , on Thursdays @ @ @ @ @ said .
At the same time , the air traffic has not been restored until @ @ @ @ @ until the year-end , the Serbian air carrier Air Serbia said .

MOSCOW, October 13. /TASS/. The air traffic between Russia and Serbia can restart in the near future, a source close to aviation authorities told TASS on Tuesday.
"A government resolution opening flights to Serbia is expected," the source says. Flights can restart as early as in October, he adds.
A TASS source in the aviation industry added that the relevant idea was discussed at one of recent meetings of the coronavirus response center.
Direct scheduled flights between capitals of Russia and Serbia have started again, press service of the Belgrade Nikola Tesla airport said yesterday. Flights since October are made twice per week, on Thursdays and Sundays, the airport said. At the same time, the air traffic has not been restored until now and would not begin until the year-end, the Serbian air carrier Air Serbia said.


tass--2020-10-13--Anti-Russian sentiments in EU impede normalization in Europe — Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW , October 13 .
/TASS/ .
Escalation of anti-Russian sentiments in the EU does not facilitate normalization in Europe ; the EU countries should abolish attempts to conduct business with Russia from a position of supremacy , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in its statement in the wake of Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov ’ s phone call with his EU counterpart Josep Borrel .
`` The Russian side underscored that escalation of anti-Russian sentiments in the EU , creation of new irritants under contrived pretexts do not facilitate normalization in Europe .
Russian-EU relations could be based exclusively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; to that extent , some countries , who set up the mood in the EU , should abolish attempts to conduct business from a position of supremacy and acknowledge the absence of alternatives to a fair , factual dialogue , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry said in its statement published Tuesday .
The sides discussed a number of pressing international issues , including implementation of the Minsk agreements on Ukraine settlement , settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh in compliance with the joint statement of foreign ninisters of Armenia , Azerbaijan and Russia , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Besides , Borrel disclosed the outcome of the October 12 meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council .
The phone call took place on the EU ’ s initiative .

MOSCOW, October 13. /TASS/. Escalation of anti-Russian sentiments in the EU does not facilitate normalization in Europe; the EU countries should abolish attempts to conduct business with Russia from a position of supremacy, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in its statement in the wake of Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov’s phone call with his EU counterpart Josep Borrel.
"The Russian side underscored that escalation of anti-Russian sentiments in the EU, creation of new irritants under contrived pretexts do not facilitate normalization in Europe. Russian-EU relations could be based exclusively on equity and mutual respect of interests; to that extent, some countries, who set up the mood in the EU, should abolish attempts to conduct business from a position of supremacy and acknowledge the absence of alternatives to a fair, factual dialogue," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in its statement published Tuesday.
The sides discussed a number of pressing international issues, including implementation of the Minsk agreements on Ukraine settlement, settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh in compliance with the joint statement of foreign ninisters of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, as well as the situation in Belarus.
Besides, Borrel disclosed the outcome of the October 12 meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. The phone call took place on the EU’s initiative.


tass--2020-10-13--Hainan betters the procedure of obtaining work and resident permits for foreigners

HAIKOU , October 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Hainan authorities have reduced the time it takes to process work and residence permits for foreign specialists from 30 to 10 working days , reported the local information portal `` Hainan Ziyu Maoigan '' on WeChat .
The island 's authorities decided to comprehensively simplify the employment procedure for foreign highly skilled workers in order to promote the liberalization of the regional economy and the construction of Hainan 's free trade port .
For example , earlier , foreign specialists had to provide the provincial administrative bodies with 22 types of materials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the documents , now their number has decreased to 18 and 73 , respectively .
In addition , in the past , citizens of other countries planning to relocate to this Chinese province for work had to apply separately for employment and registration to two different departments : the Foreign Specialists Bureau and the Migration Department .
Now a package of documents can be submitted at a time via the integrated system through an employer in all major cities and industrial parks on Hainan .
The information about a new employee is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relevant departments can get everything they need .
More than 10,000 foreign specialists currently live on Hainan , according to official figures .
They work in education , tourism , transport , business services , science and technology , culture and other fields , and contribute greatly to the construction and development of Hainan 's free trade port .
Over the recent years , the Hainan authorities have been pursuing a targeted policy of attracting valuable personnel .
Thus , for example , a preferential income tax with the maximum rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of employees .
Moreover , the Hainan authorities provide a temporary residence permit for up to five years or a residence permit for foreign professionals and their family members .

HAIKOU, October 13. /TASS/. The Hainan authorities have reduced the time it takes to process work and residence permits for foreign specialists from 30 to 10 working days, reported the local information portal "Hainan Ziyu Maoigan" on WeChat.
The island's authorities decided to comprehensively simplify the employment procedure for foreign highly skilled workers in order to promote the liberalization of the regional economy and the construction of Hainan's free trade port. For example, earlier, foreign specialists had to provide the provincial administrative bodies with 22 types of materials and fill in 93 fields with information in the documents, now their number has decreased to 18 and 73, respectively.
In addition, in the past, citizens of other countries planning to relocate to this Chinese province for work had to apply separately for employment and registration to two different departments: the Foreign Specialists Bureau and the Migration Department. Now a package of documents can be submitted at a time via the integrated system through an employer in all major cities and industrial parks on Hainan. The information about a new employee is uploaded to an online platform, and the relevant departments can get everything they need.
More than 10,000 foreign specialists currently live on Hainan, according to official figures. They work in education, tourism, transport, business services, science and technology, culture and other fields, and contribute greatly to the construction and development of Hainan's free trade port.
Over the recent years, the Hainan authorities have been pursuing a targeted policy of attracting valuable personnel. Thus, for example, a preferential income tax with the maximum rate of 15% is established for this category of employees. Moreover, the Hainan authorities provide a temporary residence permit for up to five years or a residence permit for foreign professionals and their family members.


tass--2020-10-13--Space station’s solar panels, windows have marks of micro meteor damage — cosmonaut

BAIKONUR /Kazakhstan/ , October 13 .
/TASS/ .
The solar panels and windows of the International Space Station ( ISS ) have marks of minor damage from micrometeorite hits but they are smaller than the projected degradation , Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergei Ryzhikov said at a pre-flight press conference on Tuesday .
These impacts are projected and the space station has an increased safety margin , he said .
`` There is , of course , minor damage to the elements of the external surface of the station : micro-canyons [ from micrometeorites ] can be seen on solar panels and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The situation is constantly monitored .
Both experimental and permanent equipment is delivered to register all micro-hits and extra damage .
An analysis of the degradation of the station ’ s solar panels and power supply is carried out .
It is due to this that the station has been flying in orbit for over 20 years and the existing degradations are below the projected damage , '' the Roscosmos cosmonaut said .
A Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with a manned Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft is set to blast off from Site No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan at 08:45 a.m. Moscow time on October 14 to deliver Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and NASA astronaut Kathleen Rubins to the orbital outpost .
The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the orbital outpost ’ s Rassvet module at 11:52 a.m. Moscow time on the same day .
Therefore , the flight will for the first time proceed using the two-orbit scheme .
During the new long-term expedition , Russian cosmonauts Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov will carry out 55 scientific studies and experiments , including four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be carried out without the crew ’ s participation .
The cosmonauts are also set to make two spacewalks .
One of them will take place in November 2020 and the other in February 2021 .
Both spacewalks will be needed for undocking and dumping the Pirs module next year .
This is required for vacating the place for Russia ’ s new Nauka ( Science ) module that will be launched in April 2021 .
Currently , Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy are working aboard @ @ @ @

BAIKONUR /Kazakhstan/, October 13. /TASS/. The solar panels and windows of the International Space Station (ISS) have marks of minor damage from micrometeorite hits but they are smaller than the projected degradation, Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergei Ryzhikov said at a pre-flight press conference on Tuesday.
These impacts are projected and the space station has an increased safety margin, he said.
"There is, of course, minor damage to the elements of the external surface of the station: micro-canyons [from micrometeorites] can be seen on solar panels and windows," the cosmonaut said.
"The situation is constantly monitored. Both experimental and permanent equipment is delivered to register all micro-hits and extra damage. An analysis of the degradation of the station’s solar panels and power supply is carried out. It is due to this that the station has been flying in orbit for over 20 years and the existing degradations are below the projected damage," the Roscosmos cosmonaut said.
A Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with a manned Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft is set to blast off from Site No. 31 (Vostok launch pad) of the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan at 08:45 a.m. Moscow time on October 14 to deliver Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and NASA astronaut Kathleen Rubins to the orbital outpost.
The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the orbital outpost’s Rassvet module at 11:52 a.m. Moscow time on the same day. Therefore, the flight will for the first time proceed using the two-orbit scheme.
During the new long-term expedition, Russian cosmonauts Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov will carry out 55 scientific studies and experiments, including four new probes. Three scientific experiments will be carried out without the crew’s participation. The cosmonauts are also set to make two spacewalks. One of them will take place in November 2020 and the other in February 2021.
Both spacewalks will be needed for undocking and dumping the Pirs module next year. This is required for vacating the place for Russia’s new Nauka (Science) module that will be launched in April 2021.
Currently, Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy are working aboard the orbital outpost.


tass--2020-10-13--Sweden shows signs of interest in Russian coronavirus vaccine

According to the envoy , Moscow used diplomatic channels to send Sweden a cooperation offer on the vaccine ’ s use , production and dissemination , but Russia is still awaiting an official response .
At the same time , the diplomat emphasized the fact that Swedish official experts had started paying attention to the vaccine though local media .
In particular , he highlighted the fact that the Swedish government ’ s coordinator for coronavirus vaccination Rikard Bergstrom told Dagens Nyheter that the vaccine developed by Russia ’ s Gamaleya center is `` interesting . ''
The Swede also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being studied now , he is soon planning to discuss the potential cooperation on the vaccine with Russian experts .
The newspaper also cited the comment of the Russian ambassador on advantages of the Russian vaccine and prospects of commercial cooperation to advance it in the world .
`` I hope that the positive signals printed in the Swedish press regarding Stockholm ’ s possible interest in cooperating in this sphere will soon translate into an official response to Russia , '' Tatarintsev added .
On August 11 , Russia became the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V , which was developed by Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry .
The injection passed clinical trials in June-July .
The vaccine is based on an already known platform that was used to create a number of other injections .
The Russian Health Ministry underlined that judging by the experience of using such vaccines , they are capable of providing a long-term immunity for up to two years .
According to Kirill Dmitriev , head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to supply more than one billion doses of the Russian breakthrough vaccine from 20 countries .
He noted that Latin American , Middle Eastern and Asian countries are most interested to buy it , while a number of contracts has already been finalized .

According to the envoy, Moscow used diplomatic channels to send Sweden a cooperation offer on the vaccine’s use, production and dissemination, but Russia is still awaiting an official response. At the same time, the diplomat emphasized the fact that Swedish official experts had started paying attention to the vaccine though local media. In particular, he highlighted the fact that the Swedish government’s coordinator for coronavirus vaccination Rikard Bergstrom told Dagens Nyheter that the vaccine developed by Russia’s Gamaleya center is "interesting." The Swede also confirmed that the Russian cooperation offer is being studied now, he is soon planning to discuss the potential cooperation on the vaccine with Russian experts. The newspaper also cited the comment of the Russian ambassador on advantages of the Russian vaccine and prospects of commercial cooperation to advance it in the world.
"I hope that the positive signals printed in the Swedish press regarding Stockholm’s possible interest in cooperating in this sphere will soon translate into an official response to Russia," Tatarintsev added.
On August 11, Russia became the first country in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V, which was developed by Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry. The injection passed clinical trials in June-July. The vaccine is based on an already known platform that was used to create a number of other injections. The Russian Health Ministry underlined that judging by the experience of using such vaccines, they are capable of providing a long-term immunity for up to two years. According to Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Russia received preliminary applications to supply more than one billion doses of the Russian breakthrough vaccine from 20 countries. He noted that Latin American, Middle Eastern and Asian countries are most interested to buy it, while a number of contracts has already been finalized.


tass--2020-10-13--Coronavirus cases spike in autumn among Russians over 65, says sanitary watchdog expert

MOSCOW , October 13 .
/TASS/ .
The aggravation of the epidemic situation in Russia in the fall differs from @ @ @ @ @ more people over the age of 65 get infected , Deputy Director of the Central @ @ @ @ @ the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Alexander Gorelov reported @ @ @ @ @ the spring peak we said that the infection was more frequently spread among young individuals @ @ @ @ @ of age .
The autumn reports show that the infection `` got older '' and @ @ @ @ @ over 65 .
And we know that it is precisely in this age group that @ @ @ @ @ complicated form , this is another difference , '' he stressed at the Pandemic 2020 @ @ @ @ @ Consequences international academic and research online conference at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy @ @ @ @ @ ) .

MOSCOW, October 13. /TASS/. The aggravation of the epidemic situation in Russia in the fall differs from the situation in spring because more people over the age of 65 get infected, Deputy Director of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Alexander Gorelov reported on Tuesday.
"During the spring peak we said that the infection was more frequently spread among young individuals from 20 to 60 years of age. The autumn reports show that the infection "got older" and in general switched to people over 65. And we know that it is precisely in this age group that the infection has a more complicated form, this is another difference," he stressed at the Pandemic 2020: Challenges, Solutions, Consequences international academic and research online conference at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA).


tass--2020-10-13--Sberbank CEO Gref may leave Yandex Board of Directors on October 29

MOSCOW , October 13 .
/ TASS / .
Sberbank CEO Herman Gref will not be re-elected to Yandex 's board of directors at the company 's annual general meeting on October 29 , the decision will be placed upon a vote to the Yandex shareholders , the company said in a statement on Tuesday .
Also , Yandex shareholders were offered to re-elect the head of the company , Arkady Volozh , to the board of directors as executive director for a period of 4 years , and technical director of Yandex , Mikhail Parakhin , for one year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was reported that after the Sber and Yandex split , Gref will remain a member of the company 's board of directors until the shareholders ' meeting , which will elect a new board .
In the future , Gref does not expect that he will participate in this collegial management body of the company .
In addition to Volozh , Parakhin and Gref , the current Yandex board of directors includes nine people : Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Member of the Executive Committee of DE Master Blenders Rogier Rijnja @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles Ryan , ex-Chief of Staff of the President of the Russian Federation Alexander Voloshin , founder of Wellville Esther Dyson , professor of finance at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University Ilya Strebulaev , president of the private investment company Firehouse Capital Inc. John Boynton , Managing Director of Yandex Tigran Khudaverdyan , General Director of ANO `` Russia - a Land of Opportunities '' Alexey Komissarov and General Director of VTB Capital Alexey Yakovitsky .

MOSCOW, October 13. / TASS /. Sberbank CEO Herman Gref will not be re-elected to Yandex's board of directors at the company's annual general meeting on October 29, the decision will be placed upon a vote to the Yandex shareholders, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
Also, Yandex shareholders were offered to re-elect the head of the company, Arkady Volozh, to the board of directors as executive director for a period of 4 years, and technical director of Yandex, Mikhail Parakhin, for one year as a non-executive director.
Earlier it was reported that after the Sber and Yandex split, Gref will remain a member of the company's board of directors until the shareholders' meeting, which will elect a new board. In the future, Gref does not expect that he will participate in this collegial management body of the company.
In addition to Volozh, Parakhin and Gref, the current Yandex board of directors includes nine people: Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Member of the Executive Committee of DE Master Blenders Rogier Rijnja, General Partner of Almaz Capital Partners Charles Ryan, ex-Chief of Staff of the President of the Russian Federation Alexander Voloshin, founder of Wellville Esther Dyson, professor of finance at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University Ilya Strebulaev, president of the private investment company Firehouse Capital Inc. John Boynton, Managing Director of Yandex Tigran Khudaverdyan, General Director of ANO "Russia - a Land of Opportunities" Alexey Komissarov and General Director of VTB Capital Alexey Yakovitsky.


tass--2020-10-13--Belarusian opposition figurehead gives Minsk two weeks to meet demands

VILNIUS , October 13 .
/TASS/ .
Former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya announced that the Belarusian opposition intends to move to active actions in two weeks ’ time if its demands are not met .
`` We declare a national ultimatum on October 25 , '' she wrote on her Telegram channel .
Tikhanovksaya added that the opposition expects the national authorities to comply with all their demands before this date , including incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s resignation , while law enforcement agencies should stop dispersing protests and release all arrested opposition figures .
Tikhanovskaya claims that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands , the opposition will organize strikes , block off roads and will call on their supporters to stop purchasing goods in state shops .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s official results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Lithuania .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
During the early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police .
The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , which has been beating the drum for more protests .
In response , the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped .

VILNIUS, October 13. /TASS/. Former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya announced that the Belarusian opposition intends to move to active actions in two weeks’ time if its demands are not met.
"We declare a national ultimatum on October 25," she wrote on her Telegram channel. Tikhanovksaya added that the opposition expects the national authorities to comply with all their demands before this date, including incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko’s resignation, while law enforcement agencies should stop dispersing protests and release all arrested opposition figures.
Tikhanovskaya claims that if the authorities fail to meet these demands, the opposition will organize strikes, block off roads and will call on their supporters to stop purchasing goods in state shops.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police. The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition’s Coordination Council, which has been beating the drum for more protests. In response, the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped.


tass--2020-10-13--Chechen head: Terrorists neutralized in Chechnya came from Syria to launch attacks

GROZNY , October 13 .
/TASS/ .
The terrorists who were killed in a special operation in Grozny had come to Chechnya from Syria to carry out terror attacks , Ramzan Kadyrov leader of Russia ’ s North Caucasus republic wrote on his Telegram channel on Tuesday .
“ Lately these “ devils ” have been in hiding outside Russia and they are holed up in Syria and other countries .
Now after receiving an order from their Western sponsors , they came back and decided to carry out a number of terror attacks , ” Kadyrov wrote .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a wanted list for a long time .
Kadyrov also published the data on the neutralized gunmen .
Three of them are Grozny natives , who were registered in the Chechen Republic , and the fourth one was also registered in Chechnya , but no information on his birthplace was released .
Earlier , the press center of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee reported that four gunmen , who opened fire on law enforcement officers , were neutralized in Grozny .
According to updated information , two law enforcement officers were killed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation .
The relatives of those killed will be provided with assistance .

GROZNY, October 13. /TASS/. The terrorists who were killed in a special operation in Grozny had come to Chechnya from Syria to carry out terror attacks, Ramzan Kadyrov leader of Russia’s North Caucasus republic wrote on his Telegram channel on Tuesday.
“Lately these “devils” have been in hiding outside Russia and they are holed up in Syria and other countries. Now after receiving an order from their Western sponsors, they came back and decided to carry out a number of terror attacks,” Kadyrov wrote.
According to him, the militants had been on a wanted list for a long time. Kadyrov also published the data on the neutralized gunmen. Three of them are Grozny natives, who were registered in the Chechen Republic, and the fourth one was also registered in Chechnya, but no information on his birthplace was released.
Earlier, the press center of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee reported that four gunmen, who opened fire on law enforcement officers, were neutralized in Grozny. According to updated information, two law enforcement officers were killed and another one was wounded in the counter-terrorism operation.
The relatives of those killed will be provided with assistance.


tass--2020-10-13--Program "Confucius Culture & Tourism Envoy" Promotes International Exchanges

JINAN , China , Oct. 13 .
/PRNewswire/ .
Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism will recruit 20,000 Confucius culture & tourism envoys from Chinese language learners and Chinese culture lovers all over the world , so as to promote the cultural and tourism-related brands such as `` Make a Study Tour in Shandong '' and `` Find China in Shandong '' .
To implement the `` Confucius Culture & Tourism Envoy '' Program ( the Program ) , Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism has promoted the cultural and tourism resources of Shandong by editing and publishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - Shandong Chapter , developing test banks and test system for the Program , and organizing Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students .
In cooperation with ChinesePlus , Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism invited dozens of Chinese cultural experts and international education specialists on Chinese language to compile HSK Leveled Readings ( Level 1 ) - Shandong Chapter in six languages , making Shandong China 's first province to promote culture and tourism on the basis of the HSK Chinese proficiency test and locking the target populations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese language lovers all over the world may take part in the activity by logging on the official website of `` Confucius Culture & Tourism Envoy '' or downloading the `` Confucius Culture & Tourism Envoy '' APP , or logging on https : //meetconfucius.sdta.com to directly take part in the online test .
With a novel form , the test of the Program has drawn great attentions .
It consists of eight passes .
Guided by the animated Little Qilin , examinees need to fight their way through passes via videos integrating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition , information release and promotional activities are carried out by means of Chinese Bridge , the world 's largest Chinese proficiency competition .
As of October 2020 , the promotional activities have been carried out in 10 countries and regions including Colombia , UK , France , Germany , Australia , Japan , Malaysia , the Philippines , Kazakhstan , and Thailand , and such activities are further promoted by local mainstream media and embassies of the countries in China .
A variety of cultural and tourism promotion activities will be organized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envoys '' to learn for free the online Chinese language course of the Great Wall Chinese , get the opportunities for taking part in the `` Tour in Shandong for Experiencing the Chinese Language and Culture '' after the COVID-19 pandemic , and to get a taste of the cultural charm of `` Friendly Shandong '' .

JINAN, China, Oct. 13. /PRNewswire/. Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism will recruit 20,000 Confucius culture & tourism envoys from Chinese language learners and Chinese culture lovers all over the world, so as to promote the cultural and tourism-related brands such as "Make a Study Tour in Shandong" and "Find China in Shandong".
To implement the "Confucius Culture & Tourism Envoy" Program (the Program), Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism has promoted the cultural and tourism resources of Shandong by editing and publishing HSK Leveled Readings (Level 1) - Shandong Chapter, developing test banks and test system for the Program, and organizing Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students.
In cooperation with ChinesePlus, Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism invited dozens of Chinese cultural experts and international education specialists on Chinese language to compile HSK Leveled Readings (Level 1) - Shandong Chapter in six languages, making Shandong China's first province to promote culture and tourism on the basis of the HSK Chinese proficiency test and locking the target populations of Chinese learners all over the world.
Chinese language lovers all over the world may take part in the activity by logging on the official website of "Confucius Culture & Tourism Envoy" or downloading the "Confucius Culture & Tourism Envoy" APP, or logging on https://meetconfucius.sdta.com to directly take part in the online test.
With a novel form, the test of the Program has drawn great attentions. It consists of eight passes. Guided by the animated Little Qilin, examinees need to fight their way through passes via videos integrating creative amination and live-action shooting.
In addition, information release and promotional activities are carried out by means of Chinese Bridge, the world's largest Chinese proficiency competition. As of October 2020, the promotional activities have been carried out in 10 countries and regions including Colombia, UK, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, and Thailand, and such activities are further promoted by local mainstream media and embassies of the countries in China.
A variety of cultural and tourism promotion activities will be organized for the Program, helping the "envoys" to learn for free the online Chinese language course of the Great Wall Chinese, get the opportunities for taking part in the "Tour in Shandong for Experiencing the Chinese Language and Culture" after the COVID-19 pandemic, and to get a taste of the cultural charm of "Friendly Shandong".


tass--2020-10-14--Japanese government continues to develop relations with Russia — Lavrov

`` So far I feel , despite many predictions , that our Japanese neighbors have confirmed the continuity in our @ @ @ @ @ them in all areas , '' Lavrov said on Wednesday in an interview with Sputnik @ @ @ @ @ Moskva radio stations .
`` We welcome this , because this reflects Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ in the joint agreements with Mr. Suga ’ s predecessors , which state that only @ @ @ @ @ the spheres of economy , technology , in the humanitarian sphere and , of course @ @ @ @ @ converging and coordinating our foreign policy approaches can bring our relations to a brand new @ @ @ @ @ , so that we can seriously consider any issues still pending on the agenda , @ @ @ @ @

"So far I feel, despite many predictions, that our Japanese neighbors have confirmed the continuity in our relations and commitment to developing them in all areas," Lavrov said on Wednesday in an interview with Sputnik, Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva radio stations.
"We welcome this, because this reflects Russia’s principal approaches that were enshrined in the joint agreements with Mr. Suga’s predecessors, which state that only full and large-scale partnership in the spheres of economy, technology, in the humanitarian sphere and, of course, in the sphere of converging and coordinating our foreign policy approaches can bring our relations to a brand new level that is absolutely necessary, so that we can seriously consider any issues still pending on the agenda," the minister noted.


tass--2020-10-14--US seeks to sow discord between Russia and post-Soviet states. says Lavrov

MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
Washington is attempting to create contradictions between Russia and post-Soviet states , Russian @ @ @ @ @ in an interview with the radio stations Sputnik , Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva on @ @ @ @ @ about how the Americans are exploiting the post-Soviet space , in particular , the Central @ @ @ @ @ that they are trying to sow contradictions in the hope that this is the next @ @ @ @ @ located close to Russia geographically but which is a very close territory to us , @ @ @ @ @ and militarily-politically , '' the Russian foreign minister said , responding to a question about @ @ @ @ @ relations in Kazakhstan , in particular , the issue of taking the interests of Russian-speaking @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Washington is attempting to create friction between Russia and post-Soviet states, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the radio stations Sputnik, Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva on Wednesday.
"Speaking again about how the Americans are exploiting the post-Soviet space, in particular, the Central Asian space, we see that they are trying to sow discord in the hope that this is the next territory that is not simply located close to Russia geographically but which is a very close territory to us, our ally historically, politically and militarily-politically," the Russian foreign minister said, responding to a question about the current situation with ethnic relations in Kazakhstan, in particular, the issue of taking the interests of Russian-speaking citizens into account.


tass--2020-10-14--Russia resumes flights with Serbia, Cuba, Japan

Flights Moscow-Belgrade , Moscow-Cayo Coco and Moscow-Santa Clara will be operated twice a week .
Three flights will fly to Japan from November 1 : two from Moscow to Tokyo and one from Vladivostok to Tokyo .
MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
Considering the decisions by the operational headquarters , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed an order on the resumption of air service with Serbia , Cuba and Japan on a reciprocal basis , an official at the headquarters announced on Wednesday .
`` The decision was made on the basis of the previously voiced criteria ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 days per 100,000 population , no more than 1 % of the daily increase in new cases in 14 days and the prevalence rate of new coronavirus infection in seven days no more than 1 ) as well as on the base of the principles of reciprocity , '' the headquarters said .
Russia halted regular passenger flights with other countries in late March due to the pandemic .
Since summer , it has partially resumed flights to the following countries : Belarus , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , South Korea , Egypt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Switzerland , Tanzania and the Maldives .
However , some of the routes are subject to restrictions .
Since the beginning of the pandemic , about 38.1 million people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide , more than 1.08 million people have died .
To date , a total of 1,340,409 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,039,705 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 23,205 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Flights Moscow-Belgrade, Moscow-Cayo Coco and Moscow-Santa Clara will be operated twice a week. Three flights will fly to Japan from November 1: two from Moscow to Tokyo and one from Vladivostok to Tokyo.
MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Considering the decisions by the operational headquarters, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed an order on the resumption of air service with Serbia, Cuba and Japan on a reciprocal basis, an official at the headquarters announced on Wednesday.
"The decision was made on the basis of the previously voiced criteria (40 new cases of coronavirus infection within 14 days per 100,000 population, no more than 1% of the daily increase in new cases in 14 days and the prevalence rate of new coronavirus infection in seven days no more than 1) as well as on the base of the principles of reciprocity," the headquarters said.
Russia halted regular passenger flights with other countries in late March due to the pandemic. Since summer, it has partially resumed flights to the following countries: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Egypt, UAE, Turkey, Great Britain, Switzerland, Tanzania and the Maldives. However, some of the routes are subject to restrictions.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, about 38.1 million people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, more than 1.08 million people have died.
To date, a total of 1,340,409 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,039,705 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 23,205 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-10-14--Russia can resume SSJ 100 aircraft export sales in 2022 at the earliest — minister

SKOLKOVO , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russia plans to resume export deliveries of SSJ 100 passenger jet only after saturation of the domestic market expected to take place in 2022 at the earliest given the output schedule of 22-23 aircraft per year , Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov told reporters on Wednesday Such production output makes it possible to support profitability of the airplane production , Manturov said .
`` We have already finalized all the internal agenda plans , enabling us to confidently support capacity utilization for this and the next year and probably with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resumption of export sales - TASS ] will objectively not happen earlier than in 2022 .
We can boost the capacity but we will not do so in order to keep [ production ] profitable - 22-23 aircraft per year .
This is an optimal figure , which we have set in our program at present , '' he noted .
The United Aircraft Corporation ( UAC ) expected to achieve annual production of at least 30 SSJ 100 airplanes from 2021 .
SSJ 100 is the Russian close-range passenger jet with the @ @ @ @ @ @

SKOLKOVO, October 14. /TASS/. Russia plans to resume export deliveries of SSJ 100 passenger jet only after saturation of the domestic market expected to take place in 2022 at the earliest given the output schedule of 22-23 aircraft per year, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov told reporters on Wednesday.
Such production output makes it possible to support profitability of the airplane production, Manturov said.
"We have already finalized all the internal agenda plans, enabling us to confidently support capacity utilization for this and the next year and probably with the overlap for 22. I believe [resumption of export sales - TASS] will objectively not happen earlier than in 2022. We can boost the capacity but we will not do so in order to keep [production] profitable - 22-23 aircraft per year. This is an optimal figure, which we have set in our program at present," he noted.
The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) expected to achieve annual production of at least 30 SSJ 100 airplanes from 2021. SSJ 100 is the Russian close-range passenger jet with the maximum capacity of 103 seats.


tass--2020-10-14--Lavrov says Russian-US ties won’t change after November election

MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russian-US relations won ’ t drastically change after the US presidential election , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Sputnik , Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva radio stations .
`` One thing we can be sure about is that the situation in our relations won ’ t drastically change .
There may be some nuances in one direction or another , '' Lavrov said .
Meanwhile , Lavrov noted he did not know if there could be a further chill in bilateral Russian-US relations .
`` Maybe I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that it won ’ t be worse and an optimist says : `` Maybe , '' the foreign minister said .
Lavrov noted that probably the defeated presidential candidate would accuse Russia of meddling in the US election .
`` That ’ s because both parties - the Republicans and Democrats - are now using as one of key arguments [ the allegation ] that the Russians seek to bring their rival to power , '' he noted .
Russia ’ s top diplomat recalled that Russia has turned into `` one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destiny . ''
`` So why on earth should we spend money when we already have the authority ? ''
Lavrov joked .
The foreign minister recalled a statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia `` will cooperate with the president and the administration that receives the Americans ’ backing . ''
`` This is our principal position .
Here I think we should not change anything , '' he said .
The 2020 United States elections are scheduled for November 3 .
Nationwide , American citizens will go to the polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 35 senators out of 100 to the Senate , and the President and Vice President of the United States .
In addition , voters will head to the ballot boxes to decide on 13 US state and territorial governorships , and numerous other local elections will be held .

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Russian-US relations won’t drastically change after the US presidential election, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Sputnik, Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva radio stations.
"One thing we can be sure about is that the situation in our relations won’t drastically change. There may be some nuances in one direction or another," Lavrov said.
Meanwhile, Lavrov noted he did not know if there could be a further chill in bilateral Russian-US relations. "Maybe I don’t know. Only a pessimist says that it won’t be worse and an optimist says: "Maybe," the foreign minister said.
Lavrov noted that probably the defeated presidential candidate would accuse Russia of meddling in the US election. "That’s because both parties - the Republicans and Democrats - are now using as one of key arguments [the allegation] that the Russians seek to bring their rival to power," he noted.
Russia’s top diplomat recalled that Russia has turned into "one of key masters of America’s destiny."
"So why on earth should we spend money when we already have the authority?" Lavrov joked. The foreign minister recalled a statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia "will cooperate with the president and the administration that receives the Americans’ backing." "This is our principal position. Here I think we should not change anything," he said.
The 2020 United States elections are scheduled for November 3. Nationwide, American citizens will go to the polls to elect 435 representatives to the House, 35 senators out of 100 to the Senate, and the President and Vice President of the United States. In addition, voters will head to the ballot boxes to decide on 13 US state and territorial governorships, and numerous other local elections will be held.


tass--2020-10-14--Russia is checking data on attacked object in Armenia

MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russian military agencies are checking data on an affected object in Armenian territory , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday .
`` Our military agencies are verifying this information , they are in constant touch with their colleagues on both sides , '' the Kremlin representative noted .
He reiterated that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu conducted phone conversations with colleagues from Armenia and Azerbaijan .
`` This information [ on the destroyed object in Armenian territory ] is being checked and analyzed , '' the spokesman reiterated .
In response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CSTO mechanisms in this case , the Kremlin representative proposed to wait for the results of the inquiry .
Earlier on Wednesday , Yerevan stated that Baku attacked military equipment in Armenian territory .
`` On October 14 , Azerbaijan ’ s armed forces delivered a strike on military equipment < ... > in Armenian territory , < ... > only assuming that this equipment may deliver a strike on Azerbaijan ’ s populated localities .
Armenia ’ s armed forces reserve the right to attack any military object in Azerbaijan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s statement said .
According to the agency , the attack occurred in an area bordering the Nagorno-Karabakh town of Karvachar ( Kalbajar ) .

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Russian military agencies are checking data on an affected object in Armenian territory, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday.
"Our military agencies are verifying this information, they are in constant touch with their colleagues on both sides," the Kremlin representative noted. He reiterated that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu conducted phone conversations with colleagues from Armenia and Azerbaijan. "This information [on the destroyed object in Armenian territory] is being checked and analyzed," the spokesman reiterated.
In response to the question about possible engagement of the CSTO mechanisms in this case, the Kremlin representative proposed to wait for the results of the inquiry.
Earlier on Wednesday, Yerevan stated that Baku attacked military equipment in Armenian territory. "On October 14, Azerbaijan’s armed forces delivered a strike on military equipment <...> in Armenian territory, <...> only assuming that this equipment may deliver a strike on Azerbaijan’s populated localities. Armenia’s armed forces reserve the right to attack any military object in Azerbaijan," Armenia’s Defense Ministry’s statement said. According to the agency, the attack occurred in an area bordering the Nagorno-Karabakh town of Karvachar (Kalbajar).


tass--2020-10-14--Russia not going to capitalize on US-China rift, Lavrov says

MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is committed to a pragmatic stance in relations with the United States @ @ @ @ @ going to distance itself from either side for the sake of some intrigues , Russian @ @ @ @ @ in an interview with Sputnik , Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva radio stations .
`` @ @ @ @ @ any reasons why we should distance ourselves from anyone , '' Lavrov said answering a @ @ @ @ @ take advantage of the US-China contradiction .
In particular , Lavrov noted that Moscow was @ @ @ @ @ the US-led anti-Chinese coalition for the sake of deriving any benefits .
`` It would @ @ @ @ @ from any agreements that we view as mutually beneficial and workable .
And distancing ourselves @ @ @ @ @ this case with China - just to show that we can also spin intrigues - @ @ @ @ @ ?
This is to our detriment , '' Lavrov stressed .

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Russia is committed to a pragmatic stance in relations with the United States and China and is not going to distance itself from either side for the sake of some intrigues, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Sputnik, Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva radio stations.
"I don’t see any reasons why we should distance ourselves from anyone," Lavrov said answering a question on whether Russia could take advantage of the US-China contradiction.
In particular, Lavrov noted that Moscow was not planning to maneuver towards the US-led anti-Chinese coalition for the sake of deriving any benefits. "It would be silly to distance ourselves from any agreements that we view as mutually beneficial and workable. And distancing ourselves from these agreements - in this case with China - just to show that we can also spin intrigues - why should we do this? This is to our detriment," Lavrov stressed.


tass--2020-10-14--Runaround replies: Lavrov slams Paris, Berlin for dodging complaints on Kiev’s violations

MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had sent a dozen letters to his French and German colleagues regarding Kiev ’ s steps , which contradict the Minsk agreements on settling the Donbass conflict , but he says he ’ s been getting the runaround in response .
`` I have probably sent a dozen letters to my colleagues in France and Germany , directly drawing their attention to the absolutely unacceptable steps being taken by Ukrainian officials , including President [ Vladimir ] Zelensky , the head of the delegation at the Contact Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which run totally counter to the Minsk agreements .
The answers are absolutely pointless and they are merely runaround replies , '' Lavrov said in an interview with Sputnik , Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva radio stations .
As an example , the Russian top diplomat provided explanations to his European colleagues regarding the statements by Zelensky , who calls for reviewing the content and the order of fulfilling the Minsk agreements .
`` They tell me : ‘ we are still committed to them ’ .
As an example , I cite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution and Ukraine ’ s international commitments [ there is ] direct discrimination against the Russian language in the laws on language and education , and in practice .
They answer : ‘ yes , we will pay attention to this in the framework of the OSCE and the Council of Europe ’ , '' Lavrov elaborated .
`` This is another example of how they believe they are above the law and above Russia ’ s level .
Their superiority complex is very dangerous , '' he warned .
In February 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settling the crisis in Donbass signed the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements , known as Minsk-2 , which had been earlier backed by the Normandy Four ( Russia , Germany , France and Ukraine ) leaders .
The document envisages not only a ceasefire , a withdrawal of military hardware , amnesty and the restoration of economic ties , but also constitutional reform in Ukraine aimed at ensuring the decentralization of powers while taking into account a special status for Donbass .
However , this plan has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stance .
Lately , Kiev has started calling for updating the Minsk agreements .
Meanwhile , the authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People ’ s Republics have stated many times that there is no alternative to the Minsk peace deal for ironing out the crisis and the document was not subject to change .
Russia maintains a similar stance .

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had sent a dozen letters to his French and German colleagues regarding Kiev’s steps, which contradict the Minsk agreements on settling the Donbass conflict, but he says he’s been getting the runaround in response.
"I have probably sent a dozen letters to my colleagues in France and Germany, directly drawing their attention to the absolutely unacceptable steps being taken by Ukrainian officials, including President [Vladimir] Zelensky, the head of the delegation at the Contact Group’s talks and the foreign minister which run totally counter to the Minsk agreements. The answers are absolutely pointless and they are merely runaround replies," Lavrov said in an interview with Sputnik, Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva radio stations.
As an example, the Russian top diplomat provided explanations to his European colleagues regarding the statements by Zelensky, who calls for reviewing the content and the order of fulfilling the Minsk agreements.
"They tell me: ‘we are still committed to them’. As an example, I cite that in violation of Ukraine’s Constitution and Ukraine’s international commitments [there is] direct discrimination against the Russian language in the laws on language and education, and in practice. They answer: ‘yes, we will pay attention to this in the framework of the OSCE and the Council of Europe’," Lavrov elaborated. "This is another example of how they believe they are above the law and above Russia’s level. Their superiority complex is very dangerous," he warned.
In February 2015, participants of the Contact Group for settling the crisis in Donbass signed the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements, known as Minsk-2, which had been earlier backed by the Normandy Four (Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine) leaders. The document envisages not only a ceasefire, a withdrawal of military hardware, amnesty and the restoration of economic ties, but also constitutional reform in Ukraine aimed at ensuring the decentralization of powers while taking into account a special status for Donbass. However, this plan has not been fulfilled due to Kiev’s stance.
Lately, Kiev has started calling for updating the Minsk agreements. Meanwhile, the authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics have stated many times that there is no alternative to the Minsk peace deal for ironing out the crisis and the document was not subject to change. Russia maintains a similar stance.


tass--2020-10-14--EU support for Nord Stream 2 indicates interest in Russian gas, minister says

MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
The support of European partners in the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project indicates that Europe is interested in Russian gas supplies , Russia ’ s Minister of Energy Alexander Novak said in an article written for the Energy Policy magazine .
`` In the following years , a number of joint documents were signed regulating the actions of the parties to prevent and respond promptly upon the EU initiative , the Gas Advisory Council continues its work , which carries out assessment of production volumes and demand for Russian gas in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being drawn up on long-term cooperation between Russia and the European Union in the gas sector .
As we see today , European countries are interested in the supply of Russian blue fuel .
We were convinced of this , in particular , by the unprecedented support of our European partners for our joint project of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline , '' the minister said .
The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction of two pipelines with a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from the coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany .
To date , Nord Stream 2 is 93 % complete .
The construction of the gas pipeline was suspended at the end of December 2019 after the Swiss Allseas refused to lay the pipes due to possible sanctions from the United States .
As a result , Russian pipelayers were sent to European shores .

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. The support of European partners in the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project indicates that Europe is interested in Russian gas supplies, Russia’s Minister of Energy Alexander Novak said in an article written for the Energy Policy magazine.
"In the following years, a number of joint documents were signed regulating the actions of the parties to prevent and respond promptly upon the EU initiative, the Gas Advisory Council continues its work, which carries out assessment of production volumes and demand for Russian gas in the European market, and recommendations are being drawn up on long-term cooperation between Russia and the European Union in the gas sector. As we see today, European countries are interested in the supply of Russian blue fuel. We were convinced of this, in particular, by the unprecedented support of our European partners for our joint project of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline," the minister said.
The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction of two pipelines with a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. To date, Nord Stream 2 is 93% complete. The construction of the gas pipeline was suspended at the end of December 2019 after the Swiss Allseas refused to lay the pipes due to possible sanctions from the United States. As a result, Russian pipelayers were sent to European shores.


tass--2020-10-14--Academy of Sciences: Permafrost thawing could be major cause of oil spill in Norilsk

MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
The natural degradation of the permafrost could be a significant factor , which caused the oil spill in Norilsk , the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ President Alexander Sergeyev told an online conference on Monday .
“ After the experts of the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch went there on an expedition , < ... > we saw more evidence that natural factors could have played a crucial role , ” he said .
“ I mean the permafrost degradation as a factor , which had triggered the environmental catastrophe.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sciences sent to the Taimyr Peninsula , at the invitation of Nornickel , a big scientific expedition to conduct large-scale examination of the area .
Scientists will use the expedition ’ s results to present suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic , on how to preserve the nature .
The expedition ’ s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya , and Lake Pyasino .
In August , experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch collected samples of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they continue tests at the institutes ’ labs .

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. The natural degradation of the permafrost could be a significant factor, which caused the oil spill in Norilsk, the Russian Academy of Sciences’ President Alexander Sergeyev told an online conference on Monday.
“After the experts of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch went there on an expedition, <...> we saw more evidence that natural factors could have played a crucial role,” he said. “I mean the permafrost degradation as a factor, which had triggered the environmental catastrophe.”
The Great Norilsk Expedition
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences sent to the Taimyr Peninsula, at the invitation of Nornickel, a big scientific expedition to conduct large-scale examination of the area. Scientists will use the expedition’s results to present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya, and Lake Pyasino. In August, experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils, plants and sediments. Presently, they continue tests at the institutes’ labs.


tass--2020-10-14--No 'ironclad' agreements on freezing nuclear arsenals between Russia, US — Kremlin

MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
Both Russia and the US understand the necessity to extend the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ( New START ) but there are no `` ironclad '' agreements in this regard between the sides , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday .
`` There are contacts on this issue at the expert level and at the high level .
At the same time we are not talking about reaching any clear agreements .
We wouldn ’ t say right now that there are any ironclad agreements , '' the spokesman said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New START on the condition of temporary mutual freezing of nuclear arsenals .
However , the spokesman stressed that if one talks about the understanding of the necessity to extend the New START , the Kremlin hopes that in this respect the sides are on the same page .
`` We understand that it needs to be extended .
It is both in the interests of our two countries and in the interests of strategic security of the entire world .
But for the rest , the agreements weren ’ t reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea stated that the US is ready to extend the New START with Russia on the condition of a temporary freeze of the volumes of nuclear arsenals of both countries .
According to him , Washington is ready to enter this treaty as early as `` tomorrow , '' `` but Moscow is going to have to show the political will to do so as well . ''
In response to that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov called this proposal unacceptable .
Russian top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US unscrupulous .
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ( New START ) was signed by Russia and the United States in 2010 .
It will remain effective until February 5 , 2021 , unless a new document is signed to replace it .
The document can be extended for no more than five years , that is , until 2026 , by mutual agreement of the parties .
Moscow has urged Washington not to postpone the decision on the extension of the arms control deal , characterizing it as the gold standard @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Both Russia and the US understand the necessity to extend the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) but there are no "ironclad" agreements in this regard between the sides, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday.
"There are contacts on this issue at the expert level and at the high level. At the same time we are not talking about reaching any clear agreements. We wouldn’t say right now that there are any ironclad agreements," the spokesman said, commenting on the US initiative to extend the New START on the condition of temporary mutual freezing of nuclear arsenals.
However, the spokesman stressed that if one talks about the understanding of the necessity to extend the New START, the Kremlin hopes that in this respect the sides are on the same page. "We understand that it needs to be extended. It is both in the interests of our two countries and in the interests of strategic security of the entire world. But for the rest, the agreements weren’t reached," he stated.
Earlier, US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea stated that the US is ready to extend the New START with Russia on the condition of a temporary freeze of the volumes of nuclear arsenals of both countries. According to him, Washington is ready to enter this treaty as early as "tomorrow," "but Moscow is going to have to show the political will to do so as well."
In response to that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov called this proposal unacceptable. Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov called these statements by the US unscrupulous.
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) was signed by Russia and the United States in 2010. It will remain effective until February 5, 2021, unless a new document is signed to replace it. The document can be extended for no more than five years, that is, until 2026, by mutual agreement of the parties. Moscow has urged Washington not to postpone the decision on the extension of the arms control deal, characterizing it as the gold standard in the disarmament sphere.


tass--2020-10-14--‘Can’t tango solo: Russia pursuit for dialogue with West was disregarded, says Kremlin

`` The Kremlin sees the need for and usefulness of this dialogue .
The Kremlin has systematically pressed for resuming and continuing this dialogue , based on mutual respect .
But it is impossible to tango solo , '' Peskov said .
MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is for continuing a constructive dialogue with the West , but for the time being it has met with no understanding , Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Wednesday .
He stressed that `` Russia was not the initiator of curtailing dialogue with its Western partners on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is blatantly clear that Russia has been met with no understanding in its attempts to somehow resume this dialogue .
It is obvious that Russia is not ready for tolerating the type of attitude it has encountered in the context of the incident with the Berlin patient ( Alexey Navalny - TASS ) , '' the Kremlin spokesman said .
When asked for a comment on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ’ s remark which some mass media interpreted as a hint at the possibility of curtailing the dialogue with the European Union , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not require extra commentaries .
`` Our foreign policy is formed and formulated by the head of state , but the main actors in implementing this foreign policy are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the foreign minister , '' Peskov said .

"The Kremlin sees the need for and usefulness of this dialogue. The Kremlin has systematically pressed for resuming and continuing this dialogue, based on mutual respect. But it is impossible to tango solo," Peskov said.
MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Russia is for continuing a constructive dialogue with the West, but for the time being it has met with no understanding, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Wednesday.
He stressed that "Russia was not the initiator of curtailing dialogue with its Western partners on all possible tracks."
"It is blatantly clear that Russia has been met with no understanding in its attempts to somehow resume this dialogue. It is obvious that Russia is not ready for tolerating the type of attitude it has encountered in the context of the incident with the Berlin patient (Alexey Navalny - TASS)," the Kremlin spokesman said.
When asked for a comment on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remark which some mass media interpreted as a hint at the possibility of curtailing the dialogue with the European Union, Peskov said that Lavrov’s statements did not require extra commentaries.
"Our foreign policy is formed and formulated by the head of state, but the main actors in implementing this foreign policy are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the foreign minister," Peskov said.


tass--2020-10-14--Russia disagrees with Turkish idea that military solution in Karabakh possible — Lavrov

MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russia does not share Turkey ’ s opinion that military solution to the Karabakh conflict is possible , Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview for Russian media Wednesday .
`` We disagree with the position , voiced by Turkey , which [ Azerbaijani President Ilham ] Aliyev also expressed several times .
There is no secret here : we can not share the statement that a military solution exists and is acceptable here , '' he said .
Lavrov noted that Russia remains in contact with Turkey on the Karabakh situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu several times .
We insist that peaceful solution is not just possible , but is the only way to ensure a sustainable solution to this problem , because everything else will preserve the conflict in a somewhat low-key state .
If there is no political accord , all decisions , achieved militarily , will fail : there will be hostilities anyway . ''
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Russia does not share Turkey’s opinion that military solution to the Karabakh conflict is possible, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview for Russian media Wednesday.
"We disagree with the position, voiced by Turkey, which [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev also expressed several times. There is no secret here: we cannot share the statement that a military solution exists and is acceptable here," he said.
Lavrov noted that Russia remains in contact with Turkey on the Karabakh situation. "During this crisis, I spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu several times. We insist that peaceful solution is not just possible, but is the only way to ensure a sustainable solution to this problem, because everything else will preserve the conflict in a somewhat low-key state. If there is no political accord, all decisions, achieved militarily, will fail: there will be hostilities anyway."
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.


tass--2020-10-14--EU ambassadors concur on shorter version of Navalny blacklist

BRUSSELS , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
The Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union on Wednesday agreed on a sanction list against Russia over the incident with blogger Alexey Navalny , considerably reducing it in contrast to the original draft from nine persons to five , a diplomatic source in Brussels confirmed to TASS .
`` I can confirm that the ambassadors achieved an agreement on a personal list of restrictions .
There are some five persons on it .
Their names will be disclosed in the EU Official Journal later , '' he said .
Originally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions against nine individuals .
All persons on the blacklist will be prohibited from entering the European Union for one year .
Their financial assets in the EU , should any be found , will be frozen .
The sanctions may be eventually prolonged , if not overturned by the European Court of Justice .
Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk .
He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital .
He was discharged from it on September 22 .
On September 2 , Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny ’ s test samples , German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family .
On October 9 , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recalled once again that neither Germany nor the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons had shared with Russia any official proof .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ official queries from the Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office over the case in defiance of international law .
He voiced certainty that the German side would never be able to present any evidence .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany .
He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin .

BRUSSELS, October 14. /TASS/. The Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union on Wednesday agreed on a sanction list against Russia over the incident with blogger Alexey Navalny, considerably reducing it in contrast to the original draft from nine persons to five, a diplomatic source in Brussels confirmed to TASS.
"I can confirm that the ambassadors achieved an agreement on a personal list of restrictions. There are some five persons on it. Their names will be disclosed in the EU Official Journal later," he said. Originally, Germany and France suggested the EU take sanctions against nine individuals.
All persons on the blacklist will be prohibited from entering the European Union for one year. Their financial assets in the EU, should any be found, will be frozen. The sanctions may be eventually prolonged, if not overturned by the European Court of Justice.
Navalny case
Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk. He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital. He was discharged from it on September 22.
On September 2, Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny’s test samples, German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family.
On October 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recalled once again that neither Germany nor the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons had shared with Russia any official proof. He stressed that Germany had ignored four official queries from the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office over the case in defiance of international law. He voiced certainty that the German side would never be able to present any evidence.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany. He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny’s system prior to his transfer to Berlin.


tass--2020-10-14--Russian observers can monitor ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, Lavrov says

MOSCOW , October 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russia does not exclude the possibility that Russian military observers may be included in the ceasefire control mechanism in Nagorno-Karabakh , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday in an interview with the Sputnik , Komsomolskaya Pravda , and Govorit Moskva radio stations .
`` Today it ’ s not even the peacekeepers [ who should participate in the verification mechanism ] but the military observers , this should be enough .
We think that it will be absolutely correct if these were our military observers but the final word should belong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] .
Without a doubt , we go on a premise that both Yerevan and Baku will take into account our alliance , our relations of strategic partnership , '' he noted .
According to the top diplomat , the ceasefire control mechanism should function along the line of contact of Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Russian President Vladimir Putin followed the negotiations of the foreign ministers of Russia , Azerbaijan and Armenia on settling the Nagorno-Karabakh situation and made his contribution at the discussion ’ s decisive moment , Lavrov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but let me note that the president made his contribution at the decisive moment , '' Russia ’ s top diplomat said .
`` He controlled our night vigilance and we talked with him twice already deep in the night . ''
`` It was important to agree on the issue that the declaration of the truce would apparently not quite suffice , unless the ceasefire control mechanism was in place , '' he explained , noting that this was stipulated in the document adopted following the results of the talks .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had contacts with my counterparts in Baku and Yerevan several times and the same has been done by Sergei Shoigu who has talked with the defense ministers , '' Lavrov said .
`` And the president also talked with the leaders of the conflicting parties . ''
`` It is necessary to immediately hold a meeting of the militaries to agree the ceasefire control mechanism , which is mentioned in our document and which no one has even started to discuss , '' Russia ’ s top diplomat said .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour ago when Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bairamov called me on the phone .
We are sending the same signal to our Armenian colleagues .
I believe this is now the key to a sustainable cessation of the fire that affects civil facilities and civilians , '' Lavrov said .
Following the consultations on the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh held in Moscow on Russia ’ s initiative on October 9 , Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed on a humanitarian ceasefire to start at 12:00 p.m. on October 10 to exchange prisoners and bodies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both sides accuse each other of breaching the truce .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Russia does not exclude the possibility that Russian military observers may be included in the ceasefire control mechanism in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday in an interview with the Sputnik, Komsomolskaya Pravda, and Govorit Moskva radio stations.
"Today it’s not even the peacekeepers [who should participate in the verification mechanism] but the military observers, this should be enough. We think that it will be absolutely correct if these were our military observers but the final word should belong to the sides [of the conflict]. Without a doubt, we go on a premise that both Yerevan and Baku will take into account our alliance, our relations of strategic partnership," he noted.
According to the top diplomat, the ceasefire control mechanism should function along the line of contact of Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Putin's contribution
Russian President Vladimir Putin followed the negotiations of the foreign ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on settling the Nagorno-Karabakh situation and made his contribution at the discussion’s decisive moment, Lavrov said.
"The talks were unique but let me note that the president made his contribution at the decisive moment," Russia’s top diplomat said. "He controlled our night vigilance and we talked with him twice already deep in the night."
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also joined the process, Lavrov added.
"It was important to agree on the issue that the declaration of the truce would apparently not quite suffice, unless the ceasefire control mechanism was in place," he explained, noting that this was stipulated in the document adopted following the results of the talks.
"Over the past few days, I have had contacts with my counterparts in Baku and Yerevan several times and the same has been done by Sergei Shoigu who has talked with the defense ministers," Lavrov said. "And the president also talked with the leaders of the conflicting parties."
"It is necessary to immediately hold a meeting of the militaries to agree the ceasefire control mechanism, which is mentioned in our document and which no one has even started to discuss," Russia’s top diplomat said.
"I reconfirmed the corresponding signals literally half an hour ago when Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bairamov called me on the phone. We are sending the same signal to our Armenian colleagues. I believe this is now the key to a sustainable cessation of the fire that affects civil facilities and civilians," Lavrov said.
Following the consultations on the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh held in Moscow on Russia’s initiative on October 9, Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed on a humanitarian ceasefire to start at 12:00 p.m. on October 10 to exchange prisoners and bodies of those killed in the conflict. However, both sides accuse each other of breaching the truce.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.