tass--2020-01-15--Russia to create lighter and ‘more pleasant-looking’ android for future Oryol spacecraft

The press office did not rule out that the Tester robot might have fabric protective cover .
`` It will look like a human .
It will surely be smaller and lighter than the FEDOR .
Visually , it will be more pleasant-looking : a more streamlined design and more plastic elements [ that can bend during its movements ] , '' the company said , replying to the corresponding question .
MOSCOW , January 15 .
/TASS/ .
The android of the Tester project intended to operate Russia ’ s future Oryol spacecraft will be lighter , smaller and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently travelled to the International Space Station , the press office of the Android Technology Research and Production Association told TASS on Wednesday .
As another distinctive feature , the new android will have a more functional grappling capacity , the company informed .
The new robot ’ s final appearance will be defined after its developers sign a contract with Russia ’ s federal space agency Roscosmos .
`` If this happens before the end of the quarter , the external look will be determined by late 2020 and ground tests will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Technology press office commented .
Android Technology Executive Director Yevgeny Dudurov earlier told TASS that the robot of the Tester project would operate the Oryol spacecraft during the first two flights .
In turn , Roscosmos Executive Director for Long-Term Programs and Science Alexander Bloshenko said in an interview with TASS that the android `` will be pushing the buttons , '' in other words , mechanically interacting with the spacecraft ’ s control systems .
The first launch of the Oryol spacecraft in its uncrewed version is scheduled for 2023 from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Space Station is planned during this flight .
In 2024 , the Oryol spacecraft will perform its second unmanned flight with its subsequent docking with the orbital outpost .
Crewed flights aboard the Oryol spacecraft are due to begin in 2025 .
The android robot Fedor has been developed by the Android Technology Company and the Advanced Research Fund on a technical assignment from Russia ’ s Emergencies Ministry .
The ‘ Rescuer ’ robot demonstration prototype was made in 2016 .
Initially , the robot was dubbed the Avatar but later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Experimental Demonstration Object Research ) .
Before its travel to the space station aboard a Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft in August last year , the android robot got its own name of Skybot F-850 where the letter F stands for its affiliation with the Fedor family of robots .
As Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin earlier indicated , the Skybot F-850 ’ s basic goals included transmitting telemetry data , determining parameters related to the flight safety , including overloads , and carrying out experiments to test the robot ’ s operations useful on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The press office did not rule out that the Tester robot might have fabric protective cover.
"It will look like a human. It will surely be smaller and lighter than the FEDOR. Visually, it will be more pleasant-looking: a more streamlined design and more plastic elements [that can bend during its movements]," the company said, replying to the corresponding question.
MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. The android of the Tester project intended to operate Russia’s future Oryol spacecraft will be lighter, smaller and more pleasant-looking than the Fedor robot that recently travelled to the International Space Station, the press office of the Android Technology Research and Production Association told TASS on Wednesday.
As another distinctive feature, the new android will have a more functional grappling capacity, the company informed.
The robot Fedor has human-like five-finger manipulator arms.
The new robot’s final appearance will be defined after its developers sign a contract with Russia’s federal space agency Roscosmos. "If this happens before the end of the quarter, the external look will be determined by late 2020 and ground tests will begin in 2022," the Android Technology press office commented.
Android Technology Executive Director Yevgeny Dudurov earlier told TASS that the robot of the Tester project would operate the Oryol spacecraft during the first two flights. In turn, Roscosmos Executive Director for Long-Term Programs and Science Alexander Bloshenko said in an interview with TASS that the android "will be pushing the buttons," in other words, mechanically interacting with the spacecraft’s control systems.
The first launch of the Oryol spacecraft in its uncrewed version is scheduled for 2023 from the Vostochny spaceport and no docking with the International Space Station is planned during this flight. In 2024, the Oryol spacecraft will perform its second unmanned flight with its subsequent docking with the orbital outpost. Crewed flights aboard the Oryol spacecraft are due to begin in 2025.
The android robot Fedor has been developed by the Android Technology Company and the Advanced Research Fund on a technical assignment from Russia’s Emergencies Ministry. The ‘Rescuer’ robot demonstration prototype was made in 2016. Initially, the robot was dubbed the Avatar but later got its own name FEDOR (Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research).
Before its travel to the space station aboard a Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft in August last year, the android robot got its own name of Skybot F-850 where the letter F stands for its affiliation with the Fedor family of robots.
As Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin earlier indicated, the Skybot F-850’s basic goals included transmitting telemetry data, determining parameters related to the flight safety, including overloads, and carrying out experiments to test the robot’s operations useful on the external side of the space station.


tass--2020-01-15--New direct flight connects China's Hainan with Myanmar

HAIKOU , January 15 .
/TASS/ .
Hainan launched a new direct flight to Myanmar .
According to Xinhua , the route will be connecting Hainan 's Haikou with Yangon .
Round trip flights will be carried out on a regular basis three times a week : on Wednesdays , Fridays and Sundays .
The Haikou-Yangon flight ( AQ1133-AQ1134 ) will be operated by the Chinese Jiuyuan Airlines .
This is a second direct route between Hainan and Myanmar .
In June 2019 , the flight to the city of Mandalay was launched from Haikou .
In 2018 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guanzhou , Guiyang and Chansha .
`` The new air route will help promote relations and cooperation between Hainan and Myanmar , will increase tourist flow , which is important for Hainan , '' the news outlet quoted representative of the provincial Tourism , Culture , Radio , Television and Sports Office Fu Fenghua .
According to official figures , in the first 11 months of 2019 , 1,087 tourists from Myanmar visited Hainan , which was by 122.3 % higher than the figures for the same period in 2018 .
Currently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional flights that operate in 35 cities in 20 countries .
In 2019 , passenger traffic on international flights at Meilan Airport amounted to 1.49 million people .

HAIKOU, January 15. /TASS/. Hainan launched a new direct flight to Myanmar. According to Xinhua, the route will be connecting Hainan's Haikou with Yangon.
Round trip flights will be carried out on a regular basis three times a week: on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The Haikou-Yangon flight (AQ1133-AQ1134) will be operated by the Chinese Jiuyuan Airlines.
This is a second direct route between Hainan and Myanmar. In June 2019, the flight to the city of Mandalay was launched from Haikou. In 2018, the Chinese Jiuyuan Airlines opened direct flights to Guanzhou, Guiyang and Chansha.
"The new air route will help promote relations and cooperation between Hainan and Myanmar, will increase tourist flow, which is important for Hainan," the news outlet quoted representative of the provincial Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports Office Fu Fenghua. According to official figures, in the first 11 months of 2019, 1,087 tourists from Myanmar visited Hainan, which was by 122.3% higher than the figures for the same period in 2018.
Currently, Meilan International Airport serves 48 international and regional flights that operate in 35 cities in 20 countries. In 2019, passenger traffic on international flights at Meilan Airport amounted to 1.49 million people.


tass--2020-01-15--Putin stresses need to expand role of Russian governors and State Council

MOSCOW , January 15 .
/TASS/ .
During his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly ( Russia ’ s parliament ) on Wednesday , Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed the need to expand the role of Russian governors and the Russian State Council , incorporating these changes in the Russian Constitution .
`` I find it necessary to fundamentally expand the role of governors in developing and approving federal-level decisions .
As you know , in 2000 , the State Council was re-established under my initiative , which includes heads of all regions .
Recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high level of efficiency ; its working groups are ensuring professional , comprehensive and quality consideration of issues that are of importance to the citizens and the country .
I find it appropriate to incorporate the corresponding status and role of the State Council in the Russian Constitution , '' he said .
On September 1 , 2000 , Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on establishing the State Council of the Russian Federation , which included current heads of Russian regions .
In 2007 , the Russian leader amended the decree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form part of the council if they have sufficient public governance experience .
Since 2012 , the council also includes speakers of the Russian Federation Council and the State Duma , presidential envoys to federal districts and heads of parliamentary factions .

MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. During his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly (Russia’s parliament) on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed the need to expand the role of Russian governors and the Russian State Council, incorporating these changes in the Russian Constitution.
"I find it necessary to fundamentally expand the role of governors in developing and approving federal-level decisions. As you know, in 2000, the State Council was re-established under my initiative, which includes heads of all regions. Recently, the State Council has shown a high level of efficiency; its working groups are ensuring professional, comprehensive and quality consideration of issues that are of importance to the citizens and the country. I find it appropriate to incorporate the corresponding status and role of the State Council in the Russian Constitution," he said.
On September 1, 2000, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on establishing the State Council of the Russian Federation, which included current heads of Russian regions. In 2007, the Russian leader amended the decree, allowing former heads of regions to form part of the council if they have sufficient public governance experience. Since 2012, the council also includes speakers of the Russian Federation Council and the State Duma, presidential envoys to federal districts and heads of parliamentary factions.


tass--2020-01-15--Russia will fulfil terms of OPEC+ deal in January, says Energy Minister

MOSCOW , January 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will fulfill the terms of the OPEC+ agreement on reduction of oil production in January , Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters on Wednesday .
`` Naturally , we have obligations , we will fulfill them , '' he said , answering a question about the prospects for implementation of the OPEC+ deal in January .
According to the Energy Ministry , in December 2019 , Russia ’ s implementation of the OPEC+ deal was 2.6 % above the target .
The country reduced oil production by 234,000 barrels per day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 228,000 per day - the deal is tied to the production data of that month ) .
Russia was able to exceed the target after the OPEC+ decided to exclude the calculation of gas condensate in the quota for the country 's reduction volume .
OPEC+ countries ( 24 oil exporting countries , including Russia ) have been jointly managing oil production volumes since 2017 .
At a meeting in July , they extended agreements to reduce oil production by 1.2 mln barrels per day to the level of October 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ day fall to the share of OPEC countries .
The agreement is valid until the end of March 2020 .
Later , at a meeting in early December 2019 , OPEC+ countries decided to intensify reduction of oil production to 1.7 million barrels per day until March .
Russia ’ s quota has been increased from 228,000 to 300,000 barrels per day to the level of October 2018 .
Russia should comply with this quota during the first quarter of the year .

MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. Russia will fulfill the terms of the OPEC+ agreement on reduction of oil production in January, Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters on Wednesday.
"Naturally, we have obligations, we will fulfill them," he said, answering a question about the prospects for implementation of the OPEC+ deal in January.
According to the Energy Ministry, in December 2019, Russia’s implementation of the OPEC+ deal was 2.6% above the target. The country reduced oil production by 234,000 barrels per day in comparison with the level of October 2018 (228,000 per day - the deal is tied to the production data of that month). Russia was able to exceed the target after the OPEC+ decided to exclude the calculation of gas condensate in the quota for the country's reduction volume.
OPEC+ countries (24 oil exporting countries, including Russia) have been jointly managing oil production volumes since 2017. At a meeting in July, they extended agreements to reduce oil production by 1.2 mln barrels per day to the level of October 2018. Of this volume, 812,000 barrels per day fall to the share of OPEC countries. The agreement is valid until the end of March 2020.
Later, at a meeting in early December 2019, OPEC+ countries decided to intensify reduction of oil production to 1.7 million barrels per day until March. Russia’s quota has been increased from 228,000 to 300,000 barrels per day to the level of October 2018. Russia should comply with this quota during the first quarter of the year.


tass--2020-01-15--Russia obliged to safeguard the truth about victory over fascism, Putin says

`` This year , we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War .
May 9 in Russia is the greatest and sacrosanct holiday .
We are proud of the generation of victors , and we remember their heroism .
Our memory is not only a token of respect for the heroic past .
It serves for our future , inspires us and strengthens our unity .
We are obliged to safeguard the truth about the Victory .
Otherwise , what shall we be able to tell our children if lies spread around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In July 2019 , Putin signed a decree on a series of events in 2020 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War .
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev issued an instruction to approve a 116-point plan for the official ceremonies , which include a parade , a fireworks display , visits by foreign guests , Immortal Regiment processions and other events in Moscow .
In addition , the unveiling of a Soviet Soldier Memorial in Rzhev ( the Tver Region ) , and the creation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malakhov Hill , the opening of an updated exposition of the museum The Battle of Leningrad in Vsevolzhsk ( in the Leningrad Region ) , and national contests and forums are also on the agenda .
On May 9 , the Nazi German high command signed an act of unconditional capitulation , which heralded an end to the Great Patriotic War , which had begun on June 22 , 1941 when Hitler ’ s Third Reich and its allies invaded the Soviet Union .
The Great Patriotic War was the most crucial and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1939-1945 ) .
Moreover , it was the biggest armed conflict in human history .
The USSR lost 27 million people in the war , more than any other nation involved .

"This year, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. May 9 in Russia is the greatest and sacrosanct holiday. We are proud of the generation of victors, and we remember their heroism. Our memory is not only a token of respect for the heroic past. It serves for our future, inspires us and strengthens our unity. We are obliged to safeguard the truth about the Victory. Otherwise, what shall we be able to tell our children if lies spread around the world like an epidemic?" he said.
In July 2019, Putin signed a decree on a series of events in 2020 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev issued an instruction to approve a 116-point plan for the official ceremonies, which include a parade, a fireworks display, visits by foreign guests, Immortal Regiment processions and other events in Moscow. In addition, the unveiling of a Soviet Soldier Memorial in Rzhev (the Tver Region), and the creation of an Alley of Heros on the Malakhov Hill, the opening of an updated exposition of the museum The Battle of Leningrad in Vsevolzhsk (in the Leningrad Region), and national contests and forums are also on the agenda.
75th Victory Anniversary
On May 9, the Nazi German high command signed an act of unconditional capitulation, which heralded an end to the Great Patriotic War, which had begun on June 22, 1941 when Hitler’s Third Reich and its allies invaded the Soviet Union. The Great Patriotic War was the most crucial and decisive part of World War II (1939-1945). Moreover, it was the biggest armed conflict in human history. The USSR lost 27 million people in the war, more than any other nation involved.


tass--2020-01-16--PM candidate Mishustin: Russia has enough funds to achieve all goals set by president

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Candidate for the position of Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin stated during a plenary session of the Russian State Duma on Thursday that Russia has sufficient funds to achieve all goals set by President Vladimir Putin .
`` Due to macroeconomic stability and budget surplus , we have sufficient funds to implement all goals set by the president starting in January of this year , '' Mishustin said .
Commenting on the contents of the presidential address , Mishustin noted that it should be considered as a program of social justice based on traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caring for children , family , increasing their prosperity and quality of living takes priority , '' he said .
Mishustin stressed that it is necessary to prepare all legislation on these matters in a careful manner .
The PM candidate added that work on the legislation had already begun in tandem with the parliament .
He expressed hope for the Russian State Duma ’ s support .
Mishustin has pledged to improve investment climate and ensure long money for the Russian economy .
`` The so-called ‘ long ’ money is required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic growth .
That is one of the Central Bank ’ s most important tasks .
The government ’ s financial and economic bloc will , of course , provide support and actively participate in it as previously , '' he said .
Further development of the defense complex will be one of the top-priority issues in the government ’ s work , according to Mishustin .
`` The money , funds earmarked for national projects , must work primarily in Russia ’ s Economy , go , first and foremost , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other hi-tech industrial sectors , '' he said .
`` Those enterprises , which already make such products , are successfully operating in the Russian military-industrial complex .
Its further development is a top-priority issue for us , no doubt . ''
Mishustin has set the task of increasing Russia ’ s agriculture exports .
`` We have achieved quite strong results in that field over the past several years .
We have almost fully ensured the country ’ s food security , '' he said .
`` Currently the key task is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further on , and not only of grain , but also of other farming and livestock products , '' Mishustin added .

"Due to macroeconomic stability and budget surplus, we have sufficient funds to implement all goals set by the president starting in January of this year," Mishustin said.
MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Candidate for the position of Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin stated during a plenary session of the Russian State Duma on Thursday that Russia has sufficient funds to achieve all goals set by President Vladimir Putin.
Commenting on the contents of the presidential address, Mishustin noted that it should be considered as a program of social justice based on traditional values and directed at people. "Caring for children, family, increasing their prosperity and quality of living takes priority," he said.
Mishustin stressed that it is necessary to prepare all legislation on these matters in a careful manner. The PM candidate added that work on the legislation had already begun in tandem with the parliament. He expressed hope for the Russian State Duma’s support.
Implementation of the social obligations the president named in his State of the Nation Address will require 4 trillion rubles ($64.8 bln) in 4 years, according to Mishustin.
"Today I held all consultations with Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. Of course, there are funds that were indicated in the address. For this year is about 450 billion rubles ($7.3 bln), the four-year plan needs about 4 trillion rubles," he said.
According to Mishustin, the funds will be appropriately redistributed within the budget, but will not affect any obligations of the federal budget and regional budgets.
"As for resources, they are fully available, all these decisions must be made and start working right now, from the beginning of the year, so in this sense I want to assure you that work is already underway and I hope for your support," he stressed.
Investment climate
Mishustin has pledged to improve investment climate and ensure long money for the Russian economy.
"The so-called ‘long’ money is required for a stable investment inflow, for economic growth. That is one of the Central Bank’s most important tasks. The government’s financial and economic bloc will, of course, provide support and actively participate in it as previously," he said.
Russian president "has instructed the government with being in the forefront of the country’s development, ensuring economic growth, creating new jobs," Mishustin said, adding that "it is the cornerstone of efficient social policy and, of course, the country’s social development will be stuck without high economic growth rates."
"It is also important to improve business climate for people doing business, including young people, to feel secure and protected, able to develop business, create new jobs, raise salaries," he noted.
Military industrial complex
Building up the military industrial complex will be a top-priority issue in the government’s work, Mishustin said.
"The money and resources earmarked for the National Projects, must work primarily for the Russian economy, and first and foremost go to the development of domestic machine building, and other hi-tech industries," he specified.
"Enterprises that already make such products, are successfully operating in the Russian military industrial complex. Developing it further is a top-priority issue for us, without a doubt," he added.
According to Mishustin, amid the stabilization of the state defense order, it is especially important to improve and stabilize the financial situation of defense establishments, actively diversify military industrial complex enterprises and increase the output of research-intensive civilian products."
Agriculture exports
Mishustin has set the task of increasing Russia’s agriculture exports.
"We have achieved quite strong results in that field over the past several years. We have almost fully ensured the country’s food security," he said.
"Currently the key task is to increase the potential of agriculture exports further on, and not only of grain, but also of other farming and livestock products," Mishustin added.
Inflation
Inflation in Russia should be kept at the level of 4%, Mishustin said.
"Certainly, we need to maintain macroeconomic stability in order to achieve goals named [by the Russian President in the State of the Nation Address - TASS]. It means to accumulate extra revenues to discharge assumed obligations, clearly prioritize budget expenditures and keep inflation within predetermined parameters - not above 4%," he said.
Technology development of economy
Mishustin intends to stimulate technology development of the national economy.
"Stimulation of technology development of the economy. We should endeavor to make a real breakthrough in digitalization of the real sector," Mishustin said at a plenary session in the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian diet. "Certainly, this should take place on account of the Digital Economy National Project, proactive introduction of domestic developments and domestic software," he said.
Mishustin also said that he intended to help Russian companies promote Russian digital platforms on foreign markets and develop them domestically.
"Russia has wonderful solutions and its own platforms, it is very important in this sense to help our smart people who create these digital platforms, and to help with export, in general, to determine areas where we can push and where we can develop," Mishustin said.


tass--2020-01-16--Bills on constitutional amendments may be submitted to parliament in February-March

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Bills on amendments to Russia ’ s Constitution , which President Vladimir Putin proposed in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday , will be submitted to the State Duma ( parliament 's lower house ) in February or March , a source in the Federation Council ( upper house ) told TASS .
In his Wednesday Address to the Federal Assembly Vladimir Putin suggested putting to the public vote a package of amendments to the Russian Constitution , giving wider powers to the State Duma and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the State Council and the priority of Russia ’ s fundamental law in the Russian legal space .
Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said later that Putin would sign a special decree to determine the dates and rules of the voting on amendments to the Russian Constitution .
On Wednesday , Putin signed an instruction on the working group for drafting proposals for amendments to the Russian Constitution .
The Russian Constitution was adopted in a plebiscite on December 12 , 1993 .
Over the past 25 years a number of amendments has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential term of office from four years to six and of the powers of State Duma members from four years to five , the merger of the Supreme and Arbitration courts , the appointment of 17 presidential senators , and specifications to the list of Russian federal subjects .
The basis of the Fundamental Law concerning the rights and freedoms of citizens , the functions and responsibilities of the state and the principles of federalism and power sharing has remained unchanged .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Bills on amendments to Russia’s Constitution, which President Vladimir Putin proposed in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday, will be submitted to the State Duma (parliament's lower house) in February or March, a source in the Federation Council (upper house) told TASS.
In his Wednesday Address to the Federal Assembly Vladimir Putin suggested putting to the public vote a package of amendments to the Russian Constitution, giving wider powers to the State Duma and the Federation Council, and asserting the status of the State Council and the priority of Russia’s fundamental law in the Russian legal space. Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said later that Putin would sign a special decree to determine the dates and rules of the voting on amendments to the Russian Constitution. On Wednesday, Putin signed an instruction on the working group for drafting proposals for amendments to the Russian Constitution.
The Russian Constitution was adopted in a plebiscite on December 12, 1993. Over the past 25 years a number of amendments has been made to it: extension of the presidential term of office from four years to six and of the powers of State Duma members from four years to five, the merger of the Supreme and Arbitration courts, the appointment of 17 presidential senators, and specifications to the list of Russian federal subjects. The basis of the Fundamental Law concerning the rights and freedoms of citizens, the functions and responsibilities of the state and the principles of federalism and power sharing has remained unchanged.


tass--2020-01-16--Russian PM candidate Mishustin hopes State Duma members will back him

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Mikhail Mishustin , candidate for the post of Russian prime minister , is @ @ @ @ @ lower house ) members will support his appointment .
`` I ’ m hoping , @ @ @ @ @ reporters ’ questions whether he expects lawmakers to back him .
The State Duma will @ @ @ @ @ Thursday to consider Mishustin ’ s candidacy as prime minister .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Mikhail Mishustin, candidate for the post of Russian prime minister, is hoping that State Duma (lower house) members will support his appointment.
"I’m hoping," he was brief answering reporters’ questions whether he expects lawmakers to back him.
The State Duma will hold a plenary meeting on Thursday to consider Mishustin’s candidacy as prime minister.


tass--2020-01-16--Russian paratroopers to get 7th battalion set of advanced BMD-4M, BTR-MDM combat vehicles

`` Under the state armament program , the Pskov Guards Airborne Force formation will get a battalion set of next-generation BMD-4M combat hardware in January 2020 that includes over 35 BMD-4M and BTR-MDM ‘ Rakushka ’ vehicles , '' the ministry said in a statement .
MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Paratroopers based in Pskov in Russia ’ s northwest will get a battalion set of next-generation combat hardware that includes over 35 BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicles and BTR-MDM ‘ Rakushka ’ armored personnel carriers , the Defense Ministry reported on Thursday .
The Defense Ministry will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transfer the new combat hardware to an air assault battalion of the Guards air assault regiment in Pskov .
Earlier , the combat vehicles ’ crews underwent re-training during two months at the Airborne Force ’ s training center in Omsk for junior specialists to learn to operate the new equipment .
This `` is the seventh battalion set '' of BMD-4M and BTR-MDM combat vehicles arriving for the Airborne Force , the ministry said .
As was reported earlier , Russia ’ s Airborne Force is due to receive 132 BMD-4M and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 14-tonne BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicle is armed with a 100mm gun that also serves as a launcher for Arkan anti-tank missiles with an ammunition load of 34 rounds and four missiles , a 30mm automatic cannon with an ammunition load of 500 rounds and a 7.62mm machine-gun .
The BMD-4M is capable of developing a maximum speed of 70 km/h and moving in the water at a maximum speed of 10 km/h .
The combat vehicle has a crew of three and can also transport up to five assault force personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Russian armored personnel carrier developed at the Volgograd Tractor Factory .
The 13.2-tonne combat vehicle is armed with two machine-guns .
It has a crew of two and carry up to 13 assault force personnel .
The Rakushka is designated to carry personnel ( the assault force ) , ammunition , spare parts , fuels and lubricants to Airborne Force and marine infantry units .

"Under the state armament program, the Pskov Guards Airborne Force formation will get a battalion set of next-generation BMD-4M combat hardware in January 2020 that includes over 35 BMD-4M and BTR-MDM ‘Rakushka’ vehicles," the ministry said in a statement.
MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Paratroopers based in Pskov in Russia’s northwest will get a battalion set of next-generation combat hardware that includes over 35 BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicles and BTR-MDM ‘Rakushka’ armored personnel carriers, the Defense Ministry reported on Thursday.
The Defense Ministry will hold a ceremony on January 17 to transfer the new combat hardware to an air assault battalion of the Guards air assault regiment in Pskov. Earlier, the combat vehicles’ crews underwent re-training during two months at the Airborne Force’s training center in Omsk for junior specialists to learn to operate the new equipment.
This "is the seventh battalion set" of BMD-4M and BTR-MDM combat vehicles arriving for the Airborne Force, the ministry said.
As was reported earlier, Russia’s Airborne Force is due to receive 132 BMD-4M and 58 BTR-MDM combat vehicles in 2018-2020.
The 14-tonne BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicle is armed with a 100mm gun that also serves as a launcher for Arkan anti-tank missiles with an ammunition load of 34 rounds and four missiles, a 30mm automatic cannon with an ammunition load of 500 rounds and a 7.62mm machine-gun.
The BMD-4M is capable of developing a maximum speed of 70 km/h and moving in the water at a maximum speed of 10 km/h. The combat vehicle has a crew of three and can also transport up to five assault force personnel.
The BTR-MDM ‘Rakushka’ is a Russian armored personnel carrier developed at the Volgograd Tractor Factory. The 13.2-tonne combat vehicle is armed with two machine-guns. It has a crew of two and carry up to 13 assault force personnel. The Rakushka is designated to carry personnel (the assault force), ammunition, spare parts, fuels and lubricants to Airborne Force and marine infantry units.


tass--2020-01-16--Russia’s latest minesweeper passes through Black Sea straits in Mediterranean deployment

`` For the ship ’ s crew , this is the first deployment to the long-distance maritime zone after it was accepted for service in the Black Sea Fleet , '' the press office said in a statement .
SEVASTOPOL , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Black Sea Fleet ’ s latest minesweeper Ivan Antonov is transiting the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits in its deployment to the Mediterranean Sea , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Thursday .
After the warship passes through the Black Sea straits , it will join the Russian Navy ’ s permanent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The base-type minesweeper Ivan Antonov is the third built and the second serial-produced ship of this class .
The contract for its construction was signed with Russia ’ s Defense Ministry in April 2014 .
It was laid down at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in St. Petersburg in northwestern Russia on January 25 , 2017 and floated out on April 25 , 2018 .
The latest mine countermeasures ship was delivered to the Russian Navy on January 26 , 2019 .
Project 12700 mine countermeasures vessels ( minesweepers ) have their hull made of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this solution provides for the ship ’ s higher strength compared to the steel hull .
The hull made of the monolith glass-fiber reinforced plastic has a longer service life than the hull made of low-magnetic steel while its weight is considerably smaller .
Project 12700 warships displace about 900 tonnes and are over 60 meters long and 10 meters wide .
They develop a speed of 16.5 knots and have a crew of 44 .
The warship can use various mine-sweeps , as well as remotely-operated and autonomous underwater drones .

"For the ship’s crew, this is the first deployment to the long-distance maritime zone after it was accepted for service in the Black Sea Fleet," the press office said in a statement.
SEVASTOPOL, January 16. /TASS/. The Black Sea Fleet’s latest minesweeper Ivan Antonov is transiting the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits in its deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, the Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.
After the warship passes through the Black Sea straits, it will join the Russian Navy’s permanent Mediterranean Squadron, the statement says.
The base-type minesweeper Ivan Antonov is the third built and the second serial-produced ship of this class. The contract for its construction was signed with Russia’s Defense Ministry in April 2014. It was laid down at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in St. Petersburg in northwestern Russia on January 25, 2017 and floated out on April 25, 2018. The latest mine countermeasures ship was delivered to the Russian Navy on January 26, 2019.
Project 12700 mine countermeasures vessels (minesweepers) have their hull made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic. As its advantage, this solution provides for the ship’s higher strength compared to the steel hull. The hull made of the monolith glass-fiber reinforced plastic has a longer service life than the hull made of low-magnetic steel while its weight is considerably smaller.
Project 12700 warships displace about 900 tonnes and are over 60 meters long and 10 meters wide. They develop a speed of 16.5 knots and have a crew of 44. The warship can use various mine-sweeps, as well as remotely-operated and autonomous underwater drones.


tass--2020-01-16--Lavrov says primacy of constitution over international law not a unique occurrence

`` We already have an explanation by the Constitutional Court saying that the constitution is the priority legal norm , '' he said .
`` This is not a unique occurrence ; there are similar legal norms active in Western states , namely in Germany and the UK .
The US basically says that international law is insignificant , and this is how they treat it in practice . ''
TASHKENT , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Primacy of national constitution over international law is not a unique occurrence , it exists in many Western states , Acting Russian Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commenting on what changes expect Russia on the outcomes of the amendments to its constitution proposed by President Vladimir Putin earlier .
`` I would like to note that a country begins to have international obligations by ratifying an agreement , '' Lavrov continued .
`` Ratification is documented in the federal law .
The laws must be in accordance with the constitution .
There can not be any discrepancy .
We adhere to all obligations signed by us and ratified by our parliament , which start to form part of our legislative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention obtains its status after being ratified by all states and becoming mandatory for all , it must be adhered to , '' the acting foreign minister stated .
`` The trouble is that many have a very free and reckless interpretation of international law , especially our American colleagues , '' Lavrov noted .
The acting minister added that international law usually falls behind the current international affairs .
`` International law must be formally established and approved .
In order for it to be effective , it should be universally acceptable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rule , these are conventions that are a result of long negotiations , which at times last many years .
They are then signed and ratified . ''
In Wednesday ’ s State of the Nation Address , Putin put forward a number of initiatives changing the framework of power structures at all levels , from municipal authorities to the president .
One of the initiatives includes according priority to the Russian Constitution within the Russian legal space .
`` It means that requirements of international law , verdicts and decisions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia to such an extent that does not violate human and civil rights and freedoms and does not violate our Constitution , '' Putin said .

"We already have an explanation by the Constitutional Court saying that the constitution is the priority legal norm," he said. "This is not a unique occurrence; there are similar legal norms active in Western states, namely in Germany and the UK. The US basically says that international law is insignificant, and this is how they treat it in practice."
TASHKENT, January 16. /TASS/. Primacy of national constitution over international law is not a unique occurrence, it exists in many Western states, Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday, commenting on what changes expect Russia on the outcomes of the amendments to its constitution proposed by President Vladimir Putin earlier.
"I would like to note that a country begins to have international obligations by ratifying an agreement," Lavrov continued. "Ratification is documented in the federal law. The laws must be in accordance with the constitution. There cannot be any discrepancy. We adhere to all obligations signed by us and ratified by our parliament, which start to form part of our legislative base."
"When an international convention obtains its status after being ratified by all states and becoming mandatory for all, it must be adhered to," the acting foreign minister stated. "The trouble is that many have a very free and reckless interpretation of international law, especially our American colleagues," Lavrov noted.
The acting minister added that international law usually falls behind the current international affairs. "International law must be formally established and approved. In order for it to be effective, it should be universally acceptable," he continued. "As a rule, these are conventions that are a result of long negotiations, which at times last many years. They are then signed and ratified."
In Wednesday’s State of the Nation Address, Putin put forward a number of initiatives changing the framework of power structures at all levels, from municipal authorities to the president. One of the initiatives includes according priority to the Russian Constitution within the Russian legal space. "It means that requirements of international law, verdicts and decisions of international bodies can only be enforced in Russia to such an extent that does not violate human and civil rights and freedoms and does not violate our Constitution," Putin said.


tass--2020-01-16--Washington seeks to stonewall WTO’s work, Lavrov says

`` The attempts continue to exploit the methods of unfair competition in the economic field , '' Lavrov commented .
`` Washington is trying to impose its approaches and is stonewalling the activity of the WTO where the dispute settlement body can not operate normally , '' Russia ’ s top diplomat noted .
TASHKENT , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
The US is trying to impose its stance and is hindering the work of the World Trade Organization , preventing normal operations of its dispute settlement body , Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said delivering a speech in MGIMO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Meanwhile , our US colleagues on a bilateral basis are trying to impose their solutions to global issues and don ’ t hesitate to actively employ protectionism and unilateral illegitimate economic sanctions while flagrantly abusing the dollar ’ s status , '' Lavrov said .
The future lies in the methods of building cooperation while the policy of diktat , threats and zero-sum games should be abandoned , Lavrov noted , emphasizing that there must be no trade wars or armed conflicts .
`` This is the only way to move towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems rather than immediate ones , which are aimed at addressing some domestic political events and electoral cycles , '' he pointed out .

"The attempts continue to exploit the methods of unfair competition in the economic field," Lavrov commented. "Washington is trying to impose its approaches and is stonewalling the activity of the WTO where the dispute settlement body cannot operate normally," Russia’s top diplomat noted.
TASHKENT, January 16. /TASS/. The US is trying to impose its stance and is hindering the work of the World Trade Organization, preventing normal operations of its dispute settlement body, Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said delivering a speech in MGIMO’s Tashkent branch on Thursday.
"Meanwhile, our US colleagues on a bilateral basis are trying to impose their solutions to global issues and don’t hesitate to actively employ protectionism and unilateral illegitimate economic sanctions while flagrantly abusing the dollar’s status," Lavrov said.
The future lies in the methods of building cooperation while the policy of diktat, threats and zero-sum games should be abandoned, Lavrov noted, emphasizing that there must be no trade wars or armed conflicts.
"This is the only way to move towards searching for truly sustainable solutions to global problems rather than immediate ones, which are aimed at addressing some domestic political events and electoral cycles," he pointed out.


tass--2020-01-16--Russian Communist Party to abstain from voting on prime minister candidate

`` We will abstain from voting but will see what kind of program and what kind of team Mishustin and the president will come up with , '' he stated .
MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Communist Party ’ s parliamentary faction will abstain from voting on the president ’ s candidate for prime minister , Federal Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin , party leader Gennady Zyuganov said , following a faction meeting that involved the candidate .
`` We can not vote now because we don ’ t know what his team will be like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what program he will put forward , so much will depend on the policy course that the president will choose , '' the Communist Party leader explained .
`` We did not vote on Medvedev when Putin nominated him [ for prime minister ] , we openly expressed our position on the government , '' Zyuganov added .
The Russian government led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned after President Vladimir Putin had delivered his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday .
Medvedev pointed out that he considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light of the constitutional amendments proposed by the head of state .
Putin accepted the cabinet ’ s resignation and instructed the government to continue to carry out its duties until the establishment of a new cabinet .
The president also nominated Mishustin to be the country ’ s next prime minister .
The State Duma is expected to vote on the candidate for prime minister on Thursday .

"We will abstain from voting but will see what kind of program and what kind of team Mishustin and the president will come up with," he stated.
MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. The Russian Communist Party’s parliamentary faction will abstain from voting on the president’s candidate for prime minister, Federal Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin, party leader Gennady Zyuganov said, following a faction meeting that involved the candidate.
"We cannot vote now because we don’t know what his team will be like and we also don’t know what program he will put forward, so much will depend on the policy course that the president will choose," the Communist Party leader explained.
"We did not vote on Medvedev when Putin nominated him [for prime minister], we openly expressed our position on the government," Zyuganov added.
The Russian government led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned after President Vladimir Putin had delivered his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday. Medvedev pointed out that he considered it the right thing to do in light of the constitutional amendments proposed by the head of state. Putin accepted the cabinet’s resignation and instructed the government to continue to carry out its duties until the establishment of a new cabinet. The president also nominated Mishustin to be the country’s next prime minister.
The State Duma is expected to vote on the candidate for prime minister on Thursday.


tass--2020-01-16--Public vote on Russian constitutional amendments expected to be held by May 1

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
A public vote on constitutional amendments proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in @ @ @ @ @ Nation Address to the Federal Assembly is expected to be held by May 1 , @ @ @ @ @ the Federation Council ( upper house ) told TASS on Thursday .
Vote on constitutional @ @ @ @ @ September — senator '' By May 1 , an all-Russian voluntary vote will be held @ @ @ @ @ amendments to the Constitution , the vote will take place at the weekend , '' @ @ @ @ @ procedure of holding the vote is being drawn up now , he added .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. A public vote on constitutional amendments proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly is expected to be held by May 1, 2020, a source in the Federation Council (upper house) told TASS on Thursday.
Vote on constitutional amendments may take place in September — senator
"By May 1, an all-Russian voluntary vote will be held on bills related to introducing amendments to the Constitution, the vote will take place at the weekend," the source noted.
The procedure of holding the vote is being drawn up now, he added.


tass--2020-01-16--Iran enriches uranium in greater amounts than before nuclear deal — Rouhani

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Iran currently enriches uranium in greater amounts than before the conclusion of the @ @ @ @ @ President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday .
`` Today we enrich more uranium every day @ @ @ @ @ the nuclear deal , '' the news agency ILNA quotes Rouhani as saying .
Rouhani @ @ @ @ @ the correct decision to avoid quitting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action . ''

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Iran currently enriches uranium in greater amounts than before the conclusion of the nuclear deal in 2015, President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday.
"Today we enrich more uranium every day than before the conclusion of the nuclear deal," the news agency ILNA quotes Rouhani as saying.
Rouhani believes that "Tehran made the correct decision to avoid quitting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action."


tass--2020-01-16--Press review: Putin engineers constitutional change and picks low-profile tax chief as PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s surprise announcement of a series of constitutional changes during his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly and the government ’ s resignation shortly after dominated the headlines in the Russian press on Thursday .
The key idea of the proposed amendments is to improve Russia ’ s state system through the separation of powers between the branches , Vedomosti writes .
Russia ’ s lower house , the State Duma , will mostly benefit from the anticipated changes .
Putin suggested that Russian lawmakers should approve the prime minister as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ civil ’ ministers proposed by the premier , while the president will have to appoint them .
However , Russia will remain a strong presidential republic since the head of state will retain his right to outline the tasks and priorities of the government , sack the premier and ministers and will also directly control the security agencies .
In addition , the president will be able to serve no more than two terms , and the word `` consecutive '' will be removed from the clause in the Constitution .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off in Russia , but the particular changes and their consequences will become clear as soon as the text of the constitutional amendments is written down , Dmitry Badovsky , the head of a non-profit foundation , the Institute for Social , Economic and Political Studies , told Vedomosti .
Putin is seeking to create a structure that would operate for a lengthy amount of years to come , including without his personal participation , Head of the Civil Society Development Foundation Konstantin Kostin said .
`` This is like a chess game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chess moves by 2024 .
But it is too early to speak about the final configuration now . ''
Political scientist Alexander Kynev believes that the proposed measures signal that a power transfer in Russia could be carried out along a modified Kazakh scenario , with the separation of functions between top officials , the State Council and the Constitutional Court .
Experts told Kommersant that the upcoming changes may be linked to the 2024 presidential elections , and Putin is likely to decide against running .
A source close to the Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lead the ruling party , which will have control over the government while the next president will have to take this into account .
The source did not rule out that Putin could move to the State Council or the Security Council .
`` Everything depends on how the powers that the president has mentioned will be changed , '' he said .
The news on Wednesday that the Russian government will resign came like a bolt from the blue , Izvestia writes .
Russian President Vladimir Putin nominated the little-known head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s prime minister .
On Thursday , Russia ’ s lower house of parliament , the State Duma , is likely to approve the nomination .
The United Russia Party , the Communist Party and A Just Russia Party are ready to back the candidate , Izvestia writes .
The rest of the cabinet will be formed after Putin meets with the acting ministers .
Sources in the United Russia Party said that despite his resignation , Dmitry Medvedev could retain the post of party leader .
According to experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triggered by launching a reset of the Russian political system and the upcoming power shift .
Political analyst Konstantin Kalachev believes that Putin ’ s decision to pick Mishustin as the new premier is related to his political neutrality , and he is also known in the business and corporate community .
Meanwhile , the new head of the government is unlikely to become Putin ’ s successor .
All officials interviewed by Vedomosti have described the choice as a surprise but a good one .
Taxation is the only sector that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state administration .
The Russian Tax Service is one of the best in the world in terms of collecting taxes and developing technologies , an official linked to the financial system said .
Mishustin is known in the government as a good administrator and his service was a lifesaver during the crisis , a high-ranking official said .
Now Mishustin will be tasked with fulfilling Putin ’ s economic program , namely the National Projects to the tune of 26 trillion rubles ( $ 424 bln ) up to 2024 .
The program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth were among the reasons Medvedev ’ s government came under fire , the paper says .
Mishustin ’ s major achievement is turning the tax-collecting agency into a service tool , said Partner at Taxology Alexei Artyukh .
He reformed the administration of major taxpayers and businesses can coordinate deals in advance in exchange for the Tax Service ’ s access to companies ’ accounting systems .
If these approaches are extended to other services , this would result in huge progress , he said .
The Democrats continue to suffer losses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped US President Donald Trump from gaining ground .
According to analysts interviewed by Izvestia , the impeachment expectations by Trump ’ s opponents do not live up to reality .
In order to save face , the Democrats will insist on questioning new witnesses during the trial in the Senate , for example ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton , who was present during Trump ’ s conversation with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky .
However , even if new evidence emerges , the US leader will be justified by his fellow party members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial in the Senate will last .
The Senate-led impeachment trial for Trump is expected to start on January 21 , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said .
Opinion polls show that the share of Trump ’ s impeachment supporters and opponents is nearly the same .
According to Edward Lozansky , President of the American University in Moscow , Trump ’ s positions would have been stronger if Washington had not carried out the Baghdad airport drone strike assassinating Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani .
The US leader could have lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value his promises to end all wars started by his predecessors , the expert noted .
`` They obviously disliked the Iranian gamble , which could trigger a new war , and this has affected the latest opinion polls .
However , ahead of the first primaries in Iowa , 91 % of Republicans are still against impeachment , '' he said .
According to Anders Aslund , a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council , everything is not going the way the Democrats had sought .
They apparently expected that Trump would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this failed to occur .
Next week it will become clear whether the Senate plans to question witnesses .
In case some Republican senators push for this , some `` devastating '' things could occur , according to the expert .
However , he believes that it is very unlikely that former White House National Security Adviser John Bolton will testify .
Lozansky notes that if more compromising materials emerge during the trial , this could hurt Trump .
However , there is still a chance that the Trump impeachment trial won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for rejecting all the accusations by the House of Representatives , he said .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : New US ambassador to Russia destined to mirror Trump ’ s predicament Washington ’ s new Ambassador to Russia , John Sullivan , is due to arrive in Moscow on Thursday .
The US Embassy said its new chief hopes to boost cooperation with Russia .
However , Sullivan ’ s good intentions could be derailed by Washington , experts told Nezavisimaya Gazeta .
Sullivan has vowed to focus on US-Russian cooperation in combating terrorism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation in arms control , security in the Arctic and sexual minorities ’ rights .
`` Obviously , John Sullivan seeks to reanimate , revitalize and breathe new life into a stalled bilateral Russian-US dialogue .
But there must be the understanding that his possibilities will be very limited , '' Director of the Institute of the USA and Canadian Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Valery Garbuzov told the paper .
According to the commentator , the US envoy ’ s activity will be limited due to the sanctions war that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Russia since the Ukrainian crisis started in 2014 .
`` Sullivan ’ s good intentions will be blocked regardless of his will .
In a certain sense , he is doomed to involuntarily mirror the behavior of Trump , whose rhetoric is pro-Russian rhetoric but his steps are anti-Russian , '' the expert noted .
Sullivan ’ s predecessor Jon Huntsman also sincerely wished to improve bilateral ties , but he failed to do so .
Currently , the 2020 presidential campaign in the US is in full swing and this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start mending Russian-US relations , the paper says .
The upcoming Berlin-hosted conference on Libya is unlikely to be a major success as Khalifa Haftar , the defiant Commander of the Libyan National Army , won ’ t cool off until he gains control over the entire country , experts interviewed by Izvestia said .
According to Russian diplomatic sources , Moscow doubts that Germany will be able to reconcile the two rival Libyan groups , especially since Tobruk announced on January 15 that fighting in the country ’ s east had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional states are ready to accept the fact that Libya will be fully controlled by Haftar .
`` The success of talks in Berlin on January 19 will depend on those steps that the sides will take before this date .
In Moscow , both parties actually announced their intentions , pointing out what needs to be done , '' expert at the Russian International Affairs Council Maxim Suchkov said .
In this situation , it is more advantageous for Russia to back one party and act as its broker .
Even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berlin , it is very unlikely that the two Libyan groups will achieve a long-lasting ceasefire deal since no matter what Haftar will keep his finger on the trigger , said Giuseppe Dentice , an associate fellow at Italy ’ s think tank , the Institute for International Political Studies ( ISPI ) .
Karim Mezran , a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council , believes that the talks in Berlin will be a fiasco .
Haftar ’ s allies , the United Arab Emirates and Egypt , have untied his hands and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop until he gains control over all of Libya .
At a certain point , this scenario could satisfy the Europeans , the expert said .
For many EU countries , a stable Libya under a tough dictator is more preferable than an unstable but transparent republic , he explained .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Media: Major constitutional reform proposed by Putin kick-starts power transfer
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s surprise announcement of a series of constitutional changes during his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly and the government’s resignation shortly after dominated the headlines in the Russian press on Thursday. The key idea of the proposed amendments is to improve Russia’s state system through the separation of powers between the branches, Vedomosti writes. Russia’s lower house, the State Duma, will mostly benefit from the anticipated changes. Putin suggested that Russian lawmakers should approve the prime minister as well as all deputy prime ministers and ‘civil’ ministers proposed by the premier, while the president will have to appoint them. However, Russia will remain a strong presidential republic since the head of state will retain his right to outline the tasks and priorities of the government, sack the premier and ministers and will also directly control the security agencies. In addition, the president will be able to serve no more than two terms, and the word "consecutive" will be removed from the clause in the Constitution. No doubt, a power shift has kicked off in Russia, but the particular changes and their consequences will become clear as soon as the text of the constitutional amendments is written down, Dmitry Badovsky, the head of a non-profit foundation, the Institute for Social, Economic and Political Studies, told Vedomosti. Putin is seeking to create a structure that would operate for a lengthy amount of years to come, including without his personal participation, Head of the Civil Society Development Foundation Konstantin Kostin said. "This is like a chess game: he is making room for more chess moves by 2024. But it is too early to speak about the final configuration now." Political scientist Alexander Kynev believes that the proposed measures signal that a power transfer in Russia could be carried out along a modified Kazakh scenario, with the separation of functions between top officials, the State Council and the Constitutional Court. Experts told Kommersant that the upcoming changes may be linked to the 2024 presidential elections, and Putin is likely to decide against running. A source close to the Kremlin believes that by 2024 Putin is expected to lead the ruling party, which will have control over the government while the next president will have to take this into account. The source did not rule out that Putin could move to the State Council or the Security Council. "Everything depends on how the powers that the president has mentioned will be changed," he said. Media: Putin picks tax chief as new prime minister
The news on Wednesday that the Russian government will resign came like a bolt from the blue, Izvestia writes. Russian President Vladimir Putin nominated the little-known head of the Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin as the country’s prime minister. On Thursday, Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, is likely to approve the nomination. The United Russia Party, the Communist Party and A Just Russia Party are ready to back the candidate, Izvestia writes. The rest of the cabinet will be formed after Putin meets with the acting ministers. Sources in the United Russia Party said that despite his resignation, Dmitry Medvedev could retain the post of party leader. According to experts, the surprise shake-up could have been triggered by launching a reset of the Russian political system and the upcoming power shift. Political analyst Konstantin Kalachev believes that Putin’s decision to pick Mishustin as the new premier is related to his political neutrality, and he is also known in the business and corporate community. Meanwhile, the new head of the government is unlikely to become Putin’s successor. All officials interviewed by Vedomosti have described the choice as a surprise but a good one. Taxation is the only sector that has demonstrated a breakthrough in Russia’s state administration. The Russian Tax Service is one of the best in the world in terms of collecting taxes and developing technologies, an official linked to the financial system said. Mishustin is known in the government as a good administrator and his service was a lifesaver during the crisis, a high-ranking official said. Now Mishustin will be tasked with fulfilling Putin’s economic program, namely the National Projects to the tune of 26 trillion rubles ($424 bln) up to 2024. The program’s slow implementation and weak economic growth were among the reasons Medvedev’s government came under fire, the paper says. Mishustin’s major achievement is turning the tax-collecting agency into a service tool, said Partner at Taxology Alexei Artyukh. He reformed the administration of major taxpayers and businesses can coordinate deals in advance in exchange for the Tax Service’s access to companies’ accounting systems. If these approaches are extended to other services, this would result in huge progress, he said. Izvestia: Impeachment crusade against Trump enters final stage
Read also House of Representatives sends Trump's impeachment charges to Senate
The Democrats continue to suffer losses over the impeachment effort that has not stopped US President Donald Trump from gaining ground. According to analysts interviewed by Izvestia, the impeachment expectations by Trump’s opponents do not live up to reality. In order to save face, the Democrats will insist on questioning new witnesses during the trial in the Senate, for example ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton, who was present during Trump’s conversation with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. However, even if new evidence emerges, the US leader will be justified by his fellow party members. The only question is how long the trial in the Senate will last. The Senate-led impeachment trial for Trump is expected to start on January 21, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. Opinion polls show that the share of Trump’s impeachment supporters and opponents is nearly the same. According to Edward Lozansky, President of the American University in Moscow, Trump’s positions would have been stronger if Washington had not carried out the Baghdad airport drone strike assassinating Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani. The US leader could have lost several points because some of his voters value his promises to end all wars started by his predecessors, the expert noted. "They obviously disliked the Iranian gamble, which could trigger a new war, and this has affected the latest opinion polls. However, ahead of the first primaries in Iowa, 91% of Republicans are still against impeachment," he said. According to Anders Aslund, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, everything is not going the way the Democrats had sought. They apparently expected that Trump would lose ground among the Republicans, but this failed to occur. Next week it will become clear whether the Senate plans to question witnesses. In case some Republican senators push for this, some "devastating" things could occur, according to the expert. However, he believes that it is very unlikely that former White House National Security Adviser John Bolton will testify. Lozansky notes that if more compromising materials emerge during the trial, this could hurt Trump. However, there is still a chance that the Trump impeachment trial won’t take place if the Republicans vote for rejecting all the accusations by the House of Representatives, he said. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: New US ambassador to Russia destined to mirror Trump’s predicament
Read also New US Ambassador John Sullivan to arrive in Moscow on Thursday
Washington’s new Ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, is due to arrive in Moscow on Thursday. The US Embassy said its new chief hopes to boost cooperation with Russia. However, Sullivan’s good intentions could be derailed by Washington, experts told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Sullivan has vowed to focus on US-Russian cooperation in combating terrorism. Among other priorities, the diplomat named cooperation in arms control, security in the Arctic and sexual minorities’ rights. "Obviously, John Sullivan seeks to reanimate, revitalize and breathe new life into a stalled bilateral Russian-US dialogue. But there must be the understanding that his possibilities will be very limited," Director of the Institute of the USA and Canadian Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Valery Garbuzov told the paper. According to the commentator, the US envoy’s activity will be limited due to the sanctions war that the US political elite has been waging against Russia since the Ukrainian crisis started in 2014. "Sullivan’s good intentions will be blocked regardless of his will. In a certain sense, he is doomed to involuntarily mirror the behavior of Trump, whose rhetoric is pro-Russian rhetoric but his steps are anti-Russian," the expert noted. Sullivan’s predecessor Jon Huntsman also sincerely wished to improve bilateral ties, but he failed to do so. Currently, the 2020 presidential campaign in the US is in full swing and this is not the best time for any attempts to start mending Russian-US relations, the paper says. Izvestia: Berlin conference unlikely to reconcile Libya’s warring parties


tass--2020-01-16--Outgoing PM Dmitry Medvedev's most memorable quotes

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev-led government tendered its resignation on January 15 .
Medvedev has chaired the Russian Cabinet since May 8 , 2012 .
He has been in office for seven years and eight months .
TASS has compiled a collection of Dmitry Medvedev ’ s brightest remarks on various subjects made over the period of his premiership .
About Vladimir Putin and himself '' In everyday life we are just friends .
Perhaps , few will believe this , but it is true that we are not competitors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been so for 20 years .
Otherwise I would ’ ve never made a political career in Moscow… Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and yours truly are both responsible people .
We are pragmatic politicians and not daydreamers , we should proceed from the understanding of what is the easiest way of achieving the declared political aims . ''
( at a meeting with supporters in Moscow on October 15 , 2001 ) .
`` I ’ m still a young politician .
I ’ ve not ruled out running again if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I ’ m not planning to leave politics in the near future .
If people are tired of me and say goodbye to me then I 'll start writing my memoirs . ''
( in an interview to The Times , UK , in July 2012 ) .
`` May everybody feel free to criticize President Putin and Prime Minister Medvedev .
The way I see it , this is what democracy is all about , an absolutely normal situation .
It will go on like this in the social networks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Finland ’ s Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen on November 14 , 2012 ) .
`` I ’ m still a more seasoned fighter than many of my comrades .
I told them [ members of the government — TASS ] : `` Guys , take it easy , keep working , because sooner or later you will all be fired .
This is how life works . ''
( in the program Central Television on the NTV channel on May 26 , 2013 ) .
`` Colleagues , there can be no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only one boss , it ’ s me , and you all will speak when I tell you it ’ s your turn . ''
( at a meeting on road safety on March 29 , 2013 ) .
`` Very often ... at the end of a government meeting , when the media aren ’ t in the room anymore ( generally I ask all those invited to leave , thanking them for their participation , and leave only the members of the government ) , I brief them on the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s policy ’ , as it was often said in Soviet times .
In other words , I point out certain shortcomings in their work . ''
( From the “ In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev ” program on December 5 , 2019 ) .
`` Party membership cards need to be upgraded .
< ... > It would be even cooler to plant a chip under the skin , so that no party member should have a chance to escape anywhere ... Then it would immediately be clear where any party member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a speech at a meeting of the General Council of the United Russia party on May 26 , 2012 ) .
About the search for sources of government revenue '' We need , perhaps , not extraordinary , but generally new ideas about where to get the money from . ''
( at a government meeting on the long-term tariff policy on rail transport on August 6 , 2012 ) .
`` There just isn ’ t any money now… You all just hang in there .
Best wishes !
Cheers ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Feodosiya on May 23 , 2016 ) .
`` The most important thing is the well-being of the people and their feelings .
If they understand that their incomes are stable or even better that they ’ re growing , then that ’ s good .
If they think that their material well-being is deteriorating , then that ’ s very bad , it ’ s an alarming signal for the state . ''
( From the “ In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev ” program on December 5 , 2019 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most difficult decisions for me and the government and for the president of the country was the decision on pension reform .
It was very complicated , tense , and in some ways [ it ] involved uneasy expectations .
Frankly , I didn ’ t want to make such a decision , that ’ s absolutely clear .
But it had to be adopted , so that our economy could develop and our people live under normal conditions .
To let the financial system work and prevent it from suffocating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult and dramatic decisions . ''
( From the “ In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev ” program on December 5 , 2019 ) .
About the development of competition '' Many of the people who have been taking seats at this desk for decades ( of the Russian government — TASS ) are not interested in any competition simply because they defend the position of their industry , but it should not be so .
Therefore , if we are to press for competition in earnest , we need to start struggling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Open Government on June 27 , 2012 ) .
`` It doesn ’ t matter what color the cat is , as long as it catches mice .
Regarding privatization , it doesn ’ t matter who the buyer is , provided good money is paid . ''
( From the “ In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev ” program on December 5 , 2019 ) .
`` Whatever the Ukrainian rulers may say , the blackout [ the cutoff of electricity supplies to Crimea from Ukraine — TASS ] is nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boorish attitude , as the people say .
Well , what can I call it ?
An outrage .
Period . ''
( in an interview with Russian TV channels on December 9 , 2015 ) .
`` Our Western partners sometimes behave like a bull in a china shop .
They burst in , ruin everything inside , and then get curious what to do about it . ''
( in an interview with Russia Today , August 4 , 2013 ) .
`` We had hoped until the very last moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions are a dead end , that nobody needs them .
But they haven ’ t realized this yet . ''
( at a meeting of the Russian government on August 7 , 2014 ) .
`` We ’ ll never ask for these sanctions to be lifted .
They ’ ll come and say : Let ’ s finally put an end to this because nobody is better off with it ; everyone is only the worse off . ''
( in an interview to Time magazine , February 15 , 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel better ?
By the way , the Americans just do not care a bit , because they still have about $ 25-billion trade with us .
They didn ’ t lose anything .
< ... > While the Europeans saw a slump by half . ''
( From the “ In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev ” program on December 5 , 2019 ) .
About relations with partners in the WTO '' We have been kept in the antechamber for 17 years , where we persistently tried to prove that we deserved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now we have every right to demand compliance with the established rules and norms from other countries participating in the WTO .
No need to be shy .
It is appropriate to fight back where it ’ s reasonable and legal ! ''
( making the annual government report to the State Duma on April 22 , 2014 ) .
About nostalgia for the Soviet Union '' If you don ’ t discard bad things , it will be impossible to live on .
That ’ s how human memory works .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the Soviet Union can not be idealized .
I will tell you frankly .
A vast majority of modern youth would ’ ve been unable to live there .
< ... > But it should not be looked at as a blank spot by any means .
The Soviet Union is our history — controversial , but very important . ''
( From the “ In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev ” program on December 5 , 2019 ) .
`` In Scandinavia , the climate is not better than ours .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ours .
But engineering and construction standards are respected there and far less is stolen . ''
( in a distance conference on ways of improving the quality of regional and municipal roads on April 29 , 2016 ) .
`` It is a calling [ the profession of a teacher — TASS ] .
If you want to make money , there are lots of wonderful places where you can do this faster and better . ''
( at a meeting with participants of the Terra Scientia forum on August 4 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should hurry until an artificial superintelligence comes to power and changes our bodies and presses the ‘ delete ’ button in order to reset our minds . ''
( from a speech at the Open Innovations forum in Skolkovo , October 23 , 2017 ) .
`` I can not say anything about the Nobel Prize .
Probably , getting it is no more difficult than becoming a world football champion . ''
( at a meeting of the organizing committee for the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At a certain point I had an idea of writing a doctorate only to eventually decide that I won ’ t do it .
Because it will look very funny . ''
( at a meeting with post-graduate students of Russian universities on March 26 , 2013 ) .
`` When they call me Dimon on the Internet , it ’ s completely normal .
It ’ s human touch .
That ’ s the kind of environment you encounter there .
< ... > Dimon ?
Well , they called me this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s childish , I don ’ t mind . ''
( in an interview with the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda May 22 , 2013 ) .
`` Being in good shape and having a smile on my face — that ’ s my philosophy of life . ''
( at a meeting with students of the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys on January 24 , 2014 ) .
`` In general , I am an optimist .
Everything will be fine in the historical perspective .
For now it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if , in the long run , everything had not been fine in the historical perspective . ''
( From the “ In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev ” program on December 5 , 2019 ) .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev-led government tendered its resignation on January 15. Medvedev has chaired the Russian Cabinet since May 8, 2012. He has been in office for seven years and eight months.
TASS has compiled a collection of Dmitry Medvedev’s brightest remarks on various subjects made over the period of his premiership.
About Vladimir Putin and himself
"In everyday life we are just friends. Perhaps, few will believe this, but it is true that we are not competitors, but close associates and friends. It’s been so for 20 years. Otherwise I would’ve never made a political career in Moscow… Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and yours truly are both responsible people. We are pragmatic politicians and not daydreamers, we should proceed from the understanding of what is the easiest way of achieving the declared political aims." (at a meeting with supporters in Moscow on October 15, 2001).
About political career
"I’m still a young politician. I’ve not ruled out running again if that's of interest to the people and I’m not planning to leave politics in the near future. If people are tired of me and say goodbye to me then I'll start writing my memoirs." (in an interview to The Times, UK, in July 2012).
About criticism
"May everybody feel free to criticize President Putin and Prime Minister Medvedev. The way I see it, this is what democracy is all about, an absolutely normal situation. It will go on like this in the social networks." (at a joint news conference with Finland’s Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen on November 14, 2012).
About rumors of resignation
"I’m still a more seasoned fighter than many of my comrades. I told them [members of the government — TASS]: "Guys, take it easy, keep working, because sooner or later you will all be fired. This is how life works." (in the program Central Television on the NTV channel on May 26, 2013).
About subordination
"Colleagues, there can be no democracy. Here, there’s only one boss, it’s me, and you all will speak when I tell you it’s your turn." (at a meeting on road safety on March 29, 2013).
"Very often ... at the end of a government meeting, when the media aren’t in the room anymore (generally I ask all those invited to leave, thanking them for their participation, and leave only the members of the government), I brief them on the right way to understand the ‘party’s policy’, as it was often said in Soviet times. In other words, I point out certain shortcomings in their work." (From the “In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev” program on December 5, 2019).
About party affiliation
"Party membership cards need to be upgraded. <...> It would be even cooler to plant a chip under the skin, so that no party member should have a chance to escape anywhere ... Then it would immediately be clear where any party member spent the night." (from a speech at a meeting of the General Council of the United Russia party on May 26, 2012).
About the search for sources of government revenue
"We need, perhaps, not extraordinary, but generally new ideas about where to get the money from." (at a government meeting on the long-term tariff policy on rail transport on August 6, 2012).
About lack of budget money
"There just isn’t any money now… You all just hang in there. Best wishes! Cheers!" (at a meeting with local residents in Feodosiya on May 23, 2016).
About people’s incomes
"The most important thing is the well-being of the people and their feelings. If they understand that their incomes are stable or even better that they’re growing, then that’s good. If they think that their material well-being is deteriorating, then that’s very bad, it’s an alarming signal for the state." (From the “In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev” program on December 5, 2019).
About the most difficult decision
"One of the most difficult decisions for me and the government and for the president of the country was the decision on pension reform. It was very complicated, tense, and in some ways [it] involved uneasy expectations. Frankly, I didn’t want to make such a decision, that’s absolutely clear. But it had to be adopted, so that our economy could develop and our people live under normal conditions. To let the financial system work and prevent it from suffocating. It was one of the most difficult and dramatic decisions." (From the “In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev” program on December 5, 2019).
About the development of competition
"Many of the people who have been taking seats at this desk for decades (of the Russian government — TASS) are not interested in any competition simply because they defend the position of their industry, but it should not be so. Therefore, if we are to press for competition in earnest, we need to start struggling with ourselves." (at a meeting of the Open Government on June 27, 2012).
About privatization
"It doesn’t matter what color the cat is, as long as it catches mice. Regarding privatization, it doesn’t matter who the buyer is, provided good money is paid." (From the “In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev” program on December 5, 2019).
About relations with Ukraine
"Whatever the Ukrainian rulers may say, the blackout [the cutoff of electricity supplies to Crimea from Ukraine — TASS] is nothing but genocide. It's a completely boorish attitude, as the people say. Well, what can I call it? An outrage. Period." (in an interview with Russian TV channels on December 9, 2015).
About Western partners
"Our Western partners sometimes behave like a bull in a china shop. They burst in, ruin everything inside, and then get curious what to do about it." (in an interview with Russia Today, August 4, 2013).
About Western sanctions
"We had hoped until the very last moment that our foreign colleges would understand that sanctions are a dead end, that nobody needs them. But they haven’t realized this yet." (at a meeting of the Russian government on August 7, 2014).
"We’ll never ask for these sanctions to be lifted. They’ll come and say: Let’s finally put an end to this because nobody is better off with it; everyone is only the worse off." (in an interview to Time magazine, February 15, 2016).
"Whom has it helped feel better? By the way, the Americans just do not care a bit, because they still have about $25-billion trade with us. They didn’t lose anything. <...> While the Europeans saw a slump by half." (From the “In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev” program on December 5, 2019).
About relations with partners in the WTO
"We have been kept in the antechamber for 17 years, where we persistently tried to prove that we deserved entry into the world trade community ... Now we have every right to demand compliance with the established rules and norms from other countries participating in the WTO. No need to be shy. It is appropriate to fight back where it’s reasonable and legal!" (making the annual government report to the State Duma on April 22, 2014).
About nostalgia for the Soviet Union
"If you don’t discard bad things, it will be impossible to live on. That’s how human memory works. There is certain idealization. <...> But the Soviet Union cannot be idealized. I will tell you frankly. A vast majority of modern youth would’ve been unable to live there. <...> But it should not be looked at as a blank spot by any means. The Soviet Union is our history — controversial, but very important." (From the “In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev” program on December 5, 2019).
About the roads
"In Scandinavia, the climate is not better than ours. And in Canada it is not better than ours. But engineering and construction standards are respected there and far less is stolen." (in a distance conference on ways of improving the quality of regional and municipal roads on April 29, 2016).
About low school teacher salaries
"It is a calling [the profession of a teacher — TASS]. If you want to make money, there are lots of wonderful places where you can do this faster and better." (at a meeting with participants of the Terra Scientia forum on August 4 2016).
About artificial intelligence
"Governments around the world should hurry until an artificial superintelligence comes to power and changes our bodies and presses the ‘delete’ button in order to reset our minds." (from a speech at the Open Innovations forum in Skolkovo, October 23, 2017).
About the Nobel Prize
"I cannot say anything about the Nobel Prize. Probably, getting it is no more difficult than becoming a world football champion." (at a meeting of the organizing committee for the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements on February 6, 2019).
About the doctoral dissertation
"At a certain point I had an idea of writing a doctorate only to eventually decide that I won’t do it. Because it will look very funny." (at a meeting with post-graduate students of Russian universities on March 26, 2013).
About the nickname
"When they call me Dimon on the Internet, it’s completely normal. It’s human touch. That’s the kind of environment you encounter there. <...> Dimon? Well, they called me this way when I was a boy. That’s childish, I don’t mind." (in an interview with the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda May 22, 2013).
About philosophy in life
"Being in good shape and having a smile on my face — that’s my philosophy of life." (at a meeting with students of the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys on January 24, 2014).
"In general, I am an optimist. Everything will be fine in the historical perspective. For now it will be difficult. Humanity would have disappeared altogether if, in the long run, everything had not been fine in the historical perspective." (From the “In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev” program on December 5, 2019).


tass--2020-01-16--About $7.3 bln needed to implement president’s address in 2020 — PM candidate Mishustin

`` We have enough funds to support all decisions that were formulated in the address , '' he assured .
`` We worked on the address from the point of view of calculations .
I participated in meetings with the president .
About 450 bln rubles should be used this year , '' Mishustin stated .
MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Implementation of the tasks set by the Russian president in his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly will require about 450 bln rubles ( $ 7.3 bln ) in 2020 , prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mishustin called national projects an excellent tool for achieving the goals set by Vladimir Putin .
`` This includes fighting against poverty , issues related to education , demography , medicine , development of our companies , [ eliminating ] unnecessary barriers to business , '' Mishustin specified .
Mishustin made a statement earlier that if he is appointed as prime minister , he will in the first place deal with removing barriers for business .
`` The most important thing is to remove barriers for business , reduce costs for business , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business , '' Mishustin said on Thursday at a meeting with deputies of the United Russia faction in the State Duma .
`` These are the most important issues that I will immediately consider from the first days , '' Mishustin added .
He called the situation in the Russian economy stable .
`` We have a fairly stable situation , because the Russian National Wealth Fund is decent , gold and currency reserves — this all stabilizes the situation quite well .
We have inflation , I think it will not exceed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he continued .
`` Of course , the first thing that needs to be done is to seriously engage in institutional , management reforms , '' Mishustin said .
`` Of course , [ we need ] to bring in the latest information technologies .
I will deal with programs , Digital Economy national project .
Without a doubt , the state should be a digital platform that is created for people , '' he said .
In his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday , Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Constitution , including vesting the State Duma with powers to approve the prime minister , deputy prime ministers and federal ministers .
Putin instructed Dmitry Medvedev ’ s outgoing government to perform its duties until a new Cabinet is formed .
He also nominated Russian Federal Tax Service Head Mikhail Mishustin for the position of the Russian prime minister .
Russia ’ s State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) will hold a plenary session on Thursday to consider Mishustin for the position of prime minister .

"We have enough funds to support all decisions that were formulated in the address," he assured.
"We worked on the address from the point of view of calculations. I participated in meetings with the president. About 450 bln rubles should be used this year," Mishustin stated.
MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Implementation of the tasks set by the Russian president in his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly will require about 450 bln rubles ($7.3 bln) in 2020, prime minister candidate Mikhail Mishustin said on Thursday.
Mishustin called national projects an excellent tool for achieving the goals set by Vladimir Putin. "This includes fighting against poverty, issues related to education, demography, medicine, development of our companies, [eliminating] unnecessary barriers to business," Mishustin specified.
Mishustin made a statement earlier that if he is appointed as prime minister, he will in the first place deal with removing barriers for business. "The most important thing is to remove barriers for business, reduce costs for business, in any case, talk significantly with business," Mishustin said on Thursday at a meeting with deputies of the United Russia faction in the State Duma. "These are the most important issues that I will immediately consider from the first days," Mishustin added.
He called the situation in the Russian economy stable. "We have a fairly stable situation, because the Russian National Wealth Fund is decent, gold and currency reserves — this all stabilizes the situation quite well. We have inflation, I think it will not exceed 4%, this is obvious," he continued.
"Of course, the first thing that needs to be done is to seriously engage in institutional, management reforms," Mishustin said. "Of course, [we need] to bring in the latest information technologies. I will deal with programs, Digital Economy national project. Without a doubt, the state should be a digital platform that is created for people," he said.
In his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested amending the country’s Constitution, including vesting the State Duma with powers to approve the prime minister, deputy prime ministers and federal ministers.
Putin instructed Dmitry Medvedev’s outgoing government to perform its duties until a new Cabinet is formed. He also nominated Russian Federal Tax Service Head Mikhail Mishustin for the position of the Russian prime minister. Russia’s State Duma (lower house of parliament) will hold a plenary session on Thursday to consider Mishustin for the position of prime minister.


tass--2020-01-16--Gazprom Neft CEO says operations in Iraq continue despite regional tensions

US Secretary of State Pompeo ‘ outraged ’ by attack on Iraqi air base MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ @ @ @ @ @ production operations at its Iraqi projects despite the regional tensions , Chief Executive Officer of @ @ @ @ @ Dyukov told reporters on Thursday .
`` Production is underway as usual , '' he @ @

US Secretary of State Pompeo ‘outraged’ by attack on Iraqi air base
MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Gazprom Neft continues crude production operations at its Iraqi projects despite the regional tensions, Chief Executive Officer of the Russian oil company Alexander Dyukov told reporters on Thursday.
"Production is underway as usual," he said.
The situation in Iraq deteriorated at the end of last year following US strikes against Shiite groups in the city of al-Qaim in the vicinity of the border with Syria, which left 27 militias dead. In response, Shiite activists stormed the US embassy in Baghdad on December 31. Anti-American protests have intensified in the country since then.
Against this background, US petroleum corporation Chevron informed that it evacuated all of its American oil workers from Iraq.


tass--2020-01-16--Russia delivers large batch of night vision devices to African country

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Shvabe Holding Company ( part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec ) has delivered a large batch of night-imaging monoculars to an African country , the Rostec press office reported on Thursday .
`` The Shvabe Holding Company of Rostec State Corporation has exported a large batch of night vision monoculars in the interests of one of the countries on the African continent .
The device is equipped with second-and third-generation electro-optic converters and also with infrared illumination , '' the press office said .
The Rostec press office declined to specify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sum of the deal , saying , however , that the African customer had received PN21K monoculars produced by the Novosibirsk Instrument-Making Factory ( part of the Shvabe Holding Company ) .
The device is distinguished by its compact size , can be equipped with various lenses and mounted on the head or the helmet .
`` In 2020 , another large contract will be implemented for the delivery of similar items , '' the press office quoted Rostec Executive Director Oleg Yevtushenko as saying .
Last year , the PN21K monocular was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Museums international event who watched the life of flora and fauna with its help at the Novosibirsk Zoo .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. The Shvabe Holding Company (part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) has delivered a large batch of night-imaging monoculars to an African country, the Rostec press office reported on Thursday.
"The Shvabe Holding Company of Rostec State Corporation has exported a large batch of night vision monoculars in the interests of one of the countries on the African continent. The device is equipped with second-and third-generation electro-optic converters and also with infrared illumination," the press office said.
The Rostec press office declined to specify the amount of the batch and the sum of the deal, saying, however, that the African customer had received PN21K monoculars produced by the Novosibirsk Instrument-Making Factory (part of the Shvabe Holding Company). The device is distinguished by its compact size, can be equipped with various lenses and mounted on the head or the helmet.
"In 2020, another large contract will be implemented for the delivery of similar items," the press office quoted Rostec Executive Director Oleg Yevtushenko as saying.
Last year, the PN21K monocular was tested by visitors of the Night of Museums international event who watched the life of flora and fauna with its help at the Novosibirsk Zoo.