tass--2020-01-25--Austria supports Nord Stream-2 project as it is profitable for Europe - Russian ambassador

VIENNA , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Austria ’ s government supports the implementation of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project because it is in the interests of entire Europe , Russian Ambassador to Vienna Dmitry Lyubinsky said in an interview with the Ober·sterreichische Nachrichten newspaper .
He noted that some of the Western mass media and politicians tend to demonize Russia , especially in the context of the Nord Stream-2 project .
But pragmatic Europeans , in his words , see the advantages of this project .
`` Nord Stream-2 is profitable for Austria and entire Europe .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has repeatedly voiced its support to the implementation of this project , '' Lyubinsky said .
Austria continues to be Russia ’ s most important and reliable economic partner in Europe , the ambassador said .
The Russian diplomat stressed that Moscow and Vienna have a vast potential for cooperation on the basis of the agreement reached in the previous years .
According to the Russian diplomat , relations between Austria and Russia are characterized by mutual understanding and trust , as well as by respect to each other ’ s interests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or unresolvable issues that can impact cooperation .
On the contrary , we have mutual interest in the development of cooperation in many spheres , especially in the economy and culture .
Austria has traditionally been and continues to be one of Russia most important and reliable economic partners in Europe , '' he said .
He welcomed Austria ’ s responsible position on many issues of the international agenda and Vienna ’ s role as a host to United Nations structures .
Nord Stream-2 is an international project for the construction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bottom of the Baltic Sea from the Russian coast to Germany bypassing transit states , such as Ukraine , Belarus , Poland and other Eastern European and Baltic countries .
The new 1,200 kilometer pipeline , basically following the same route as Nord Stream , will traverse economic zones and territorial water of five countries , namely Russia , Finland , Sweden , Denmark , and Germany .
The pipeline ’ s capacity will be 55 billion cubic meters of gas a year .
Nord Stream 2 AG is the operator of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Russia ’ s gas giant Gazprom .
Gazprom ’ s European project partners are Germany ’ s Uniper and Wintershall , Austria ’ s OMV , France ’ s Engie , and Royal Dutch Shell ( the UK and the Netherlands ) .
Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said earlier in January that Russia would be able to finish the construction of Nord Stream-2 on its own as there were no technological obstacles requiring external assistance .
According to forecasts , the pipeline might be launched by the end of 2020 .

VIENNA, January 24. /TASS/. Austria’s government supports the implementation of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project because it is in the interests of entire Europe, Russian Ambassador to Vienna Dmitry Lyubinsky said in an interview with the Ober·sterreichische Nachrichten newspaper.
He noted that some of the Western mass media and politicians tend to demonize Russia, especially in the context of the Nord Stream-2 project. But pragmatic Europeans, in his words, see the advantages of this project. "Nord Stream-2 is profitable for Austria and entire Europe. That is why that country’s government has repeatedly voiced its support to the implementation of this project," Lyubinsky said.
Austria continues to be Russia’s most important and reliable economic partner in Europe, the ambassador said. The Russian diplomat stressed that Moscow and Vienna have a vast potential for cooperation on the basis of the agreement reached in the previous years.
According to the Russian diplomat, relations between Austria and Russia are characterized by mutual understanding and trust, as well as by respect to each other’s interests. "We have no serious unsettled problems or unresolvable issues that can impact cooperation. On the contrary, we have mutual interest in the development of cooperation in many spheres, especially in the economy and culture. Austria has traditionally been and continues to be one of Russia most important and reliable economic partners in Europe," he said.
He welcomed Austria’s responsible position on many issues of the international agenda and Vienna’s role as a host to United Nations structures.
Nord Stream-2 is an international project for the construction of a gas pipeline that will run across the bottom of the Baltic Sea from the Russian coast to Germany bypassing transit states, such as Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and other Eastern European and Baltic countries.
The new 1,200 kilometer pipeline, basically following the same route as Nord Stream, will traverse economic zones and territorial water of five countries, namely Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. The pipeline’s capacity will be 55 billion cubic meters of gas a year.
Nord Stream 2 AG is the operator of the pipeline construction. Its sole stakeholder is Russia’s gas giant Gazprom. Gazprom’s European project partners are Germany’s Uniper and Wintershall, Austria’s OMV, France’s Engie, and Royal Dutch Shell (the UK and the Netherlands).
Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said earlier in January that Russia would be able to finish the construction of Nord Stream-2 on its own as there were no technological obstacles requiring external assistance. According to forecasts, the pipeline might be launched by the end of 2020.


tass--2020-01-25--Russian diplomats accused of espionage told to leave Bulgaria within 48 hours — ministry

SOFIA , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Bulgaria ’ s foreign ministry said it had given 48 hours to leave the country to two Russian embassy staff members , declared personae non gratae earlier on Friday following accusations of espionage .
`` As part of its remit , the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared one Russian diplomat persona non grata and one technical staff member of the Russian embassy in Sofia - an undesirable [ person ] .
Russian Ambassador Anatoly Makarov was invited to the Foreign Ministry to receive the note .
Both [ embassy staff members ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , '' the ministry said .
In its earlier comment , the Russian embassy said that `` no evidence confirming their activities incompatible with their status has been furnished . ''
`` Russia reserves the right to take tit-for-tat measures , '' the diplomatic mission said .
The Russian embassy added that Bulgaria ’ s decision to spread information about diplomats in the public realm before formally notifying the embassy was out of sync with `` traditionally constructive relations between the two countries . ''
Earlier on Friday , the Bulgarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website that pre-trial probes involving two Russian diplomats as part of an espionage case had been launched .
According to prosecutors , their illegal activities included elections and the energy sector .
In accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations , Bulgaria halted criminal proceedings against two Russian citizens .
However , the Prosecutor ’ s Office claims that there are grounds for indicting them .

SOFIA, January 25. /TASS/. Bulgaria’s foreign ministry said it had given 48 hours to leave the country to two Russian embassy staff members, declared personae non gratae earlier on Friday following accusations of espionage.
"As part of its remit, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared one Russian diplomat persona non grata and one technical staff member of the Russian embassy in Sofia - an undesirable [person]. Russian Ambassador Anatoly Makarov was invited to the Foreign Ministry to receive the note. Both [embassy staff members] have been given 48 hours to leave the country," the ministry said.
In its earlier comment, the Russian embassy said that "no evidence confirming their activities incompatible with their status has been furnished." "Russia reserves the right to take tit-for-tat measures," the diplomatic mission said.
The Russian embassy added that Bulgaria’s decision to spread information about diplomats in the public realm before formally notifying the embassy was out of sync with "traditionally constructive relations between the two countries."
Earlier on Friday, the Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office reported on its website that pre-trial probes involving two Russian diplomats as part of an espionage case had been launched. According to prosecutors, their illegal activities included elections and the energy sector. In accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Bulgaria halted criminal proceedings against two Russian citizens. However, the Prosecutor’s Office claims that there are grounds for indicting them.


tass--2020-01-25--Minister confirms two cases of novel coronavirus in France — radio

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Two cases of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV have been confirmed in France ’ s Paris and Bordeaux , the France Info radio station said on Friday citing Minister for Solidarity and Health Agnes Buzyn .
According to the minister , France became the first European country to report the novel coronavirus infection on its territory .
Commenting on the Bordeaux case , Buzyn said that `` the patient , aged 48 , returned from China via the city of Wuhan . ''
He had contacts with 12 persons .
Earlier in the day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man was admitted to a hospital in Bordeaux , suffering from symptoms of the novel coronavirus .
When interviewed , the man confirmed that he had recently visited the Chinese city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the outbreak .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of the new type of pneumonia in Wuhan , a city with a population of more than 11 million people .
The culprit - 2019-nCoV coronavirus - was identified on January 7 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about 900 people were infected with the new disease in China , and 26 of them died .
The coronavirus is also identified in Vietnam , South Korea , the United States , Singapore and Japan .
On January 23 , the WHO refrained from declaring an international emergency over the outbreak of the virus that originated in China .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Two cases of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV have been confirmed in France’s Paris and Bordeaux, the France Info radio station said on Friday citing Minister for Solidarity and Health Agnes Buzyn.
A few hours later, the BFM TV channel said the health ministry of France has reported the third case of novel coronavirus on the country’s territory. The broadcaster gave no further details, however.
According to the minister, France became the first European country to report the novel coronavirus infection on its territory.
Commenting on the Bordeaux case, Buzyn said that "the patient, aged 48, returned from China via the city of Wuhan." He had contacts with 12 persons.
Earlier in the day, the SOS Medecins organization said that a man was admitted to a hospital in Bordeaux, suffering from symptoms of the novel coronavirus. When interviewed, the man confirmed that he had recently visited the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of the new type of pneumonia in Wuhan, a city with a population of more than 11 million people. The culprit - 2019-nCoV coronavirus - was identified on January 7, 2020.
According to the latest data, about 900 people were infected with the new disease in China, and 26 of them died. The coronavirus is also identified in Vietnam, South Korea, the United States, Singapore and Japan. On January 23, the WHO refrained from declaring an international emergency over the outbreak of the virus that originated in China.


tass--2020-01-25--6.8-magnitude earthquake strikes Turkey, casualties reported

ANKARA , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
At least six people were killed and 225 injured in the powerful earthquake @ @ @ @ @ Friday evening , Turkish authorities said .
The quake ’ s epicenter was located in @ @ @ @ @ with a population of about 400,000 people .
According to the region ’ s Governor @ @ @ @ @ people were injured .
Two of them are in critical condition .
The Turkish department @ @ @ @ @ disasters said at least six people died - three in Elazig and three in the @ @ @ @ @ According to the estimates of the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre , the 6.8-magnitude earthquake was @ @ @ @ @ million people in Turkey and neighboring countries .
The Turkish department for emergency situations and @ @ @ @ @ was followed by at least 35 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging between 2.5 and 5.4 .
@ @ @ @ @ local time , at the depth of 10 km .
The tremor was felt in @ @ @ @ @ well as in Israel , Iraq and Syria .

ANKARA, January 24. /TASS/. At least six people were killed and 225 injured in the powerful earthquake that struck eastern Turkey on Friday evening, Turkish authorities said.
The quake’s epicenter was located in the eastern province of Elazig with a population of about 400,000 people. According to the region’s Governor Cetin Oktay Kaldirim, 225 people were injured. Two of them are in critical condition.
The Turkish department for emergency situations and natural disasters said at least six people died - three in Elazig and three in the adjacent province of Malatya.
According to the estimates of the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the 6.8-magnitude earthquake was felt by at least 20 million people in Turkey and neighboring countries.
The Turkish department for emergency situations and natural disasters said the quake was followed by at least 35 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging between 2.5 and 5.4. The disaster struck at 20:55 local time, at the depth of 10 km. The tremor was felt in adjacent Turkish provinces, as well as in Israel, Iraq and Syria.


tass--2020-01-24--Eleven killed as militants shell Syria’s Aleppo, says Russian Reconciliation Center

`` Illegal armed groups launched new attacks against the government forces ’ positions west of Aleppo .
A detachment consisting of up to 70 militants backed by four pickup trucks with heavy machine guns attempted to drive the Syrian troops from their positions south of the Binyamin area .
The attack was foiled by tanks and small arms fire , with militants retreating to their initial positions .
After the failure , illegal armed groups launched a massive bombardment of the city ’ s peaceful neighborhoods .
Over the past 24 hours , illegal armed groups have shelled Aleppo 48 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , including women and children , were wounded .
Three Syrian military servicemen were killed , eight others were wounded , '' he said .
MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Militants have shelled the Syrian city of Aleppo 48 times over the past 24 hours , eleven people have been killed and 30 others wounded , Chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria Major-General Yuri Borenkov said on Friday .
Borenkov noted that an unprecedented number of artillery bombardments had been recorded in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours , adding that in the Latakia , Idlib and Hama provinces their number reached 115 .
The Russian Reconciliation Center had conducted one humanitarian operation in the al-Hasakah province distributing 250 food packages to residents , he went on to say .
A total of 2,344 humanitarian operations have been conducted since the beginning of the reconciliation process .
The Aleppo province is part of the northwestern de-escalation zone where hostilities and operations involving aircraft were terminated on January 9 as agreed with Turkey .
In the summer of 2016 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberate Aleppo from militants .
In October , Russia initiated the establishment of humanitarian corridors out of the city , but militants shelled the area preventing civilians from leaving Aleppo .
Officers of the Russian Reconciliation Center helped people exit the city at night .
Syrian troops started an offensive in November 2016 , and on December 16 , the Russian General Staff announced that Aleppo had been fully liberated .
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the operation to free Aleppo as the biggest humanitarian mission in modern history .

"Illegal armed groups launched new attacks against the government forces’ positions west of Aleppo. A detachment consisting of up to 70 militants backed by four pickup trucks with heavy machine guns attempted to drive the Syrian troops from their positions south of the Binyamin area. The attack was foiled by tanks and small arms fire, with militants retreating to their initial positions. After the failure, illegal armed groups launched a massive bombardment of the city’s peaceful neighborhoods. Over the past 24 hours, illegal armed groups have shelled Aleppo 48 times, killing eight civilians, 22 others, including women and children, were wounded. Three Syrian military servicemen were killed, eight others were wounded," he said.
MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Militants have shelled the Syrian city of Aleppo 48 times over the past 24 hours, eleven people have been killed and 30 others wounded, Chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria Major-General Yuri Borenkov said on Friday.
Borenkov noted that an unprecedented number of artillery bombardments had been recorded in the Idlib de-escalation zone over the past 24 hours, adding that in the Latakia, Idlib and Hama provinces their number reached 115.
The Russian Reconciliation Center had conducted one humanitarian operation in the al-Hasakah province distributing 250 food packages to residents, he went on to say. A total of 2,344 humanitarian operations have been conducted since the beginning of the reconciliation process.
The Aleppo province is part of the northwestern de-escalation zone where hostilities and operations involving aircraft were terminated on January 9 as agreed with Turkey.
Liberation of Aleppo
In the summer of 2016, the Syrian army launched a large-scale operation to liberate Aleppo from militants. In October, Russia initiated the establishment of humanitarian corridors out of the city, but militants shelled the area preventing civilians from leaving Aleppo. Officers of the Russian Reconciliation Center helped people exit the city at night. Syrian troops started an offensive in November 2016, and on December 16, the Russian General Staff announced that Aleppo had been fully liberated. Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the operation to free Aleppo as the biggest humanitarian mission in modern history.


tass--2020-01-24--Russian deputy defense minister, Indian ambassador discuss military technical cooperation

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Issues of military and military technical cooperation were in focus of a meeting @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Fomin and Indian Ambassador to Russia Bala Venkatesh Varma , the Russian foreign ministry @ @ @ @ @ The sides discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation in the military and military technical spheres @ @ @ @ @ , adding that the meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere `` in the spirit @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The previous such meeting took place on December 26 , 2019 when the @ @ @ @ @ of cooperation in 2019 .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Issues of military and military technical cooperation were in focus of a meeting between Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin and Indian Ambassador to Russia Bala Venkatesh Varma, the Russian foreign ministry said on Friday.
"The sides discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation in the military and military technical spheres," the ministry said, adding that the meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere "in the spirit of especially privileged strategic partnership."
The previous such meeting took place on December 26, 2019 when the sides summed up the results of cooperation in 2019.


tass--2020-01-24--Ukraine transfers Olvia port to concession

KIEV , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The government of Ukraine transferred the Olvia port on the Black Sea near @ @ @ @ @ a Qatari company , Prime Minister of the country Alexei Goncharuk wrote in the Telegram @ @ @ @ @ tender in the Olvia port ended .
The winner is the QTerminals from Qatar .
@ @ @ @ @ operator of Qatar , '' Goncharuk wrote .
The Qatari company will make annual concessionary @ @ @ @ @ totaling 82 mln hryvnia ( $ 3.35 mln ) .
The successful bidder committed itself @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 140 mln ) into the Olvia port in five years and 80 mln @ @ @ @ @ ) more into the infrastructure of the Nikolayev Region .

KIEV, January 24. /TASS/. The government of Ukraine transferred the Olvia port on the Black Sea near the city of Nikolayev to a Qatari company, Prime Minister of the country Alexei Goncharuk wrote in the Telegram channel.
"The concession tender in the Olvia port ended. The winner is the QTerminals from Qatar. This is a leading port operator of Qatar," Goncharuk wrote.
The Qatari company will make annual concessionary payments to the Ukrainian budget totaling 82 mln hryvnia ($3.35 mln). The successful bidder committed itself to invest 3.4 bln hryvnia ($140 mln) into the Olvia port in five years and 80 mln hryvnia ($3.2 mln) more into the infrastructure of the Nikolayev Region.


tass--2020-01-24--Russia expects commission on Iranian nuclear deal to prevent crisis

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russia hopes that the next meeting of the commission on the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on the Iranian nuclear deal scheduled to be held in February will help prevent the crisis around the agreement from escalating , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday .
`` As for the next meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission scheduled for February , we hope that it will help prevent the crisis from escalating further and consolidate the signatories around the common task of salvaging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the EU ’ s JCPOA coordinators to focus precisely on that , '' the ministry said .
The Russian Foreign Ministry drew attention to a statement made by EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell , which was published on January 24 .
In it , he summed up the interim results of working contacts and informal consultations with the JCPOA signatories held after the UK , Germany and France notified him on January 14 that they were triggering the Dispute Resolution Mechanism envisaged by the JCPOA .
`` For our part , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of substantial difficulties created by the E3 ’ s decision .
Their step creates additional problems and challenges in the implementation of the JCPOA .
Besides , the above-mentioned mechanism can not be put into effect due to the absence of the necessary procedures and the Joint Commission ’ s decisions , '' the ministry said .
It voiced concern over media reports citing `` opinions of some anonymous officials '' who referred to a 15-day period for finding a solution .
`` Until the JCPOA signatories make a joint decision on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadlines and ‘ schedules ’ are premature , '' the Foreign Ministry pointed out .
The future of the nuclear deal was called into question after the United States unilaterally withdrew from it on May 8 , 2018 , and imposed sanctions on Tehran affecting oil exports .
Iran argues that all other signatories , Europeans in the first place , ignore some of their own obligations in the economic sphere , thus making the deal in its current shape senseless .
This said , it began to gradually scale down its commitments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the UK , Germany and France said that Iran ’ s actions were leaving them no other choice than to trigger the JCPOA Dispute Resolution Mechanism .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Russia hopes that the next meeting of the commission on the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear deal scheduled to be held in February will help prevent the crisis around the agreement from escalating, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
"As for the next meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission scheduled for February, we hope that it will help prevent the crisis from escalating further and consolidate the signatories around the common task of salvaging the nuclear deal. We urge the E3 and the EU’s JCPOA coordinators to focus precisely on that," the ministry said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry drew attention to a statement made by EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, which was published on January 24. In it, he summed up the interim results of working contacts and informal consultations with the JCPOA signatories held after the UK, Germany and France notified him on January 14 that they were triggering the Dispute Resolution Mechanism envisaged by the JCPOA.
"For our part, we would like to confirm the existence of substantial difficulties created by the E3’s decision. Their step creates additional problems and challenges in the implementation of the JCPOA. Besides, the above-mentioned mechanism cannot be put into effect due to the absence of the necessary procedures and the Joint Commission’s decisions," the ministry said.
It voiced concern over media reports citing "opinions of some anonymous officials" who referred to a 15-day period for finding a solution. "Until the JCPOA signatories make a joint decision on the relevant procedures, the conversations about the deadlines and ‘schedules’ are premature," the Foreign Ministry pointed out.
The future of the nuclear deal was called into question after the United States unilaterally withdrew from it on May 8, 2018, and imposed sanctions on Tehran affecting oil exports. Iran argues that all other signatories, Europeans in the first place, ignore some of their own obligations in the economic sphere, thus making the deal in its current shape senseless. This said, it began to gradually scale down its commitments under the deal.
On January 14, the UK, Germany and France said that Iran’s actions were leaving them no other choice than to trigger the JCPOA Dispute Resolution Mechanism.


tass--2020-01-24--Russia studies US-China agreement, ready to act if it infringes upon its rights

DAVOS /Switzerland/ , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is studying the legal part of the trade agreement between China and the United States and can use the necessary legal or political instruments if the document infringes upon its interests , Economic Development Deputy Minister Timur Maximov told reporters .
`` Now we are carefully studying the legal side of it ( in the agreement between China and the US - TASS ) .
We need to understand how this will be implemented in practice - will it infringe upon the rights of the rest .
If yes , how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Russia has a number of tools it can use - from purely political to legal .
`` The WTO refers more to legal instruments .
The political dialogue at all levels is quite active , there is an opportunity to solve this in the framework of bilateral contacts , '' Maximov added .
The Deputy Minister explained that `` China has a volume of domestic demand , which is satisfied through imports , '' and now it is about `` redistributing this volume from one [ country ] to another . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will use for it < `` he said .
The official noted that Russia is now considering the need to require China to increase imports in proportion to the United States .
`` Let 's not jump to conclusions , putting forward demands - this is a political decision , but there are , of course , questions in terms of the legality of the first phase of this transaction , '' the deputy minister added .
On January 15 , US President Donald Trump and China ’ s Deputy Prime Minister Liu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase of a deal to settle bilateral trade disputes .
The ceremony took place at the White House .
The volume of the trade agreement , according to the US President , will exceed $ 200 billion this year and will grow annually .
In particular , China agreed to increase purchases of US products by $ 76.7 billion during the first year and by $ 123.3 billion during the second year of the agreement .
This concerns not only agricultural products , but also other American products .

DAVOS /Switzerland/, January 24. /TASS/. Russia is studying the legal part of the trade agreement between China and the United States and can use the necessary legal or political instruments if the document infringes upon its interests, Economic Development Deputy Minister Timur Maximov told reporters.
"Now we are carefully studying the legal side of it (in the agreement between China and the US - TASS). We need to understand how this will be implemented in practice - will it infringe upon the rights of the rest. If yes, how?" he said.
He explained that Russia has a number of tools it can use - from purely political to legal.
"The WTO refers more to legal instruments. The political dialogue at all levels is quite active, there is an opportunity to solve this in the framework of bilateral contacts," Maximov added.
The Deputy Minister explained that "China has a volume of domestic demand, which is satisfied through imports," and now it is about "redistributing this volume from one [country] to another."
"The question is what tools they will use for it<" he said.
The official noted that Russia is now considering the need to require China to increase imports in proportion to the United States. "Let's not jump to conclusions, putting forward demands - this is a political decision, but there are, of course, questions in terms of the legality of the first phase of this transaction," the deputy minister added.
US-China Phase One Trade Agreement
On January 15, US President Donald Trump and China’s Deputy Prime Minister Liu He signed an agreement on the first phase of a deal to settle bilateral trade disputes. The ceremony took place at the White House. The volume of the trade agreement, according to the US President, will exceed $200 billion this year and will grow annually.
In particular, China agreed to increase purchases of US products by $76.7 billion during the first year and by $123.3 billion during the second year of the agreement. This concerns not only agricultural products, but also other American products.


tass--2020-01-24--UNSC permanent members’ leaders could meet in May or September

WASHINGTON , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The leaders of the five permanent member nations of the United Nations Security Council , or Russia , the United Kingdom , China , the United States , and France , could gather for a meeting in May or September , Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said on Friday .
`` Of course , we will discuss when such a meeting could be organized - either ahead of the May NPT ( Nuclear nonproliferation Treaty ) review conference or ahead or during the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this initiative would be very useful for international peace and security , '' he said .
A high-profile event marking the 75th anniversary of the organization will take place during the session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2020 .
Speaking at the World Holocaust Forum earlier on Thursday , Putin suggested organizing a summit of the leaders of Russia , China , the United States , France and Britain in 2020 to discuss world affairs .
He said such a meeting could be held `` in any country and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterparts find convenient . ''
Moscow , in his words , is ready `` for such a serious discussion '' and plans to send corresponding messages of these countries ’ leaders without delay .

WASHINGTON, January 24. /TASS/. The leaders of the five permanent member nations of the United Nations Security Council, or Russia, the United Kingdom, China, the United States, and France, could gather for a meeting in May or September, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said on Friday.
"Of course, we will discuss when such a meeting could be organized - either ahead of the May NPT (Nuclear nonproliferation Treaty) review conference or ahead or during the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Organization. I think the implementation of this initiative would be very useful for international peace and security," he said.
A high-profile event marking the 75th anniversary of the organization will take place during the session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2020.
Speaking at the World Holocaust Forum earlier on Thursday, Putin suggested organizing a summit of the leaders of Russia, China, the United States, France and Britain in 2020 to discuss world affairs. He said such a meeting could be held "in any country and at any point on the globe the counterparts find convenient." Moscow, in his words, is ready "for such a serious discussion" and plans to send corresponding messages of these countries’ leaders without delay.


tass--2020-01-24--Ten Su-34 fighter-bombers hold maneuverable aerial battle in Urals drills

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The crews of ten Su-34 multirole fighter-bombers from Russia ’ s Central Military District practiced the elements of a maneuverable aerial battle , employing air-launched weapons at a practice range in the Kurgan Region in the Urals , the District ’ s press office reported on Friday .
`` During the flight day , the crews of the Su-34 multirole fighter-bombers from the composite air regiment practiced complex aerobatic maneuvers , moving in parallel flight paths in leader-wingman pairs at a speed of up to 1,900 km/h , '' the press office said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight , the crews performed turns at maximum and after-burner modes of the engine , practiced diving and upward spirals and also combat turns in pairs at an altitude of 300 meters to 5,000 meters , '' the statement says .
The crews of fighter-bombers destroyed a column of the notional enemy ’ s armored vehicles , dropping bombs on ground targets , according to the statement .
`` The drills involved the crews of ten Su-34 fighter-bombers and more than 50 flight and ground personnel of the composite air regiment stationed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office specified .
The Su-34 multirole supersonic fighter-bomber is designated to effectively strike enemy ground and air targets day and night in any weather conditions .
The Su-34 carries long-range air-to-surface and air-to-air missile armament with the multi-channel employment capability .
The Su-34 has an operating range of 4,000 km , can develop a maximum speed of 1,900 km/h and is capable of carrying a weapon payload of up to 8 tonnes .
The Su-34 is half as noisy as earlier models .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. The crews of ten Su-34 multirole fighter-bombers from Russia’s Central Military District practiced the elements of a maneuverable aerial battle, employing air-launched weapons at a practice range in the Kurgan Region in the Urals, the District’s press office reported on Friday.
"During the flight day, the crews of the Su-34 multirole fighter-bombers from the composite air regiment practiced complex aerobatic maneuvers, moving in parallel flight paths in leader-wingman pairs at a speed of up to 1,900 km/h," the press office said in a statement.
"During the flight, the crews performed turns at maximum and after-burner modes of the engine, practiced diving and upward spirals and also combat turns in pairs at an altitude of 300 meters to 5,000 meters," the statement says.
The crews of fighter-bombers destroyed a column of the notional enemy’s armored vehicles, dropping bombs on ground targets, according to the statement.
"The drills involved the crews of ten Su-34 fighter-bombers and more than 50 flight and ground personnel of the composite air regiment stationed in the Chelyabinsk Region," the press office specified.
The Su-34 multirole supersonic fighter-bomber is designated to effectively strike enemy ground and air targets day and night in any weather conditions.
The Su-34 carries long-range air-to-surface and air-to-air missile armament with the multi-channel employment capability. The Su-34 has an operating range of 4,000 km, can develop a maximum speed of 1,900 km/h and is capable of carrying a weapon payload of up to 8 tonnes. The Su-34 is half as noisy as earlier models.


tass--2020-01-24--French Foreign Ministry says Russian national Vinnik’s case is outside its purview

PARIS , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The French Foreign Ministry believes that the case of Russian citizen Alexander Vinnik @ @ @ @ @ Greece to France is the purview of the judicial authorities , the ministry ’ s @ @ @ @ @ briefing on Friday .
`` The issue at hand is the current legal procedure , @ @ @ @ @ a question from TASS .
`` That ’ s why we advise you to contact @ @ @ @ @ '' On Friday , the Russian national ’ s Defense Attorney Timofei Musatov informed TASS @ @ @ @ @ hold a hearing on the case of Alexander Vinnik on January 28 .
For her @ @ @ @ @ French attorney Ariane Zimra told TASS that she was concerned about his health .
She @ @ @ @ @ who continued his hunger strike was mentally and physically exhausted , adding that he is @ @ @ @ @ in Paris .

PARIS, January 24. /TASS/. The French Foreign Ministry believes that the case of Russian citizen Alexander Vinnik who has been extradited from Greece to France is the purview of the judicial authorities, the ministry’s spokesperson said at a press briefing on Friday.
"The issue at hand is the current legal procedure," the diplomat said answering a question from TASS. "That’s why we advise you to contact representatives of justice bodies."
On Friday, the Russian national’s Defense Attorney Timofei Musatov informed TASS that a French court would hold a hearing on the case of Alexander Vinnik on January 28. For her part, Vinnik’s French attorney Ariane Zimra told TASS that she was concerned about his health. She noted that the Russian national who continued his hunger strike was mentally and physically exhausted, adding that he is currently at the Hotel-Dieu hospital in Paris.


tass--2020-01-24--JCPOA Joint Commission to meet in February — EU top diplomat

`` All JCPOA participants reconfirmed their determination to preserve the agreement which is in the interest of all , '' the statement reads .
BRUSSELS , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The remaining parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on Iran ’ s nuclear program will hold a meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission in February , EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said in a statement on Friday .
`` Notwithstanding differences on modalities , there is agreement that more time is needed due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timeline is therefore extended .
All agreed to pursue expert-level discussions addressing the concerns regarding nuclear implementation , as well as the wider impacts of the withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA and its re-imposition of sanctions , concerning which all JCPOA participants have expressed regret .
The Joint Commission will review progress regularly .
The next meeting will take place in February , '' Borrell added .
The Wall Street Journal wrote earlier that `` under the accord , senior officials are supposed to have 15 days for discussions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kick it up to foreign ministers , though that period can be extended . ''
`` European diplomats say a meeting of officials — as opposed to ministers — from Europe , Iran , Russia and China is likely in mid-to-late February , weeks beyond the 15-day mark , '' the newspaper added .
The future of the nuclear deal came into question in May 2018 , following Washington ’ s move to withdraw from the JCPOA and re-impose sanctions on Tehran .
The JCPOA was signed by Iran and six major powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations Security Council — Russia , the United States , France , the United Kingdom and China — and Germany ) in 2015 .
The future of the deal became unclear after the United States had pulled out of the JCPOA in May 2018 , reintroducing sanctions on Tehran .
Iran argues that other participants in the deal , the Europeans in the first place , keep ignoring their commitments , rendering the deal pointless .
In May 2019 , Iran began to gradually reduce its commitments to the JCPOA .

"All JCPOA participants reconfirmed their determination to preserve the agreement which is in the interest of all," the statement reads.
BRUSSELS, January 24. /TASS/. The remaining parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program will hold a meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission in February, EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said in a statement on Friday.
"Notwithstanding differences on modalities, there is agreement that more time is needed due to the complexity of the issues involved. The timeline is therefore extended. All agreed to pursue expert-level discussions addressing the concerns regarding nuclear implementation, as well as the wider impacts of the withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA and its re-imposition of sanctions, concerning which all JCPOA participants have expressed regret. The Joint Commission will review progress regularly. The next meeting will take place in February," Borrell added.
The Wall Street Journal wrote earlier that "under the accord, senior officials are supposed to have 15 days for discussions to resolve a dispute before deciding whether to kick it up to foreign ministers, though that period can be extended." "European diplomats say a meeting of officials — as opposed to ministers — from Europe, Iran, Russia and China is likely in mid-to-late February, weeks beyond the 15-day mark," the newspaper added.
The future of the nuclear deal came into question in May 2018, following Washington’s move to withdraw from the JCPOA and re-impose sanctions on Tehran.
The JCPOA was signed by Iran and six major powers (five member states of the United Nations Security Council — Russia, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and China — and Germany) in 2015. The future of the deal became unclear after the United States had pulled out of the JCPOA in May 2018, reintroducing sanctions on Tehran. Iran argues that other participants in the deal, the Europeans in the first place, keep ignoring their commitments, rendering the deal pointless. In May 2019, Iran began to gradually reduce its commitments to the JCPOA.


tass--2020-01-24--This week in photos: China's coronavirus, snow in Moscow, and a horse on a Paris catwalk

Kremlin : Zelensky asked for meeting with Putin in Israel , but no time for lengthy talks On January 23 @ @ @ @ @ a working visit to Israel for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of @ @ @ @ @ Holocaust Remembrance Day

It would be US ‘golden dream’ to have nuclear weapons in Ukraine — diplomat
Maria Zakharova recalled that Italy and many other countries possess the US nuclear weapons but do not have access to them
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tass--2020-01-24--Bulgaria declares two Russian diplomats accused of espionage personae non gratae

SOFIA , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Bulgarian authorities have declared two Russian diplomats accused of espionage personae non gratae , the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria informed TASS on Friday .
`` The Russian ambassador to Bulgaria was summoned to the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry , where a note was handed to him on declaring the embassy ’ s diplomat persona non grata and on declaring an employee of the trade mission an undesirable [ person ] in accordance with the Vienna Convention .
No evidence confirming their activities incompatible with their status has been furnished .
Russia reserves the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the embassy said .
The Russian diplomatic mission stressed that Bulgaria ’ s decision to spread information about diplomats in the public realm before formally notifying the embassy was out of sync with `` traditionally constructive relations between the two countries . ''
No information has been provided regarding the deadline for the Russian diplomats ’ departure .
Earlier on Friday , the Bulgarian Prosecutor ’ s Office reported on its website that pre-trial probes involving two Russian diplomats as part of an espionage case had been launched .
According to prosecutors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy sector .
In accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations , Bulgaria halted criminal proceedings against two Russian citizens .
However , the Prosecutor ’ s Office claims that there are grounds for indicting them .

SOFIA, January 24. /TASS/. The Bulgarian authorities have declared two Russian diplomats accused of espionage personae non gratae, the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria informed TASS on Friday.
"The Russian ambassador to Bulgaria was summoned to the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry, where a note was handed to him on declaring the embassy’s diplomat persona non grata and on declaring an employee of the trade mission an undesirable [person] in accordance with the Vienna Convention. No evidence confirming their activities incompatible with their status has been furnished. Russia reserves the right to take tit-for-tat measures," the embassy said.
The Russian diplomatic mission stressed that Bulgaria’s decision to spread information about diplomats in the public realm before formally notifying the embassy was out of sync with "traditionally constructive relations between the two countries."
No information has been provided regarding the deadline for the Russian diplomats’ departure.
Earlier on Friday, the Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office reported on its website that pre-trial probes involving two Russian diplomats as part of an espionage case had been launched. According to prosecutors, their illegal activities included elections and the energy sector. In accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Bulgaria halted criminal proceedings against two Russian citizens. However, the Prosecutor’s Office claims that there are grounds for indicting them.


tass--2020-01-24--Merkel says meeting with Russia, Turkey, France on Syria may take place in Q1

ANKARA , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel believes that it is possible to hold a four-way @ @ @ @ @ of Russia , Germany , Turkey and France in the first quarter of 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
`` We also promised to suggest @ @ @ @ @ held with presidents of Russia and France .
It is likely to take place in @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
At the same time , Erdogan did not rule out @ @ @ @ @ situation arising '' which will prompt the meeting to take place in March .
The @ @ @ @ @ of Russia , Germany , France and Turkey was held for the first time in @ @ @ @ @ Putin , Merkel , Macron and Erdogan then discussed ways of reenergizing Syrian settlement .
@ @ @ @ @ they support political and diplomatic resolution of the conflict .

ANKARA, January 24. /TASS/. German Chancellor Angela Merkel believes that it is possible to hold a four-way meeting on Syria involving leaders of Russia, Germany, Turkey and France in the first quarter of 2020, she said at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"We also promised to suggest such a meeting which we held with presidents of Russia and France. It is likely to take place in the first quarter this year," she said.
At the same time, Erdogan did not rule out a possibility of "a situation arising" which will prompt the meeting to take place in March.
The four-way summit attended by leaders of Russia, Germany, France and Turkey was held for the first time in Istanbul in October 2018. Putin, Merkel, Macron and Erdogan then discussed ways of reenergizing Syrian settlement. The summit participants confirmed that they support political and diplomatic resolution of the conflict.


tass--2020-01-24--Hainan's medical tourism zone presents new logo

HAIKOU , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Hainan 's pilot international medical tourism zone , the Lecheng cluster , introduced a new logo .
According to www.hinews.cn , the emblem will be used for the zone 's complex promotion on its official website , on social networks and messengers , as well as on advertising banners at provincial airports .
The logo is designed in the shape of a circle , at the bottom of which there are two palm trees - a symbol of the tropical island of Hainan .
According to the chief designer Bian Jianwen , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and blue-green - represent a modern , energetic , innovative image of the pilot medical tourism zone .
`` The logo 's main task is to present Boao , the area on the east coast of Hainan where the cluster is located , as the City of Hope , '' said Bian Jianwen .
He also emphasized that the development of a pilot medical tourism zone can boost the promotiopn of `` healthy China '' ideology .
The new logo will be used on the cluster ’ s official website , on Weibo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on WeChat and other information channels , the news outlet reports .
It is necessary to increase the popularity of the pilot medical tourism zone not only in China , but also worldwide , the outlet notes .
According to the news outlet , the cluster gained 365 million yuan ( $ 53.7 million ) in 2018 , which is 2,3 times more than the 2017 indicators .
By 2030 , at least 100 projects are expected to be implemented at Lecheng — 71 of those have already obtained an official approval .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is intended to become the world 's largest research and development base , equipped with advanced medical equipment , as well as a platform for personnel exchange and international cooperation in the healthcare sector .
The cluster is also expected to contribute to the development of China ’ s medical tourism industry .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , thick rainforests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network of hotels , which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .

HAIKOU, January 24. /TASS/. Hainan's pilot international medical tourism zone, the Lecheng cluster, introduced a new logo. According to www.hinews.cn, the emblem will be used for the zone's complex promotion on its official website, on social networks and messengers, as well as on advertising banners at provincial airports.
The logo is designed in the shape of a circle, at the bottom of which there are two palm trees - a symbol of the tropical island of Hainan. According to the chief designer Bian Jianwen, the main colors of the emblem - purple and blue-green - represent a modern, energetic, innovative image of the pilot medical tourism zone.
"The logo's main task is to present Boao, the area on the east coast of Hainan where the cluster is located, as the City of Hope," said Bian Jianwen. He also emphasized that the development of a pilot medical tourism zone can boost the promotiopn of "healthy China" ideology.
The new logo will be used on the cluster’s official website, on Weibo social network, Lecheng’s account on WeChat and other information channels, the news outlet reports. It is necessary to increase the popularity of the pilot medical tourism zone not only in China, but also worldwide, the outlet notes.
According to the news outlet, the cluster gained 365 million yuan ($ 53.7 million) in 2018, which is 2,3 times more than the 2017 indicators. By 2030, at least 100 projects are expected to be implemented at Lecheng — 71 of those have already obtained an official approval.
According to the Chinese authorities, Lecheng is intended to become the world's largest research and development base, equipped with advanced medical equipment, as well as a platform for personnel exchange and international cooperation in the healthcare sector. The cluster is also expected to contribute to the development of China’s medical tourism industry.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-01-24--Ukraine’s ex-President Poroshenko grilled by investigators for nearly four hours

KIEV , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko has shown up at the State Bureau of Investigation ( SBI ) for the first time in the last four months .
He answered the investigators ’ questions for almost four hours .
After he left the building , Poroshenko claimed that he had been summoned for a new interrogation on January 31 , adding that he will come if he is in the country .
The former president compared the interrogation to a show and accused the investigators of being unprepared and biased .
He condemned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persecution , '' and accused the SBI of `` working for Russia . ''
He blasted today ’ s interrogation — over possible treason charges when signing the Minsk Agreements — as a `` horrible performance . ''
Poroshenko also fumed over the interrogation dates , because he claimed he had a flight to Davos planned for Friday , where he allegedly had a number of international meetings planned , which he had to cancel over the interrogation .
He also claimed he had an international visit planned for January 31 , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legality of the government ’ s actions during the Kerch incident .
`` The only reason why they are doing this is to obstruct international activity , '' Poroshenko insisted .
Scores of Poroshenko ’ s party comrades and associates gathered at the bureau ’ s building to support the former president .
They wanted to be present during the interrogation , but law enforcement officers denied them access saying that would be illegal .
An unnamed opponent brought a mock `` golden toilet '' as a symbol of Poroshenko ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s supporters promptly threw him over a fence , shattering the gilded bathroom fixture .
Poroshenko is involved in 16 criminal proceedings at various stages of their investigation .
He is accused of treason , abuse of power , money laundering , tax evasion , attempted judicial power usurpation and unlawful cabinet appointments without a coalition in the Verkhovna Rada in 2016 .
The ex-president has already shrugged off 28 interrogation subpoenas , the last one being on January 21 .

KIEV, January 24. /TASS/. Former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko has shown up at the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) for the first time in the last four months. He answered the investigators’ questions for almost four hours.
After he left the building, Poroshenko claimed that he had been summoned for a new interrogation on January 31, adding that he will come if he is in the country. The former president compared the interrogation to a show and accused the investigators of being unprepared and biased. He condemned the whole incident, branding it "political persecution," and accused the SBI of "working for Russia."
He blasted today’s interrogation — over possible treason charges when signing the Minsk Agreements — as a "horrible performance."
Poroshenko also fumed over the interrogation dates, because he claimed he had a flight to Davos planned for Friday, where he allegedly had a number of international meetings planned, which he had to cancel over the interrogation. He also claimed he had an international visit planned for January 31, when the agency plans to interrogate him over the legality of the government’s actions during the Kerch incident.
"The only reason why they are doing this is to obstruct international activity," Poroshenko insisted.
Scores of Poroshenko’s party comrades and associates gathered at the bureau’s building to support the former president. They wanted to be present during the interrogation, but law enforcement officers denied them access saying that would be illegal. An unnamed opponent brought a mock "golden toilet" as a symbol of Poroshenko’s corruption, but the former president’s supporters promptly threw him over a fence, shattering the gilded bathroom fixture.
Poroshenko’s post-presidential headaches
Poroshenko is involved in 16 criminal proceedings at various stages of their investigation. He is accused of treason, abuse of power, money laundering, tax evasion, attempted judicial power usurpation and unlawful cabinet appointments without a coalition in the Verkhovna Rada in 2016.
The ex-president has already shrugged off 28 interrogation subpoenas, the last one being on January 21.


tass--2020-01-24--Lukashenko admits he avoids smartphones due to security concerns

The Belarusian leader revealed this on Friday during a meeting with local workers in the Mogilev Region .
MINSK , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has confessed that he does not use a smartphone or other gadgets over security concerns .
`` I don ’ t even have a cell phone .
I see my presidential colleagues sitting and poking away at their iPhones ... .
I don ’ t do it .
I know what security is .
Nevertheless , it is not just about security , I have people to take care of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Mogilev Region factory .
The head of state disclosed that if someone actually calls him on a cell phone , an aide brings it in .
`` I rarely use this type of communication , '' Lukashenko emphasized .
`` Right now , all of you have these gadgets in your pockets , and wherever you go , those who need to can see you .
Do you want it ?
I don ’ t think so . ''
Lukashenko also noted the negative effect of radio waves on people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital technology development , he also warned about the possible threat related to artificial intelligence development .

The Belarusian leader revealed this on Friday during a meeting with local workers in the Mogilev Region.
MINSK, January 24. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has confessed that he does not use a smartphone or other gadgets over security concerns.
"I don’t even have a cell phone. I see my presidential colleagues sitting and poking away at their iPhones.... I don’t do it. I know what security is. Nevertheless, it is not just about security, I have people to take care of that," Lukashenko specified, speaking at a Mogilev Region factory.
The head of state disclosed that if someone actually calls him on a cell phone, an aide brings it in.
"I rarely use this type of communication," Lukashenko emphasized. "Right now, all of you have these gadgets in your pockets, and wherever you go, those who need to can see you. Do you want it? I don’t think so."
Lukashenko also noted the negative effect of radio waves on people’s health. Speaking about the benefits of digital technology development, he also warned about the possible threat related to artificial intelligence development.


tass--2020-01-24--Electronic warfare specialists lead troops through mine-studded road in Tajikistan drills

Under the drills ’ scenario , the armored column of mountainous motor rifle units made a march on BTR-82A armored personnel carriers to the Lyaur practice range .
The notional enemy ’ s subversive groups planted mines on the road along the route of the column ’ s movement , using remote-controlled roadside bombs and booby-traps .
MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The electronic warfare personnel of Russia ’ s 201st military base shielded the armored column of motor rifle troops from remote-controlled mines during drills in Tajikistan , the press office of the Central Military District reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent the explosives from detonation , the servicemen mounted Lesochek small-size jamming stations on the forward and the rear armored Ural vehicles .
This helped suppress the channels of the explosives ’ radio control and thus prevent remote-controlled mines from detonation , '' the press office said in a statement .
After that , the motor rifle units uncovered an ambush and eliminated the notional enemy ’ s subversive groups while on the move , firing all types of weapons , the statement says .
`` From the air , the column was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of Mi-24 attack helicopters along the entire route .
The march involved more than 500 personnel and about 80 items of military and special hardware , '' the press office specified .
The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia ’ s largest military facility outside its borders .
The military base is located in the cities of Dushanbe and Bokhtar .
The military base ’ s armament includes T-72 tanks , BTR-82A armored personnel carriers , Grad multiple launch rocket systems , Gvozdika and Akatsiya artillery systems .
Under an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s military base in Tajikistan will remain until 2042 .

Under the drills’ scenario, the armored column of mountainous motor rifle units made a march on BTR-82A armored personnel carriers to the Lyaur practice range. The notional enemy’s subversive groups planted mines on the road along the route of the column’s movement, using remote-controlled roadside bombs and booby-traps.
MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. The electronic warfare personnel of Russia’s 201st military base shielded the armored column of motor rifle troops from remote-controlled mines during drills in Tajikistan, the press office of the Central Military District reported on Friday.
"In order to prevent the explosives from detonation, the servicemen mounted Lesochek small-size jamming stations on the forward and the rear armored Ural vehicles. This helped suppress the channels of the explosives’ radio control and thus prevent remote-controlled mines from detonation," the press office said in a statement.
After that, the motor rifle units uncovered an ambush and eliminated the notional enemy’s subversive groups while on the move, firing all types of weapons, the statement says.
"From the air, the column was supported by the crews of the air group of Mi-24 attack helicopters along the entire route. The march involved more than 500 personnel and about 80 items of military and special hardware," the press office specified.
The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia’s largest military facility outside its borders. The military base is located in the cities of Dushanbe and Bokhtar. The military base’s armament includes T-72 tanks, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, Grad multiple launch rocket systems, Gvozdika and Akatsiya artillery systems.
Under an agreement signed in October 2012, Russia’s military base in Tajikistan will remain until 2042.


tass--2020-01-24--Libya’s chaos may spread to the entire Mediterranean region, cautions Erdogan

ANKARA , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
If political stability does not return to Libya , chaos in the North @ @ @ @ @ the entire Mediterranean region , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cautioned Friday during the opening @ @ @ @ @ for the Turkish-German University in Istanbul , also attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel .
@ @ @ @ @ take root in Libya .
This applies to Daesh [ Arabic for the Islamic State @ @ @ @ @ in Russia ] and Al-Qaeda [ also banned in Russia ] terrorists as well .
@ @ @ @ @ political process must be ramped up first and foremost .
Should the situation in Libya @ @ @ @ @ chaos will spread across the entire Mediterranean region , '' President Erdogan said , according @ @ @ @ @ In the meantime , Angela Merkel welcomed the expansion of cooperation with Turkey in the @ @ @

ANKARA, January 24. /TASS/. If political stability does not return to Libya, chaos in the North African country may spread to the entire Mediterranean region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cautioned Friday during the opening ceremony of a new wing for the Turkish-German University in Istanbul, also attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"Terrorist groups must not take root in Libya. This applies to Daesh [Arabic for the Islamic State, terror group, outlawed in Russia] and Al-Qaeda [also banned in Russia] terrorists as well. To that end, the political process must be ramped up first and foremost. Should the situation in Libya not stabilize soon, the chaos will spread across the entire Mediterranean region," President Erdogan said, according to Anadolu news agency.
In the meantime, Angela Merkel welcomed the expansion of cooperation with Turkey in the scientific sphere.


tass--2020-01-24--Kremlin lauds Germany’s plans to allocate funds for St. Petersburg’s war veteran hospital

`` This can only be welcomed , undoubtedly , '' Peskov insisted .
`` Such gestures should also be commended @ @ @ @ @ Victory Anniversary year . ''
MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Germany ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the refurbishment of the St. Petersburg War Veterans Hospital deserves commendation as a charitable gesture @ @ @ @ @ the Siege of Leningrad , says Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov .
The spokesman also asked @ @ @ @ @ about the care provided to the veterans by the [ Russian ] government , the @ @ @ @ @ creates infrastructure for veterans . ''
According to the earlier reports , the German government @ @ @ @ @ million euro for the refurbishment of the St. Petersburg War Veterans Hospital as a `` @ @ @ @ @ living survivors of the Siege of Leningrad .
The St. Petersburg War Veterans Hospital , @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 , is a multi-profile medical facility , equipped with modern medical technology and @ @ @ @ @ highly qualified staff .
Thirty-two departments take care of about 35,000 patients annually .

"This can only be welcomed, undoubtedly," Peskov insisted. "Such gestures should also be commended, especially during the 75th Victory Anniversary year."
MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Germany’s intention to earmark funds for the refurbishment of the St. Petersburg War Veterans Hospital deserves commendation as a charitable gesture towards the living survivors of the Siege of Leningrad, says Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The spokesman also asked journalists not to forget "about the care provided to the veterans by the [Russian] government, the country who provides support and creates infrastructure for veterans."
According to the earlier reports, the German government plans to allocate some 1.7 million euro for the refurbishment of the St. Petersburg War Veterans Hospital as a "humanitarian gesture" towards the living survivors of the Siege of Leningrad.
The St. Petersburg War Veterans Hospital, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2016, is a multi-profile medical facility, equipped with modern medical technology and hardware, and staffed with highly qualified staff. Thirty-two departments take care of about 35,000 patients annually.


tass--2020-01-24--No specific dates for Putin-Lukashenko meeting yet — Kremlin

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
No specific dates for the next meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and @ @ @ @ @ have been set yet , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS .
`` No specific @ @ @ @ @ said when asked when the talks between the two heads of state could take place @ @ @ @ @ indicated that he had discussed with Putin over the phone the prospects for a new @ @ @ @ @ be dedicated , in particular , to issues related to oil supplies .
According to @ @ @ @ @ the Belarusian president stressed that he had suggested holding that meeting following Putin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ ( parliament ) delivered on January 15 .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. No specific dates for the next meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko have been set yet, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS.
"No specific dates yet," he said when asked when the talks between the two heads of state could take place.
On Friday, Lukashenko indicated that he had discussed with Putin over the phone the prospects for a new face-to-face meeting, which would be dedicated, in particular, to issues related to oil supplies.
According to the BelTA news agency, the Belarusian president stressed that he had suggested holding that meeting following Putin’s Address to the Federal Assembly (parliament) delivered on January 15.


tass--2020-01-24--Russian fiscal maneuver not related to relations between Moscow and Minsk — source

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The decision on the fiscal maneuver in Russia is not related to relations between Russia and Belarus , a source related to ex-Prime Minister , Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev told reporters on Friday .
`` The decision on the fiscal maneuver was made within the framework of optimizing budget revenues and is not related to Russian-Belarusian relations at all , '' the source said .
The ex-government was focused on the development and deepening of Russian-Belarusian integration , the source noted .
`` The previous government did its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integration between Russia and Belarus and there is no our fault in absence of significant success on this track , '' he added .
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said earlier on Friday that he viewed the fiscal maneuver in Russia as an attempt of Moscow to put pressure on Minsk .
Minsk and Moscow have been negotiating the supply of Russian hydrocarbons to Belarus .
On December 30-31 , 2019 , Presidents of Belarus and Russia Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin , discussed this issue by telephone .
Following the talks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with companies from Russia for the supply of oil in 2020 to ensure the smooth operation of two Belarusian oil refineries , but no documents were signed by January 1 .
At the same time , Lukashenko instructed the leadership of the petrochemical complex to work out options for alternative supplies of hydrocarbons .
On January 14 , First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Dmitry Krutoy announced that the government had sent commercial proposals for the purchase of oil to Ukraine , Poland , Kazakhstan , Azerbaijan and the Baltic countries .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies of Russian oil were not conducted .
The loading of the oil refineries was reduced to the minimum technologically permissible level .
On January 4 , one-time contracts for the supply of oil to Belarusian refineries were resumed .
According to a TASS source familiar with the negotiations between the companies , a schedule for Russian oil supplies to Belarus has been signed , and it is planned to deliver about 600,000 tonnes of oil by the end of the month .
On January 20 , it became known that Belarus had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. The decision on the fiscal maneuver in Russia is not related to relations between Russia and Belarus, a source related to ex-Prime Minister, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev told reporters on Friday.
"The decision on the fiscal maneuver was made within the framework of optimizing budget revenues and is not related to Russian-Belarusian relations at all," the source said.
The ex-government was focused on the development and deepening of Russian-Belarusian integration, the source noted. "The previous government did its best for the development and deepening of integration between Russia and Belarus and there is no our fault in absence of significant success on this track," he added.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said earlier on Friday that he viewed the fiscal maneuver in Russia as an attempt of Moscow to put pressure on Minsk.
Minsk and Moscow have been negotiating the supply of Russian hydrocarbons to Belarus. On December 30-31, 2019, Presidents of Belarus and Russia Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, discussed this issue by telephone.
Following the talks, Lukashenko instructed the authorities to conclude contracts with companies from Russia for the supply of oil in 2020 to ensure the smooth operation of two Belarusian oil refineries, but no documents were signed by January 1.
At the same time, Lukashenko instructed the leadership of the petrochemical complex to work out options for alternative supplies of hydrocarbons. On January 14, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Dmitry Krutoy announced that the government had sent commercial proposals for the purchase of oil to Ukraine, Poland, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and the Baltic countries.
On January 3, Belneftekhim stated that the supplies of Russian oil were not conducted. The loading of the oil refineries was reduced to the minimum technologically permissible level. On January 4, one-time contracts for the supply of oil to Belarusian refineries were resumed. According to a TASS source familiar with the negotiations between the companies, a schedule for Russian oil supplies to Belarus has been signed, and it is planned to deliver about 600,000 tonnes of oil by the end of the month.
On January 20, it became known that Belarus had bought 80,000 tonnes of oil from Norway.


tass--2020-01-24--Russian embassy in Greece receives notification of Vinnik’s extradition to France

ATHENS , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Greek authorities have notified the Russian embassy in Athens that Russian citizen @ @ @ @ @ been in Greek custody for the past 2.5 years , has been extradited to France @ @ @ @ @ received official notification from Greece to the effect Alexander Vinnik has been extradited to France @ @ @ @ @ the Russian embassy said .
On Thursday , IT specialist Alexander Vinnik , detained in @ @ @ @ @ 2017 at the request of the United States , where he is accused of laundering @ @ @ @ @ billion has been extradited to France .
The final decision was made by the State @ @ @ @ @ of Greece .
Vinnik ’ s extradition was also sought by Russia and the United @ @ @ @ @ all the charges brought against him and expressed readiness to return home .

ATHENS, January 23. /TASS/. The Greek authorities have notified the Russian embassy in Athens that Russian citizen Alexander Vinnik, who has been in Greek custody for the past 2.5 years, has been extradited to France.
"The embassy has received official notification from Greece to the effect Alexander Vinnik has been extradited to France," a diplomat at the Russian embassy said.
On Thursday, IT specialist Alexander Vinnik, detained in Greece on July 25, 2017 at the request of the United States, where he is accused of laundering $4 billion-$9 billion has been extradited to France. The final decision was made by the State Council — the Supreme Court of Greece. Vinnik’s extradition was also sought by Russia and the United States. The Russian dismissed all the charges brought against him and expressed readiness to return home.


tass--2020-01-24--Hainan's trade volume with Belt and Road countries reaches $5.7% in 2019

HAIKOU , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Hainan 's trade volume with the Belt and Road Initiative member-states in 2019 increased by 10.6 % reaching 35.2 bln yuan ( about $ 5.7 bln ) , according to the Hainan Daily newspaper , which is citing local customs office .
Last year , the increase in trade turnover with the Belt and Road Initiavive states amounted to 38.9 % of Hainan 's total foreign trade turnover .
Positive dynamics is seen in other foreign trade fields as well .
Thus , Hainan 's trade turnover with ASEAN states in the said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bln yuan ( about $ 4 bln ) .
The volume of Hainan 's trade with US , EU and Japan in 2019 reached 14.9 bln yuan ( $ 2.1 bln ) , 13.4 bln yuan ( $ 1.9 bln ) and 3.2 bln yuan ( $ 470 mln ) respectively .
Growth rates in all three areas amounted to slightly more than 50 % .
In April 2018 , President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authorities , the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy , developed tourism , top-notch scientific , technical and financial potential , and modern medicine .
The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establish a developed network of hotels , which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .

HAIKOU, January 24. /TASS/. Hainan's trade volume with the Belt and Road Initiative member-states in 2019 increased by 10.6% reaching 35.2 bln yuan (about $5.7 bln), according to the Hainan Daily newspaper, which is citing local customs office.
Last year, the increase in trade turnover with the Belt and Road Initiavive states amounted to 38.9% of Hainan's total foreign trade turnover. Positive dynamics is seen in other foreign trade fields as well. Thus, Hainan's trade turnover with ASEAN states in the said period increased by 42.3% reaching 27.7 bln yuan (about $4 bln).
The volume of Hainan's trade with US, EU and Japan in 2019 reached 14.9 bln yuan ($2.1 bln), 13.4 bln yuan ($1.9 bln) and 3.2 bln yuan ($470 mln) respectively. Growth rates in all three areas amounted to slightly more than 50%.
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province. By 2050, according to the authorities, the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy, developed tourism, top-notch scientific, technical and financial potential, and modern medicine. The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-01-24--Serbian parliament greenlights swapping Roerich paintings for Miroslav Gospel page

`` At the suggestion and initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Information , the Serbian National Assembly passed three bills at today ’ s meeting , including the ‘ law on confirming the agreement between the government of Serbia and the government of Russia to hand St. Petersburg ’ s Miroslav Gospel to Serbia and paintings of Nicholas Roerich to Russia , '' the statement reads .
BELGRADE , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Serbia ’ s National Assembly has passed the law on Friday paving way to exchange seven paintings of renowned artist Nicholas Roerich for page 166 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oldest Serbian manuscript , with Russia , the Serbian Culture Ministry ’ s press service said on Friday .
Earlier , Serbian Culture and Information Minister Vladan Vukosavljevic told TASS that the swap can take place in early 2020 , however , both national parliaments need to approve it .
According to Vukosavljevic , return of the cultural relic to Serbia will be `` one of the most important moments '' for the country .
The agreement to exchange these treasures was reached by Belgrade and Moscow during Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 17 .
The agreement itself to hand a page of the medieval Cyrillic manuscript back to Belgrade was inked during the then Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ’ s Belgrade visit in October .
The document also states that Serbia will hand over seven early Roerich paintings to Russia .
Before the recent developments , the issue of returning the page from the ancient Cyrillic manuscript to Belgrade had been discussed for decades .
As for Roerich ’ s paintings , they simply vanished between 1941 and March 2017 when a TASS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s National Museum .
Miroslav ’ s Gospel was written in approximately 1180 .
It is Serbia ’ s oldest manuscript written in Cyrillic , which is housed at the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade .
In 2005 , Miroslav ’ s Gospel was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World list .
Lately , a new tradition emerged when Serbian presidents swear on the gospel ’ s copy to take the oath of the office when inaugurated .
Written by deacon Gregory , the manuscript was commissioned by Prince Miroslav @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the founder of the Nemanjic dynasty .
Later , the Gospel was named after Prince Miroslav .
In about 1845 , Archimandrite Porphyrius ( Uspensky ) discovered the manuscript at the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos .
He extracted one page from it and brought it to Russia .

"At the suggestion and initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Serbian National Assembly passed three bills at today’s meeting, including the ‘law on confirming the agreement between the government of Serbia and the government of Russia to hand St. Petersburg’s Miroslav Gospel to Serbia and paintings of Nicholas Roerich to Russia," the statement reads.
BELGRADE, January 24. /TASS/. Serbia’s National Assembly has passed the law on Friday paving way to exchange seven paintings of renowned artist Nicholas Roerich for page 166 of Miroslav’s Gospel, the oldest Serbian manuscript, with Russia, the Serbian Culture Ministry’s press service said on Friday.
Earlier, Serbian Culture and Information Minister Vladan Vukosavljevic told TASS that the swap can take place in early 2020, however, both national parliaments need to approve it. According to Vukosavljevic, return of the cultural relic to Serbia will be "one of the most important moments" for the country.
The agreement to exchange these treasures was reached by Belgrade and Moscow during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Serbian capital on January 17. The agreement itself to hand a page of the medieval Cyrillic manuscript back to Belgrade was inked during the then Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s Belgrade visit in October. The document also states that Serbia will hand over seven early Roerich paintings to Russia.
Before the recent developments, the issue of returning the page from the ancient Cyrillic manuscript to Belgrade had been discussed for decades. As for Roerich’s paintings, they simply vanished between 1941 and March 2017 when a TASS correspondent discovered the masterpieces in Serbia’s National Museum.
Miroslav’s Gospel
Miroslav’s Gospel was written in approximately 1180. It is Serbia’s oldest manuscript written in Cyrillic, which is housed at the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade. In 2005, Miroslav’s Gospel was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World list. Lately, a new tradition emerged when Serbian presidents swear on the gospel’s copy to take the oath of the office when inaugurated.
Written by deacon Gregory, the manuscript was commissioned by Prince Miroslav Zavidovic, a brother of Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the Nemanjic dynasty. Later, the Gospel was named after Prince Miroslav. In about 1845, Archimandrite Porphyrius (Uspensky) discovered the manuscript at the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos. He extracted one page from it and brought it to Russia.
Roerich’s paintings


tass--2020-01-24--Ludicrous performance: Moscow slams Sofia’s spy ‘show’ as diplomatic theatrics

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The political ‘ drama ’ involving Russian diplomats in Bulgaria whom Sofia plans @ @ @ @ @ is nothing but theatrics aimed at drawing public attention to the issue , a source @ @ @ @ @ `` This is a theatrical performance by Bulgarian authorities , whose aim is to whip @ @ @ @ @ '' the source said describing the spat .
`` Any issues of this kind are @ @ @ @ @ mic .
Sofia comes off looking ridiculous . ''
Earlier on Friday , the Bulgarian @ @ @ @ @ on its website that pre-trial probes involving two Russian diplomats as part of an espionage @ @ @ @ @ For her part , Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said that the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ personae non gratae .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. The political ‘drama’ involving Russian diplomats in Bulgaria whom Sofia plans to expel over espionage allegations is nothing but theatrics aimed at drawing public attention to the issue, a source in Moscow told TASS.
"This is a theatrical performance by Bulgarian authorities, whose aim is to whip up a public outcry," the source said describing the spat. "Any issues of this kind are not usually resolved at the mic. Sofia comes off looking ridiculous."
Earlier on Friday, the Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office reported on its website that pre-trial probes involving two Russian diplomats as part of an espionage case had been launched. For her part, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said that the country’s authorities planned to declare them personae non gratae.


tass--2020-01-24--Int'l companies optimistic about changes in Russian government, says Presidential Aide

Davos / Switzerland / , 24 January .
/ TASS / .
Representatives of international business are optimistic about changes in the Russian government , and are ready to invest and come up with new projects in the Russian economy , said Presidential Aide Maxim Oreshkin in an interview with Russian TV channel Rossia-24 on Friday , following the Davos forum .
`` They have a very positive attitude , they look positively at the changes that have taken place in the Russian government , and they see those initiatives that have been laid in recent years .
And in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's position is 28th ( in the Doing Business ranking ) Regulatory guillotine , the removal of barriers that exist in the Russian economy , changes in sectoral regulation - many stories are now underway , which will be implemented in the next couple of years and will create better conditions for Doing business in Russia .
Companies are ready to invest , they are ready to come up with new projects , they are optimistic about the Russian situation , '' Oreshkin said .
The government of Dmitry Medvedev resigned on January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin .
On January 21 , the president approved the structure and composition of a cabinet led by former head of the Federal Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin .
There are now 9 deputy Prime Ministers and 21 Ministers in the cabinet ; The 15 former members of the previous government did not make it into the new one .

Davos / Switzerland /, 24 January. / TASS /. Representatives of international business are optimistic about changes in the Russian government, and are ready to invest and come up with new projects in the Russian economy, said Presidential Aide Maxim Oreshkin in an interview with Russian TV channel Rossia-24 on Friday, following the Davos forum.
"They have a very positive attitude, they look positively at the changes that have taken place in the Russian government, and they see those initiatives that have been laid in recent years. And in terms of the business climate, Russia's position is 28th (in the Doing Business ranking) Regulatory guillotine, the removal of barriers that exist in the Russian economy, changes in sectoral regulation - many stories are now underway, which will be implemented in the next couple of years and will create better conditions for Doing business in Russia. Companies are ready to invest, they are ready to come up with new projects, they are optimistic about the Russian situation," Oreshkin said.
The government of Dmitry Medvedev resigned on January 15, 2020 due to the transformations proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. On January 21, the president approved the structure and composition of a cabinet led by former head of the Federal Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin. There are now 9 deputy Prime Ministers and 21 Ministers in the cabinet; The 15 former members of the previous government did not make it into the new one.


tass--2020-01-24--Russian helicopters airlift tactical force during drills in Tajikistan’s mountains

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The crews of Mi-8 military transport helicopters from Russia ’ s 201st military base airlifted a tactical assault force and supported it with fire during drills in high mountains of Tajikistan , the press office of the Central Military District reported on Friday .
`` Under the drills ’ scenario , an illegal armed formation advanced towards Russian military facilities with the aim of seizing them to replenish food and ammunition supplies .
The helicopter crews promptly airlifted mountainous motor rifle units to the presumed area of the enemy ’ s stay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
The crews of Mi-8 helicopters also conducted air reconnaissance and destroyed the notional enemy ’ s installations .
The pilots practiced the technique of piloting in overcoming mountain passes and gorges and sharpened their skills of landing helicopters on unequipped limited-size high mountainous sections .
`` The complexity of these flights is that during such climbs the air becomes more rarified , a temperature drop occurs , weather conditions change and turbulence appears .
At such altitudes , the operation of radio equipment deteriorates while aircraft control becomes more difficult , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 201st military base ’ s Air Group Major Viktor Khasanov as saying .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. The crews of Mi-8 military transport helicopters from Russia’s 201st military base airlifted a tactical assault force and supported it with fire during drills in high mountains of Tajikistan, the press office of the Central Military District reported on Friday.
"Under the drills’ scenario, an illegal armed formation advanced towards Russian military facilities with the aim of seizing them to replenish food and ammunition supplies. The helicopter crews promptly airlifted mountainous motor rifle units to the presumed area of the enemy’s stay," the press office said in a statement.
The crews of Mi-8 helicopters also conducted air reconnaissance and destroyed the notional enemy’s installations. The pilots practiced the technique of piloting in overcoming mountain passes and gorges and sharpened their skills of landing helicopters on unequipped limited-size high mountainous sections.
"The complexity of these flights is that during such climbs the air becomes more rarified, a temperature drop occurs, weather conditions change and turbulence appears. At such altitudes, the operation of radio equipment deteriorates while aircraft control becomes more difficult," the press office quoted Commander of the 201st military base’s Air Group Major Viktor Khasanov as saying.


tass--2020-01-24--Russian PM to visit Kazakhstan for meeting of Eurasian Intergovernmental Council

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will visit Kazakhstan ’ s city of Almaty @ @ @ @ @ of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council ’ s meeting , a cabinet source said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ underway , '' he said in response to a question .
The trip to Kazakhstan @ @ @ @ @ prime minister ’ s first foreign visit .
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry said earlier that @ @ @ @ @ prime ministers of Russia , Armenia , Belarus , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan and Moldova ( @ @ @ @ @ as well as the chairman of the board of the Eurasian Economic Commission .
The @ @ @ @ @ issues concerning trade and economic cooperation between member countries - particularly ways to boost trade @ @ @ @ @ development of the domestic market , as well as the use of integration potential in @ @ @ @ @ , participants will also attend an international forum dubbed The Digital Future of the Global @ @ @ @ @ between digital systems aimed at promoting innovation and technology-based businesses .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will visit Kazakhstan’s city of Almaty to participate in a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council’s meeting, a cabinet source said.
"Preparations for the trip are underway," he said in response to a question.
The trip to Kazakhstan may become the new Russian prime minister’s first foreign visit.
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry said earlier that the meeting would involve the prime ministers of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova (an observer country), as well as the chairman of the board of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
The meeting’s agenda includes issues concerning trade and economic cooperation between member countries - particularly ways to boost trade, remove obstacles in the development of the domestic market, as well as the use of integration potential in various fields. In addition, participants will also attend an international forum dubbed The Digital Future of the Global Economy, dedicated to interaction between digital systems aimed at promoting innovation and technology-based businesses.


tass--2020-01-24--Israeli, Palestinian leaders’ Moscow meeting in May wasn’t discussed — Kremlin

`` No , this topic was not discussed , '' the Kremlin representative answered a question whether contacts between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are possible in May in Moscow where both leaders are invited to attend the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Second World War victory .
MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian side did not discuss a possibility of holding a meeting between leaders of Israel and Palestine in Moscow in May 2020 as part of Victory Day celebrations , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now , let ’ s say , standing transfixed waiting for a new stage of the so-called Middle East big deal to be published < … > .
They definitely would not want to see anything in this so-called big deal that can harm Middle Eastern affairs , therefore , now is a crucial moment , '' Peskov underlined .
He also confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had invited Abbas to Moscow to celebrate Victory Day while the Palestinian leader said that he was going to use this invitation .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 40-page document containing the economic part of the plan to reach settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , which is also called ‘ the deal of the century.
’ It particularly stipulates $ 50 billion investments in Palestine and neighboring countries .
It is envisaged that half of this amount will be provided to Palestine over a 10-year period , while the rest will be invested in the Egyptian , Jordanian and Lebanese economies .
On June 25-26 , Manama , capital of Bahrain , hosted an international meeting with the purpose of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the century that is being elaborated .
Egypt , Jordan , Morocco , the UAE , Kuwait and Saudi Arabia sent their delegations to the meeting , while a number of Arab countries and the Palestinian Administration boycotted the event , slamming this approach as unacceptable .
The US is yet to reveal the political part of the deal .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier underlined that everyone can clearly understand that the American plan will not involve creation of a fully-functional Palestinian state .

"No, this topic was not discussed," the Kremlin representative answered a question whether contacts between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are possible in May in Moscow where both leaders are invited to attend the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Second World War victory.
MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. The Russian side did not discuss a possibility of holding a meeting between leaders of Israel and Palestine in Moscow in May 2020 as part of Victory Day celebrations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.
"Our Palestinian colleagues and friends are now, let’s say, standing transfixed waiting for a new stage of the so-called Middle East big deal to be published <…>. They definitely would not want to see anything in this so-called big deal that can harm Middle Eastern affairs, therefore, now is a crucial moment," Peskov underlined.
He also confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had invited Abbas to Moscow to celebrate Victory Day while the Palestinian leader said that he was going to use this invitation.
In late June, the White House published a 40-page document containing the economic part of the plan to reach settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is also called ‘the deal of the century.’ It particularly stipulates $50 billion investments in Palestine and neighboring countries. It is envisaged that half of this amount will be provided to Palestine over a 10-year period, while the rest will be invested in the Egyptian, Jordanian and Lebanese economies.
On June 25-26, Manama, capital of Bahrain, hosted an international meeting with the purpose of unveiling the economic part of the deal of the century that is being elaborated. Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia sent their delegations to the meeting, while a number of Arab countries and the Palestinian Administration boycotted the event, slamming this approach as unacceptable.
The US is yet to reveal the political part of the deal. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier underlined that everyone can clearly understand that the American plan will not involve creation of a fully-functional Palestinian state.