tass--2020-02-16--Coronavirus cases on board of cruise ship in Japan increased to 355 - authorities

TOKYO , February 16 .
/TASS/ .
Confirmed 2019-nCOV coronavirus infections on board of the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama increased to 355 , Health Minister of Japan Katsunobu Kato said on Sunday on the air with the NHK TV Channel .
`` We tested over 1,200 individuals by now .
Among them , we confirmed 355 coronavirus infection cases .
70 more infection cases were therefore found on board of the ship over the last day .
The ship departed from Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3 .
According to the decision of Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was anchored near Yokohama for medical examinations of all people on board .
There were about 3,700 passengers and crewmembers on board from 50 countries , including Russia .
About 200 passengers aged over 80 were earlier allowed to leave the ship .
The US is going to evacuate about 380 of their citizens on February 17 .
Russian citizens were not in the group of individuals with confirmed infection cases over the last day , the Russian embassy in Japan told TASS on Sunday .
`` The coronavirus was not diagnosed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the diplomatic mission said .

TOKYO, February 16. /TASS/. Confirmed 2019-nCOV coronavirus infections on board of the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama increased to 355, Health Minister of Japan Katsunobu Kato said on Sunday on the air with the NHK TV Channel.
"We tested over 1,200 individuals by now. Among them, we confirmed 355 coronavirus infection cases.
70 more infection cases were therefore found on board of the ship over the last day.
The ship departed from Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3. According to the decision of Japan’s authorities, the cruise ship was anchored near Yokohama for medical examinations of all people on board. There were about 3,700 passengers and crewmembers on board from 50 countries, including Russia. About 200 passengers aged over 80 were earlier allowed to leave the ship. The US is going to evacuate about 380 of their citizens on February 17.
Russian citizens were not in the group of individuals with confirmed infection cases over the last day, the Russian embassy in Japan told TASS on Sunday. "The coronavirus was not diagnosed with our citizens for the time being," the diplomatic mission said.


tass--2020-02-16--Russia to continue efforts for crises resolution in Middle East - Lavrov

MUNICH , February 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will continue searching for ways to resolve crises in the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ Persian Gulf area in cooperation with partners in different formats , Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov @ @ @ @ @ Conference .
`` Following principles of international law , Russia will continue assisting the settlement @ @ @ @ @ of the Astana format and UN mechanisms , helping to bring closer approaches of Libyan @ @ @ @ @ of restoring the statehood of this country that was ruined by NATO , '' the @ @ @ @ @ Russian Concept of Collective Security in the Persian Gulf Area is aimed at sustainable normalization @ @ @ @ @ '' Lavrov said .
Russia also intends to promote the balanced approach towards searching for @ @ @ @ @ Palestinian-Israeli conflict with consideration of existing international legal agreements , the Minister noted .
`` @ @ @ @ @ of substituting legally binding decisions on the Iran ’ s nuclear program by illegitimate unilateral @ @ @ @ @ .

MUNICH, February 16. /TASS/. Russia will continue searching for ways to resolve crises in the Middle East, North Africa and the Persian Gulf area in cooperation with partners in different formats, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the Munich Security Conference.
"Following principles of international law, Russia will continue assisting the settlement in Syria within the framework of the Astana format and UN mechanisms, helping to bring closer approaches of Libyan parties as the only way of restoring the statehood of this country that was ruined by NATO," the Minister said. "The Russian Concept of Collective Security in the Persian Gulf Area is aimed at sustainable normalization of the regional situation," Lavrov said.
Russia also intends to promote the balanced approach towards searching for a fair resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with consideration of existing international legal agreements, the Minister noted.
"We will stand for unacceptability of substituting legally binding decisions on the Iran’s nuclear program by illegitimate unilateral actions," Lavrov added.


tass--2020-02-16--Using terrorists for achievement of geopolitical goals is unacceptable - Lavrov

MUNICH , February 16 .
/TASS/ .
Converting the Middle East into a theater of geopolitical competition and using terrorists @ @ @ @ @ unacceptable , Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the Munich Security Conference .
Stability @ @ @ @ @ not be supported in modern conditions without genuinely global cooperation in combating international terrorism , @ @ @ @ @ , and other cross-border challenges , the minister noted .
`` Many of them acquired @ @ @ @ @ of bloody conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa , '' Lavrov said .
@ @ @ @ @ create comfortable conditions for peoples of countries of the region to solve problems through the @ @ @ @ @ interference .
I consider unacceptable to transform the territory of these countries into the theater @ @ @ @ @ .
Likewise , to use terrorists for achievement of lucrative geopolitical goals , '' the @ @ @

MUNICH, February 16. /TASS/. Converting the Middle East into a theater of geopolitical competition and using terrorists for attainment of goals is unacceptable, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the Munich Security Conference.
Stability of the Euro-Atlantic region cannot be supported in modern conditions without genuinely global cooperation in combating international terrorism, illegal migration, human trafficking, and other cross-border challenges, the minister noted. "Many of them acquired threatening scales as a result of bloody conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa," Lavrov said.
"The international community should create comfortable conditions for peoples of countries of the region to solve problems through the inclusive national dialog without outside interference. I consider unacceptable to transform the territory of these countries into the theater of geopolitical competition and point-scoring. Likewise, to use terrorists for achievement of lucrative geopolitical goals," the Minister added.


tass--2020-02-17--Russia ready to discuss INF-banned missiles deployment moratorium with France

Following Washington ’ s unilateral abandonment of the Intermediate and Shorter-range Nuclear Forces ( INF ) Treaty , Russian President @ @ @ @ @ to all Western leaders , in which he outlined Russia ’ s assessment of the @ @ @ @ @ foreign leaders to prevent the agreements on these types of nuclear forces from disappearing , @ @ @ @ @ president noted that Russia declared a moratorium on deployment of intermediate and shorter-range missiles until @ @ @ @ @ any region of the world .
`` In his message to the Western World leaders @ @ @ @ @ called for a mutual moratorium , '' Lavrov underscored .
`` None of Putin ’ @ @ @ @ @ French President Emmanuel Macron ] noticed that , in his message , [ Putin ] @ @ @ @ @ verification vehicles for such mutual moratorium .
Macron , on the other hand , did @ @ @ @ @ his interest in this kind of dialogue .
As you understand yourself , we will @ @ @ @ @ these topics with the French , '' the minister noted .

Following Washington’s unilateral abandonment of the Intermediate and Shorter-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent detailed letters to all Western leaders, in which he outlined Russia’s assessment of the situation and called on the foreign leaders to prevent the agreements on these types of nuclear forces from disappearing, the minister recalled.
The president noted that Russia declared a moratorium on deployment of intermediate and shorter-range missiles until Washington deploys such missiles in any region of the world.
"In his message to the Western World leaders, [the president] called for a mutual moratorium," Lavrov underscored.
"None of Putin’s recipients, besides [French President Emmanuel Macron] noticed that, in his message, [Putin] expressed readiness to discuss possible verification vehicles for such mutual moratorium. Macron, on the other hand, did notice it, and expressed his interest in this kind of dialogue. As you understand yourself, we will, of course, discuss these topics with the French," the minister noted.


tass--2020-02-17--Kremlin deems Russia de jure and de facto legal successor to USSR

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Kremlin sees Russia as the legal successor of the Soviet Union de jure and de facto , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Monday when commenting on a dissenting opinion on the status of the Russian state voiced by a judge from the Russian Constitutional Court .
`` This is the opinion of a judge from the Constitutional Court , according to practice such opinions are published .
In this case we leave it without comment , and we hold that Russia is the legal successor of the Soviet Union de jure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the Kommersant daily wrote on Monday , Judge Konstantin Aranovsky had called the Soviet Union `` an illegally established state , '' saying that the Russian Federation must not be considered as the legal successor of the `` repressive and terrorist deeds '' of the Soviet government .
According to him , Russia should obtain the constitutional status of a state `` having nothing to do with totalitarian crimes . ''
That was Aranovsky ’ s statement in his comments on one of the recent decisions by the Constitutional Court .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. The Kremlin sees Russia as the legal successor of the Soviet Union de jure and de facto, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Monday when commenting on a dissenting opinion on the status of the Russian state voiced by a judge from the Russian Constitutional Court.
"This is the opinion of a judge from the Constitutional Court, according to practice such opinions are published. In this case we leave it without comment, and we hold that Russia is the legal successor of the Soviet Union de jure and de facto," Peskov emphasized.
As the Kommersant daily wrote on Monday, Judge Konstantin Aranovsky had called the Soviet Union "an illegally established state," saying that the Russian Federation must not be considered as the legal successor of the "repressive and terrorist deeds" of the Soviet government.
According to him, Russia should obtain the constitutional status of a state "having nothing to do with totalitarian crimes." That was Aranovsky’s statement in his comments on one of the recent decisions by the Constitutional Court.


tass--2020-02-17--Russia sees no progress in implementing Normandy Four decisions, says Lavrov

MUNICH , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has so far seen no progress in complying with the decisions of @ @ @ @ @ in Paris , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Monday following the Munich @ @ @ @ @ far , we have not seen any progress in any of the areas .
The @ @ @ @ @ has been hindered by Kiev , '' he said .
As for holding another summit @ @ @ @ @ be formulated on the results of the implementation of the Normandy Four decisions , Sergey @ @ @ @ @ convening a summit , it is necessary not only to implement all that we previously @ @ @ @ @ to understand what set of decisions we are going to discuss at a new summit @ @ @ @ @ done only after all the previous achievements see their realization , '' he stated .

"So far, we have not seen any progress in any of the areas. The disengagement of forces and equipment has been hindered by Kiev," he said. "We don’t see that the Ukrainian side is willing to agree on that issue," he continued. "It’s all about pathological unwillingness of the Ukrainian side, both under [Pyotr] Poroshenko and under [Vladimir] Zelensky, to comply with the requirements of the Minsk agreements on establishing a direct dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk," he went on to say.
According to Lavrov, Ukrainians and Europeans are trying to delegate the settlement process from the Contact Group to the Normandy format "proceeding from the logic that Russia is a party to the conflict." "This logic is flawed, it is neither formalized in the Minsk agreements nor in Resolution 2202 of the UN Security Council," the top diplomat clarified. "Work will have to be continued in the Contact Group, or our Western colleagues will have to concede defeat in their role as guarantors to the process of implementation of the Minsk [agreements]," he said.
Another Normandy Four summit


tass--2020-02-17--EU extends arms embargo against Belarus

EU extends arms embargo against Belarus

BRUSSELS , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
The European Union has extended its arms embargo against Belarus and restrictions on four Belarusian nationals , the Council of the European Union said in a statement on Monday .
`` Today the Council decided to prolong the restrictive measures against Belarus for one year , until 28 February 2021 .
These measures include an embargo on arms and on equipment that could be used for internal repression , as well as an asset freeze and travel ban against four people designated in connection with the unresolved disappearances of two opposition politicians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in 2000 , '' the statement reads .
In 2002 , the EU imposed visa sanctions on Belarus and its President Alexander Lukashenko over human rights violations .
Since then , the restrictions were reviewed several times and suspended three times .
The European Union partially removed sanctions on Minsk in February 2016 .
Brussels opted not to extend restrictions against 170 Belarusian officials , including Lukashenko , and three companies .
However , an embargo on the supply of weapons and police equipment , as well as visa restrictions against four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place .

BRUSSELS, February 17. /TASS/. The European Union has extended its arms embargo against Belarus and restrictions on four Belarusian nationals, the Council of the European Union said in a statement on Monday.
"Today the Council decided to prolong the restrictive measures against Belarus for one year, until 28 February 2021. These measures include an embargo on arms and on equipment that could be used for internal repression, as well as an asset freeze and travel ban against four people designated in connection with the unresolved disappearances of two opposition politicians, one businessman and one journalist in 1999 and in 2000," the statement reads.
In 2002, the EU imposed visa sanctions on Belarus and its President Alexander Lukashenko over human rights violations. Since then, the restrictions were reviewed several times and suspended three times. The European Union partially removed sanctions on Minsk in February 2016. Brussels opted not to extend restrictions against 170 Belarusian officials, including Lukashenko, and three companies. However, an embargo on the supply of weapons and police equipment, as well as visa restrictions against four senior Belarusian law enforcement officers, remained in place.


tass--2020-02-17--Lavrov says he discussed arms control issues with Pompeo in Munich

MUNICH , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that , at a brief meeting @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference , the parties discussed a @ @ @ @ @ to strategic dialogue and arms control .
`` We discussed a number of issues related @ @ @ @ @ problems that are on the agenda of our dialogue , including strategic ones , '' @ @ @ @ @ questions that are within the purview of the five UN Security Council permanent members and @ @ @ @ @ arms control , were discussed .
We agreed to continue a specific professional dialogue on @ @ @ @ @ s top diplomat also pointed to signs indicating that the US is moving towards a @ @ @ @ @ stability issues .
A brief meeting between Lavrov and Pompeo took place in Munich on @ @ @ @ @ Department of State refused to disclose the details of the conversation .

MUNICH, February 17. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that, at a brief meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the parties discussed a whole range of issues related to strategic dialogue and arms control.
"We discussed a number of issues related to the whole array of problems that are on the agenda of our dialogue, including strategic ones," he said. "Those questions that are within the purview of the five UN Security Council permanent members and the ones, which concern arms control, were discussed. We agreed to continue a specific professional dialogue on them."
Russia’s top diplomat also pointed to signs indicating that the US is moving towards a more constructive approach to strategic stability issues.
A brief meeting between Lavrov and Pompeo took place in Munich on February 14. The US Department of State refused to disclose the details of the conversation.


tass--2020-02-17--Russian and Turkish military in Idlib have full mutual understanding, Lavrov says

`` Military representatives of both Russia and Turkey , who are on the ground in Syria , in Idlib province , stay in constant contact , review situation changes .
They have , as we hear both from Russian and Turkish military , full mutual understanding , '' the minister said .
MUNICH , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian and Turkish military in Idlib stay in constant contact , there is full mutual understanding between them , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists in the wake of the Munich Security conference .
He reminded that the next round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Turkey takes place in Moscow .
`` All facts are on the table , '' the minister said .
`` I hope they would be able to present ideas that would allow to de-escalate this situation [ in Idlib ] , based on agreements , reached by the Presidents of Russia and Turkey . ''
The situation in Idlib escalated sharply after the Russian and the Turkish military attempted to broker yet another ceasefire , only for the terrorists to ramp up their attacks , leading to deaths of Russian and Turkish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syrian army captured the strategic city of Saraqib , located in Idlib province , on February 5 .
On February 11 , the Syrian opposition , supported by Turkey , began a wide-scale offensive against Syrian Army , covered by heavy Turkish artillery fire .
Nusra Front terrorists took active part in the fight .

"Military representatives of both Russia and Turkey, who are on the ground in Syria, in Idlib province, stay in constant contact, review situation changes. They have, as we hear both from Russian and Turkish military, full mutual understanding," the minister said.
MUNICH, February 17. /TASS/. Russian and Turkish military in Idlib stay in constant contact, there is full mutual understanding between them, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists in the wake of the Munich Security conference.
He reminded that the next round of negotiations between inter-agency delegations of Russia and Turkey takes place in Moscow.
"All facts are on the table," the minister said. "I hope they would be able to present ideas that would allow to de-escalate this situation [in Idlib], based on agreements, reached by the Presidents of Russia and Turkey."
The situation in Idlib escalated sharply after the Russian and the Turkish military attempted to broker yet another ceasefire, only for the terrorists to ramp up their attacks, leading to deaths of Russian and Turkish military specialists. In response, the Syrian army captured the strategic city of Saraqib, located in Idlib province, on February 5.
On February 11, the Syrian opposition, supported by Turkey, began a wide-scale offensive against Syrian Army, covered by heavy Turkish artillery fire. Nusra Front terrorists took active part in the fight.


tass--2020-02-17--St. Petersburg court rules to mandatory isolate patient escaping coronavirus quarantine

ST. PETERSBURG .
February 17 .
/TASS/ .
A district court in Russia ’ s second largest city of St. Petersburg on Monday sustained a lawsuit filed by the city ’ s chief sanitary doctor and ruled the young woman who has escaped from coronavirus quarantine be taken back to hospital for mandatory examination .
`` The court has ruled to sustain the administrative claim .
Alla Ilyina will be placed under medical supervision , '' Olga Tarasova , a judge of St. Petersburg ’ s Petrogradsky District Court , pronounced the ruling .
Ilyina was in the court building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling was pronounced .
She learned about the court decision from journalists .
An ambulance car was waiting at the court building to take her to the Botkin Hospital for Infectious Diseases .
Ilyina told journalists she would not challenge the court ruling .
Previously , she was categorically against isolation , saying however she was ready to do all necessary tests .
Last week , St. Petersburg ’ s chief sanitary doctor Natalia Bashketova filed a lawsuit in court demanding that Ilyina should undergo mandatory examination .
According to Bashketova , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed Ilyina , who had arrived from China in early February , with an acute viral disease .
Infection with the novel coronavirus was not be ruled out .
Ilyina was taken to the Botkin Hospital but left it without permission and has been refusing to return for further examination .
The Russian consumer rights watchdog and St. Petersburg ’ s health authorities claimed the patient had committed an administrative offense by breaking quarantine regulations , potentially exposing other people to the virus .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million , in late December .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple foci .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported in 24 other countries , including Russia .
According to the latest update , the number of confirmed cases of the disease has exceeded 71,000 , with about 1,800 people killed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered .

ST. PETERSBURG. February 17. /TASS/. A district court in Russia’s second largest city of St. Petersburg on Monday sustained a lawsuit filed by the city’s chief sanitary doctor and ruled the young woman who has escaped from coronavirus quarantine be taken back to hospital for mandatory examination.
"The court has ruled to sustain the administrative claim. Alla Ilyina will be placed under medical supervision," Olga Tarasova, a judge of St. Petersburg’s Petrogradsky District Court, pronounced the ruling.
Ilyina was in the court building but was present in the courtroom when the ruling was pronounced. She learned about the court decision from journalists. An ambulance car was waiting at the court building to take her to the Botkin Hospital for Infectious Diseases.
Ilyina told journalists she would not challenge the court ruling. Previously, she was categorically against isolation, saying however she was ready to do all necessary tests.
Last week, St. Petersburg’s chief sanitary doctor Natalia Bashketova filed a lawsuit in court demanding that Ilyina should undergo mandatory examination. According to Bashketova, medical examination on February 4 and 5 diagnosed Ilyina, who had arrived from China in early February, with an acute viral disease. Infection with the novel coronavirus was not be ruled out.
Ilyina was taken to the Botkin Hospital but left it without permission and has been refusing to return for further examination. The Russian consumer rights watchdog and St. Petersburg’s health authorities claimed the patient had committed an administrative offense by breaking quarantine regulations, potentially exposing other people to the virus.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million, in late December. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple foci.
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported in 24 other countries, including Russia. According to the latest update, the number of confirmed cases of the disease has exceeded 71,000, with about 1,800 people killed by this coronavirus. More than 11,000 have recovered.


tass--2020-02-17--‘Soviet citizen’ who accused security officers of treason apprehended at Ukrainian border

KIEV , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian border security officers apprehended a trespasser , who showed a USSR passport @ @ @ @ @ demanded free pass , accusing the officers of treason .
The incident took place at @ @ @ @ @ Region .
The trespasser reportedly tried to cross the border from Moldova .
He refused @ @ @ @ @ ’ s demands , claiming their actions were unlawful .
`` He accused the Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ , although in accordance with the USSR law , and called on the officers to @ @ @ @ @ , '' the border security said in a statement .
The `` Soviet citizen '' @ @ @ @ @ .
He was barred from entering Ukraine for three years for trespassing .

KIEV, February 17. /TASS/. Ukrainian border security officers apprehended a trespasser, who showed a USSR passport during the ID check and demanded free pass, accusing the officers of treason. The incident took place at Kuchurgan checkpoint in the Odessa Region.
The trespasser reportedly tried to cross the border from Moldova. He refused to comply with border service’s demands, claiming their actions were unlawful.
"He accused the Ukrainian border security officers of treason, although in accordance with the USSR law, and called on the officers to defect to the Soviet Union," the border security said in a statement.
The "Soviet citizen" was apprehended during the incident. He was barred from entering Ukraine for three years for trespassing.


tass--2020-02-17--Russia continues to support Syria in its fight against terrorism, Kremlin says

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia continues to support the Syrian military in its fight against terrorists , who ramped up its activity in Idlib , says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov , commenting on the remark made by US President Donald Trump , who condemned Russian support for Syria in a phone call with his Turkish colleague Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
Trump informs Erdogan of his ‘ concern ’ over situation in Syria ’ s Idlib '' Russian Armed Forces , Russian advisors continue to support the Syrian Armed Forces in their fight against terrorists .
We continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity in Idlib , '' the Kremlin spokesman said .
On January 15 , during a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , US President Trump expressed his concerns about the Idlib situation and expressed his wish that Russia stopped supporting the Syrian government .
The White House statement says that `` conveyed the United States ' desire to see an end to Russia 's support for the Assad regime 's atrocities and for a political resolution to the Syrian conflict . ''
The Idlib situation escalated after the Russian and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another ceasefire , only for the terrorists to ramp up their attack , leading to deaths of Russian and Turkish military specialists .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Russia continues to support the Syrian military in its fight against terrorists, who ramped up its activity in Idlib, says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the remark made by US President Donald Trump, who condemned Russian support for Syria in a phone call with his Turkish colleague Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"Russian Armed Forces, Russian advisors continue to support the Syrian Armed Forces in their fight against terrorists. We continue to deplore the terrorists’ ramped up activity in Idlib," the Kremlin spokesman said.
On January 15, during a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, US President Trump expressed his concerns about the Idlib situation and expressed his wish that Russia stopped supporting the Syrian government.
The White House statement says that "conveyed the United States' desire to see an end to Russia's support for the Assad regime's atrocities and for a political resolution to the Syrian conflict."
The Idlib situation escalated after the Russian and the Turkish military attempted to broker yet another ceasefire, only for the terrorists to ramp up their attack, leading to deaths of Russian and Turkish military specialists.


tass--2020-02-17--Russia’s latest Il-112 military transport plane to perform 2nd flight in April

`` We are going to certify Il-76 , Il-114-300 and Il-112 planes , the production of which is being planned .
In April , we will fly the first Il-112 plane at the Voronezh enterprise and will organize the serial production of il-112s at the Voronezh factory , '' the chief executive said .
TAGANROG /Rostov Region/ , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will launch the serial production of its latest Ilyushin il-112 military transport plane at the Voronezh Aircraft Enterprise and the prototype will take to the skies for the second time in April , Head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
All these planes will be certified under civil standards , he added .
As the press office of the Ilyushin Aircraft Company reported in March 2019 , the debut flight of the Il-112V plane was successful .
The Il-112V is the first military transport plane developed in Russia from scratch in the post-Soviet period .
The work on the plane ’ s development has been going on since 2014 .
The Il-112V is designed to carry up to 5 tonnes of cargoes and transport personnel .
Russia is developing the plane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The plane will come in two modifications : one for civil aviation ( the Il-112T ) and the other as a military transport aircraft ( the Il-112V ) .
It was earlier reported that Russia ’ s Defense Ministry intended to purchase 62 Il-112V planes .

"We are going to certify Il-76, Il-114-300 and Il-112 planes, the production of which is being planned. In April, we will fly the first Il-112 plane at the Voronezh enterprise and will organize the serial production of il-112s at the Voronezh factory," the chief executive said.
TAGANROG /Rostov Region/, February 17. /TASS/. Russia will launch the serial production of its latest Ilyushin il-112 military transport plane at the Voronezh Aircraft Enterprise and the prototype will take to the skies for the second time in April, Head of the Ilyushin Aviation Company Yuri Grudinin said on Monday.
All these planes will be certified under civil standards, he added.
As the press office of the Ilyushin Aircraft Company reported in March 2019, the debut flight of the Il-112V plane was successful.
The Il-112V is the first military transport plane developed in Russia from scratch in the post-Soviet period. The work on the plane’s development has been going on since 2014. The Il-112V is designed to carry up to 5 tonnes of cargoes and transport personnel. Russia is developing the plane to replace An-26 and An-24 turbo-prop planes. The plane will come in two modifications: one for civil aviation (the Il-112T) and the other as a military transport aircraft (the Il-112V). It was earlier reported that Russia’s Defense Ministry intended to purchase 62 Il-112V planes.


tass--2020-02-17--First Russian passenger of cruise ship in Japan diagnosed with coronavirus

TOKYO , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian woman , who is onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined @ @ @ @ @ of Yokohama , has tested positive for the new coronavirus , the Russian Embassy in @ @ @ @ @ The Russian national underwent medical examination for the new coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) along with @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The Russian will be taken to hospital soon where she will undergo treatment @ @ @ @ @ said .
This is the first confirmed coronavirus case among Russians .
Earlier on Monday @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus cases onboard the cruise ship , bringing the total number of those infected @ @ @

TOKYO, February 17. /TASS/. A Russian woman, who is onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in the Japanese port city of Yokohama, has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the Russian Embassy in Japan said on Monday.
The Russian national underwent medical examination for the new coronavirus (COVID-19) along with other passengers of the vessel. "The Russian will be taken to hospital soon where she will undergo treatment," the diplomatic mission said.
This is the first confirmed coronavirus case among Russians. Earlier on Monday, Japanese doctors reported 99 new coronavirus cases onboard the cruise ship, bringing the total number of those infected to 454.


tass--2020-02-17--Russia’s imports from China down amid coronavirus outbreak

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
China ’ s supplies of goods to Russia have declined due to the @ @ @ @ @ , First Deputy Head of Russia ’ s Federal Customs Service Ruslan Davydov told a @ @ @ @ @ `` There has been a certain decline ( of imports ) from China to Russia @ @ @ @ @ probably due to the actions of the Chinese authorities and the actions of the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ .
We currently evidence a certain decline in supplies of goods , particularly of fruits @ @ @ @ @ Far Eastern region .
As we understand that is related to the coronavirus , though @ @ @ @ @ should be judged by China itself , '' he explained .
The government has decided @ @ @ @ @ tourists from crossing the border in the border areas of the Far East , Davydov @ @ @ @ @ restrictions were imposed on transportation of goods .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. China’s supplies of goods to Russia have declined due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, First Deputy Head of Russia’s Federal Customs Service Ruslan Davydov told a press conference on Monday.
"There has been a certain decline (of imports) from China to Russia. However, that is probably due to the actions of the Chinese authorities and the actions of the Chinese businessmen in the first place. We currently evidence a certain decline in supplies of goods, particularly of fruits and vegetables, in the Far Eastern region. As we understand that is related to the coronavirus, though how the situation will unfold should be judged by China itself," he explained.
The government has decided to restrict substantially citizens, tourists from crossing the border in the border areas of the Far East, Davydov noted, adding that no restrictions were imposed on transportation of goods.


tass--2020-02-17--Suspected Ukrainian militia member arrested in Crimea

SIMFEROPOL , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) officers apprehended a Crimean resident suspected of being a member of a Ukrainian militia - the so-called `` Noman Celebicihan Battalion . ''
The man was arrested , the regional intelligence service division said in a statement .
`` Crimea and Sevastopol FSB Directorate Investigative Department has initiated criminal proceedings against the Crimean resident suspected of taking part in militia acting at a foreign state against Russian interests , '' the statement says .
According to the directorate , the suspect entered Ukrainian territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noman Celebicihan Battalion , led by Lenur Islyamov .
Later , he returned to Crimea , but , `` despite having an option to voluntarily end its participation in the militia , did not turn to the law enforcement , therefore continuing his criminal participation in the Battalion , '' the FSB press release reads .
`` The FSB officers conducted investigative actions at registration and residence addresses of the suspect .
The suspect is currently apprehended .
The court picked a penalty measure of imprisonment , '' the press release reads .

SIMFEROPOL, February 17. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) officers apprehended a Crimean resident suspected of being a member of a Ukrainian militia - the so-called "Noman Celebicihan Battalion." The man was arrested, the regional intelligence service division said in a statement.
"Crimea and Sevastopol FSB Directorate Investigative Department has initiated criminal proceedings against the Crimean resident suspected of taking part in militia acting at a foreign state against Russian interests," the statement says.
According to the directorate, the suspect entered Ukrainian territory in 2016, where he joined the Noman Celebicihan Battalion, led by Lenur Islyamov. Later, he returned to Crimea, but, "despite having an option to voluntarily end its participation in the militia, did not turn to the law enforcement, therefore continuing his criminal participation in the Battalion," the FSB press release reads.
"The FSB officers conducted investigative actions at registration and residence addresses of the suspect. The suspect is currently apprehended. The court picked a penalty measure of imprisonment," the press release reads.


tass--2020-02-17--Press review: US to fund anti-Gazprom crusade and Russia, Turkey fail to reach Idlib deal

Moscow and Ankara have not yet reached an agreement on Syria ’ s Idlib and are working towards a deal , Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Izvestia on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference .
Ankara hopes that the document on the Idlib zone will be finalized after the Turkish delegation ’ s visit to Moscow on Monday .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that Moscow had great expectations over the second round of negotiations .
`` Russia will hold thorough , meaningful talks .
And we certainly hope that they will bear fruit , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy said the exact date and venue of the next Astana summit had not yet been agreed on and this would be discussed during Monday ’ s meeting .
Earlier , Erdogan said the summit could take place this March .
The previous round of talks between Russia and Turkey , which was held in Ankara last week , failed to yield any significant results .
Cavusoglu said Turkey was actively cooperating with Russia and the outcome of this endeavor would be known on Monday after the two delegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Syrian issue debase our cooperation and affect our relations .
That ’ s why we are continuing the talks , '' he noted .
This statement came amid Saturday ’ s threats by the Turkish leader against Damascus .
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that unless Assad withdrew his forces from the border defined in the Sochi agreement , Turkey would do the job before the end of February .
The top Turkish diplomat noted that Monday ’ s meeting in Moscow would show whether the two presidents should hold the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rival leaders likely to meet soon Moscow believes that Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Commander Khalifa Haftar and Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) Fayez al-Sarraj could meet in the near future .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Izvestia that it was important to pursue three settlement tracks : a ceasefire , political dialogue and solving economic issues .
Moscow believes these are all interconnected and therefore it is important to make progress on these issues simultaneously .
Besides , all parties need to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should build their future with the support of the world community .
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told Izvestia that the Libyan issue would be discussed on February 18 in Rome at his meeting with Russia ’ s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov .
According to a Russian diplomatic source , Rome has taken the most proactive stance on resolving the Libyan crisis , especially given that Libyans are fleeing the war-torn country , seeking asylum in nearby Italy .
Meanwhile , Erdogan has accused Russia ’ s top brass of managing mercenaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libya .
Later , Bogdanov rejected this statement , saying it had nothing to do with reality in the country , Vedomosti writes .
A high-ranking diplomatic source told the paper that Erdogan ’ s talks with US President Donald Trump on Saturday , covering Libya and Syria , `` stirred the pot . ''
Trump usually fuels tensions around acute issues at the suggestion of special forces .
This is not the first time such accusations have been hurled against Russia .
According to a source close to a Russian security agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian special services in Libya , and this is in line with widespread international practice .
Their goal is to ensure the security of Russian negotiators who hold contacts with Haftar and his key rival Sarraj .
Meanwhile , Erdogan ’ s statement leans towards a more serious goal of distracting attention from Syria so as to deploy a large-scale Turkish contingent to the Idlib de-escalation zone , the source noted .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : US to earmark $ 1 bln to fight Gazprom Washington plans to transfer nearly $ 1 bln to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are part of the Three Seas Initiative .
Washington wants to increase the region ’ s energy independence , by pulling them away from Russian gas .
The United States hopes that this measure would encourage private investors to develop these countries ’ energy sector in order to reduce their dependence on Moscow .
Some member-states of the Three Seas Initiative have met the news with enthusiasm .
It is evident that the rising energy independence of some European countries harms chiefly Gazprom ’ s interests in Europe , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes amid growing confrontation with Russia over the Nord Stream 2 gas project .
The US opposes the gas pipeline ’ s construction .
Experts from the Alpri think-tank note that Russia has missed some opportunities .
`` New EU members that broke away from Russia ’ s orbit 30 years ago , are actually controlled by the US and often clash with Brussels .
Washington delivers a double blow here by weakening Germany ’ s influence and consistently shackling Russia ’ s energy capability in the EU , '' the analysts said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries launch new power structures and foster values of market freedom and energy security , Russia has been idle for decades , `` relying on Germany in energy dialogue , but reality is different now . ''
Environmental damage from oil contamination grew to 5.1 bln rubles ( $ 80.5 mln ) in 2018 from one bln ( $ 15.8 mln ) in 2017 , the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources said in its latest report cited by Izvestia .
Russia ’ s environmental watchdog , the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason behind the rising number of violations is due to the dilapidated state of pipelines and equipment that produce , ship and store oil products .
Besides , companies often violate rules and illegally tap into oil pipelines .
The lion ’ s share of environmental legislation violations are reported in the Southern , Siberian and Urals federal districts .
The companies working in central and southern Russia are among the worst in terms of environmental damage .
State spending on environmental protection in 2018 reached 34.3 bln rubles ( $ 541 mln @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the cost of adverse environmental effects hit 13.1 bln ( $ 206.7 mln ) .
Experts interviewed by Izvestia also blame climate change for the growing volume of polluting emissions .
They believe that the government should step up environmental activism .
Director of the Higher School of Economics ’ Center for Economy of Environment and Natural Resources Georgy Safonov explains that the past eight years have been the warmest across the world and in Russia .
Last year was especially warm in the Arctic region , where major Russian oil production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil and gas infrastructure built there some 40-50 years ago was affected by this warm weather .
Its destruction leads to various abuses , including oil spills , he noted .
Vedomosti : Congress not going for Trump ’ s Moon plan , but focusing on Mars Recently , the US House of Representatives outlined its stance on the nation ’ s space policy , suggesting a radical change to the priorities of America ’ s manned program , while shifting focus from the Moon to Mars .
Traditionally , US space policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adopt their doctrines , while often ditching previous plans , Alexander Yermakov , an expert from the Russian International Affairs Council wrote in his article for Vedomosti .
Donald Trump , who sought to deep-six all the initiatives of his predecessor Barack Obama , in December 2017 declared a return to the Moon .
This May , Vice President Mike Pence announced plans to send astronauts to the Moon by 2024 under the Artemis program .
If earlier Congress backed this program , last year the president ’ s opponents came together and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget on January 24 ( H.R .
5666 ) that snubs Artemis .
The legislators seek to move the lunar landing to 2028 and send astronauts to Mars by 2033 .
Although the bill was introduced by both parties , Trump could regard it as an attempt to `` take the Moon back from him '' and the project could face certain obstacles in the Senate , which is loyal to the president .
However , if it is clear that the Artemis program ’ s implementation is delayed and the lunar landing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump could be quite satisfied to be the president , who would be behind America ’ s first steps to Mars , the expert points out .
For Russia , the US legislators ’ plan is fraught with both challenges and opportunities .
On the one hand , the delayed flight to the Moon means greater international cooperation and more chances to join it .
The guarantee of the International Space Station ’ s operation for another decade is the cornerstone of Russia ’ s space sector , the expert notes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights to outer space , Russia will still have to make serious efforts and introduce unique know-how in certain areas .
In particular , the creation of the next-generation Orel spacecraft would guarantee Russia ’ s spot in spaceflights in the future .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Izvestia: Russia, Turkey fail to strike deal on Syria’s Idlib Moscow and Ankara have not yet reached an agreement on Syria’s Idlib and are working towards a deal, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Izvestia on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Ankara hopes that the document on the Idlib zone will be finalized after the Turkish delegation’s visit to Moscow on Monday. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that Moscow had great expectations over the second round of negotiations. "Russia will hold thorough, meaningful talks. And we certainly hope that they will bear fruit," the diplomat stressed.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy said the exact date and venue of the next Astana summit had not yet been agreed on and this would be discussed during Monday’s meeting. Earlier, Erdogan said the summit could take place this March. The previous round of talks between Russia and Turkey, which was held in Ankara last week, failed to yield any significant results. Cavusoglu said Turkey was actively cooperating with Russia and the outcome of this endeavor would be known on Monday after the two delegations meet. "We should not let the Syrian issue debase our cooperation and affect our relations. That’s why we are continuing the talks," he noted. This statement came amid Saturday’s threats by the Turkish leader against Damascus. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that unless Assad withdrew his forces from the border defined in the Sochi agreement, Turkey would do the job before the end of February. The top Turkish diplomat noted that Monday’s meeting in Moscow would show whether the two presidents should hold the next meeting. Media: Libya’s rival leaders likely to meet soon Moscow believes that Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar and Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj could meet in the near future. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Izvestia that it was important to pursue three settlement tracks: a ceasefire, political dialogue and solving economic issues. Moscow believes these are all interconnected and therefore it is important to make progress on these issues simultaneously. Besides, all parties need to understand Libya’s future that Libyans themselves should build their future with the support of the world community. Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told Izvestia that the Libyan issue would be discussed on February 18 in Rome at his meeting with Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov. According to a Russian diplomatic source, Rome has taken the most proactive stance on resolving the Libyan crisis, especially given that Libyans are fleeing the war-torn country, seeking asylum in nearby Italy.
Meanwhile, Erdogan has accused Russia’s top brass of managing mercenaries from the Wagner private military company in Libya. Later, Bogdanov rejected this statement, saying it had nothing to do with reality in the country, Vedomosti writes. A high-ranking diplomatic source told the paper that Erdogan’s talks with US President Donald Trump on Saturday, covering Libya and Syria, "stirred the pot." Trump usually fuels tensions around acute issues at the suggestion of special forces. This is not the first time such accusations have been hurled against Russia. According to a source close to a Russian security agency, there is a small number of Russian special services in Libya, and this is in line with widespread international practice. Their goal is to ensure the security of Russian negotiators who hold contacts with Haftar and his key rival Sarraj. Meanwhile, Erdogan’s statement leans towards a more serious goal of distracting attention from Syria so as to deploy a large-scale Turkish contingent to the Idlib de-escalation zone, the source noted. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: US to earmark $1 bln to fight Gazprom Washington plans to transfer nearly $1 bln to 12 states in Central and Eastern Europe that are part of the Three Seas Initiative. Washington wants to increase the region’s energy independence, by pulling them away from Russian gas. The United States hopes that this measure would encourage private investors to develop these countries’ energy sector in order to reduce their dependence on Moscow.
Read also Gazprom plans to keep gas exports to Europe at level of previous years
Some member-states of the Three Seas Initiative have met the news with enthusiasm. It is evident that the rising energy independence of some European countries harms chiefly Gazprom’s interests in Europe, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Besides, Washington’s offer comes amid growing confrontation with Russia over the Nord Stream 2 gas project. The US opposes the gas pipeline’s construction. Experts from the Alpri think-tank note that Russia has missed some opportunities. "New EU members that broke away from Russia’s orbit 30 years ago, are actually controlled by the US and often clash with Brussels. Washington delivers a double blow here by weakening Germany’s influence and consistently shackling Russia’s energy capability in the EU," the analysts said. While the US is helping these countries launch new power structures and foster values of market freedom and energy security, Russia has been idle for decades, "relying on Germany in energy dialogue, but reality is different now." Izvestia: Russia’s environmental damage from oil contamination quintuples Environmental damage from oil contamination grew to 5.1 bln rubles ($80.5 mln) in 2018 from one bln ($15.8 mln) in 2017, the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources said in its latest report cited by Izvestia. Russia’s environmental watchdog, the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources, told the paper that the reason behind the rising number of violations is due to the dilapidated state of pipelines and equipment that produce, ship and store oil products. Besides, companies often violate rules and illegally tap into oil pipelines. The lion’s share of environmental legislation violations are reported in the Southern, Siberian and Urals federal districts. The companies working in central and southern Russia are among the worst in terms of environmental damage. State spending on environmental protection in 2018 reached 34.3 bln rubles ($541 mln), the ministry reported. However, the cost of adverse environmental effects hit 13.1 bln ($206.7 mln). Experts interviewed by Izvestia also blame climate change for the growing volume of polluting emissions. They believe that the government should step up environmental activism. Director of the Higher School of Economics’ Center for Economy of Environment and Natural Resources Georgy Safonov explains that the past eight years have been the warmest across the world and in Russia. Last year was especially warm in the Arctic region, where major Russian oil production and transportation is based. The entire oil and gas infrastructure built there some 40-50 years ago was affected by this warm weather. Its destruction leads to various abuses, including oil spills, he noted. Vedomosti: Congress not going for Trump’s Moon plan, but focusing on Mars Recently, the US House of Representatives outlined its stance on the nation’s space policy, suggesting a radical change to the priorities of America’s manned program, while shifting focus from the Moon to Mars. Traditionally, US space policy is closely associated with presidents, who adopt their doctrines, while often ditching previous plans, Alexander Yermakov, an expert from the Russian International Affairs Council wrote in his article for Vedomosti.


tass--2020-02-17--Russia does not meddle in other countries’ affairs, Kremlin says

`` No , Russia is strongly opposed to other countries ’ interference in its affairs .
We rule out the possibility that Russia could do the same thing with regard to other countries , '' Peskov said when asked whether Russia could attempt to meddle in France ’ s affairs .
MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia rules out the possibility of meddling in the affairs of other countries , including France , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters commenting on a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron that third countries , including Russia , could try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kremlin spokesman added that he was not familiar in detail with Macron ’ s statement made on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference .
`` We know just one thing : he is a supporter , proponent of developing the Russian-French and Russian-European dialogue , believing that there is no alternative to that dialogue from the viewpoint of finding understanding and ways out of many crisis situations , which are a challenge to us , '' he said .
On February 15 , Macron said on the sidelines of the Munich Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , could try to influence future elections in France .
In his view , Russia ’ s strategy was to support anti-European , anti-immigration , very conservative movements , which oppose associations and weaken European integration .
He assumed that Russia would do that `` either through private actors , directly through its agencies , or through proxies . ''
He stressed that he was talking not only about Russia , adding that far-right American groups likewise interfered in European campaigns and European strategy .
Accorrding to Macron , it is essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counter that interference .

"No, Russia is strongly opposed to other countries’ interference in its affairs. We rule out the possibility that Russia could do the same thing with regard to other countries," Peskov said when asked whether Russia could attempt to meddle in France’s affairs.
MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Russia rules out the possibility of meddling in the affairs of other countries, including France, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters commenting on a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron that third countries, including Russia, could try to influence future elections in France.
The Kremlin spokesman added that he was not familiar in detail with Macron’s statement made on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. "We know just one thing: he is a supporter, proponent of developing the Russian-French and Russian-European dialogue, believing that there is no alternative to that dialogue from the viewpoint of finding understanding and ways out of many crisis situations, which are a challenge to us," he said.
On February 15, Macron said on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference that some third parties, including Russia, could try to influence future elections in France. In his view, Russia’s strategy was to support anti-European, anti-immigration, very conservative movements, which oppose associations and weaken European integration. He assumed that Russia would do that "either through private actors, directly through its agencies, or through proxies." He stressed that he was talking not only about Russia, adding that far-right American groups likewise interfered in European campaigns and European strategy. Accorrding to Macron, it is essential to take a number of steps to counter that interference.


tass--2020-02-17--NATO has no plans to provide military support to Turkey in Idlib — source

`` NATO countries will not support the invocation of Article 5 over the death of Turkish troops in Idlib in early February , '' the source pointed out .
According to him , NATO is not considering the possibility of providing Turkey with military assistance in the event of a military operation in the region .
The diplomat said that the death of Turkish troops in Idlib was a tragedy but it had taken place during a unilateral military operation on foreign soil , which goes beyond Article 5 of NATO ’ s founding treaty .
He added that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is why Ankara had not tried to initiate NATO consultations on the matter .
BRUSSELS , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
NATO has no plans to provide Ankara with military support if Turkey launches a military operation in northern Syria , a diplomatic source from a NATO country told TASS on Monday .
As for the possibility of a Turkish military operation aimed at halting the advance of Syrian government forces in Idlib and assisting illegal armed groups in retaining control of certain parts of the province , the source noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the political support of other member states but there were no plans to provide Ankara with military assistance .
The diplomat emphasized that not all NATO members shared Turkey ’ s goals in Syria and Libya , and the issue of providing military support to Turkey had not been raised at a meeting of NATO defense ministers on February 12-13 .
The situation in the Syrian province of Idlib escalated after the Russian and Turkish militaries had made another attempt to ensure a ceasefire .
In response , terrorists increased attacks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Syrian army took action against extremists , seizing the town of Saraqib on February 5 .
On February 7 , Turkey ’ s Milliyet newspaper reported that three out of 12 Turkish observation points were located in areas controlled by Damascus .
On the morning of February 11 , Syrian opposition forces supported by Turkey launched large-scale attacks on Syrian government troops , particularly on Saraqib and the Nayrab settlement .
The fighting also involved supporters of the Jabhat al-Nusra terror group ( outlawed in Russia ) .
Syrian troops thwarted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses .

"NATO countries will not support the invocation of Article 5 over the death of Turkish troops in Idlib in early February," the source pointed out. According to him, NATO is not considering the possibility of providing Turkey with military assistance in the event of a military operation in the region. The diplomat said that the death of Turkish troops in Idlib was a tragedy but it had taken place during a unilateral military operation on foreign soil, which goes beyond Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty. He added that the fact was clear to Turkey as well, which is why Ankara had not tried to initiate NATO consultations on the matter.
BRUSSELS, February 17. /TASS/. NATO has no plans to provide Ankara with military support if Turkey launches a military operation in northern Syria, a diplomatic source from a NATO country told TASS on Monday.
As for the possibility of a Turkish military operation aimed at halting the advance of Syrian government forces in Idlib and assisting illegal armed groups in retaining control of certain parts of the province, the source noted that as a NATO member, Turkey had the political support of other member states but there were no plans to provide Ankara with military assistance.
The diplomat emphasized that not all NATO members shared Turkey’s goals in Syria and Libya, and the issue of providing military support to Turkey had not been raised at a meeting of NATO defense ministers on February 12-13.
The situation in the Syrian province of Idlib escalated after the Russian and Turkish militaries had made another attempt to ensure a ceasefire. In response, terrorists increased attacks, killing both Russian and Turkish military experts. The Syrian army took action against extremists, seizing the town of Saraqib on February 5. On February 7, Turkey’s Milliyet newspaper reported that three out of 12 Turkish observation points were located in areas controlled by Damascus.
On the morning of February 11, Syrian opposition forces supported by Turkey launched large-scale attacks on Syrian government troops, particularly on Saraqib and the Nayrab settlement. The fighting also involved supporters of the Jabhat al-Nusra terror group (outlawed in Russia). Syrian troops thwarted the attacks, while militants suffered substantial losses.


tass--2020-02-17--Absen Launches Venus LED Series at ISE 2020

SHENZHEN , China , Feb. 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global LED manufacturer Absen announced the launch of a new super-lightweight touring solution for rental stagers on the opening day of ISE ( 11-14 February 2020 ) .
The Venus ( VN ) Series is an innovative LED display that has been specifically designed for concerts and festivals due to its ability to create super-sized screens at speed .
The product features a highly unique integrated 'module-on-frame ' design .
By removing the sub-frame ( cabinet frame ) , Venus is 27 % lighter than competing solutions .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the lightest integrated touring display solution on the market , allowing creative teams to cut back on weight , save cost and build even bigger LED walls than before – up to 20 metres in height .
The VN Series has also been designed to save crews precious time .
In an industry where there is increasing pressure put on rental stagers for set up times , Venus makes it far quicker to install thanks to its big cabinet size ( 1500 x 1000 ) and fast locking system .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the modules can be swiftly switched out without the need to take apart the frame structure .
The VN Series will be available in two standard sizes : 1,500mm ( W ) x 1,000mm ( H ) and 500mm x 1,000mm , in order to allow for fully customised options .
It will be available in 3.9mm , 4.8mm and 8.3mm pixel pitch versions , boasting up to 5000 nits brightness .
The VN Series also allows for concave and convex curving options for highly creative video wall designs ; with horizontal free-adjustable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing fixed positioning at -10° , -5° , 0° , +5° and +10° .
All Venus LED panels are fitted with carbon fibre pipes with special anti-slip coatings to ensure the safety of climbers , with additional safety hooks so riggers can secure themselves at every step of the building process .
The VN 's easy locking system with big-sized handles are simple to use even with thick gloves on , with colour-coded lock/unlock markers and vertical auto-lock for an improved user experience .
The product can be easily hung , stacked and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
Wind bracing is also available and can withstand gale force winds of up to level 8 .

SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global LED manufacturer Absen announced the launch of a new super-lightweight touring solution for rental stagers on the opening day of ISE (11-14 February 2020).
The Venus (VN) Series is an innovative LED display that has been specifically designed for concerts and festivals due to its ability to create super-sized screens at speed. The product features a highly unique integrated 'module-on-frame' design. By removing the sub-frame (cabinet frame), Venus is 27% lighter than competing solutions. In fact, at 27.5 kg/sqm, it is the lightest integrated touring display solution on the market, allowing creative teams to cut back on weight, save cost and build even bigger LED walls than before – up to 20 metres in height.
The VN Series has also been designed to save crews precious time. In an industry where there is increasing pressure put on rental stagers for set up times, Venus makes it far quicker to install thanks to its big cabinet size (1500 x 1000) and fast locking system. It is also easier to maintain and upgrade as the modules can be swiftly switched out without the need to take apart the frame structure.
The VN Series will be available in two standard sizes: 1,500mm (W) x 1,000mm (H) and 500mm x 1,000mm, in order to allow for fully customised options. It will be available in 3.9mm, 4.8mm and 8.3mm pixel pitch versions, boasting up to 5000 nits brightness. The VN Series also allows for concave and convex curving options for highly creative video wall designs; with horizontal free-adjustable variances of -10 to +10 degrees, allowing fixed positioning at -10°, -5°, 0°, +5° and +10°.
All Venus LED panels are fitted with carbon fibre pipes with special anti-slip coatings to ensure the safety of climbers, with additional safety hooks so riggers can secure themselves at every step of the building process. The VN's easy locking system with big-sized handles are simple to use even with thick gloves on, with colour-coded lock/unlock markers and vertical auto-lock for an improved user experience. The product can be easily hung, stacked and transported, thanks to a 5-in-1 dolly system. Wind bracing is also available and can withstand gale force winds of up to level 8.
CONTACT: Melody Li, +86-18616107413


tass--2020-02-17--Russia’s National Guard penalizes officers found guilty of police brutality

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
The superiors of the National Guard and the police have taken necessary measures towards its employees who were found exceeding their authority during the June-August 2019 rallies in Moscow , and some of them were penalized , says Russia ’ s Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security head Viktor Bondarev .
`` I ’ m not saying that all actions of law enforcement officers were 100 % classified as pacification of unrest .
There were cases when the officers used excessive force .
We have taken large-scale measures : those who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights of citizens got away with verbal reprimand ; those who were found guilty face criminal proceedings .
Many officers faced disciplinary penalties or were discharged from the law enforcement , '' Bondarev said .
The senator added that , in general , actions of the National Guard and the police during the 2019 rallies were found `` adequate to the events that took place and threats they posed . ''
On July 27 and August 3 , 2019 , unauthorized rallies took place in Moscow , after independent candidates were not allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections .
During the rallies , the law enforcement apprehended a total of approximately 2,000 people .
The law enforcement authorities claimed that the protesters used violence against police and National Guard officers .
The investigative committee initiated criminal proceedings against more than 20 people over charges of rioting and violence towards authorities .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. The superiors of the National Guard and the police have taken necessary measures towards its employees who were found exceeding their authority during the June-August 2019 rallies in Moscow, and some of them were penalized, says Russia’s Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security head Viktor Bondarev.
"I’m not saying that all actions of law enforcement officers were 100% classified as pacification of unrest. There were cases when the officers used excessive force. We have taken large-scale measures: those who were not found guilty of violating freedoms and rights of citizens got away with verbal reprimand; those who were found guilty face criminal proceedings. Many officers faced disciplinary penalties or were discharged from the law enforcement," Bondarev said.
The senator added that, in general, actions of the National Guard and the police during the 2019 rallies were found "adequate to the events that took place and threats they posed."
On July 27 and August 3, 2019, unauthorized rallies took place in Moscow, after independent candidates were not allowed to run in the Moscow City Duma elections. During the rallies, the law enforcement apprehended a total of approximately 2,000 people. The law enforcement authorities claimed that the protesters used violence against police and National Guard officers. The investigative committee initiated criminal proceedings against more than 20 people over charges of rioting and violence towards authorities.


tass--2020-02-17--Russia to produce intermediate-range missile in 6 months, depending on US steps — senator

He underscored that Russia currently has air defense systems , S-300 and S-400 in particular , so `` it can defend itself . ''
`` Considering the equipment our factories have , the scientific potential our military institutes , design bureaus and companies have , we are able to fill this gap - the absence of ground-based intermediate and shorter range missiles - in the most minimal time span .
We often visit the industry factories , we see their equipment .
Of course we might be unable to create a new missile very fast , but it is possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six to twelve months , and then we will have [ such ] missile , '' Bondarev said .
MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is able to produce ground-based intermediate and shorter-range missiles within six month , should the US make steps on development , production and deployment of such missiles in third countries , says Russia ’ s Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security head Viktor Bondarev .
The senator believes that the option to re-negotiate the INF Treaty persists .
He did not rule out that other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well .
`` I advocate the re-negotiation of this Treaty - but of course , not on onerous conditions .
It must be re-negotiated on conditions of equality , including counting all missiles in countries that have capacities to produce and deploy them , with further global control , '' the lawmaker said .
On August 2 last year , Washington unilaterally abandoned the INF Treaty , justifying their action by Russia ’ s refusal to fulfill their ultimatum to destroy the new 9M729 cruise missiles , which , according to Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow denied these accusations , saying that the missile ’ s properties comply with the agreement , and expressed counter allegations against Washington .
On August 5 , Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to observe further steps of the US on development , production and deployment of intermediate and shorter-range missiles , and begin full-scale development of such missiles , if needed .
The President underscored that Moscow ’ s actions will only be reactive , and that Russia would not deploy its missiles until the US does the same .
On August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tomahawk missile version .
This was the first US cruise missile test at a range , forbidden by the INF Treaty .
On December 12 , US Department of Defense conducted a flight test of a ground-based non-nuclear ballistic missile at Vandenberg Air Force base in California .
US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper claimed at the time that Washington began work on the missile `` after the US suspended its obligations on INF Treaty in February 2019 . ''

He underscored that Russia currently has air defense systems, S-300 and S-400 in particular, so "it can defend itself."
"Considering the equipment our factories have, the scientific potential our military institutes, design bureaus and companies have, we are able to fill this gap - the absence of ground-based intermediate and shorter range missiles - in the most minimal time span. We often visit the industry factories, we see their equipment. Of course we might be unable to create a new missile very fast, but it is possible to bring a missile to tests within six to twelve months, and then we will have [such] missile," Bondarev said.
MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Russia is able to produce ground-based intermediate and shorter-range missiles within six month, should the US make steps on development, production and deployment of such missiles in third countries, says Russia’s Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security head Viktor Bondarev.
The senator believes that the option to re-negotiate the INF Treaty persists. He did not rule out that other nations might join the new Treaty, as well.
"I advocate the re-negotiation of this Treaty - but of course, not on onerous conditions. It must be re-negotiated on conditions of equality, including counting all missiles in countries that have capacities to produce and deploy them, with further global control," the lawmaker said.
On August 2 last year, Washington unilaterally abandoned the INF Treaty, justifying their action by Russia’s refusal to fulfill their ultimatum to destroy the new 9M729 cruise missiles, which, according to Washington and NATO, violate the Treaty. Moscow denied these accusations, saying that the missile’s properties comply with the agreement, and expressed counter allegations against Washington. On August 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to observe further steps of the US on development, production and deployment of intermediate and shorter-range missiles, and begin full-scale development of such missiles, if needed. The President underscored that Moscow’s actions will only be reactive, and that Russia would not deploy its missiles until the US does the same.
On August 18, the US tested the newest Tomahawk missile version. This was the first US cruise missile test at a range, forbidden by the INF Treaty. On December 12, US Department of Defense conducted a flight test of a ground-based non-nuclear ballistic missile at Vandenberg Air Force base in California. US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper claimed at the time that Washington began work on the missile "after the US suspended its obligations on INF Treaty in February 2019."


tass--2020-02-17--Russia may switch to contract enlistment entirely, but it still needs reserve — senator

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia may switch to contract enlistment entirely with time , but it is crucial to have a mobilization reserve , which is now comprised of conscripts , says Russian Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security head Viktor Bondarev .
`` Twice a year we conscript 150,000 people , although we can conscript more .
People are eager to serve .
I think that , with time , we might switch to contract enlistment entirely , but at this moment , we have the exact system of enlistment that allows both to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The most important thing is to have a mobilization reserve , '' Bondarev underscored .
According to Bondarev , there is an interest for serving in the Army in to society .
This interest is in part supported by the 2017 law that forbids people who did not serve in the Army without legal excuse to assume government and municipal offices for 10 years , the lawmaker opined .
`` We have already adopted the contract basis ; we have almost 400,000 contract servicemen now .
A paid solder is highly trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialized secondary education .
There are contract soldiers with higher education , which allows them to move up through the ranks .
But a conscript is a conscript , he is a mobilization reserve , he is obliged to serve regardless , '' Bondarev said .
Earlier , Russian President Vladimir Putin said that conscription is fading into the past , adding that current Armed Forces technical level implies less and less involvement of unqualified personnel .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Russia may switch to contract enlistment entirely with time, but it is crucial to have a mobilization reserve, which is now comprised of conscripts, says Russian Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security head Viktor Bondarev.
"Twice a year we conscript 150,000 people, although we can conscript more. People are eager to serve. I think that, with time, we might switch to contract enlistment entirely, but at this moment, we have the exact system of enlistment that allows both to pay for the contract servicemen and train conscripts. The most important thing is to have a mobilization reserve," Bondarev underscored.
According to Bondarev, there is an interest for serving in the Army in to society. This interest is in part supported by the 2017 law that forbids people who did not serve in the Army without legal excuse to assume government and municipal offices for 10 years, the lawmaker opined.
"We have already adopted the contract basis; we have almost 400,000 contract servicemen now. A paid solder is highly trained, prepared, he has at least specialized secondary education. There are contract soldiers with higher education, which allows them to move up through the ranks. But a conscript is a conscript, he is a mobilization reserve, he is obliged to serve regardless," Bondarev said.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that conscription is fading into the past, adding that current Armed Forces technical level implies less and less involvement of unqualified personnel.


tass--2020-02-17--Situation in Libya didn’t change after Berlin conference, Russian minister says

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
The state of affairs in Libya has not transformed following the Berlin conference @ @ @ @ @ Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Italian La Stampa newspaper published on Monday @ @ @ @ @ it is not entirely right to say that Libyan developments `` are getting out of @ @ @ @ @ Berlin conference .
`` It would be more correct to say that the situation has @ @ @ @ @ the Russian minister said .
`` Overall , there ’ s nothing surprising there .
@ @ @ @ @ to the Libyan conflict have gone so far that it is impossible to resolve them @ @ @ @ @ even such a representative one as the Berlin forum . ''

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. The state of affairs in Libya has not transformed following the Berlin conference on Libya, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Italian La Stampa newspaper published on Monday.
According to him, it is not entirely right to say that Libyan developments "are getting out of hand again" following the Berlin conference. "It would be more correct to say that the situation has not changed much," the Russian minister said. "Overall, there’s nothing surprising there. Differences between the key parties to the Libyan conflict have gone so far that it is impossible to resolve them at a single meeting, even such a representative one as the Berlin forum."


tass--2020-02-17--BOSIDENG shines at London Fashion Week: leads global support for China

LONDON , Feb. 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A first show at London Fashion Week for Chinese down jacket brand BOSIDENG turned into a dramatic statement of support for China .
`` GO CHINA ! ''
was the message supported by friends of China from all over the world attending the event , prompting huge interest from global media and coverage on the internet and social media .
BOSIDENG was making its debut on the official schedule of London Fashion Week this season - an historic moment for a major Chinese fashion brand .
Following concern about the coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had pulled out of the fashion circuit this season , with foreign media reporting that `` the Chinese are absent from the 2020 international fashion weeks '' .
However , in a positive demonstration of confidence in the strength and Chinese fashion and the resilience of the Chinese people , BOSIDENG led its foreign friends in cheering for China during this time of hardship .
As one of the four major international fashion weeks , London Fashion Week is best known for its innovative and avant-garde spirit .
It attracts international brands and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for creative energy .
The appearance of a Chinese brand was one of the biggest talking points of this season 's London Fashion Week .
The BOSIDENG show was full of references to China .
Models in the new season 's down jackets had Chinese flag stickers on their faces .
High-impact colours such as fruit green , neon yellow and Van Gogh blue were boldly used as well as fashion touches such as reflective digital camouflage and dazzle colours .
This spectacular fusion of fashion creativity and technical craftsmanship has set the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show closed in an upbeat defiant mood , with 54 models in red down jackets joining the designer for the finale .
An international mix of guests chanted `` Go China ! ''
in Chinese and English , expressing their support both for China and for Chinese brands .
After the show , guests from home and abroad queued up to offer their support and best wishes to China .
One member of the audience , from the UK , said , `` This is the most special fashion week I 've ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseas Chinese visitor said , `` I 'm so proud to see our national flag at London Fashion Week .
Go China ! ''
.
Multiple leading media reported how BOSIDENG 's London Fashion Week statement has inspired global support for China at this challenging time .
A name with a 43-year focus on down jackets , BOSIDENG made an important statement at London Fashion Week , bringing the qualities of its brand to a global audience .
Besides its excellent product quality and design , BOSIDENG has underlined its self-confidence on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under an overall strategy of `` focusing on the main channel and focusing on the main brand '' , BOSIDENG has received a warm welcome from young people , achieving impressive growth for two consecutive years .
BOSIDENG represents the potential of Chinese fashion to thrive in the face of global competition .
In China , as the whole country - in particular Wuhan - was facing significant challenges in the cold-weather season , BOSIDENG has donated 150,000 down jackets worth 300 million yuan to support front-line workers and those in need .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ down jacket brand has once again inspired a global message of positive energy for China .
And , thanks to BOSIDENG , China has not been absent from London Fashion Week .

LONDON, Feb. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A first show at London Fashion Week for Chinese down jacket brand BOSIDENG turned into a dramatic statement of support for China. "GO CHINA!" was the message supported by friends of China from all over the world attending the event, prompting huge interest from global media and coverage on the internet and social media.
BOSIDENG was making its debut on the official schedule of London Fashion Week this season - an historic moment for a major Chinese fashion brand. Following concern about the coronavirus in China, many Chinese designers and media had pulled out of the fashion circuit this season, with foreign media reporting that "the Chinese are absent from the 2020 international fashion weeks". However, in a positive demonstration of confidence in the strength and Chinese fashion and the resilience of the Chinese people, BOSIDENG led its foreign friends in cheering for China during this time of hardship.
As one of the four major international fashion weeks, London Fashion Week is best known for its innovative and avant-garde spirit. It attracts international brands and designers, making it an indispensable platform for creative energy. The appearance of a Chinese brand was one of the biggest talking points of this season's London Fashion Week.
The BOSIDENG show was full of references to China. Models in the new season's down jackets had Chinese flag stickers on their faces. High-impact colours such as fruit green, neon yellow and Van Gogh blue were boldly used as well as fashion touches such as reflective digital camouflage and dazzle colours. This spectacular fusion of fashion creativity and technical craftsmanship has set the pace for modern Chinese fashion.
The show closed in an upbeat defiant mood, with 54 models in red down jackets joining the designer for the finale. An international mix of guests chanted "Go China!" in Chinese and English, expressing their support both for China and for Chinese brands.
After the show, guests from home and abroad queued up to offer their support and best wishes to China. One member of the audience, from the UK, said, "This is the most special fashion week I've ever attended. Go China!" Another overseas Chinese visitor said, "I'm so proud to see our national flag at London Fashion Week. Go China!".
Multiple leading media reported how BOSIDENG's London Fashion Week statement has inspired global support for China at this challenging time.
A name with a 43-year focus on down jackets, BOSIDENG made an important statement at London Fashion Week, bringing the qualities of its brand to a global audience. Besides its excellent product quality and design, BOSIDENG has underlined its self-confidence on the international stage. In recent years, under an overall strategy of "focusing on the main channel and focusing on the main brand", BOSIDENG has received a warm welcome from young people, achieving impressive growth for two consecutive years. BOSIDENG represents the potential of Chinese fashion to thrive in the face of global competition. In China, as the whole country - in particular Wuhan - was facing significant challenges in the cold-weather season, BOSIDENG has donated 150,000 down jackets worth 300 million yuan to support front-line workers and those in need. On the international stage, this great down jacket brand has once again inspired a global message of positive energy for China. And, thanks to BOSIDENG, China has not been absent from London Fashion Week.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1091054/WechatIMG2827_London_Fashion_week.jpg
CONTACT: Ye Yuan, 18616065860, lyuan@winpr.cn


tass--2020-02-17--Policy pursued by US, EU has adverse effect on Russia-Italy ties, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Anti-Russian steps taken by Washington and Brussels have had an adverse effect Russian-Italian relations , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Italy ’ s La Stampa newspaper published on Monday .
`` Relations with Italy , our important international partner , have rich history , rely on strong traditions , many years of experience of successful cooperation and a significant trust capital , '' Lavrov said .
`` Unfortunately , the situation caused by Washington ’ s and Brussels ’ anti-Russian steps has an adverse effect on their dynamics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomat noted that trade ties had been affected substantially .
`` Bilateral trade turnover decreased almost twice , from $ 53.8 bln in 2013 to $ 26.9 bln in 2018 .
According to available estimates , the total losses of Italian manufacturers have amounted to about $ 2 bln , '' he added .
Lavrov pointed out that statements in favor of returning to the previous level of bilateral relations could be heard in Italy increasingly more often .
`` Interest has been expressed in building the Russia-EU dialogue on a pragmatic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he stressed , adding that Russia welcomed that approach .
He emphasized that Italian entrepreneurs who were very much concerned about the current state of affairs were determined to continue working in Russia .
`` For our part , we are ready to provide assistance to your companies in the transition from predominantly supplying products made in Italy to the Russian market to cooperation in production under the principle ‘ made with Italy ’ with an emphasis on the localization of production in Russia , '' Lavrov said .
Russia ’ s top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innovation sphere .
According to Lavrov , against the backdrop of changing global economy structure , cooperation in the field of innovation , including digital services , artificial intelligence and waste-free production , is becoming increasingly important .
He noted that the annual INNOPROM exhibition held in Yekaterinburg was a good platform for discussing these issues and establishing mutually beneficially business contacts .
Italy will become the exhibition 's partner country this year , Lavrov added .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Anti-Russian steps taken by Washington and Brussels have had an adverse effect Russian-Italian relations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Italy’s La Stampa newspaper published on Monday.
"Relations with Italy, our important international partner, have rich history, rely on strong traditions, many years of experience of successful cooperation and a significant trust capital," Lavrov said. "Unfortunately, the situation caused by Washington’s and Brussels’ anti-Russian steps has an adverse effect on their dynamics today."
Russia’s top diplomat noted that trade ties had been affected substantially. "Bilateral trade turnover decreased almost twice, from $53.8 bln in 2013 to $26.9 bln in 2018. According to available estimates, the total losses of Italian manufacturers have amounted to about $2 bln," he added.
Lavrov pointed out that statements in favor of returning to the previous level of bilateral relations could be heard in Italy increasingly more often. "Interest has been expressed in building the Russia-EU dialogue on a pragmatic, mutually beneficial and non-confrontational basis," he stressed, adding that Russia welcomed that approach.
He emphasized that Italian entrepreneurs who were very much concerned about the current state of affairs were determined to continue working in Russia. "For our part, we are ready to provide assistance to your companies in the transition from predominantly supplying products made in Italy to the Russian market to cooperation in production under the principle ‘made with Italy’ with an emphasis on the localization of production in Russia," Lavrov said.
Russia’s top diplomat also pointed to cooperation in the innovation sphere. According to Lavrov, against the backdrop of changing global economy structure, cooperation in the field of innovation, including digital services, artificial intelligence and waste-free production, is becoming increasingly important.
He noted that the annual INNOPROM exhibition held in Yekaterinburg was a good platform for discussing these issues and establishing mutually beneficially business contacts. Italy will become the exhibition's partner country this year, Lavrov added.


tass--2020-02-17--Japanese carmakers resume production at Chinese factories — media

TOKYO , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Japanese car manufacturers have begun on Monday to resume operation of their factories @ @ @ @ @ to a standstill amid the novel coronavirus outbreak , Kyodo news agency reported .
According @ @ @ @ @ Motor reopened its plants in the cities of Changchun and Guangzhou .
The manufacturer earlier @ @ @ @ @ at its factories in China in early February after Lunar New Year holidays .
These @ @ @ @ @ February 10 , however , the epidemiological situation did not improve and the plans were @ @ @ @

TOKYO, February 17. /TASS/. Japanese car manufacturers have begun on Monday to resume operation of their factories located in China which came to a standstill amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, Kyodo news agency reported.
According to the agency, Toyota Motor reopened its plants in the cities of Changchun and Guangzhou. The manufacturer earlier planned to routinely resume production at its factories in China in early February after Lunar New Year holidays. These plans were later postponed to February 10, however, the epidemiological situation did not improve and the plans were corrected once again.


tass--2020-02-17--Only dialogue will normalize situation in Middle East - Russian minister

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Normalization in the Middle East can only be achieved through dialogue , the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Italian La Stampa newspaper published on Monday .
`` Russia is standing for overcoming existing differences exclusively through dialogue , at the negotiating table .
This is what the Russian strategy for collective security in the Persian Gulf revealed last summer is focused on , '' he said .
The minister added that unlike other confrontational ideas proposed by certain states , Russia is offering the region a constructive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mechanisms of joint response to challenges and threats .
`` We are convinced that gradual implementation of this initiative would be an important step to normalize situation across the whole Middle East and would lay foundation for establishing architecture of mutual trust there , '' Lavrov stressed .
Speaking of Russia ’ s position regarding the recent deterioration between the US and Iran that the year started with , the minister noted that Moscow ’ s point of view is well known .
`` We condemn any action running counter to principles set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to more tensions in the region , '' he underlined .
`` The Pentagon ’ s attack on January 3 , 2020 on Baghdad ’ s airport that killed General Qasem Soleimani , the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards ’ elite Quds Force , was a brazen violation of international law .
Moreover , it was a civilian airport .
So , I reiterate what I recently said during my visit to Sri Lanka - these actions of the Americans are out of line .
`` .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Normalization in the Middle East can only be achieved through dialogue, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Italian La Stampa newspaper published on Monday.
"Russia is standing for overcoming existing differences exclusively through dialogue, at the negotiating table. This is what the Russian strategy for collective security in the Persian Gulf revealed last summer is focused on," he said.
The minister added that unlike other confrontational ideas proposed by certain states, Russia is offering the region a constructive and unifying agenda and is calling to establish mechanisms of joint response to challenges and threats. "We are convinced that gradual implementation of this initiative would be an important step to normalize situation across the whole Middle East and would lay foundation for establishing architecture of mutual trust there," Lavrov stressed.
Speaking of Russia’s position regarding the recent deterioration between the US and Iran that the year started with, the minister noted that Moscow’s point of view is well known. "We condemn any action running counter to principles set out in the UN Charter and that lead to more tensions in the region," he underlined. "The Pentagon’s attack on January 3, 2020 on Baghdad’s airport that killed General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force, was a brazen violation of international law. Moreover, it was a civilian airport. So, I reiterate what I recently said during my visit to Sri Lanka - these actions of the Americans are out of line.".