tass--2020-11-21--Putin extends counter-sanctions until end of 2021

MOSCOW , November 21 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree extending certain special economic measures against countries that have imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation until December 31 , 2021 .
The document was published on Saturday on the official website of legal information .
The government has been instructed to ensure the implementation of the decree and , if necessary , make proposals to change the period of validity of these counter-sanctions .
In March 2014 , due to the situation in Ukraine , the European Union and a number of countries , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan , Switzerland , New Zealand , Iceland , began to impose sanctions on Russia .
In particular , it included a sanctions lists of Russian individuals and legal entities .
Restrictive measures included a ban on entry , freezing of accounts .
In addition , the so-called sectoral sanctions were introduced : the assets of the companies falling under them were not frozen , but restrictions were imposed on medium and long-term lending .
In response , on August 6 , 2014 , Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree , based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban on imports of a number of food products from the United States , the European Union , Norway , Australia , and Canada .
After the EU countries extended sanctions against Russia on June 22 , 2015 , on June 24 , Putin extended the food embargo for another year .
Subsequently , it was extended three times , most recently on June 24 , 2019 , until the end of 2020 .
In June 2019 , Putin extended counter-sanctions until December 31 , 2020 , and amended the norms of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2014 , and the decree from October 22 , 2018 , on counter-sanctions against Ukraine .

MOSCOW, November 21. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree extending certain special economic measures against countries that have imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation until December 31, 2021. The document was published on Saturday on the official website of legal information.
The government has been instructed to ensure the implementation of the decree and, if necessary, make proposals to change the period of validity of these counter-sanctions.
In March 2014, due to the situation in Ukraine, the European Union and a number of countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand, Iceland, began to impose sanctions on Russia. In particular, it included a sanctions lists of Russian individuals and legal entities. Restrictive measures included a ban on entry, freezing of accounts. In addition, the so-called sectoral sanctions were introduced: the assets of the companies falling under them were not frozen, but restrictions were imposed on medium and long-term lending.
In response, on August 6, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree, based on which the Russian government imposed a ban on imports of a number of food products from the United States, the European Union, Norway, Australia, and Canada.
After the EU countries extended sanctions against Russia on June 22, 2015, on June 24, Putin extended the food embargo for another year. Subsequently, it was extended three times, most recently on June 24, 2019, until the end of 2020.
In June 2019, Putin extended counter-sanctions until December 31, 2020, and amended the norms of the original decree on counter-sanctions from August 6, 2014, and the decree from October 22, 2018, on counter-sanctions against Ukraine.


tass--2020-11-21--Lavrov arrives in Yerevan

Lavrov arrives in Yerevan

YEREVAN , November 21 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Armenia on Saturday , the Russian @ @ @ @ @ Lavrov has arrived in Yerevan , '' the delegation said confirming that the interdepartmental delegation @ @ @ @ @ Armenia .
Earlier it was reported that Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu arrived in Yerevan @ @ @ @ @ delegation of the Russian Federation .
The members of the interdepartmental delegation will meet on @ @ @ @ @ Nikol Pashinyan .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham @ @ @ @ @ Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on the complete cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh .
@ @ @ @ @ , the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides stop at occupied positions , while Russian peacekeepers are @ @ @ @ @

YEREVAN, November 21. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Armenia on Saturday, the Russian delegation told TASS.
"Lavrov has arrived in Yerevan," the delegation said confirming that the interdepartmental delegation is in the capital of Armenia.
Earlier it was reported that Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu arrived in Yerevan as part of an interdepartmental delegation of the Russian Federation. The members of the interdepartmental delegation will meet on Saturday with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on the complete cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to the Russian leader, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides stop at occupied positions, while Russian peacekeepers are deployed in the region.


tass--2020-11-21--Russia reports 24,822 new coronavirus cases over past day

MOSCOW , November 21 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus in Russia per day increased by 24,822 , to 2,064,748 , the federal operational headquarters for the fight against the new infection told reporters on Saturday .
This is the fourth update for an all-time high number of cases per day since the beginning of the week : on Monday , the headquarters reported 22,778 cases , on Thursday - about 23,610 , on Friday - about 24,318 .
Currently , 451,535 people are infected in Russia .
Around 7,168 new coronavirus cases were reported in Moscow over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all-time high for the entire pandemic .
In total , 547,138 cases were identified in the capital .
A day earlier , 6,902 new cases were detected in Moscow .
The increase , according to the headquarters , was 1.3 % .
Over the past day , 6,080 patients were discharged in Moscow , 74 patients died .
In total , 400,332 people recovered , 8,233 died .
Currently , 138,573 people are infected in the capital .
The number of recovered patients in Russia who were previously diagnosed with coronavirus increased by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the all-time high since the beginning of the pandemic .
In total , 1,577,435 patients have been recovered .
This is the fourth day the number of discharged patients surpasses the number of new cases .
According to the headquarters , the share of those who recovered increased from 76.1 % to 76.4 % of the total number of infected .
In particular , 1,275 patients were discharged over the past day after recovery in St. Petersburg , 859 - in the Nizhny Novgorod region , 685 - in the Stavropol region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 561 - in the Moscow region , 489 - in the Republic of Karelia .
The number of deaths due to coronavirus in Russia increased by 467 to 35,778 over the past day .
This is a new all-time high for the entire run of the pandemic .
The previous one - 463 deaths per day - was recorded on Thursday , November 19 .
At the same time , the conditional mortality of the disease ( the final can be determined only after the end of the pandemic ) remained at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over the past day , 74 deaths were registered in Moscow , 70 in St. Petersburg , 20 in the Rostov region , 18 - in the Irkutsk region , 15 - in the Moscow region , 14 - in the Nizhny Novgorod region .

MOSCOW, November 21. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus in Russia per day increased by 24,822, to 2,064,748, the federal operational headquarters for the fight against the new infection told reporters on Saturday.
This is the fourth update for an all-time high number of cases per day since the beginning of the week: on Monday, the headquarters reported 22,778 cases, on Thursday - about 23,610, on Friday - about 24,318.
Currently, 451,535 people are infected in Russia.
Around 7,168 new coronavirus cases were reported in Moscow over the past day, this is the all-time high for the entire pandemic. In total, 547,138 cases were identified in the capital.
A day earlier, 6,902 new cases were detected in Moscow. The increase, according to the headquarters, was 1.3%.
Over the past day, 6,080 patients were discharged in Moscow, 74 patients died. In total, 400,332 people recovered, 8,233 died. Currently, 138,573 people are infected in the capital.
Recoveries
The number of recovered patients in Russia who were previously diagnosed with coronavirus increased by 26,021 over the past day, this is the all-time high since the beginning of the pandemic. In total, 1,577,435 patients have been recovered.
This is the fourth day the number of discharged patients surpasses the number of new cases. According to the headquarters, the share of those who recovered increased from 76.1% to 76.4% of the total number of infected.
In particular, 1,275 patients were discharged over the past day after recovery in St. Petersburg, 859 - in the Nizhny Novgorod region, 685 - in the Stavropol region, 598 - in the Saratov region, 561 - in the Moscow region, 489 - in the Republic of Karelia.
Deaths
The number of deaths due to coronavirus in Russia increased by 467 to 35,778 over the past day.
This is a new all-time high for the entire run of the pandemic. The previous one - 463 deaths per day - was recorded on Thursday, November 19.
At the same time, the conditional mortality of the disease (the final can be determined only after the end of the pandemic) remained at 1.73%, according to the headquarters.
Over the past day, 74 deaths were registered in Moscow, 70 in St. Petersburg, 20 in the Rostov region, 18 - in the Irkutsk region, 15 - in the Moscow region, 14 - in the Nizhny Novgorod region.


tass--2020-11-21--Around 474,300 people remain under surveillance in Russia due to coronavirus

MOSCOW , November 21 .
/TASS/ .
Around 474,300 people remain under medical supervision in Russia due to suspicions of @ @ @ @ @ , press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human @ @ @ @ @ `` 474,300 people remain under medical supervision in the Russian Federation , '' the report @ @ @ @ @ department , more than 71.8 mln tests for coronavirus have been carried out , 588,000 @ @ @ @ @ day .

MOSCOW, November 21. /TASS/. Around 474,300 people remain under medical supervision in Russia due to suspicions of contracting a new coronavirus infection, press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said on Saturday.
"474,300 people remain under medical supervision in the Russian Federation," the report said.
According to the department, more than 71.8 mln tests for coronavirus have been carried out, 588,000 tests were done over the day.


tass--2020-11-21--Russian Defense Minister arrives in Yerevan as part of a interdepartmental delegation

YEREVAN , November 21 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu arrived in Yerevan as part of an interdepartmental @ @ @ @ @ , the Armenian government told TASS on Saturday .
`` Sergey Shoygu has arrived in @ @ @ @ @ Lavrov is expected to arrive , as well as Russian Deputy Prime Ministers Alexander Novak @ @ @ @ @ , '' the government said .
As the government specified , the members of the @ @ @ @ @ Saturday with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on the complete cessation @ @ @ @ @ According to the Russian leader , the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides stop at occupied positions @ @ @ @ @ deployed in the region .

YEREVAN, November 21. /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu arrived in Yerevan as part of an interdepartmental delegation of the Russian Federation, the Armenian government told TASS on Saturday.
"Sergey Shoygu has arrived in Yerevan. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to arrive, as well as Russian Deputy Prime Ministers Alexander Novak, Alexey Overchuk and others," the government said.
As the government specified, the members of the interdepartmental delegation will meet on Saturday with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on the complete cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to the Russian leader, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides stop at occupied positions, while Russian peacekeepers are deployed in the region.


tass--2020-11-21--Number of victims of rocket attacks on Kabul rises to eight

TASS , November 21 .
At least eight people were killed and 31 injured in rocket attacks on Kabul on @ @ @ @ @ reported with reference to the Ministry of Health of Afghanistan .
According to the report @ @ @ @ @ at the Afghan capital in the morning .
Several districts of the city were shelled @ @ @ @ @ fell on the territory of the Iranian embassy in Kabul - there were no casualties @ @ @ @ @ that at least ten rockets were fired at Kabul on Saturday morning .

TASS, November 21. At least eight people were killed and 31 injured in rocket attacks on Kabul on Saturday morning, 1TV channel reported with reference to the Ministry of Health of Afghanistan.
According to the report, 23 rockets were fired at the Afghan capital in the morning. Several districts of the city were shelled. One of the rockets fell on the territory of the Iranian embassy in Kabul - there were no casualties.
Pajhwok agency reported earlier that at least ten rockets were fired at Kabul on Saturday morning.


tass--2020-11-21--Russia’s Embassy in US requires information about Mayfair Mall shooting in Wisconsin

WASHINGTON , November 21 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Embassy in the United States has requested information from the US Department of State on whether Russian nationals were among injured people in the recently reported shooting at a trade mall in the State of Wisconsin , the Russian diplomatic mission stated on its Twitter account .
`` The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the United States has requested information with the [ US ] Department of State on whether Russian nationals were among the injured people following the reported shooting incident at Mayfair Mall in the town of Wauwatosa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diplomatic mission stated .
According to previous US media reports , an unidentified suspect opened fire on Friday at a large shopping center , Mayfair Mall , in the town of Wauwatosa , which is located about seven miles northwest of Milwaukee , the State of Wisconsin .
US-based ABC News reported that eight people were injured during the shooting at the shopping mall .
`` Seven adults and one teenager were taken to the hospital with injuries , Wauwatosa Chief of Police Barry Weber said in a statement , '' according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been identified , he had fled the scene of the attack before law-enforcers arrived and he is now `` at large , '' ABC News quoted Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride as saying .

WASHINGTON, November 21. /TASS/. The Russian Embassy in the United States has requested information from the US Department of State on whether Russian nationals were among injured people in the recently reported shooting at a trade mall in the State of Wisconsin, the Russian diplomatic mission stated on its Twitter account.
"The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the United States has requested information with the [US] Department of State on whether Russian nationals were among the injured people following the reported shooting incident at Mayfair Mall in the town of Wauwatosa, the State of Wisconsin," the diplomatic mission stated.
According to previous US media reports, an unidentified suspect opened fire on Friday at a large shopping center, Mayfair Mall, in the town of Wauwatosa, which is located about seven miles northwest of Milwaukee, the State of Wisconsin.
US-based ABC News reported that eight people were injured during the shooting at the shopping mall.
"Seven adults and one teenager were taken to the hospital with injuries, Wauwatosa Chief of Police Barry Weber said in a statement," according to ABC News.
The shooter has not been identified, he had fled the scene of the attack before law-enforcers arrived and he is now "at large," ABC News quoted Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride as saying.


tass--2020-11-22--Court dismisses Trump’s lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania vote results

NEW YORK , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
A court in Pennsylvania on Saturday dismissed a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump ’ s campaign that demanded declaring mail-in votes in that state invalid , Reuters reported .
According to Reuters , US District Judge Matthew Brann in Williamsport , Pennsylvania , described the case as `` strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations . ''
Trump ’ s lawyers previously said that almost 700,000 ballots in Pennsylvania should be declared invalid due to alleged election violations in that state .
Trump argued that because of this , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
According to the assessment of the New York Times and several other media outlets , Democrat Joseph Biden won elections in Pennsylvania , gaining 50 % of the vote , while Republican Trump was supported by 48.8 % of voters .
The United States held the presidential elections on November 3 .
Though the vote count is still underway , major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election .
Both Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top , beyond the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenging the current outcome , claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states , and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court .

NEW YORK, November 22. /TASS/. A court in Pennsylvania on Saturday dismissed a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump’s campaign that demanded declaring mail-in votes in that state invalid, Reuters reported.
According to Reuters, US District Judge Matthew Brann in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, described the case as "strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations."
Trump’s lawyers previously said that almost 700,000 ballots in Pennsylvania should be declared invalid due to alleged election violations in that state. Trump argued that because of this, the victory in Pennsylvania should be awarded to him. According to the assessment of the New York Times and several other media outlets, Democrat Joseph Biden won elections in Pennsylvania, gaining 50% of the vote, while Republican Trump was supported by 48.8% of voters.
The United States held the presidential elections on November 3. Though the vote count is still underway, major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election. Both Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top, beyond the needed 270 vote threshold. Trump is challenging the current outcome, claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states, and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court.


tass--2020-11-22--US deployed strategic bombers to Middle East - US Central Command

NEW YORK , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
The United States deployed B-52H strategic bombers to the Middle East on Saturday , US Central Command reported on its website .
`` On November 21 , 2020 , two U.S. Air force B-52 bombers belonging to the 5th Bomb Wing , from Minot AFB , North Dakota , carried out a round-trip mission to the Middle East region , '' the US Central Command said .
According to the statement , `` U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers from Minot Air Force Base have conducted a surprise , round-trip to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggression and reassure U.S. partners and allies '' .
`` The non-stop mission demonstrates the U.S. military ’ s ability to deploy combat airpower anywhere in the world on short notice and integrate into CENTCOM operations to help preserve regional stability and security , '' says the US Central Command .
During the mission , the crews interacted with American fighters and tanker aircraft .
As US Central Command specifies , the last time a long-range flight of a strategic bomber to the Middle East took place at the beginning of this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region was not specified .
On Tuesday , Acting Secretary of Defense of the United States Christopher Miller told reporters that the number of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq is planned to be reduced to 2,500 by January 15 , 2021 .
According to CNN TV , there are currently about 4,500 US military personnel in Afghanistan and about 3,000 in Iraq .

NEW YORK, November 22. /TASS/. The United States deployed B-52H strategic bombers to the Middle East on Saturday, US Central Command reported on its website.
"On November 21, 2020, two U.S. Air force B-52 bombers belonging to the 5th Bomb Wing, from Minot AFB, North Dakota, carried out a round-trip mission to the Middle East region," the US Central Command said.
According to the statement, "U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers from Minot Air Force Base have conducted a surprise, round-trip to the Persian Gulf area "to deter aggression and reassure U.S. partners and allies".
"The non-stop mission demonstrates the U.S. military’s ability to deploy combat airpower anywhere in the world on short notice and integrate into CENTCOM operations to help preserve regional stability and security," says the US Central Command.
During the mission, the crews interacted with American fighters and tanker aircraft. As US Central Command specifies, the last time a long-range flight of a strategic bomber to the Middle East took place at the beginning of this year. The number of bombers deployed to the region was not specified.
On Tuesday, Acting Secretary of Defense of the United States Christopher Miller told reporters that the number of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq is planned to be reduced to 2,500 by January 15, 2021. According to CNN TV, there are currently about 4,500 US military personnel in Afghanistan and about 3,000 in Iraq.


tass--2020-11-22--G20 leaders pledge to work on fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

TASS , November 22 .
Leaders of G20 economies on Sunday will pledge to pay for a fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines , drugs and tests around the world so that poorer countries are not left out , Reuters reported citing a draft G20 communique .
`` We will spare no effort to ensure their affordable and equitable access for all people , consistent with members ’ commitments to incentivize innovation , '' the leaders said in the draft G20 statement , seen by Reuters .
`` We recognize the role of extensive immunization as a global public good , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draft document .
Besides that G20 leaders commit `` to advancing global pandemic preparedness , prevention , detection , and response '' and `` to the continued sharing of timely , transparent , and standardized data and information '' .
The G20 summit , chaired by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud , is held online on November 21-22 .
The meeting ’ s participants will particularly discuss ways to restore economic growth in the wake of the coronavirus crisis .
In addition to coronavirus-related issues , a number of other topics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , innovations , strengthening the health sector , and support for the most vulnerable groups in society .
This year , the G20 countries have already taken a number of measures to counter the consequences of the pandemic .
In particular , they decided to invest $ 21 billion in the global health system to support the production and distribution of the coronavirus vaccine .
G20 countries also allocated $ 11 trillion on the recovery of the global economy .

TASS, November 22. Leaders of G20 economies on Sunday will pledge to pay for a fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, drugs and tests around the world so that poorer countries are not left out, Reuters reported citing a draft G20 communique.
"We will spare no effort to ensure their affordable and equitable access for all people, consistent with members’ commitments to incentivize innovation," the leaders said in the draft G20 statement, seen by Reuters.
"We recognize the role of extensive immunization as a global public good," the G20 leaders state in the draft document.
Besides that G20 leaders commit "to advancing global pandemic preparedness, prevention, detection, and response" and "to the continued sharing of timely, transparent, and standardized data and information".
The G20 summit, chaired by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, is held online on November 21-22. The meeting’s participants will particularly discuss ways to restore economic growth in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
In addition to coronavirus-related issues, a number of other topics are on the agenda, in particular, innovations, strengthening the health sector, and support for the most vulnerable groups in society.
This year, the G20 countries have already taken a number of measures to counter the consequences of the pandemic. In particular, they decided to invest $21 billion in the global health system to support the production and distribution of the coronavirus vaccine. G20 countries also allocated $11 trillion on the recovery of the global economy.


tass--2020-11-22--Trump stresses importance of G20 work to restore economic growth, to overcome pandemic

WASHINGTON , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump discussed with G20 leaders the need to work together @ @ @ @ @ and reaffirmed the importance of dialogue for future economic growth , the White House press @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday .
`` President Donald J. Trump participated in the first day of the @ @ @ @ @ November 21 , 2020 .
President Trump discussed with other world leaders the need to @ @ @ @ @ economic growth and jobs as we overcome the COVID-19 pandemic .
During his remarks , @ @ @ @ @ United States marshaled every resource at its disposal to respond to the crisis , '' @ @ @ @ @ said .
Trump also mentioned actions and safety measures the United States had taken `` @ @ @ @ @ as well as about `` pioneer groundbreaking treatments , '' developments of vaccines and therapies @ @ @ @ @ which will save millions of lives . ''
`` President Trump also reaffirmed the importance @ @ @ @ @ for future economic growth and prosperity , '' the press service reported .

WASHINGTON, November 22. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump discussed with G20 leaders the need to work together to overcome the coronavirus pandemic and reaffirmed the importance of dialogue for future economic growth, the White House press service said in a statement on Saturday.
"President Donald J. Trump participated in the first day of the virtual G20 Leaders Summit on November 21, 2020. President Trump discussed with other world leaders the need to work together to restore strong economic growth and jobs as we overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. During his remarks, President Trump highlighted how the United States marshaled every resource at its disposal to respond to the crisis," the White House press service said.
Trump also mentioned actions and safety measures the United States had taken "to protect the vulnerable" as well as about "pioneer groundbreaking treatments," developments of vaccines and therapies "at record-setting speed, which will save millions of lives."
"President Trump also reaffirmed the importance of the G20 working together for future economic growth and prosperity," the press service reported.


tass--2020-11-22--Georgia’s ruling party wins in 17 voting districts in 2nd round of parliamentary elections

TBILISI , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
Candidates from the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party are winning in all 17 single-seat electoral districts in Georgia , where the second round of parliamentary elections took place on Saturday .
This is according to the data published on the website of the Central Electoral Commission of Georgia ( CEC ) .
In particular , current deputy Beka Odisharia ( 91.51 % of votes ) is winning in the Tbilisi district of Mtatsminda-Krtsanisi , a Georgian Dream candidate Nodar Turdzeladze ( 93.7 % ) is winning in the Vake district .
Former Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the votes in Saburtalo .
Former Minister for the Execution of Sentences Kakha Kakhishvili is winning in Insani ( 92.74 % ) .
Sozar Subari , former adviser on regional policy to the Prime Minister , is winning in the Samgori metropolitan area with 88.19 % of votes , Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Georgy Volsky received 89.66 % of votes in Didube-Chugureti .
Former player of the Georgian national football team Mikhail Kavelashvili received 91.14 % of the votes in the Nadzaladevi region , and the current president of the Football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the votes in Gldani .
Georgian Dream nominees are also winning in the remaining nine single-mandate constituencies outside Tbilisi .
On Saturday , Georgia held the second round of parliamentary elections in 17 out of 30 single-seat electoral districts .
Eight of 17 single-seat electoral districts are located in the capital of Tbilisi .
The first round took place on October 31 .
According to the CEC , the ruling party won 48.22 % of the vote and also won 13 single-seat electoral districts .
The Strength is in Unity opposition coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party founded by ex-President Mikhail Saakashvili , is in the second place .
The bloc gained 27.18 % .
The second round was held amid a boycott of the opposition , which does not recognize results of the first round .
As noted earlier by the executive secretary of the Georgian Dream Irakli Kobakhidze , in total the party will receive 90 out of 150 mandates in the new convocation of parliament .

TBILISI, November 22. /TASS/. Candidates from the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party are winning in all 17 single-seat electoral districts in Georgia, where the second round of parliamentary elections took place on Saturday. This is according to the data published on the website of the Central Electoral Commission of Georgia (CEC).
In particular, current deputy Beka Odisharia (91.51% of votes) is winning in the Tbilisi district of Mtatsminda-Krtsanisi, a Georgian Dream candidate Nodar Turdzeladze (93.7%) is winning in the Vake district. Former Minister of Health David Sergeenko received 89.97% of the votes in Saburtalo. Former Minister for the Execution of Sentences Kakha Kakhishvili is winning in Insani (92.74%). Sozar Subari, former adviser on regional policy to the Prime Minister, is winning in the Samgori metropolitan area with 88.19% of votes, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Georgy Volsky received 89.66% of votes in Didube-Chugureti. Former player of the Georgian national football team Mikhail Kavelashvili received 91.14% of the votes in the Nadzaladevi region, and the current president of the Football Federation Levan Kobiashvili is gaining 89.22% of the votes in Gldani.
Georgian Dream nominees are also winning in the remaining nine single-mandate constituencies outside Tbilisi.
On Saturday, Georgia held the second round of parliamentary elections in 17 out of 30 single-seat electoral districts. Eight of 17 single-seat electoral districts are located in the capital of Tbilisi. The first round took place on October 31. According to the CEC, the ruling party won 48.22% of the vote and also won 13 single-seat electoral districts. The Strength is in Unity opposition coalition, which includes the United National Movement party founded by ex-President Mikhail Saakashvili, is in the second place. The bloc gained 27.18%. The second round was held amid a boycott of the opposition, which does not recognize results of the first round. As noted earlier by the executive secretary of the Georgian Dream Irakli Kobakhidze, in total the party will receive 90 out of 150 mandates in the new convocation of parliament.


tass--2020-11-22--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 641,000 in past day - WHO

GENEVA , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
More than 641,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 57.27 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Friday .
As of 5:47 pm Moscow time on November 21 , as many as 57,274,018 novel coronavirus cases and 1 , 368 , 000 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 641,669 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morbidity ( 667 118 infected per day ) was registered on November 14 , and the record high mortality ( 12 432 deaths ) was registered on April 17 .
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries .
Europe accounts for nearly 43 % of the COVID-19 daily tally ( 276,712 ) .
Next are North and South America ( 257,859 cases ) , and Southeast Asia ( 57,319 cases ) .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 11 , 597,979 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil ( 5,981,767 ) , France ( 2,071,499 ) , Russia ( 2,064 , 748 ) , Spain ( 1,556,730 ) , the United Kingdom ( 1,473,512 ) , Argentina ( 1,349 , 434 ) , Italy ( 1,345,767 ) , Colombia ( 1,225,490 ) , Mexico ( 1 , 019 , 543 ) , and Peru ( 943,917 ) .

GENEVA, November 22. /TASS/. More than 641,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 57.27 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Friday.
As of 5:47 pm Moscow time on November 21, as many as 57,274,018 novel coronavirus cases and 1, 368, 000 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 641,669 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 11,752.
The record for morbidity (667 118 infected per day) was registered on November 14, and the record high mortality (12 432 deaths) was registered on April 17.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
Europe accounts for nearly 43% of the COVID-19 daily tally (276,712). Next are North and South America (257,859 cases), and Southeast Asia (57,319 cases).
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (11, 597,979), India (9,050,597), Brazil (5,981,767), France (2,071,499), Russia (2,064, 748), Spain (1,556,730), the United Kingdom (1,473,512), Argentina (1,349, 434), Italy (1,345,767), Colombia (1,225,490), Mexico (1, 019, 543), and Peru (943,917).


tass--2020-11-22--Moscow records another 75 coronavirus deaths

MOSCOW , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow recorded 75 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours , the coronavirus monitoring center said in a statement on Saturday .
`` Another 75 patients who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus have died in Moscow , '' the statement reads .
The city ’ s coronavirus death toll has reached 8,308 .
Moscow has the highest number of cases nationwide .
As of November 21 , the city recorded more than 547,100 coronavirus cases and over 400,300 recoveries .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , about 57.6 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 1.3 mln deaths have been reported .
To date , 2,064,748 coronavirus cases have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 35,778 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. Moscow recorded 75 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, the coronavirus monitoring center said in a statement on Saturday.
"Another 75 patients who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus have died in Moscow," the statement reads. The city’s coronavirus death toll has reached 8,308.
Moscow has the highest number of cases nationwide. As of November 21, the city recorded more than 547,100 coronavirus cases and over 400,300 recoveries.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
According to the latest statistics, about 57.6 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 1.3 mln deaths have been reported.
To date, 2,064,748 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,577,435 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 35,778 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-11-22--Plans to improve relations with Armenia may create new situation - Azerbaijani president

BAKU , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan ’ s plans to improve relations with Armenia may create a new @ @ @ @ @ and strengthen global security , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with Russian @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
`` I hope that the current ceasefire and our future plans to normalize @ @ @ @ @ Armenia takes them positively , may create a new situation in the region in terms @ @ @ @ @ .
Everyone will benefit from it , including people living in the region and our @ @ @ @ @ world will be safer , '' Aliyev emphasized .
On November 9 , Russian President @ @ @ @ @ Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete @ @ @ @ @ November 10 .
The Russian leader said that Azerbaijan and Armenia would maintain the positions @ @ @ @ @ Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region .

BAKU, November 22. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s plans to improve relations with Armenia may create a new situation situation in the region and strengthen global security, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Saturday.
"I hope that the current ceasefire and our future plans to normalize relations with Armenia provided that Armenia takes them positively, may create a new situation in the region in terms of strengthening stability and security. Everyone will benefit from it, including people living in the region and our neighbors, and the entire world will be safer," Aliyev emphasized.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said that Azerbaijan and Armenia would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region.


tass--2020-11-22--Azerbaijan, Armenia have the right to choose foreign policy partners, Lavrov says

BAKU , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan and Armenia are sovereign states that have the right to choose their foreign policy partners , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following a visit by a Russian inter-agency delegation to Baku on Saturday .
`` Turkey is a real factor in the region , and not only in this particular region .
Turkey is our partner in many fields , '' he pointed out .
`` As a sovereign state , Azerbaijan clearly has the right to choose its foreign policy partners , as well as Armenia , '' Lavrov added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` the art of politics is to take all factors that impact the situation in a region into account when promoting various initiatives . ''
The Russian delegation also included Deputy Prime Ministers Alexei Overchuk and Alexander Novak , Health Minister Mikhail Murashko , Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev and Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova .
Before Baku , the delegation made a visit to the Armenian capital of Yerevan .
In addition , Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also visited Baku @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

BAKU, November 22. /TASS/. Azerbaijan and Armenia are sovereign states that have the right to choose their foreign policy partners, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following a visit by a Russian inter-agency delegation to Baku on Saturday.
"Turkey is a real factor in the region, and not only in this particular region. Turkey is our partner in many fields," he pointed out. "As a sovereign state, Azerbaijan clearly has the right to choose its foreign policy partners, as well as Armenia," Lavrov added.
According to the Russian top diplomat, "the art of politics is to take all factors that impact the situation in a region into account when promoting various initiatives."
The Russian delegation also included Deputy Prime Ministers Alexei Overchuk and Alexander Novak, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev and Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova. Before Baku, the delegation made a visit to the Armenian capital of Yerevan. In addition, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also visited Baku on Saturday to hold talks with Aliyev.


tass--2020-11-21--Azerbaijani president describes situation in Nagorno-Karabakh as ‘promising’

BAKU , November 21 .
/TASS/ .
Positive trends emerged in the Nagorno-Karabakh region after a trilateral agreement had been singed by the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia and the Armenian prime minister , Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with members of a Russian inter-agency delegation on Saturday .
`` A new promising situation has emerged in the region .
I am sure that positive trends will grow .
In any case , Azerbaijan is ready for it , '' Aliyev pointed out , as cited by the Azerbaijan State News Agency .
According to him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimed at establishing a lasting and durable peace in the region .
`` I am glad that we managed to make decisions that will make it possible for the Azerbaijani people and the Armenian people to live in peace , try to heal the wounds of war and focus on the future , a common future , a safe future for us and our neighbors , and contribute to strengthening security in the region , '' the Azerbaijani president emphasized .
Azerbaijan ’ s plans to improve relations with Armenia may create a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strengthen global security , Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Saturday .
`` I hope that the current ceasefire and our future plans to normalize relations with Armenia provided that Armenia takes them positively , may create a new situation in the region in terms of strengthening stability and security .
Everyone will benefit from it , including people living in the region and our neighbors , and the entire world will be safer , '' Aliyev emphasized .

BAKU, November 21. /TASS/. Positive trends emerged in the Nagorno-Karabakh region after a trilateral agreement had been singed by the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia and the Armenian prime minister, Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with members of a Russian inter-agency delegation on Saturday.
"A new promising situation has emerged in the region. I am sure that positive trends will grow. In any case, Azerbaijan is ready for it," Aliyev pointed out, as cited by the Azerbaijan State News Agency.
According to him, the trilateral statement is an important step aimed at establishing a lasting and durable peace in the region. "I am glad that we managed to make decisions that will make it possible for the Azerbaijani people and the Armenian people to live in peace, try to heal the wounds of war and focus on the future, a common future, a safe future for us and our neighbors, and contribute to strengthening security in the region," the Azerbaijani president emphasized.
Azerbaijan’s plans to improve relations with Armenia may create a new situation situation in the region and strengthen global security, Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Saturday. "I hope that the current ceasefire and our future plans to normalize relations with Armenia provided that Armenia takes them positively, may create a new situation in the region in terms of strengthening stability and security. Everyone will benefit from it, including people living in the region and our neighbors, and the entire world will be safer," Aliyev emphasized.


tass--2020-11-21--Lavrov expects OSCE Minsk Group to take part in resolving humanitarian issues in Karabakh

BAKU , November 21 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow expects that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group will join efforts to resolve humanitarian issues in the Nagorno-Karabakh region , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Saturday .
`` We have been working with our Azerbaijani colleagues and Armenia through our peacekeepers in order to agree ways to resolve humanitarian issues and make sure that people can return to their homes .
It includes measures to establish civilian infrastructure facilities and restore economic and transport links , '' the Russian top diplomat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group , who have been promoting the political process for many years together with Russia , will join efforts to achieve these goals based on the November 9 agreements , '' he added .
Moscow and Baku see eye to eye on the need to create conditions for inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony in the Nagorno-Karabakh region , Lavrov said .
`` We see eye to eye on the need to create conditions for the restoration of inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony and reconciliation , '' Lavrov pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties discussed a whole range of specific steps , which can help achieve this goal and which Russia will take together with Azerbaijan and Armenia .
Moscow will strongly oppose attempts to question trilateral agreements on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , Russian Foreign Minister said .
`` Those who put geopolitical ambitions first won ’ t be able to achieve anything and we will strongly oppose such attempts , focusing on efforts to implement the agreements that are in the interests of the people who live in the region , '' he pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States and its allies sought to undermine the agreements .
Azerbaijan and Armenia are sovereign states that have the right to choose their foreign policy partners , Russian Foreign Minister said .
`` Turkey is a real factor in the region , and not only in this particular region .
Turkey is our partner in many fields , '' he pointed out .
`` As a sovereign state , Azerbaijan clearly has the right to choose its foreign policy partners , as well as Armenia , '' Lavrov added .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ art of politics is to take all factors that impact the situation in a region into account when promoting various initiatives . ''
The Russian delegation also included Deputy Prime Ministers Alexei Overchuk and Alexander Novak , Health Minister Mikhail Murashko , Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev and Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova .
Before Baku , the delegation made a visit to the Armenian capital of Yerevan .
In addition , Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also visited Baku on Saturday to @ @ @ @ @

BAKU, November 21. /TASS/. Moscow expects that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group will join efforts to resolve humanitarian issues in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Saturday.
"We have been working with our Azerbaijani colleagues and Armenia through our peacekeepers in order to agree ways to resolve humanitarian issues and make sure that people can return to their homes. It includes measures to establish civilian infrastructure facilities and restore economic and transport links," the Russian top diplomat pointed out. "We do expect that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, who have been promoting the political process for many years together with Russia, will join efforts to achieve these goals based on the November 9 agreements," he added.
Moscow and Baku see eye to eye on the need to create conditions for inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Lavrov said. "We see eye to eye on the need to create conditions for the restoration of inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony and reconciliation," Lavrov pointed out. According to him, the parties discussed a whole range of specific steps, which can help achieve this goal and which Russia will take together with Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Moscow will strongly oppose attempts to question trilateral agreements on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Russian Foreign Minister said. "Those who put geopolitical ambitions first won’t be able to achieve anything and we will strongly oppose such attempts, focusing on efforts to implement the agreements that are in the interests of the people who live in the region," he pointed out, commenting on reports that the United States and its allies sought to undermine the agreements.
Azerbaijan and Armenia are sovereign states that have the right to choose their foreign policy partners, Russian Foreign Minister said. "Turkey is a real factor in the region, and not only in this particular region. Turkey is our partner in many fields," he pointed out. "As a sovereign state, Azerbaijan clearly has the right to choose its foreign policy partners, as well as Armenia," Lavrov added. According to the Russian top diplomat, "the art of politics is to take all factors that impact the situation in a region into account when promoting various initiatives."
The Russian delegation also included Deputy Prime Ministers Alexei Overchuk and Alexander Novak, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev and Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova. Before Baku, the delegation made a visit to the Armenian capital of Yerevan. In addition, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also visited Baku on Saturday to hold talks with Aliyev.


tass--2020-11-21--Pandemic triggers systemic economic crisis, unprecedented since Great Depression - Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , November 21 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus pandemic has triggered a systemic economic crisis , unprecedented since the Great Depression , Russian President Vladimir Putin said , addressing the G20 summit on Saturday .
`` The scale of problems that mankind faced in 2020 is indeed unprecedented .
The coronavirus pandemic , a global lockdown and suspended economic activities triggered a systemic economic crisis , the likes of which the world has not seen since the Great Depression , '' Putin pointed out .
The Russian president also said that the economic growth of countries had been seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and millions of people have lost their jobs , '' Putin noted .
Mass unemployment and rising poverty remain major global challenges , Russian President said .
`` Despite some positive signs , mass long-term unemployment , which leads to a rise in poverty and social dislocation , remains a major global challenge and the G20 ’ s role is to prevent it , '' Putin pointed out .
`` Based on the experience of the fight against the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of multilateral initiatives to combat economic risks related to the pandemic and restore business activities , particularly through global governance institutions , including the United Nations , the World Health Organization , the International Monetary Fund , the World Bank and others , '' Putin noted .
The G20 group needs to continue efforts to find common approaches to reforming the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) , Vladimir Putin said .
`` The G20 group needs to continue efforts to find common approaches to reforming the World Trade Organization , taking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasized .
According to him , `` it is impossible to achieve this goal without a stable , effective and multilateral trading system based on universal rules and principles , and there is no alternative to the World Trade Organization at the moment. ''
.
`` We need to address pressing issues related to global trade .
In particular , there is a need to try to contain protectionism , abandon the practice of unilateral sanctions and restore supply chains , '' Putin stresses .
`` The current agenda also includes the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital commerce - there is much to be done in this field - as well as to other economic realities , '' the Russian leader said .
Effective and safe vaccines should be available to everyone and Russia is ready to provide its coronavirus vaccines to the countries in need , Putin said .
According to him , `` Russia supports the summit ’ s draft decision aimed at making effective and safe vaccines available to everyone . ''
`` Undoubtedly , vaccines should belong to the entire public , '' Putin pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to provide vaccines developed by our scientists to the countries in need , '' he added , particularly referring to the world ’ s first registered coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V. `` Russia ’ s second vaccine , EpiVacCorona , which was developed by a Novosibirsk research center , is also ready .
Work on a third vaccine is in its final stages , '' Putin added .
He noted that `` the scale of the pandemic makes it necessary to use all the existing resources and practices . ''
The common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of vaccines and provide strong protection to the entire global population . ''
`` It means that there will be enough work for everyone , '' Putin noted .
`` I think that this is the time when competition may be inevitable but we need to be guided , first and foremost , by humanitarian concerns , '' the Russian president emphasized .
There is a need to take advantage of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic to change the trajectory of global development , Vladimir Putin said .
`` There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current crisis to change the trajectory of global development , maintain a clean environment , provide equal conditions to all countries , boost effective mechanisms of multilateral cooperation and key international organizations , based on the UN Charter and universally recognized rules and principles of international law , '' the Russian president emphasized .
In Russia ’ s view , this is the approach that the G20 needs to adopt as a group of the world ’ s leading economies , Putin added .
Additional measures should be taken to prevent economic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian President said .
`` We understand that developing economies and a number of countries where a market economy is emerging lack the capacity '' to take meaningful measures of support amid the economic difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic , Putin noted .
`` The devaluation of national currencies and , consequently , the rising cost of servicing public debts pose a major challenge , primarily to low-income countries , where two-thirds of loans are denominated in US dollars , '' the Russian president pointed out .
According to Putin , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank provided significant assistance to developing countries and it was at their initiative that the G20 decided to introduce a temporary debt moratorium in April . ''
`` I think that additional measures should be taken to stop the situation from deteriorating and prevent economic and social inequality between countries from growing , '' Putin emphasized .
Russia has spent 4.5 % of its GDP to mitigate the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic , Putin said .
According to him , `` by taking timely measures , Russia , as well as most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic decline , boost the healthcare system and escape permanent damage . ''
Putin pointed out that like many other countries , Russia took unprecedented crisis response measures , focusing on the need to protect the health and lives of the country ’ s people .
`` In order to ensure the sustainability of the national economy and maintain social stability , the Russian government and the Central Bank are implementing a comprehensive plan aimed at providing support to the people , small and medium-sized businesses and endangered industries .
The banking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received support , loans were provided to businesses and state investment went up , '' Putin added .
When speaking about the G20 ’ s activities , Putin noted that the group had formed a stimulus package worth $ 12 trillion to boost global economy amid the pandemic .
He added that the G20 countries `` mobilized $ 21 billion to address urgent medical needs and launched international cooperation in the development , production and distribution of vaccines .
`` .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, November 21. /TASS/. The coronavirus pandemic has triggered a systemic economic crisis, unprecedented since the Great Depression, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, addressing the G20 summit on Saturday.
"The scale of problems that mankind faced in 2020 is indeed unprecedented. The coronavirus pandemic, a global lockdown and suspended economic activities triggered a systemic economic crisis, the likes of which the world has not seen since the Great Depression," Putin pointed out.
The Russian president also said that the economic growth of countries had been seriously affected by the pandemic.
"The pandemic has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and millions of people have lost their jobs," Putin noted.
Mass unemployment and rising poverty remain major global challenges, Russian President said. "Despite some positive signs, mass long-term unemployment, which leads to a rise in poverty and social dislocation, remains a major global challenge and the G20’s role is to prevent it," Putin pointed out.
"Based on the experience of the fight against the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, the G20 group has launched a number of multilateral initiatives to combat economic risks related to the pandemic and restore business activities, particularly through global governance institutions, including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and others," Putin noted.
The G20 group needs to continue efforts to find common approaches to reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO), Vladimir Putin said. "The G20 group needs to continue efforts to find common approaches to reforming the World Trade Organization, taking the current challenges into account," Putin emphasized. According to him, "it is impossible to achieve this goal without a stable, effective and multilateral trading system based on universal rules and principles, and there is no alternative to the World Trade Organization at the moment.".
"We need to address pressing issues related to global trade. In particular, there is a need to try to contain protectionism, abandon the practice of unilateral sanctions and restore supply chains," Putin stresses.
"The current agenda also includes the need to tailor multilateral universal trade rules to digital commerce - there is much to be done in this field - as well as to other economic realities," the Russian leader said.
Effective and safe vaccines should be available to everyone and Russia is ready to provide its coronavirus vaccines to the countries in need, Putin said. According to him, "Russia supports the summit’s draft decision aimed at making effective and safe vaccines available to everyone." "Undoubtedly, vaccines should belong to the entire public," Putin pointed out. "Russia, is certainly ready to provide vaccines developed by our scientists to the countries in need," he added, particularly referring to the world’s first registered coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V. "Russia’s second vaccine, EpiVacCorona, which was developed by a Novosibirsk research center, is also ready. Work on a third vaccine is in its final stages," Putin added.
He noted that "the scale of the pandemic makes it necessary to use all the existing resources and practices." The common goal is "to form a portfolio of vaccines and provide strong protection to the entire global population." "It means that there will be enough work for everyone," Putin noted. "I think that this is the time when competition may be inevitable but we need to be guided, first and foremost, by humanitarian concerns," the Russian president emphasized.
There is a need to take advantage of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic to change the trajectory of global development, Vladimir Putin said. "There is a need to take advantage of the current crisis to change the trajectory of global development, maintain a clean environment, provide equal conditions to all countries, boost effective mechanisms of multilateral cooperation and key international organizations, based on the UN Charter and universally recognized rules and principles of international law," the Russian president emphasized.
In Russia’s view, this is the approach that the G20 needs to adopt as a group of the world’s leading economies, Putin added.
Additional measures should be taken to prevent economic and social inequality between countries from growing, Russian President said. "We understand that developing economies and a number of countries where a market economy is emerging lack the capacity" to take meaningful measures of support amid the economic difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Putin noted.
"The devaluation of national currencies and, consequently, the rising cost of servicing public debts pose a major challenge, primarily to low-income countries, where two-thirds of loans are denominated in US dollars," the Russian president pointed out.
According to Putin, "the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank provided significant assistance to developing countries and it was at their initiative that the G20 decided to introduce a temporary debt moratorium in April." "I think that additional measures should be taken to stop the situation from deteriorating and prevent economic and social inequality between countries from growing," Putin emphasized.
Russia has spent 4.5% of its GDP to mitigate the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, Putin said. According to him, "by taking timely measures, Russia, as well as most other developed countries, managed to mitigate the economic decline, boost the healthcare system and escape permanent damage."
Putin pointed out that like many other countries, Russia took unprecedented crisis response measures, focusing on the need to protect the health and lives of the country’s people. "In order to ensure the sustainability of the national economy and maintain social stability, the Russian government and the Central Bank are implementing a comprehensive plan aimed at providing support to the people, small and medium-sized businesses and endangered industries. The banking sector and the country’s regions received support, loans were provided to businesses and state investment went up," Putin added.
When speaking about the G20’s activities, Putin noted that the group had formed a stimulus package worth $12 trillion to boost global economy amid the pandemic. He added that the G20 countries "mobilized $21 billion to address urgent medical needs and launched international cooperation in the development, production and distribution of vaccines.".


tass--2020-11-21--Azerbaijan’s president welcomes Russian peacekeeping mission as stabilizing factor

BAKU , November 21 .
/TASS/ .
Baku welcomes the deployment of Russia ’ s peacekeeping mission to the Nagorno-Karabakh @ @ @ @ @ factor , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei @ @ @ @ @ We welcome the deployment of Russia ’ s peacekeeping mission that maintains contact with our @ @ @ @ @ as we know , with Armenia , too .
I believe it ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ have been no serious ceasefire violations since the [ trilateral ] statement was signed , @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t be , '' Aliyev pointed out .
Aliyev that the joint statement @ @ @ @ @ Russia and Azerbaijan and the Armenian prime minister , `` is a very important political @ @ @ @ @ an end to the years-long conflict . ''

BAKU, November 21. /TASS/. Baku welcomes the deployment of Russia’s peacekeeping mission to the Nagorno-Karabakh region as an important stabilizing factor, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Saturday.
"We welcome the deployment of Russia’s peacekeeping mission that maintains contact with our agencies and, as far as we know, with Armenia, too. I believe it’s an important stabilizing factor because there have been no serious ceasefire violations since the [trilateral] statement was signed, and I am sure there won’t be," Aliyev pointed out.
Aliyev that the joint statement signed by the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan and the Armenian prime minister, "is a very important political document that in fact put an end to the years-long conflict."


tass--2020-11-22--Russia's Sputnik V anti-COVID vaccine to be priced much lower than Pfizer’s and Moderna’s

MOSCOW , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
The price of Russia ’ s Sputnik V anti-coronavirus vaccine will be much lower than that of Pizer ’ s and Moderna ’ s , as follows from a tweet made on the Sputnik V account on Twitter on Sunday .
`` The prices of 19.5 US dollars per a Pfizer vaccine dose and 25-37 US dollars per a Moderna vaccine dose that have been announced actually mean that the real prices will be 39 US dollars and 50-74 US dollars per person .
One person will need two doses of the Pfizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sputnik ’ s V price will be mush lower , '' the tweet reads .
According to a spokesman for the Russian Direct Investment Fund said , the price of the Russian vaccine will be made public next week .
On August 11 , Russia registered the world ’ s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
The vaccine , dubbed Sputnik V , was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry , and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical tests began on August 25 .
The vaccine was developed on a platform that had been used for a number of other vaccines .
According to the Russian health ministry , these vaccines have proved their ability to form lasting immunity for a period of up to two years .
The first batch of the vaccine was dispatched to Russian regions on September 12 .

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. The price of Russia’s Sputnik V anti-coronavirus vaccine will be much lower than that of Pizer’s and Moderna’s, as follows from a tweet made on the Sputnik V account on Twitter on Sunday.
"The prices of 19.5 US dollars per a Pfizer vaccine dose and 25-37 US dollars per a Moderna vaccine dose that have been announced actually mean that the real prices will be 39 US dollars and 50-74 US dollars per person. One person will need two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Sputnik V vaccines. Sputnik’s V price will be mush lower," the tweet reads.
According to a spokesman for the Russian Direct Investment Fund said, the price of the Russian vaccine will be made public next week.
On August 11, Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. The third, post-registration, stage of clinical tests began on August 25. The vaccine was developed on a platform that had been used for a number of other vaccines. According to the Russian health ministry, these vaccines have proved their ability to form lasting immunity for a period of up to two years. The first batch of the vaccine was dispatched to Russian regions on September 12.


tass--2020-11-22--Putin says joint statement on Karabakh was authored by all three signatory sides

MOSCOW , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
The work on the November 9 joint statement on Nagorno-Karabakh was conducted jointly by the leader of the three nations , namely , Russia , Azerbaijan and Armenia , who signed it , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday .
`` As for the text , we worked on it together : I , naturally , President [ of Azerbaijan Ilham ] Aliyev and Prime Minister [ of Armenia Nikol ] Pashinyan , '' Putin said in an interview with the Moscow.Kremlin.Putin program on the Rossiya-1 television channel .
`` This was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressed .
According to the Russian leader , as a matter of fact , these were agreements between two sides - Azerbaijan and Armenia , whereas `` Russia was only a mediator and undertook under this document to carry out peaceful disengagement . ''
`` This is what we are doing now , '' he said .
`` So , the three sides are the authors [ of the joint statement ] . ''
When asked to comment on a footage aired earlier in the program where he said he had written the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin noted he had meant a statement he had done after the signing of the joint statement .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Armenian sides are to maintain the positions that they held and Russian peacekeepers are to be deployed to the region .

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. The work on the November 9 joint statement on Nagorno-Karabakh was conducted jointly by the leader of the three nations, namely, Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, who signed it, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday.
"As for the text, we worked on it together: I, naturally, President [of Azerbaijan Ilham] Aliyev and Prime Minister [of Armenia Nikol] Pashinyan," Putin said in an interview with the Moscow.Kremlin.Putin program on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
"This was the only possible way," he stressed.
According to the Russian leader, as a matter of fact, these were agreements between two sides - Azerbaijan and Armenia, whereas "Russia was only a mediator and undertook under this document to carry out peaceful disengagement." "This is what we are doing now," he said. "So, the three sides are the authors [of the joint statement]."
When asked to comment on a footage aired earlier in the program where he said he had written the document "on his own," Putin noted he had meant a statement he had done after the signing of the joint statement.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. Under the document, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides are to maintain the positions that they held and Russian peacekeepers are to be deployed to the region.


tass--2020-11-22--Over a dozen protesters held near metro station in Minsk

MINSK , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
More than a dozen protesters were detained on Sunday near Kamennaya Gorka metro @ @ @ @ @ a rally , a TASS correspondent reported .
People started hiding in a nearby Green @ @ @ @ @ people had rushed there and security forces also broke into the building .
Earlier in @ @ @ @ @ portal posted a video showing that security forces had used special means , supposedly stun @ @ @ @ @ this neighborhood .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
@ @ @ @ @ held in Minsk and several other cities on Sundays .
On these days in the @ @ @ @ @ arrive in downtown Belarusian capital and the supposed venues of protests , while nearby metro @ @ @ @ @ to mobile Internet is limited .

MINSK, November 22. /TASS/. More than a dozen protesters were detained on Sunday near Kamennaya Gorka metro station in northwestern Minsk at a rally, a TASS correspondent reported.
People started hiding in a nearby Green City mall. Some 100 people had rushed there and security forces also broke into the building.
Earlier in the day, Belarusian tut.by portal posted a video showing that security forces had used special means, supposedly stun grenades, against protesters in this neighborhood.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. The most massive rallies are held in Minsk and several other cities on Sundays. On these days in the morning special vehicles with police arrive in downtown Belarusian capital and the supposed venues of protests, while nearby metro stations are closed and access to mobile Internet is limited.


tass--2020-11-22--Putin says it’s early to congratulate US election winner as legal issues not sorted out

MOSCOW , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin explained that he has not yet congratulated the presumptive winner of the US presidential election because there is the need to wait until all legal issues are ironed out .
In the interview with `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' program on Rossiya-1 TV channel , the Russian leader noted that a formal delay with congratulations won ’ t worsen relations between Moscow and Washington , which are already bad .
`` You can ’ t spoil a spoiled relationship , it is already spoiled , '' Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congratulating the presumptive winner of the US election could deteriorate relations with Washington .
`` We have a respectful relation to everyone : both incumbent President [ Donald ] Trump and candidate for this post Mr. [ Joseph ] Biden .
Therefore , we don ’ t have any problems here , '' Putin assured .
Putin stressed that this is purely a formal issue .
`` There isn ’ t any hidden agenda or anything what would be unusual or could be a basis for further deterioration of our relations . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ congratulate [ Biden ] , it ’ s up to each and everyone , all people are experienced and know what and how they do , '' the president said .
He also recalled that last time everyone had congratulated Hillary Clinton and it turned out that Trump won .
Russia ’ s authorities are ready to work with any US President-Elect but now it ’ s important to wait until the vote count is completed and `` the domestic political struggle '' in the United States ends , Putin added .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have confidence of the US people , '' the Russian leader said .
In response to a question whether Putin planned to congratulate the US President-Elect after the vote count is over , Putin said : `` [ This ] should be either done in line with political tradition when one of the sides acknowledges the victory of the other or when the final outcome of the vote is recognized in a legitimate and legal way . ''
The United States held the presidential elections on November 3 .
Though the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election .
Both Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top , beyond the needed 270 vote threshold .
Trump is challenging the current outcome , claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states , and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court .

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin explained that he has not yet congratulated the presumptive winner of the US presidential election because there is the need to wait until all legal issues are ironed out.
In the interview with "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program on Rossiya-1 TV channel, the Russian leader noted that a formal delay with congratulations won’t worsen relations between Moscow and Washington, which are already bad.
"You can’t spoil a spoiled relationship, it is already spoiled," Putin said commenting on whether the delay with congratulating the presumptive winner of the US election could deteriorate relations with Washington.
"We have a respectful relation to everyone: both incumbent President [Donald] Trump and candidate for this post Mr. [Joseph] Biden. Therefore, we don’t have any problems here," Putin assured.
Putin stressed that this is purely a formal issue. "There isn’t any hidden agenda or anything what would be unusual or could be a basis for further deterioration of our relations."
"As for others - those who congratulate [Biden], it’s up to each and everyone, all people are experienced and know what and how they do," the president said. He also recalled that last time everyone had congratulated Hillary Clinton and it turned out that Trump won.
Waiting until final election results
Russia’s authorities are ready to work with any US President-Elect but now it’s important to wait until the vote count is completed and "the domestic political struggle" in the United States ends, Putin added.
"We will work with any person who will have confidence of the US people," the Russian leader said.
In response to a question whether Putin planned to congratulate the US President-Elect after the vote count is over, Putin said: "[This] should be either done in line with political tradition when one of the sides acknowledges the victory of the other or when the final outcome of the vote is recognized in a legitimate and legal way."
The United States held the presidential elections on November 3. Though the vote count is still underway, major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election. Both Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top, beyond the needed 270 vote threshold. Trump is challenging the current outcome, claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states, and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court.


tass--2020-11-22--Putin says US electoral system has problems

MOSCOW , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes there are some problems in the US electoral system , but it ’ s up to Washington to change the old scheme , he said in an interview with `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' TV program on Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` It ’ s absolutely evident - it ’ s clear for everyone in the world - it seems to me that this is clear for Americans that there are some problems in the US electoral system , '' Putin said .
`` It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to change something or not .
This is a matter of the American people and their representatives in the parliament , and the president , the American people and if they are satisfied - well , for God 's sake , '' Putin noted .
The Russian leader noted that `` now it ’ s widely known even for the broad public that a candidate who wins in a state gets the votes of all electors . ''
`` Well , let ’ s say there are 20 of them .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But maybe it turns that there is a fewer number of voters behind these electors .
So in US history it happened three times , in my view , when a president is elected by a bigger number of electors while there is a fewer number of voters behind them .
Is this democratic ? ''
Putin said .
Meanwhile , Putin noted he said this not to castigate the US political system or the election system .
`` This was done a long time ago .
As one of American colleagues told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this . ''
That ’ s the practice , '' he noted .
It ’ s up to Americans to evaluate the legitimacy of US election , Putin added .
`` Well , whether the authorities are legitimate or not , first of all , it ’ s up to the Americans to evaluate this , '' the Russian leader said .
Putin noted that `` this is an extremely important thing , because the confidence of the people of this or that country in the political leadership depends on it. ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US election system don ’ t give the US any right to accuse other countries that their election legislation is not perfect , Putin added .
`` This [ election process in the US ] certainly gives no one the right to point the finger at the flaws in other political systems , including in election legislation , '' Putin said .
The Russian leader also stressed that Moscow opposes meddling in its domestic affairs what the Americans do .
`` Try to observe the election there .
They don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even farther , '' he stressed .
Meanwhile , he noted that this is a US domestic affair .

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes there are some problems in the US electoral system, but it’s up to Washington to change the old scheme, he said in an interview with "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" TV program on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"It’s absolutely evident - it’s clear for everyone in the world - it seems to me that this is clear for Americans that there are some problems in the US electoral system," Putin said. "It’s none of our business whether they need to change something or not. This is a matter of the American people and their representatives in the parliament, and the president, the American people and if they are satisfied - well, for God's sake," Putin noted.
The Russian leader noted that "now it’s widely known even for the broad public that a candidate who wins in a state gets the votes of all electors." "Well, let’s say there are 20 of them. He won eleven but gets all 20. But maybe it turns that there is a fewer number of voters behind these electors. So in US history it happened three times, in my view, when a president is elected by a bigger number of electors while there is a fewer number of voters behind them. Is this democratic?" Putin said.
Meanwhile, Putin noted he said this not to castigate the US political system or the election system. "This was done a long time ago. As one of American colleagues told me previously "we have got accustomed to this." That’s the practice," he noted.
It’s up to Americans to evaluate the legitimacy of US election, Putin added.
"Well, whether the authorities are legitimate or not, first of all, it’s up to the Americans to evaluate this," the Russian leader said. Putin noted that "this is an extremely important thing, because the confidence of the people of this or that country in the political leadership depends on it.".
Election process in the US
Flaws in the US election system don’t give the US any right to accuse other countries that their election legislation is not perfect, Putin added. "This [election process in the US] certainly gives no one the right to point the finger at the flaws in other political systems, including in election legislation," Putin said.
The Russian leader also stressed that Moscow opposes meddling in its domestic affairs what the Americans do.
"Try to observe the election there. They don’t let observers closer than seven meters and even farther," he stressed. Meanwhile, he noted that this is a US domestic affair.


tass--2020-11-22--US could rejoin Open Skies Treaty under new administration, Russian diplomat says

MOSCOW , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is not ruling out that under the new administration Washington could rejoin the Treaty on Open Skies , Russia ’ s chief negotiator at the Vienna talks on military security and arms control issues Konstantin Gavrilov said , according to the Foreign Ministry ’ s website .
`` We have always said : if the US considers it necessary to withdraw [ from the Open Skies Treaty ] - this is its right .
Returning or not - this is also the choice of the new US administration , '' Gavrilov said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this possibility in principle - it ’ s all in American partners ’ hands , as the saying goes , '' the diplomat noted .
According to the diplomat , after Washington ’ s withdrawal from the Treaty a number of practical tasks will be on the agenda , including the distribution of financial costs related to the activity of the Open Skies Consultative Commission ( OSCC ) , appointing two chairs of unofficial working groups instead of US representatives and defining the US status .
`` We believe that they won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status with all its advantages , '' Gavrilov stated .
`` In short , there is a lot of work to be done .
We expect that the full-scale cooperation between the member-states of the Treaty on Open Skies on the whole range of issues on the agenda of the Open Skies Consultative Commission will continue without interruption . ''
On May 21 , US President Donald Trump declared that Washington was going to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty , which provides for inspection flights over member countries ’ territories to monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pompeo explained in a written statement that the decision on Washington ’ s withdrawal from the agreement would enter into force in six months , starting from May 22 , i.e .
on November 22 .
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 in Helsinki by 23 member nations of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) .
The main purposes of the open skies regime are to develop transparency , render assistance in monitoring compliance with the existing or future arms control agreements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis situations .
The treaty establishes a program of unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of its participants .
Now , the treaty has 33 signatory states .
Russia ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26 , 2001 .
For the past several years , Washington has been accusing Moscow of implementing the treaty in a selective manner and of violating some of its provisions .
Russia has also put forward some objections regarding the way the United States has been implementing the agreement .
In 2017 , Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above its territory ; Moscow came up with a tit-for-tat response some time later .

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. Russia is not ruling out that under the new administration Washington could rejoin the Treaty on Open Skies, Russia’s chief negotiator at the Vienna talks on military security and arms control issues Konstantin Gavrilov said, according to the Foreign Ministry’s website.
"We have always said: if the US considers it necessary to withdraw [from the Open Skies Treaty] - this is its right. Returning or not - this is also the choice of the new US administration," Gavrilov said.
"We are not ruling out this possibility in principle - it’s all in American partners’ hands, as the saying goes," the diplomat noted.
According to the diplomat, after Washington’s withdrawal from the Treaty a number of practical tasks will be on the agenda, including the distribution of financial costs related to the activity of the Open Skies Consultative Commission (OSCC), appointing two chairs of unofficial working groups instead of US representatives and defining the US status.
"We believe that they won’t be able to claim an observer status with all its advantages," Gavrilov stated. "In short, there is a lot of work to be done. We expect that the full-scale cooperation between the member-states of the Treaty on Open Skies on the whole range of issues on the agenda of the Open Skies Consultative Commission will continue without interruption."
On May 21, US President Donald Trump declared that Washington was going to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty, which provides for inspection flights over member countries’ territories to monitor military activities. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explained in a written statement that the decision on Washington’s withdrawal from the agreement would enter into force in six months, starting from May 22, i.e. on November 22.
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 in Helsinki by 23 member nations of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The main purposes of the open skies regime are to develop transparency, render assistance in monitoring compliance with the existing or future arms control agreements, broaden possibilities for preventing crises and managing crisis situations. The treaty establishes a program of unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of its participants. Now, the treaty has 33 signatory states. Russia ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26, 2001.
For the past several years, Washington has been accusing Moscow of implementing the treaty in a selective manner and of violating some of its provisions. Russia has also put forward some objections regarding the way the United States has been implementing the agreement. In 2017, Washington imposed certain restrictions on Russian observation flights above its territory; Moscow came up with a tit-for-tat response some time later.


tass--2020-11-22--Georgian Dream wins in all 17 constituencies in 2nd round of parliamentary polls

TBILISI , November 22 .
/TASS/ .
Candidates for majority MPs from the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party won in all 17 single-mandate constituencies during the second round of parliamentary elections on Saturday , the Central Election Commission said on its website on Sunday .
Current MP Beka Odisharia won elections in the Tbilisi district of Mtatsminda-Krtsanisi with 91.57 % of the vote .
Georgian Dream ’ s candidate Nodar Turdzeladze secured victory in the Vake district with 93.72 % .
Former Minister of Health David Sergeenko garnered 89.92 % of the vote in Saburtalo .
Former Minister for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Insani with 92.15 % of the vote .
Sozar Subari , former adviser on regional policy to the prime minister , is winning in the Samgori metropolitan area with 88.68 % of the vote , and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Georgy Volsky received 89.95 % of the vote in Didube-Chugureti .
Former player of the Georgian national football team Mikhail Kavelashvili received 91.4 % of the vote in the Nadzaladevi region , and the current president of the Football Federation Levan Kobiashvili is gaining 89.36 % of the vote in Gldani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the remaining nine single-mandate constituencies outside Tbilisi .
On Saturday , Georgia held the second round of parliamentary elections in 17 out of 30 single-seat constituencies .
Eight of 17 single-seat constituencies are located in the capital of Tbilisi .
The first round took place on October 31 .
According to the CEC , the ruling party won 48.22 % of the vote and also secured victory in 13 single-seat constituencies .
The Strength is in Unity opposition coalition , which includes the United National Movement party founded by ex-President Mikhail Saakashvili @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The second round was held amid a boycott of the opposition , which does not recognize results of the first round .
As Executive Secretary of the Georgian Dream Irakli Kobakhidze noted earlier , in total the party would receive 90 out of 150 mandates in the new convocation of parliament .

TBILISI, November 22. /TASS/. Candidates for majority MPs from the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party won in all 17 single-mandate constituencies during the second round of parliamentary elections on Saturday, the Central Election Commission said on its website on Sunday.
Current MP Beka Odisharia won elections in the Tbilisi district of Mtatsminda-Krtsanisi with 91.57% of the vote. Georgian Dream’s candidate Nodar Turdzeladze secured victory in the Vake district with 93.72%. Former Minister of Health David Sergeenko garnered 89.92% of the vote in Saburtalo. Former Minister for the Execution of Sentences Kakha Kakhishvili is winning in Insani with 92.15% of the vote.
Sozar Subari, former adviser on regional policy to the prime minister, is winning in the Samgori metropolitan area with 88.68% of the vote, and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Georgy Volsky received 89.95% of the vote in Didube-Chugureti.
Former player of the Georgian national football team Mikhail Kavelashvili received 91.4% of the vote in the Nadzaladevi region, and the current president of the Football Federation Levan Kobiashvili is gaining 89.36% of the vote in Gldani.
Georgian Dream nominees are also winning in the remaining nine single-mandate constituencies outside Tbilisi.
On Saturday, Georgia held the second round of parliamentary elections in 17 out of 30 single-seat constituencies. Eight of 17 single-seat constituencies are located in the capital of Tbilisi. The first round took place on October 31. According to the CEC, the ruling party won 48.22% of the vote and also secured victory in 13 single-seat constituencies.
The Strength is in Unity opposition coalition, which includes the United National Movement party founded by ex-President Mikhail Saakashvili, comes in second with 27.18%.
The second round was held amid a boycott of the opposition, which does not recognize results of the first round. As Executive Secretary of the Georgian Dream Irakli Kobakhidze noted earlier, in total the party would receive 90 out of 150 mandates in the new convocation of parliament.