tass--2020-01-17--Russian Black Sea Fleet naval aviation strikes enemy ships with cruise missiles in drills

Under the drills ’ scenario , the Black Sea Fleet ’ s command and control center has received a report from its ship directly tracking a notional enemy ’ s warship that the enemy might employ cruise missiles .
SIMFEROPOL , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
The crews of Su-30SM fighter jets of Russia ’ s Black Sea Fleet practiced detecting and striking enemy warships with cruise missiles during drills in the Black Sea , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Friday .
`` The coordinates of the aggressor ship ’ s location have been transmitted to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staying in the air .
The pilots of the multirole fighters altered their patrolling route , detected and destroyed the naval target , '' the press office said in a statement .
The drills were held without actually employing the armament , the statement says .
`` The pilots practiced heading for an attack , aiming and firing missile and bombing armament , using specified coordinates , '' the press office said .
The Su-30SM is a generation 4++ serial-produced and upgraded two-seat super-maneuverable fighter jet .
The Su-30SM is furnished with two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fighter has an operating range of 1,500 km and a flight endurance of 3.5 hours without refueling .

Under the drills’ scenario, the Black Sea Fleet’s command and control center has received a report from its ship directly tracking a notional enemy’s warship that the enemy might employ cruise missiles.
SIMFEROPOL, January 17. /TASS/. The crews of Su-30SM fighter jets of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet practiced detecting and striking enemy warships with cruise missiles during drills in the Black Sea, the Fleet’s press office reported on Friday.
"The coordinates of the aggressor ship’s location have been transmitted to the pair of quick reaction alert Su-30SM fighters staying in the air. The pilots of the multirole fighters altered their patrolling route, detected and destroyed the naval target," the press office said in a statement.
The drills were held without actually employing the armament, the statement says.
"The pilots practiced heading for an attack, aiming and firing missile and bombing armament, using specified coordinates," the press office said.
The Su-30SM is a generation 4++ serial-produced and upgraded two-seat super-maneuverable fighter jet. The Su-30SM is furnished with two AL-31FP thrust-vectoring reheated double-flow turbofan engines. The fighter has an operating range of 1,500 km and a flight endurance of 3.5 hours without refueling.


tass--2020-01-17--Lavrov castigates US for reluctance to speak openly about bioweapons with other nations

According to the Acting Foreign Minister , the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) was unlawfully granted punitive powers in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention .
MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Washington has displayed its unwillingness to speak openly about biological warfare issues with other nations , and seeks to impose its desired decisions through under-the-radar negotiations that lack transparency , Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during his Friday press conference on the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
`` A vaguely similar approach is now being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Convention , which we , together with the majority of nations , have long ago suggested as a groundwork for a verification mechanism , '' Lavrov specified .
`` The Americans basically unilaterally block this solution and seek to promote their own interests through secretariats of various international organizations , including the UN Secretariat , through their non-transparent , murky , back-door bilateral contacts that push their agendas , '' he said , pointing to the fact that the US `` sets up biological laboratories on post-Soviet territories . ''
`` These all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , they worry everyone , '' Lavrov emphasized .
`` But , once again , the Americans do not want to discuss them fairly , involving all parties to the biological weapons ban . ''
According to the top diplomat , the United States seeks to take international security issues into its own hands , prohibiting any inclusive dialogue that could enable a consensus .
He added that Washington uses a similar ploy for its trade and economic policy , as they try to inhibit the emergence of new world powers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dialogue between the US and China is .
In general , the [ World Trade Organization ] has a body dedicated to settling trade disputes , but it has been dysfunctional for more than a year already , because the US blocks appointments to this body and it can not reach quorum , '' Lavrov noted .
`` Instead of solving world trade issues through a universally agreed upon international legal mechanism , the US prefers to deal with its competition one on one , '' he continued .
`` As a matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the European Commission expressed its concerns on whether US-Chinese trade agreement violates the principles of the free trade , and the WTO norms .
The Commission reserved the right to return to this issue later . ''

According to the Acting Foreign Minister, the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was unlawfully granted punitive powers in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Washington has displayed its unwillingness to speak openly about biological warfare issues with other nations, and seeks to impose its desired decisions through under-the-radar negotiations that lack transparency, Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during his Friday press conference on the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019.
"A vaguely similar approach is now being attempted with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, which we, together with the majority of nations, have long ago suggested as a groundwork for a verification mechanism," Lavrov specified.
"The Americans basically unilaterally block this solution and seek to promote their own interests through secretariats of various international organizations, including the UN Secretariat, through their non-transparent, murky, back-door bilateral contacts that push their agendas," he said, pointing to the fact that the US "sets up biological laboratories on post-Soviet territories."
"These all are very serious issues and, once again, they worry everyone," Lavrov emphasized. "But, once again, the Americans do not want to discuss them fairly, involving all parties to the biological weapons ban."
According to the top diplomat, the United States seeks to take international security issues into its own hands, prohibiting any inclusive dialogue that could enable a consensus. He added that Washington uses a similar ploy for its trade and economic policy, as they try to inhibit the emergence of new world powers.
"We see how tense the trade dialogue between the US and China is. In general, the [World Trade Organization] has a body dedicated to settling trade disputes, but it has been dysfunctional for more than a year already, because the US blocks appointments to this body and it cannot reach quorum," Lavrov noted.
"Instead of solving world trade issues through a universally agreed upon international legal mechanism, the US prefers to deal with its competition one on one," he continued. "As a matter of fact, I read this morning that the European Commission expressed its concerns on whether US-Chinese trade agreement violates the principles of the free trade, and the WTO norms. The Commission reserved the right to return to this issue later."


tass--2020-01-17--Putin to take part in Berlin conference on Libya on January 19

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Berlin to take part in the international @ @ @ @ @ January 19 , the Kremlin press service informed .
`` An exchange of opinions on @ @ @ @ @ , namely regarding the soonest establishment of a ceasefire , the reconciliation of the warring @ @ @ @ @ an expansive political dialogue under the auspices of the UN , '' the message informs @ @ @ @ @ be reflected in the final document signed at the conference , the Kremlin added .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Berlin to take part in the international conference on Libyan regulation on January 19, the Kremlin press service informed.
"An exchange of opinions on Libyan crisis regulation is planned, namely regarding the soonest establishment of a ceasefire, the reconciliation of the warring sides and the launch of an expansive political dialogue under the auspices of the UN," the message informs.
The key agreements will be reflected in the final document signed at the conference, the Kremlin added.


tass--2020-01-17--US deliberately assassinated Soleimani to destabilize the region — Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
The United States assassinated Iranian Commander Qasem Soleimani on purpose , in a @ @ @ @ @ destabilize the region , the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a response on its website following @ @ @ @ @ 's press conference on summing up the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
The @ @ @ @ @ at the conference .
`` We see the US operation against the Islamic Revolution Guard @ @ @ @ @ and his entourage as a deliberate act aimed at undermining security and stability in the @ @ @ @ @ territory of a sovereign UN member state without its knowledge , '' the Ministry said @ @ @ @ @ all sides to use restraint , adhere to common sense , and give priority to @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. The United States assassinated Iranian Commander Qasem Soleimani on purpose, in a bid to undermine security and destabilize the region, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a response on its website following Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's press conference on summing up the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019. The relevant question was not voiced at the conference.
"We see the US operation against the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Quds Force Commander Soleimani and his entourage as a deliberate act aimed at undermining security and stability in the region, conducted on the territory of a sovereign UN member state without its knowledge," the Ministry said. "We call on all sides to use restraint, adhere to common sense, and give priority to diplomatic efforts."


tass--2020-01-17--Number of Russian tourists in Japan up 26% to 120,000 people in 2019

TOKYO , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of Russian tourists visiting Japan from January to December 2019 amounted to 120,000 people , which is 26.6 % more compared to the same period in 2018 , the Japan National Tourism Organization ( JNTO ) said on Friday .
In terms of tourist flow growth , Russia entered the top three along with Vietnam and the United Kingdom .
Meanwhile , the number of tourists from South Korea immediately fell by 25 % to 5.5 mln people due to the aggravation of historical differences between the two countries , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in 2019 , 31.88 mln tourists visited Japan .
The majority of inhabitants of mainland China come to the country .
Over the year , their number amounted to 9.5 mln people - 14.5 % more than in 2018 .
South Korea , despite the decline , is still on the second place in the ranking , followed by Taiwan and Hong Kong .
Starting from January 1 , 2017 , the Japanese authorities softened the regime for issuing entry visas to Russian citizens in accordance with the agreement dedicated to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan in December 2016 .
As a result , in 2017 the number of tourists from Russia who visited Japan increased by 40.8 % compared to 2016 and amounted to more than 77,000 people .
The number of Japanese tourists in Russia for the same period exceeded 100,000 people .
Since October 1 last year , the Japanese side also introduced a new facilitated visa regime for Russian tourists visiting the country as part of organized tour groups .
At the end of 2018 , the number of Russian tourists who entered Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Russia was visited by 120,000 Japanese in the same period .
Both countries also agreed to increase mutual tourism flow to 400,000 people by 2023 .

TOKYO, January 17. /TASS/. The number of Russian tourists visiting Japan from January to December 2019 amounted to 120,000 people, which is 26.6% more compared to the same period in 2018, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said on Friday.
In terms of tourist flow growth, Russia entered the top three along with Vietnam and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the number of tourists from South Korea immediately fell by 25% to 5.5 mln people due to the aggravation of historical differences between the two countries, as well as trade disputes.
In total, in 2019, 31.88 mln tourists visited Japan. The majority of inhabitants of mainland China come to the country. Over the year, their number amounted to 9.5 mln people - 14.5% more than in 2018. South Korea, despite the decline, is still on the second place in the ranking, followed by Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Starting from January 1, 2017, the Japanese authorities softened the regime for issuing entry visas to Russian citizens in accordance with the agreement dedicated to the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Japan in December 2016. As a result, in 2017 the number of tourists from Russia who visited Japan increased by 40.8% compared to 2016 and amounted to more than 77,000 people. The number of Japanese tourists in Russia for the same period exceeded 100,000 people.
Since October 1 last year, the Japanese side also introduced a new facilitated visa regime for Russian tourists visiting the country as part of organized tour groups. At the end of 2018, the number of Russian tourists who entered Japan increased by 22.7% to 94,8000 people, while Russia was visited by 120,000 Japanese in the same period. Both countries also agreed to increase mutual tourism flow to 400,000 people by 2023.


tass--2020-01-17--Russia opposes dragging NATO into Arctic — Lavrov

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia does not see any grounds to introduce military working methods into the Arctic and opposes attempts to pull the North Atlantic Treaty Organization into the region , '' Russian Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference summing up the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
`` There are no reasons to bring any military practices into the Arctic .
In this regard , we believe that the attempts to drag NATO into this region , into northern high latitudes , are wrong , '' he stressed .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads of General Staffs of Arctic Council members were meeting solely to ensure the required level of trust .
We are now proposing resuming these meetings , maybe starting with expert consultations . ''
`` In general , I believe the Arctic Council to be one of the few organizations that at least for now — touch wood — is shielded from ideologization and politicization , '' he continued .
`` Very important decisions on cooperation in emergencies are made there — particularly in case of , God forbid , oil spills , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arctic Ocean and a number of other decisions . ''
Speaking about Russia assuming presidency in the Arctic Council in 2021-2023 , Lavrov assured that the Russian Arctic agenda `` will ensure consistency of operations . ''
`` Iceland heads the council now , '' the diplomat noted .
`` We keep in regular contact and will continue meeting with the Icelandic [ foreign ] minister .
As we approach 2021 , specific agenda will be drafted which will allow us to continue to smoothly advance processes agreed by all members , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , of course , ensuring life standards of native [ Northern ] people in a maximum comfortable way . ''

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Russia does not see any grounds to introduce military working methods into the Arctic and opposes attempts to pull the North Atlantic Treaty Organization into the region," Russian Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference summing up the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019.
"There are no reasons to bring any military practices into the Arctic. In this regard, we believe that the attempts to drag NATO into this region, into northern high latitudes, are wrong," he stressed. "We stand for reviving the past practice when heads of General Staffs of Arctic Council members were meeting solely to ensure the required level of trust. We are now proposing resuming these meetings, maybe starting with expert consultations."
"In general, I believe the Arctic Council to be one of the few organizations that at least for now — touch wood — is shielded from ideologization and politicization," he continued. "Very important decisions on cooperation in emergencies are made there — particularly in case of, God forbid, oil spills, on scientific cooperation, fishing in the Arctic Ocean and a number of other decisions."
Speaking about Russia assuming presidency in the Arctic Council in 2021-2023, Lavrov assured that the Russian Arctic agenda "will ensure consistency of operations." "Iceland heads the council now," the diplomat noted. "We keep in regular contact and will continue meeting with the Icelandic [foreign] minister. As we approach 2021, specific agenda will be drafted which will allow us to continue to smoothly advance processes agreed by all members, including economic, climate protection and environmental issues and, of course, ensuring life standards of native [Northern] people in a maximum comfortable way."


tass--2020-01-17--Shell plans to expand oil and LNG business in Russia

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Shell intends to expand its business in Russia , focusing on oil projects in Western Siberia and LNG projects , Cederic Cremers , Executive Vice President and Country Chair Russia at Shell , told reporters .
`` Of course , we are expanding our oil business in Western Siberia , and our goal is to grow and further expand our presence here .
As for gas , we are major players in the LNG market ( liquefied natural gas - TASS ) .
We believe that Russia can grow in this market and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to understand how to strengthen and improve our position on Sakhalin , everyone knows that there are technical difficulties there , '' he said .
The expansion of the Sakhalin-2 project has not been suspended , the issue is on the agenda , Cremers told reporters .
According to him , the assessment of the resource base for the third phase of the project may take more than a year .
`` It [ expansion ] has not been suspended .
The issue is on the agenda .
Yes , it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
At the same time , Cremers believes that the timing will not affect the competitive position of the project , which is located close to the main consumers .
`` We proceed from the fact that Sakhalin-1 resources will not be available to us , so Sakhalin Energy should work on developing our own resources and the opportunities that are nearby .
We are working on this program now .
First of all , we need to evaluate how long we will be able to support the first two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a year , '' Cremers said , answering a question about the prospects for expanding the capacity of the Sakhalin-2 plant .
In November 2019 , Reuters reported , citing sources , that the expansion of the Sakhalin-2 LNG plant was suspended due to a lack of a resource base , international sanctions and Gazprom ’ s plans to expand gas supplies to China .
On Friday , Cremers also reported that Shell intends to expand its business in Russia , focusing on oil projects in Western Siberia and LNG projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanding our oil business in Western Siberia , and our goal is to grow and further expand our presence here .
As for gas , we are major players in the LNG market [ liquefied natural gas — TASS ] .
We believe that Russia can grow in this market and become a global leader .
Our goal is to understand how to strengthen and improve our position on Sakhalin , everyone knows that there are technical difficulties there , '' he commended .
Sakhalin-2 is Russia 's first liquefied natural gas ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2009 , and a year later reached its full capacity of 9.6 mln tonnes of LNG per year .
Since then , Sakhalin Energy , the operator of the Sakhalin-2 project , managed to further increase production to 11.41 mln tonnes of LNG in 2018 .
Gazprom holds 50 % plus one share in Sakhalin Energy , while Shell has 27.5 % minus one share , Mitsui & Co .
Ltd owns 12.5 % , Mitsubishi Corporation holds 10 % .
The construction of the third phase will increase the plant 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 2019 , it was reported that Sakhalin Energy completed the development of the project ’ s documentation for the construction of the third phase of the project , but it is too early to speak about the end of negotiations on raw gas to expand the plant .
In May 2019 , Gazprom announced that it was considering Sakhalin-3 as a resource base for expansion of the Sakhalin-2 LNG plant .
Shell , one of Gazprom ’ s partners in construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline , remains committed to @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Shell intends to expand its business in Russia, focusing on oil projects in Western Siberia and LNG projects, Cederic Cremers, Executive Vice President and Country Chair Russia at Shell, told reporters.
"Of course, we are expanding our oil business in Western Siberia, and our goal is to grow and further expand our presence here. As for gas, we are major players in the LNG market (liquefied natural gas - TASS). We believe that Russia can grow in this market and become a global leader. Our goal is to understand how to strengthen and improve our position on Sakhalin, everyone knows that there are technical difficulties there," he said.
On Sakhalin-2 project
The expansion of the Sakhalin-2 project has not been suspended, the issue is on the agenda, Cremers told reporters. According to him, the assessment of the resource base for the third phase of the project may take more than a year.
"It [expansion] has not been suspended. The issue is on the agenda. Yes, it will take longer than we expected before," he said.
At the same time, Cremers believes that the timing will not affect the competitive position of the project, which is located close to the main consumers.
"We proceed from the fact that Sakhalin-1 resources will not be available to us, so Sakhalin Energy should work on developing our own resources and the opportunities that are nearby. We are working on this program now. First of all, we need to evaluate how long we will be able to support the first two lines. I think this will take more than a year," Cremers said, answering a question about the prospects for expanding the capacity of the Sakhalin-2 plant.
In November 2019, Reuters reported, citing sources, that the expansion of the Sakhalin-2 LNG plant was suspended due to a lack of a resource base, international sanctions and Gazprom’s plans to expand gas supplies to China.
About project
Sakhalin-2 is Russia's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant. It was launched in 2009, and a year later reached its full capacity of 9.6 mln tonnes of LNG per year.
Since then, Sakhalin Energy, the operator of the Sakhalin-2 project, managed to further increase production to 11.41 mln tonnes of LNG in 2018.
Gazprom holds 50% plus one share in Sakhalin Energy, while Shell has 27.5% minus one share, Mitsui&Co. Ltd owns 12.5%, Mitsubishi Corporation holds 10%.
The construction of the third phase will increase the plant's capacity to 15 million tonnes.
In April 2019, it was reported that Sakhalin Energy completed the development of the project’s documentation for the construction of the third phase of the project, but it is too early to speak about the end of negotiations on raw gas to expand the plant.
In May 2019, Gazprom announced that it was considering Sakhalin-3 as a resource base for expansion of the Sakhalin-2 LNG plant.
On Nord Stream 2
Shell, one of Gazprom’s partners in construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, remains committed to the project, Cremers said.


tass--2020-01-17--Ukraine’s power change didn’t result in Donbass conflict progress, says Russian ministry

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
The new Ukrainian leadership is not rushing to follow up on promises to end the conflict in Donbass , the Russian Foreign Ministry answered questions posed to Russian acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his press conference .
The answers were published on the ministry ’ s official website on Friday .
`` The power change in Ukraine in summer 2019 unfortunately did not lead to progress in settling the Donbass conflict , '' the Russian diplomatic agency noted .
`` The new leadership of the country , having declared end to war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities , is taking its time in implementing this task .
The situation continues to be difficult and tense . ''
The ministry underlined that the ceasefire declared in July was supposed to be indefinite , but has not resulted in complete halt of hostilities , while the bill on constitutional amendments on decentralization of power submitted to the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine ’ s parliament , in December `` in reality had little to do with decentralization but rather with the administrative and territorial makeup of the country , boosting powers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time , the ministry underscored that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky unlike his predecessor succeeded in implementing decisions of the Normandy Four summits in 2015-2016 envisioning disengagement of forces in three areas on the line of contact and enshrined the ‘ Steinmeier formula ’ , unblocking the way to hold a Normandy Four ( Russia , France , Germany , Ukraine ) summit in Paris on December 9 .
`` Its main result was unanimous reiteration that there is no alternative to the Minsk Agreements as a basis to settle the conflict in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The Normandy Four leaders have already gave clear recommendations to the [ Trilateral ] Contact Group on specific areas of settlement .
First steps have already been taken .
The Verkhovna Rada extended the Donbass ’ special law status until December 31 , 2020 and a detainee swap was held on December 29 , 2019 . ''
`` Yesterday , January 16 , Minsk hosted the first meeting of the Contact Group this year .
We are hoping that its members will continue constructive work to look for compromises in resolving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. The new Ukrainian leadership is not rushing to follow up on promises to end the conflict in Donbass, the Russian Foreign Ministry answered questions posed to Russian acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his press conference. The answers were published on the ministry’s official website on Friday.
"The power change in Ukraine in summer 2019 unfortunately did not lead to progress in settling the Donbass conflict," the Russian diplomatic agency noted. "The new leadership of the country, having declared end to war in southeast as one of its top priorities, is taking its time in implementing this task. The situation continues to be difficult and tense."
The ministry underlined that the ceasefire declared in July was supposed to be indefinite, but has not resulted in complete halt of hostilities, while the bill on constitutional amendments on decentralization of power submitted to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, in December "in reality had little to do with decentralization but rather with the administrative and territorial makeup of the country, boosting powers of the central authorities."
At the same time, the ministry underscored that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky unlike his predecessor succeeded in implementing decisions of the Normandy Four summits in 2015-2016 envisioning disengagement of forces in three areas on the line of contact and enshrined the ‘Steinmeier formula’, unblocking the way to hold a Normandy Four (Russia, France, Germany, Ukraine) summit in Paris on December 9. "Its main result was unanimous reiteration that there is no alternative to the Minsk Agreements as a basis to settle the conflict in Ukraine," the ministry added. "The Normandy Four leaders have already gave clear recommendations to the [Trilateral] Contact Group on specific areas of settlement. First steps have already been taken. The Verkhovna Rada extended the Donbass’ special law status until December 31, 2020 and a detainee swap was held on December 29, 2019."
"Yesterday, January 16, Minsk hosted the first meeting of the Contact Group this year. We are hoping that its members will continue constructive work to look for compromises in resolving the existing problems," the diplomatic agency concluded.


tass--2020-01-17--NATO drills increasingly resemble preparations for war — Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
NATO ’ s military drills on the eastern flank are increasingly more reminiscent @ @ @ @ @ large-scale military conflict , the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a response on its website following @ @ @ @ @ 's press conference on summing up the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
The @ @ @ @ @ at the conference .
`` NATO countries are constantly building up their military presence close @ @ @ @ @ to improve the operational efficiency of redeploying forces to the eastern flank , '' the @ @ @ @ @ The intensity of the drills whose scenarios are increasingly more reminiscent of preparations for a @ @ @ @ @ .
The systematic development of the European segment of the US/NATO missile defense system continues @ @

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. NATO’s military drills on the eastern flank are increasingly more reminiscent of purposeful preparations for a large-scale military conflict, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a response on its website following Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's press conference on summing up the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019. The relevant question was not voiced at the conference.
"NATO countries are constantly building up their military presence close to our borders, working to improve the operational efficiency of redeploying forces to the eastern flank," the Foreign Ministry noted. "The intensity of the drills whose scenarios are increasingly more reminiscent of preparations for a large-scale military conflict is increasing. The systematic development of the European segment of the US/NATO missile defense system continues."


tass--2020-01-17--Lavrov slams E3’s statement on Iran nuclear deal as ‘dangerous turn’

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has described the E3 ’ s plans @ @ @ @ @ mechanism on the Iran nuclear deal as `` a dangerous turn . ''
He recalled @ @ @ @ @ of Action agreed on in 2015 was `` an integral part of international law approved @ @ @ @ @ in a resolution , which is binding . ''
`` However , the Americans decided @ @ @ @ @ .
They withdrew from the JCPOA [ Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ] .
They @ @ @ @ @ commitments , but also prohibit other countries to trade with Iran .
On the other @ @ @ @ @ Iran comply with its obligations under the document , which President Trump described as the @ @ @ @ @ Lavrov told reporters at a news conference on Friday .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has described the E3’s plans to trigger the dispute resolution mechanism on the Iran nuclear deal as "a dangerous turn."
He recalled that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreed on in 2015 was "an integral part of international law approved by the UN Security Council in a resolution, which is binding."
"However, the Americans decided to apply their own rules. They withdrew from the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]. They not only stopped honoring their commitments, but also prohibit other countries to trade with Iran. On the other hand, they demand that Iran comply with its obligations under the document, which President Trump described as the worst deal ever," Lavrov told reporters at a news conference on Friday.


tass--2020-01-17--Ukrainian plane downed over Tehran due to human error, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine International Airlines passenger plane was downed by the Iranian military due to an unintentional error , Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday during a news conference on the outcomes of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
`` I don ’ t want to make excuses for anyone , it was a human error .
I think everyone understood already that this was unintentional , '' he said , noting that Iran has recognized its mistake .
The acting minister expressed confidence that Tehran would compensate the families of all victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this [ incident ] never happened , '' the acting minister lamented .
`` But the Americans assassinated [ Commander of Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ' Quds Force Qasem ] Soleimani in an unprecedented operation that violates the principles of international law , '' he continued .
`` The Iranians responded promptly , warning Iraq .
Some media outlets inform that the Americans were also warned , '' Lavrov continued .
`` There are reports that after the attack ( on a US base in Iraq - TASS ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they did not know in what form .
At least six F-35 ( US fighter jets - TASS ) were reportedly in the airspace near the Iranian border . ''
The diplomat noted that this information needed to be verified , highlighting `` the nervous tensions always present in such situations . ''
Tensions in the Middle East escalated following a US drone strike near Baghdad 's airport on January 3 , which killed General Qasem Soleimani , the head of Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ' Quds Force .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried out missile strikes on Iraq ’ s Ain Al-Asad air base and a facility in Erbil , which house US troops , in retaliation for the attack .
On January 8 , Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 travelling from Tehran to Kiev crashed near the Iranian capital shortly after takeoff from the Imam Khomeini International Airport .
All people onboard , 167 passengers and 9 crewmembers , were killed .
On January 11 , Iran ’ s Armed Forces General Staff released a statement admitting the plane had been mistakenly shot down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the plane was misidentified as a cruise missile by the air defense force .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Ukraine International Airlines passenger plane was downed by the Iranian military due to an unintentional error, Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday during a news conference on the outcomes of Russian diplomacy in 2019.
"I don’t want to make excuses for anyone, it was a human error. I think everyone understood already that this was unintentional," he said, noting that Iran has recognized its mistake. The acting minister expressed confidence that Tehran would compensate the families of all victims of the crash. "I wish this [incident] never happened," the acting minister lamented.
"But the Americans assassinated [Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force Qasem] Soleimani in an unprecedented operation that violates the principles of international law," he continued. "The Iranians responded promptly, warning Iraq. Some media outlets inform that the Americans were also warned," Lavrov continued. "There are reports that after the attack (on a US base in Iraq - TASS), the Iranians expected a US strike, but they did not know in what form. At least six F-35 (US fighter jets - TASS) were reportedly in the airspace near the Iranian border." The diplomat noted that this information needed to be verified, highlighting "the nervous tensions always present in such situations."
Tensions in the Middle East escalated following a US drone strike near Baghdad's airport on January 3, which killed General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force. In the early hours of January 8, Iran carried out missile strikes on Iraq’s Ain Al-Asad air base and a facility in Erbil, which house US troops, in retaliation for the attack.
On January 8, Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 travelling from Tehran to Kiev crashed near the Iranian capital shortly after takeoff from the Imam Khomeini International Airport. All people onboard, 167 passengers and 9 crewmembers, were killed. On January 11, Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff released a statement admitting the plane had been mistakenly shot down. According to Iranian Brigadier-General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, the plane was misidentified as a cruise missile by the air defense force.


tass--2020-01-17--Lavrov excoriates US for ‘abusing its privileges’ as UN headquarters host nation

Russia suggests to move sessions of UN First Committee to Europe in 2020 — diplomat MOSCOW , January 17 .
@ @ @ @ @ number of nations the right to attend official events at the United Nations , Washington @ @ @ @ @ a UN headquarters host nation , Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ abusing its privileges as a UN headquarters host nation , '' Lavrov said during a @ @ @ @ @ the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
`` On their own volition , in @ @ @ @ @ it denies UN platform participation to representatives of nations it deems undesirable . ''

Russia suggests to move sessions of UN First Committee to Europe in 2020 — diplomat
MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. By denying a number of nations the right to attend official events at the United Nations, Washington has abused its privileges as a UN headquarters host nation, Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday.
"Washington has resorted to outrightly abusing its privileges as a UN headquarters host nation," Lavrov said during a press conference on summing up the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019. "On their own volition, in violation of international law, it denies UN platform participation to representatives of nations it deems undesirable."


tass--2020-01-17--Kashmir problem is matter of direct India-Pakistan talks — Lavrov

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Kashmir problem is a matter of direct talks between India and Pakistan @ @ @ @ @ support the initiative to discuss it within the United Nations , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey @ @ @ @ @ `` We have always insisted that the Kashmir problem be resolved through direct talks between @ @ @ @ @ with the declarations and agreements these countries have signed , '' he said at a @ @ @ @ @ of Russia ’ s diplomacy in 2019 .
`` This is our position when anyone @ @ @ @ @ discussed within United Nations bodies . ''

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. The Kashmir problem is a matter of direct talks between India and Pakistan and Russia doesn’t support the initiative to discuss it within the United Nations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.
"We have always insisted that the Kashmir problem be resolved through direct talks between India and Pakistan in correspondence with the declarations and agreements these countries have signed," he said at a news conference on the results of Russia’s diplomacy in 2019. "This is our position when anyone suggests the Kashmir problem be discussed within United Nations bodies."


tass--2020-01-17--MiG-31, Su-24 jets perform massive training flights during drills in Russia’s northwest

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
The crews of MiG-31 interceptor-fighters and Su-24 bombers from the composite air regiment @ @ @ @ @ s Air Force and Air Defense Army performed training flights in adverse weather conditions , @ @ @ @ @ Western Military District reported on Friday .
`` The training flights became the most massive @ @ @ @ @ As many as 10 aircraft simultaneously performed combat training tasks in the sky .
Over @ @ @ @ @ than 40 sorties were made and more than 20 crews of the air regiment practiced @ @ @ @ @ press office said in a statement .
The pilots of fighter jets and bombers were @ @ @ @ @ and landing in a snowfall , low clouds and poor visibility during the day and @ @ @ @ @ The crews of Su-24 planes practiced heading for an attack and notional bombing .
The @ @ @ @ @ tactical measures upon intercepting an air target and conducting a dogfight and also performing aerobatic @ @ @ @ @ says .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. The crews of MiG-31 interceptor-fighters and Su-24 bombers from the composite air regiment of the Northern Fleet’s Air Force and Air Defense Army performed training flights in adverse weather conditions, the press office of the Western Military District reported on Friday.
"The training flights became the most massive exercise this new year. As many as 10 aircraft simultaneously performed combat training tasks in the sky. Over the flight shift, more than 40 sorties were made and more than 20 crews of the air regiment practiced their skills," the press office said in a statement.
The pilots of fighter jets and bombers were sharpening the skills of take-offs and landing in a snowfall, low clouds and poor visibility during the day and the polar night.
"The crews of Su-24 planes practiced heading for an attack and notional bombing. The pilots of MiG-31 aircraft practiced tactical measures upon intercepting an air target and conducting a dogfight and also performing aerobatic maneuvers," the statement says.


tass--2020-01-17--Lavrov: Russia checking data on Syrian Democratic Forces getting bribes to free terrorists

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is verifying reports saying that the Syrian Democratic Forces have been releasing terrorists from custody in exchange for payoffs , Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters at a news conference on Friday .
`` Some disturbing information has been received that the Syrian Democratic Forces are freeing militants in return for kickbacks , who begin to relocate to other parts of Syrian territory , and we are verifying these reports , '' he said .
`` We have long warned our American partners who hold sway over the Syrian Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that the militants who are being kept in custody in these prison camps do not escape , '' he said .
`` Unfortunately , there is a risk that this can happen . ''
Lavrov stressed that a decisive victory in the fight against terrorism had been clinched .
He noted that the remaining pockets of terrorist resistance were centered in the Idlib de-escalation zone and on the eastern bank .
About 10,000 militants are in these camps controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces .
These are mainly Kurdish units , Lavrov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis are at an advanced stage , Sergey Lavrov told reporters at a news conference on Friday .
`` The Syrian crisis is at an advanced stage of settlement , I would say .
Progress has been made in almost all areas — political , diplomatic and humanitarian , '' he noted .
According to Lavrov , progress in economic reconstruction is not so tangible , because Western partners and some regional countries put forward preconditions , which vary depending on what is happening in real life .
`` At first , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on providing assistance to Syria to ensure refugees ’ return and economic recovery as soon as the political process begins.
’ The political process began .
Now they say , ‘ Let ’ s wait until it yields results , ' '' he pointed out .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Russia is verifying reports saying that the Syrian Democratic Forces have been releasing terrorists from custody in exchange for payoffs, Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters at a news conference on Friday.
"Some disturbing information has been received that the Syrian Democratic Forces are freeing militants in return for kickbacks, who begin to relocate to other parts of Syrian territory, and we are verifying these reports," he said.
"We have long warned our American partners who hold sway over the Syrian Democratic Forces that it is essential to make sure that the militants who are being kept in custody in these prison camps do not escape," he said. "Unfortunately, there is a risk that this can happen."
Lavrov stressed that a decisive victory in the fight against terrorism had been clinched. He noted that the remaining pockets of terrorist resistance were centered in the Idlib de-escalation zone and on the eastern bank. About 10,000 militants are in these camps controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces. These are mainly Kurdish units, Lavrov stressed.
Efforts to resolve Syrian crisis
Efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis are at an advanced stage, Sergey Lavrov told reporters at a news conference on Friday.
"The Syrian crisis is at an advanced stage of settlement, I would say. Progress has been made in almost all areas — political, diplomatic and humanitarian," he noted.
According to Lavrov, progress in economic reconstruction is not so tangible, because Western partners and some regional countries put forward preconditions, which vary depending on what is happening in real life. "At first, they said, ‘We will lift restrictions on providing assistance to Syria to ensure refugees’ return and economic recovery as soon as the political process begins.’ The political process began. Now they say, ‘Let’s wait until it yields results,'" he pointed out.
Humanitarian aid


tass--2020-01-17--Russia’s new super-heavy carrier rocket to be cheaper than US space launch system

The Roscosmos chief said he agreed with SpaceX founder Elon Musk who had earlier stated that the launch cost of an SLS heavy carrier rocket , which Boeing was developing for delivering astronauts to the Moon , was too high .
As the Roscosmos chief said , even the United States with its powerful economy would find it difficult to bear such expenses .
`` Our super-heavy rocket will cost considerably less than the American SLS but it is necessary to lay groundwork already today for the solutions that will make the Yenisei even more competitive , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia ’ s new super-heavy carrier rocket Yenisei will be cheaper than the US Space Launch System ( SLS ) , Head of the State Space Corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin wrote on his Twitter on Friday .
In late March 2018 , Roscosmos placed an order with the Energia Space Rocket Corporation for developing the conceptual design of a super-heavy carrier rocket .
The contract was worth 1.6 billion rubles ( $ 25 million ) , according to the price indicated on the government procurement website .
Roscosmos Chief Rogozin earlier said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be assembled using the principle of a technological building kit where each part of the launcher should be an independent flight element .
Under the designers ’ plans , the rocket is intended to deliver more than 70 tonnes of cargo into the low near-Earth orbit at the first stage .
Under Russia ’ s federal target program , the first launch of the Yenisei super-heavy carrier rocket is due to take place in 2028 .
Russia will build the launch pad for the super-heavy carrier rocket at the Vostochny spaceport in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bridenstine said in December that the launch of one SLS rocket would cost $ 1.6 billion and the price could drop to $ 800 million , if NASA ordered more than one SLS rocket from Boeing .
Russia intends to use the new super-heavy rocket for missions to the Moon , including the landing of Russian cosmonauts on the surface of the Earth ’ s natural satellite .
In Roscosmos ’ estimates , the Yenisei will be able to deliver a 27-tonne payload to the Moon ’ s orbit .

The Roscosmos chief said he agreed with SpaceX founder Elon Musk who had earlier stated that the launch cost of an SLS heavy carrier rocket, which Boeing was developing for delivering astronauts to the Moon, was too high. As the Roscosmos chief said, even the United States with its powerful economy would find it difficult to bear such expenses.
"Our super-heavy rocket will cost considerably less than the American SLS but it is necessary to lay groundwork already today for the solutions that will make the Yenisei even more competitive," he said.
MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Russia’s new super-heavy carrier rocket Yenisei will be cheaper than the US Space Launch System (SLS), Head of the State Space Corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin wrote on his Twitter on Friday.
In late March 2018, Roscosmos placed an order with the Energia Space Rocket Corporation for developing the conceptual design of a super-heavy carrier rocket. The contract was worth 1.6 billion rubles ($25 million), according to the price indicated on the government procurement website.
Roscosmos Chief Rogozin earlier said the Yenisei new super-heavy carrier rocket would be assembled using the principle of a technological building kit where each part of the launcher should be an independent flight element. Under the designers’ plans, the rocket is intended to deliver more than 70 tonnes of cargo into the low near-Earth orbit at the first stage.
Under Russia’s federal target program, the first launch of the Yenisei super-heavy carrier rocket is due to take place in 2028. Russia will build the launch pad for the super-heavy carrier rocket at the Vostochny spaceport in the Russian Far East.
NASA Chief Jim Bridenstine said in December that the launch of one SLS rocket would cost $1.6 billion and the price could drop to $800 million, if NASA ordered more than one SLS rocket from Boeing.
Russia intends to use the new super-heavy rocket for missions to the Moon, including the landing of Russian cosmonauts on the surface of the Earth’s natural satellite. In Roscosmos’ estimates, the Yenisei will be able to deliver a 27-tonne payload to the Moon’s orbit.


tass--2020-01-17--Cultural Festival in Weifang, Shandong Presents Local New Year Customs

WEIFANG , China , Jan. 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2020 Weifang Cultural Festival of Chinese New Year Customs & Shandong Intangible Cultural Heritage Month & New Year Celebration , a large-scale event for Spring Festival celebrations , was recently launched on the Commercial & Cultural Street of Weifang Shihu Garden .
This cultural event is divided into two sections .
The first section is the Cultural Festival of Chinese New Year Customs , including six activities such as the launching ceremony , the 2020 Shandong Weifang Intangible Cultural Heritage Assembly for New Year Gifts and the Intangible Cultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second section is the Shihu Garden New Year Culture Temple Fair & Lantern Show , which includes twelve activities such as Lantern Show , Gourmet Festival and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Featured New Year Celebration .
According to Weifang Release , the WeChat Official Account of the Weifang Municipal People 's Government , the event aims to improve Weifang 's cultural taste , enrich people 's cultural life during the Spring Festival , highlight the artistic and historical values of traditional customs , and meet the growing cultural needs of the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditions and numerous intangible cultural heritages , such as the Weifang Kites , the Yangjiabu Woodblock New Year Paintings and the Gaomi Maoqiang Opera .
In particular , the Yangjiabu Woodblock New Year Paintings and the Weifang Kites enjoy tremendous popularity in the world .

WEIFANG, China, Jan. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2020 Weifang Cultural Festival of Chinese New Year Customs & Shandong Intangible Cultural Heritage Month & New Year Celebration, a large-scale event for Spring Festival celebrations, was recently launched on the Commercial & Cultural Street of Weifang Shihu Garden.
This cultural event is divided into two sections. The first section is the Cultural Festival of Chinese New Year Customs, including six activities such as the launching ceremony, the 2020 Shandong Weifang Intangible Cultural Heritage Assembly for New Year Gifts and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Show for Spring Festival Celebration; the second section is the Shihu Garden New Year Culture Temple Fair & Lantern Show, which includes twelve activities such as Lantern Show, Gourmet Festival and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Featured New Year Celebration.
According to Weifang Release, the WeChat Official Account of the Weifang Municipal People's Government, the event aims to improve Weifang's cultural taste, enrich people's cultural life during the Spring Festival, highlight the artistic and historical values of traditional customs, and meet the growing cultural needs of the people.
Weifang, Shandong has profound cultural traditions and numerous intangible cultural heritages, such as the Weifang Kites, the Yangjiabu Woodblock New Year Paintings and the Gaomi Maoqiang Opera. In particular, the Yangjiabu Woodblock New Year Paintings and the Weifang Kites enjoy tremendous popularity in the world.
Image Attachments Links:
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CONTACT: Ms. Zhang, Tel: +86-10-63074558


tass--2020-01-17--Press review: New Russian PM’s post-reshuffle plans and Erdogan's gamble in Libya

Izvestia : Russia ’ s new PM Mishustin ready to form his team New Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has promised to form a new government in the immediate future .
He emphasized that governance reform , control over the National Projects and efforts to improve the situation in business would be the overriding priorities in his work , Izvestia writes .
After all routine procedures were observed , 383 of 450 lawmakers voted for Mishustin ’ s candidacy , while 41 MPs abstained .
None of the parliamentarians voted against him .
So far , the formation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan proposed by the prime minister .
Quite possibly , this time events will be unfolding according to this scenario as well .
Meanwhile , the experts interviewed by the paper believe that the cabinet reshuffle is unlikely to be radical .
President of the Aspect Center for Social and Political Studies Georgy Fedorov believes that the new prime minister has every chance of retaining his position after the 2021 elections to the Russian State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) , but much will depend on the results that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mishustin is a very ambitious person .
Head of the Political Expert Group think-tank Konstantin Kalachev likewise noted that , if Mishustin coped with the tasks that had been set , he would retain his position after Putin ’ s proposed constitutional amendments were submitted .
On the other hand , Dmitry Orlov , Director General of the Political and Economic Communications Agency , noted that , since the reform that has begun , the new government would be interim .
In his view , the Cabinet ’ s task is to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implementation of the social programs announced in President Putin ’ s State of the Nation Address .
Anyway , specific decisions under these circumstances remain the purview of the head of state , he stressed .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has chaired the first meeting of the working group , which has been tasked with hammering out proposals to amend the country ’ s Constitution .
The group is made up of lawmakers , attorneys , public figures , famous musicians , actors and athletes — more than 70 people overall .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olympic pole vault champion Elena Isinbayeva and renowned pediatrician Leonid Roshal , were Putin ’ s authorized agents during the 2018 presidential election , Vedomosti writes .
The first working meeting will be held at the Russian Government ’ s Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law .
Its Director Talia Khabrieva admitted it was difficult to predict the course of the discussion .
`` Everyone has their own vision , everyone represents some group of society .
That ’ s very important for legitimizing the discussion .
The issue at hand is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , he can outline his version of the amendments to the law , and I do not rule out that these will be two parallel processes .
That doesn ’ t mean , however , that they will proceed separately , '' she said .
At the meeting , Putin outlined his vision of how to amend the Constitution without affecting its fundamental principles , the paper quotes Chairman of the State Duma Labor Committee Yaroslav Nilov as saying .
The task of the group is to draw up the amendments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be ambiguous , '' he explained .
`` The president has largely given the working group a free hand in developing mechanisms for the implementation of certain novelties .
I do not exclude that there will be some other proposals as well so that the president can choose from different options what , in his opinion , will be optimal , '' says Yuri Shutov , Dean of the Political Science Faculty at Moscow State University .
The fact that the group includes representatives of various areas of society is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience and are able to use it , the expert assured .
It is difficult to imagine some of the group ’ s members in the capacity of constitutional law experts , so their presence in the group is quite symbolic , said political commentator Yevgeny Minchenko .
The purpose of this group ’ s makeup is probably to `` demonstrate a broad public discussion , '' he suggested .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that Ankara would dispatch troops to Libya to support the Government of National Accord ( GNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this effect shortly before the Berlin conference on Libya set for Sunday , Kommersant writes .
The Turkish president would not specify what forces would be sent to Libya and what role they were going to have .
However , in his recent interview with CNN Turk , he explained that Turkish military servicemen would go to Libya as military advisers .
`` Turkey wanted to avoid potential losses , hoping that the mere threat of deploying troops would be enough to have the right impact on Libyan National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen , a real military deployment can be expected .
Nevertheless , Erdogan would prefer not to wage war , '' Russian International Affairs Council expert Kirill Semenov told the paper .
It is no coincidence that the Turkish president persuaded Russia to come up with a joint ceasefire initiative for Libya .
Both parties to the conflict agreed with this proposal , but Monday ’ s talks on a ceasefire agreement held in Moscow failed .
Haftar refused to sign the deal .
Although the Moscow meeting did not result in finalizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia and Turkey had called for , still holds .
In spite of reports on fighting , nothing serious is happening , Romain Grandjean , Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue , explained to Kommersant .
The expert warned though that the situation was very fragile and that hostilities could erupt again any moment due to the absence of a strong monitoring mechanism .
The conference in Berlin could help restore the minimum level of consensus among international players , and that will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warring parties , he added .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : Russian expert mulls consequences of US exit from Mideast If the Americans withdrew from the Middle East that would leave a vacuum , which would be filled by some other major world powers , Igor Yurgens , Chairman of the Board of the Contemporary Development Institute , wrote in his article published by Nezavisimaya Gazeta .
Referring to the US-Iranian standoff and its aftermath , he noted that `` the assassination of Iran ’ s high-profile General Qasem Soleimani and subsequent events are seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` The general , with all his fanaticism , had a reputation of a more experienced and sophisticated politician than the entourage of the ayatollahs or the military .
The Quds , an organization with an obscure structure and potential , and the numerous foreign units created by the Iranians , from Hezbollah to Iraq ’ s Popular Mobilization Forces , could be dangerously radicalized without his control , '' Yurgens warned .
`` On the other hand , Iranian patriots will , of course , rally around the leader , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morph into anti-American [ ones ] , '' he added .
A gradual reduction in US presence seems to be the most likely scenario , especially in light of Trump ’ s statement that America no longer needs Middle Eastern oil and gas and that Washington expects NATO to be more active in the region , the expert noted .
`` In the event of an escalation , especially if the interests of the strategic US ally , that is , Israel , are affected , the remaining military presence and strategic power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , should the Americans depart that would leave a vacuum in the region with a youthful population in the tens of millions and numerous unresolved contradictions , which someone would have to fill , '' he pointed out .
`` I would not like this burden to fall on Russia , even partially , which nearly borders the region and is already present there militarily and politically , '' Yurgens concluded .
Russia ’ s Transneft expects the volumes of oil in the trunk pipeline system to expand 0.8 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes citing data provided by the company .
Deliveries to Russian refineries may climb 5.3 % to reach 259 mln tonnes , but exports will decrease 3.8 % to 229.5 mln tonnes .
These forecasts are based on requests from shippers .
The company transports 87 % of oil produced in Russia .
Most oil companies , especially those that have invested heavily in refineries , prioritize deliveries to the domestic market over exports , the paper quotes Sergey Agibalov , a senior analyst at the Argus Consulting Service , as saying .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell slightly , partially because of repairs at the Achinsk refinery and suspended work at the Antipinsky oil refinery .
In 2020 , it should return to the 2018 level , says Fitch ’ s Dmitry Marinchenko .
`` The planned increase in oil supplies to refineries and a decrease in crude oil exports depends on that , '' he explained .
Meanwhile , the issue of oil supplies to Belarus ( about 7 % of Russian oil exports ) remains unresolved .
Russian oil companies stopped oil deliveries to that country on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capable of redistributing transit oil flows running through Belarus through seaports , Transneft announced earlier .
The capacity of seaports enables Transneft to redistribute at least 23.5 mln tonnes , Sergey Suverov , a senior analyst at BCS Premier , has been quoted as saying .
Thanks to the redistribution of oil in favor of Russian refineries and in the event of a deduction of Belarusian refineries ’ consumption , these reserves can grow and account for 90 % of the transit via the Druzhba pipeline .
TASS is not responsible for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Izvestia: Russia’s new PM Mishustin ready to form his team
New Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has promised to form a new government in the immediate future. He emphasized that governance reform, control over the National Projects and efforts to improve the situation in business would be the overriding priorities in his work, Izvestia writes. After all routine procedures were observed, 383 of 450 lawmakers voted for Mishustin’s candidacy, while 41 MPs abstained. None of the parliamentarians voted against him. So far, the formation of the government in Russia has gone according to the plan proposed by the prime minister. Quite possibly, this time events will be unfolding according to this scenario as well. Meanwhile, the experts interviewed by the paper believe that the cabinet reshuffle is unlikely to be radical. President of the Aspect Center for Social and Political Studies Georgy Fedorov believes that the new prime minister has every chance of retaining his position after the 2021 elections to the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament), but much will depend on the results that will be achieved. He stressed that Mikhail Mishustin is a very ambitious person. Head of the Political Expert Group think-tank Konstantin Kalachev likewise noted that, if Mishustin coped with the tasks that had been set, he would retain his position after Putin’s proposed constitutional amendments were submitted. On the other hand, Dmitry Orlov, Director General of the Political and Economic Communications Agency, noted that, since the reform that has begun, the new government would be interim. In his view, the Cabinet’s task is to ensure the stability of the system and the implementation of the social programs announced in President Putin’s State of the Nation Address. Anyway, specific decisions under these circumstances remain the purview of the head of state, he stressed. Vedomosti: Proposed constitutional amendments to demonstrate ‘broad public debate’
Read also Public vote on Russian constitutional amendments expected to be held by May 1
Russian President Vladimir Putin has chaired the first meeting of the working group, which has been tasked with hammering out proposals to amend the country’s Constitution. The group is made up of lawmakers, attorneys, public figures, famous musicians, actors and athletes — more than 70 people overall. Many of them, like for example, Olympic pole vault champion Elena Isinbayeva and renowned pediatrician Leonid Roshal, were Putin’s authorized agents during the 2018 presidential election, Vedomosti writes. The first working meeting will be held at the Russian Government’s Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law. Its Director Talia Khabrieva admitted it was difficult to predict the course of the discussion. "Everyone has their own vision, everyone represents some group of society. That’s very important for legitimizing the discussion. The issue at hand is the president’s initiative. This being so, he can outline his version of the amendments to the law, and I do not rule out that these will be two parallel processes. That doesn’t mean, however, that they will proceed separately," she said. At the meeting, Putin outlined his vision of how to amend the Constitution without affecting its fundamental principles, the paper quotes Chairman of the State Duma Labor Committee Yaroslav Nilov as saying. The task of the group is to draw up the amendments, which will be precise, accurate and will not be ambiguous," he explained. "The president has largely given the working group a free hand in developing mechanisms for the implementation of certain novelties. I do not exclude that there will be some other proposals as well so that the president can choose from different options what, in his opinion, will be optimal," says Yuri Shutov, Dean of the Political Science Faculty at Moscow State University. The fact that the group includes representatives of various areas of society is a huge plus, because they have vast experience and are able to use it, the expert assured. It is difficult to imagine some of the group’s members in the capacity of constitutional law experts, so their presence in the group is quite symbolic, said political commentator Yevgeny Minchenko. The purpose of this group’s makeup is probably to "demonstrate a broad public discussion," he suggested. Kommersant: Erdogan’s march on Libya
Read also Haftar says he is ready to adhere to Libya ceasefire — German top diplomat
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that Ankara would dispatch troops to Libya to support the Government of National Accord (GNA). He made a statement to this effect shortly before the Berlin conference on Libya set for Sunday, Kommersant writes. The Turkish president would not specify what forces would be sent to Libya and what role they were going to have. However, in his recent interview with CNN Turk, he explained that Turkish military servicemen would go to Libya as military advisers. "Turkey wanted to avoid potential losses, hoping that the mere threat of deploying troops would be enough to have the right impact on Libyan National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar. However, since this did not happen, a real military deployment can be expected. Nevertheless, Erdogan would prefer not to wage war," Russian International Affairs Council expert Kirill Semenov told the paper. It is no coincidence that the Turkish president persuaded Russia to come up with a joint ceasefire initiative for Libya. Both parties to the conflict agreed with this proposal, but Monday’s talks on a ceasefire agreement held in Moscow failed. Haftar refused to sign the deal. Although the Moscow meeting did not result in finalizing the ceasefire, the truce, which Russia and Turkey had called for, still holds. In spite of reports on fighting, nothing serious is happening, Romain Grandjean, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, explained to Kommersant. The expert warned though that the situation was very fragile and that hostilities could erupt again any moment due to the absence of a strong monitoring mechanism. The conference in Berlin could help restore the minimum level of consensus among international players, and that will be a positive signal to Libya’s warring parties, he added. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russian expert mulls consequences of US exit from Mideast
Read also US Secretary of State Pompeo ‘outraged’ by attack on Iraqi air base
If the Americans withdrew from the Middle East that would leave a vacuum, which would be filled by some other major world powers, Igor Yurgens, Chairman of the Board of the Contemporary Development Institute, wrote in his article published by Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Referring to the US-Iranian standoff and its aftermath, he noted that "the assassination of Iran’s high-profile General Qasem Soleimani and subsequent events are seen as a magnitude 10 political earthquake." "The general, with all his fanaticism, had a reputation of a more experienced and sophisticated politician than the entourage of the ayatollahs or the military. The Quds, an organization with an obscure structure and potential, and the numerous foreign units created by the Iranians, from Hezbollah to Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, could be dangerously radicalized without his control," Yurgens warned. "On the other hand, Iranian patriots will, of course, rally around the leader, and massive anti-government protests in some provinces will morph into anti-American [ones]," he added. A gradual reduction in US presence seems to be the most likely scenario, especially in light of Trump’s statement that America no longer needs Middle Eastern oil and gas and that Washington expects NATO to be more active in the region, the expert noted. "In the event of an escalation, especially if the interests of the strategic US ally, that is, Israel, are affected, the remaining military presence and strategic power will be enough to stop any conflict. However, should the Americans depart that would leave a vacuum in the region with a youthful population in the tens of millions and numerous unresolved contradictions, which someone would have to fill," he pointed out. "I would not like this burden to fall on Russia, even partially, which nearly borders the region and is already present there militarily and politically," Yurgens concluded. Vedomosti: Russia may cut oil exports in 2020


tass--2020-01-17--Lavrov slams US aggressive actions as key global destabilizing factor

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Aggressive steps taken by a number of western states , primarily the United States , are playing a major destabilizing role in the world , Russian acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference outlining results of Russian diplomatic efforts in 2019 .
Russia to use UN and G20 potential to avoid arms race , Lavrov says According to him , the world `` continues to be in turmoil . ''
Aggressive polic ies of certain western countries and our American colleagues in particular aimed at demolishing the security architecture established by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a world order based on rules they created themselves remain the key destabilizing factor , '' the Russian minister underlined .
`` This list includes Washington ’ s dismantling of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty , rolling up prospects of extending the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty , artificial heightening of tensions in the Persian Gulf region , attempts to overhaul universally accepted basics of Middle Eastern settlement , ramping up of NATO ’ s military activity along Russian borders as well as advancing a policy of privatizing multilateral mechanisms overseeing non-proliferation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Aggressive steps taken by a number of western states, primarily the United States, are playing a major destabilizing role in the world, Russian acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference outlining results of Russian diplomatic efforts in 2019.
Russia to use UN and G20 potential to avoid arms race, Lavrov says
According to him, the world "continues to be in turmoil." Aggressive polic
ies of certain western countries and our American colleagues in particular aimed at demolishing the security architecture established by international law and substitution of international law by a world order based on rules they created themselves remain the key destabilizing factor," the Russian minister underlined.
"This list includes Washington’s dismantling of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, rolling up prospects of extending the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, artificial heightening of tensions in the Persian Gulf region, attempts to overhaul universally accepted basics of Middle Eastern settlement, ramping up of NATO’s military activity along Russian borders as well as advancing a policy of privatizing multilateral mechanisms overseeing non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," Lavrov added.


tass--2020-01-17--Lavrov warns US likely to pull off Venezuela-style coup plot in other countries

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
The United States might attempt to repeat the government-toppling plot carried out in Venezuela elsewhere , Russian Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference outlining the results of Russia 's diplomatic efforts in 2019 .
`` It is very difficult to make predictions about the future and particularly how our US colleagues will act .
You listed a few examples of their behavior [ Washington ’ s backing of protests from Latin America to Hong Kong — TASS ] .
It is hard to foresee what can be introduced this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Lavrov responded to a question whether new attempts to oust governments can be expected in 2020 as the US wanted to do in Venezuela in 2019 .
The political crisis in Venezuela exacerbated on January 23 , when Juan Guaido , Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker , whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by the country ’ s Supreme Court , declared himself interim president at a rally in the country ’ s capital of Caracas .
Several countries , including the United States , most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excluding Mexico ) , Australia , Albania , Georgia and Israel , as well as the Organization of American States , recognized him as the legitimate leader .
Incumbent President of the country Nicolas Maduro , in turn , blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington and said he was severing diplomatic ties with the US .
In contrast , Russia , Belarus , Bolivia , Iran , Cuba , Nicaragua , El Salvador , Syria and Turkey voiced support for Maduro .
To resolve the crisis , a few rounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and opposition were held in Oslo in May organized through the offices of Norway .
The last stage of the talks was launched in Barbados on July 8 but was put on hold in August by the government that explained its decision by citing `` dangerous and brazen aggression '' on part of US authorities referring to new sanctions imposed by Washington .
On January 13 , President of the Venezuelan Constituent National Assembly Diosdado Cabello told a press conference in Caracas that authorities are ready to return to the negotiating table with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s future .
US dragging Japan into its policy of confrontation with Russia

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. The United States might attempt to repeat the government-toppling plot carried out in Venezuela elsewhere, Russian Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference outlining the results of Russia's diplomatic efforts in 2019.
"It is very difficult to make predictions about the future and particularly how our US colleagues will act. You listed a few examples of their behavior [Washington’s backing of protests from Latin America to Hong Kong — TASS]. It is hard to foresee what can be introduced this year, but nothing can be ruled out," Lavrov responded to a question whether new attempts to oust governments can be expected in 2020 as the US wanted to do in Venezuela in 2019.
The political crisis in Venezuela exacerbated on January 23, when Juan Guaido, Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker, whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by the country’s Supreme Court, declared himself interim president at a rally in the country’s capital of Caracas. Several countries, including the United States, most of the EU states, Lima Group members (excluding Mexico), Australia, Albania, Georgia and Israel, as well as the Organization of American States, recognized him as the legitimate leader. Incumbent President of the country Nicolas Maduro, in turn, blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington and said he was severing diplomatic ties with the US. In contrast, Russia, Belarus, Bolivia, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Syria and Turkey voiced support for Maduro.
To resolve the crisis, a few rounds of indirect talks between the Venezuelan government and opposition were held in Oslo in May organized through the offices of Norway. The last stage of the talks was launched in Barbados on July 8 but was put on hold in August by the government that explained its decision by citing "dangerous and brazen aggression" on part of US authorities referring to new sanctions imposed by Washington.
On January 13, President of the Venezuelan Constituent National Assembly Diosdado Cabello told a press conference in Caracas that authorities are ready to return to the negotiating table with opposition members to discuss the country’s future.
US dragging Japan into its policy of confrontation with Russia


tass--2020-01-17--Russia to use UN and G20 potential to avoid arms race, Lavrov says

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow aims to use the potential of international organizations such as the UN and the G20 to avoid an arms race , Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday during a news conference on the outcomes of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
`` This year , we plan to work on maintaining global security and strategic stability , which includes efforts aimed to avoid an arms race in space and the impermissibility of weaponizing cyberspace , '' he said .
According to Lavrov , Moscow will use the full potential of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CIS , the EAEU , as well as `` the potential of BRICS and SCO chairmanships . ''
`` We will pay special attention to the efforts of five permanent members of the UN Security Council , '' the acting minister stressed .
Russia will take all efforts to ensure that the world is not left without any arms control treaties , according to Lavrov .
`` We will be firmly striving to ensure that the world is not left without any accords that at least somehow restrain and control armaments , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Moscow aims to use the potential of international organizations such as the UN and the G20 to avoid an arms race, Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday during a news conference on the outcomes of Russian diplomacy in 2019.
"This year, we plan to work on maintaining global security and strategic stability, which includes efforts aimed to avoid an arms race in space and the impermissibility of weaponizing cyberspace," he said.
According to Lavrov, Moscow will use the full potential of the UN, the G20, the CIS, the EAEU, as well as "the potential of BRICS and SCO chairmanships." "We will pay special attention to the efforts of five permanent members of the UN Security Council," the acting minister stressed.
Russia will take all efforts to ensure that the world is not left without any arms control treaties, according to Lavrov.
"We will be firmly striving to ensure that the world is not left without any accords that at least somehow restrain and control armaments, especially nuclear weapons," he said.


tass--2020-01-17--Russia confirms participation in Libya conference in Berlin

`` We will take part in the conference , which will be held in Berlin on Sunday , '' he said .
MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will take part in the international conference on Libya , which will be held in Berlin on January 19 , as Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters at a news conference on the achievements of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
As Sergey Lavrov commented , the commitment of rival parties in the Libyan conflict to truce is a step forward and preserving the ceasefire is strongly desirable .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observed , '' he stated .
`` It is a certain step forward and hopefully it will be preserved , preferably for an indefinite period of time .
At least , German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas recently had a meeting with [ Commander of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Field Marshal Khalifa ] Haftar in Benghazi and the marshal reaffirmed his commitment to the ceasefire .
That is useful . ''
The diplomat recalled that Russia invited representatives of Libya ’ s east and west to Moscow in response to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepted our invitation and for a few hours we held talks with delegations of Marshal Haftar and President of the Libyan House of Representatives Aguila Saleh Issa on one side and head of the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) Fayez al-Sarraj and High Council of State Chairperson Khalid al-Mishri on the other , '' he continued .
`` There is a text that we see as rather balanced which urges to back ceasefire and launch political process .
Sarraj and al-Mishri signed it , while Marshal Haftar and Saleh asked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the key mistake in the Libyan settlement was made by NATO in 2011 `` when the decision was taken to bomb Libya and oust the regime in violation of the UN Security Council resolution . ''
`` The Libyan statehood has been in ruins ever since , efforts to restore it are failing still , '' he added .
`` There were a lot of attempts to help Libyan parties to reach some sort of agreement and bring their country back to a normal state . ''
`` There was the Skhirat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of foreign actors as containing basic principles of the Libyan settlement , '' the diplomat stressed .
`` Life goes on , of course , and certain nuances can be added , even more so that there were Abu Dhabi agreements reached in early 2019 regarding the makeup of state power in Libya , but they unfortunately were not implemented .
A conference was held in Paris which even agreed a specific date for elections that were supposed to take place , but as we know we should never get ahead of ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Diplomacy is a gradual process , after all . ''
The final documents of the Berlin conference on Libyan regulation have been practically approved during the preparatory meetings , the acting foreign minister revealed .
`` We took part in all the five preparatory meetings .
The final documents are practically approved now .
They are in full accordance with the decisions taken by the [ UN ] Security Council on Libyan regulation .
They do not include any points contradicting the Security Council ’ s decisions , '' the acting minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Council will back the decisions of the Berlin conference on Libya , Lavrov claimed .
`` The most important thing now is that after the Berlin conference everything should go as planned and the Security Council should support the outcomes of the Berlin conference , '' he noted .
The international conference on Libya will take place on January 19 in Berlin .
The Berlin process is aimed to put an end to the hostilities between the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and Fayez al-Sarraj @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GNA ) sitting in Tripoli .
High-ranking representatives of Russia , the US , China , the UK , Italy , France , Turkey , Egypt , Algeria , and the United Arab Emirates are set to take part in the conference , along with officials of the UN , the EU , the African Union and the Arab League .
Haftar and al-Sarraj also confirmed their participation in the conference .
On January 12 at midnight , a ceasefire proposed by the Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a larger initiative to achieve peace in the country .
The ceasefire ’ s objective is to stop hostilities between the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and Fayez al-Sarraj ’ s Government of National Accord ( GNA ) sitting in Tripoli .
On January 13 , representatives of the parties to the conflict arrived in Moscow for talks after which GNA envoys signed the ceasefire agreement .
Haftar took a pause to study the agreement .
However , later he left Moscow without putting his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he needed time to discuss the agreements reached with leaders of tribes that support him .
In the early hours of January 14 , armed clashes re-erupted in south Tripoli — the target of a decisive offensive declared by Haftar in December .
The LNA issued a statement declaring `` readiness and determination to achieve victory . ''
However , Haftar had a meeting with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Thursday and expressed readiness to honor the ceasefire in the country .
To break the deadlock , Germany is planning to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Berlin on January 19 , officially inviting Haftar and Sarraj to attend it earlier .

"We will take part in the conference, which will be held in Berlin on Sunday," he said.
MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Russia will take part in the international conference on Libya, which will be held in Berlin on January 19, as Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters at a news conference on the achievements of Russian diplomacy in 2019.
As Sergey Lavrov commented, the commitment of rival parties in the Libyan conflict to truce is a step forward and preserving the ceasefire is strongly desirable.
"It is most important that truce is observed," he stated. "It is a certain step forward and hopefully it will be preserved, preferably for an indefinite period of time. At least, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas recently had a meeting with [Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa] Haftar in Benghazi and the marshal reaffirmed his commitment to the ceasefire. That is useful."
The diplomat recalled that Russia invited representatives of Libya’s east and west to Moscow in response to a proposal by Turkish colleagues. "They accepted our invitation and for a few hours we held talks with delegations of Marshal Haftar and President of the Libyan House of Representatives Aguila Saleh Issa on one side and head of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj and High Council of State Chairperson Khalid al-Mishri on the other," he continued. "There is a text that we see as rather balanced which urges to back ceasefire and launch political process. Sarraj and al-Mishri signed it, while Marshal Haftar and Saleh asked for more time."
According to Lavrov, the key mistake in the Libyan settlement was made by NATO in 2011 "when the decision was taken to bomb Libya and oust the regime in violation of the UN Security Council resolution." "The Libyan statehood has been in ruins ever since, efforts to restore it are failing still," he added. "There were a lot of attempts to help Libyan parties to reach some sort of agreement and bring their country back to a normal state."
"There was the Skhirat Agreement that is still viewed by majority of foreign actors as containing basic principles of the Libyan settlement," the diplomat stressed. "Life goes on, of course, and certain nuances can be added, even more so that there were Abu Dhabi agreements reached in early 2019 regarding the makeup of state power in Libya, but they unfortunately were not implemented. A conference was held in Paris which even agreed a specific date for elections that were supposed to take place, but as we know we should never get ahead of ourselves and set the all too concrete results. Diplomacy is a gradual process, after all."
Final documents of Berlin conference
The final documents of the Berlin conference on Libyan regulation have been practically approved during the preparatory meetings, the acting foreign minister revealed.
"We took part in all the five preparatory meetings. The final documents are practically approved now. They are in full accordance with the decisions taken by the [UN] Security Council on Libyan regulation. They do not include any points contradicting the Security Council’s decisions," the acting minister informed.
Russia hopes that the UN Security Council will back the decisions of the Berlin conference on Libya, Lavrov claimed. "The most important thing now is that after the Berlin conference everything should go as planned and the Security Council should support the outcomes of the Berlin conference," he noted.
The international conference on Libya will take place on January 19 in Berlin. The Berlin process is aimed to put an end to the hostilities between the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and Fayez al-Sarraj’s Government of National Accord (GNA) sitting in Tripoli. High-ranking representatives of Russia, the US, China, the UK, Italy, France, Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, and the United Arab Emirates are set to take part in the conference, along with officials of the UN, the EU, the African Union and the Arab League. Haftar and al-Sarraj also confirmed their participation in the conference.
Libyan ceasefire
On January 12 at midnight, a ceasefire proposed by the Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan entered into force in Libya as part of a larger initiative to achieve peace in the country. The ceasefire’s objective is to stop hostilities between the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and Fayez al-Sarraj’s Government of National Accord (GNA) sitting in Tripoli. On January 13, representatives of the parties to the conflict arrived in Moscow for talks after which GNA envoys signed the ceasefire agreement.
Haftar took a pause to study the agreement. However, later he left Moscow without putting his signature to the document, claiming that he needed time to discuss the agreements reached with leaders of tribes that support him. In the early hours of January 14, armed clashes re-erupted in south Tripoli — the target of a decisive offensive declared by Haftar in December. The LNA issued a statement declaring "readiness and determination to achieve victory." However, Haftar had a meeting with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Thursday and expressed readiness to honor the ceasefire in the country.
To break the deadlock, Germany is planning to hold an international conference on the Libyan settlement in Berlin on January 19, officially inviting Haftar and Sarraj to attend it earlier.


tass--2020-01-17--UN special envoy for Syria to visit Russia next week

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
UN Secretary-General ’ s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen will visit Russia @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday during a news conference on the outcomes of @ @ @ @ @ `` Next week , we expect a visit from UN Secretary-General ’ s Special Envoy @ @ @ @ @ who also plans to visit Damascus .
I expect that these talks and his upcoming @ @ @ @ @ Syrian leadership will help us determine the further schedule of the [ Syrian ] Constitutional @ @ @ @ @ .
Lavrov also stressed that Syria should return to the Arab League after its exclusion @ @ @ @ @ needs to return to the Arab family , which the Russian president has stated repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ added .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen will visit Russia next week, Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday during a news conference on the outcomes of Russian diplomacy in 2019.
"Next week, we expect a visit from UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, who also plans to visit Damascus. I expect that these talks and his upcoming trips and contacts with the Syrian leadership will help us determine the further schedule of the [Syrian] Constitutional Committee," he said.
Lavrov also stressed that Syria should return to the Arab League after its exclusion in 2011. "Syria needs to return to the Arab family, which the Russian president has stated repeatedly," the acting minister added.


tass--2020-01-17--Russian Black Sea Fleet minesweeper fires artillery guns in drills

`` As part of planned combat training measures , the ocean minesweeper Valentin Pikul accomplished a series of artillery firings @ @ @ @ @ air target , '' the press office said in a statement .
SIMFEROPOL , January @ @ @ @ @ crew of the ocean minesweeper Valentin Pikul practiced striking naval and air targets in drills @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s Black Sea Fleet reported on Friday .
The crew of the ocean @ @ @ @ @ a battle by a sole ship , the statement informs .
The minesweeper ’ s @ @ @ @ @ simulating a notional enemy ’ s warship and a floating sea mine and practiced measures @ @ @ @ @ attack , according to the statement .
`` As the next stage of combat training @ @ @ @ @ ocean minesweeper Valentin Pikul will practice piloting ships behind sweeps with an exercise to negotiate @ @ @ @ @ one of the Black Sea ranges , '' the statement reads .

"As part of planned combat training measures, the ocean minesweeper Valentin Pikul accomplished a series of artillery firings on a seaborne and an air target," the press office said in a statement.
SIMFEROPOL, January 17. /TASS/. The crew of the ocean minesweeper Valentin Pikul practiced striking naval and air targets in drills, the press office of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet reported on Friday.
The crew of the ocean minesweeper practiced the tactic of a battle by a sole ship, the statement informs.
The minesweeper’s artillery teams struck naval targets simulating a notional enemy’s warship and a floating sea mine and practiced measures to repel an enemy air attack, according to the statement.
"As the next stage of combat training, the crew of the ocean minesweeper Valentin Pikul will practice piloting ships behind sweeps with an exercise to negotiate a notional mine obstacle at one of the Black Sea ranges," the statement reads.


tass--2020-01-17--Lavrov: Normandy Quartet’s decisions made in Paris should not remain on paper

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Decisions made by the Normandy Quartet summit in Paris should not remain a sheet of paper , contrary to what happened during the rule of Ukraine ’ s former president Pyotr Poroshenko , Russia ’ s acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference devoted to the performance of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
`` Certain progress was achieved in settling the intra-Ukrainian crisis .
After a three-year pause there was a summit of the Normandy Quartet , when the new leadership in Kiev managed to take certain steps to implement decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lavrov said .
`` We expect that the decisions made in Paris in December will allow for moving forward along the road of implementing the Minsk package of measures .
But , of course , these decisions should not remain a sheet of paper , contrary to what we saw under the Poroshenko regime . ''
The leaders of Germany , Russia , Ukraine and France gathered in Paris for a Normandy summit on December 9 .
It was agreed that prisoners of war , sometimes referred to as ‘ held persons ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kiev on the basis of `` all those identified for all those identified '' principle by the end of the year .
The participants in the summit pledged to ensure all-round and comprehensive ceasefire till the end of 2019 and agreed to support an agreement within the framework of the Contact Group for a settlement in the east of Ukraine on three more areas of disengagement of forces in the zone of the conflict by the end of March 2020 .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Decisions made by the Normandy Quartet summit in Paris should not remain a sheet of paper, contrary to what happened during the rule of Ukraine’s former president Pyotr Poroshenko, Russia’s acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference devoted to the performance of Russian diplomacy in 2019.
"Certain progress was achieved in settling the intra-Ukrainian crisis. After a three-year pause there was a summit of the Normandy Quartet, when the new leadership in Kiev managed to take certain steps to implement decisions made by the previous summits," Lavrov said. "We expect that the decisions made in Paris in December will allow for moving forward along the road of implementing the Minsk package of measures. But, of course, these decisions should not remain a sheet of paper, contrary to what we saw under the Poroshenko regime."
The leaders of Germany, Russia, Ukraine and France gathered in Paris for a Normandy summit on December 9. It was agreed that prisoners of war, sometimes referred to as ‘held persons’ should be exchanged by the Donbass republics and Kiev on the basis of "all those identified for all those identified" principle by the end of the year. The participants in the summit pledged to ensure all-round and comprehensive ceasefire till the end of 2019 and agreed to support an agreement within the framework of the Contact Group for a settlement in the east of Ukraine on three more areas of disengagement of forces in the zone of the conflict by the end of March 2020.


tass--2020-01-17--US, Taliban discuss joint agreement

US, Taliban discuss joint agreement

Poland tries to impose stance on Russia ’ s role in WWII on Western colleagues , says Lavrov Leaders of @ @ @ @ @ , Italy and Austria will attend the fifth World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem on January @ @ @ @ @ anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp

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