tass--2020-02-07--Libya's Joint Military Commission achieves progress, but disagreements remain — UN

GENEVA , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Libya 's Joint Military Commission made up of five high-ranking officers from the two sides of the conflict in the country has achieved progress in talks that have started in Geneva on Monday , Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Libya Ghassan Salame told a briefing on Thursday .
`` Progress has been made on many important issues and we have before us a significant number of points of convergence , '' Salame said .
`` Are we happy with what we have ?
Certainly yes .
Is this complete ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still working on refining our basic draft and on bridging the gap on a few points of divergence that still exist between the two delegations , '' he added .
`` You know that this military track is one of the three tracks we are trying to organize in application of the Berlin 's conclusions that were reached on the 19th of January .
We will move to reactivate the second track , which is the economic and financial track that we started on January 6th , by a meeting in Cairo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 9th of February , and the political track is a bit lagging because we are still waiting for the two chambers to select their representatives , '' Salame noted .
On January 19 , a conference on Libyan settlement was held in Berlin at the level of heads of state and government .
In the final document , participants in the conference called for a ceasefire , pledged to refrain from interfering into Libya 's internal affairs , suggested to set up a unified government and launch reforms for restoring statehood .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to setting up a special commission for ceasefire monitoring .
There are currently two executive bodies operating in Libya — the internationally recognized Government of National Accord , and the transitional cabinet in the east of the country which is supported by the House of Representatives ( parliament ) and the Libyan National Army .

GENEVA, February 6. /TASS/. Libya's Joint Military Commission made up of five high-ranking officers from the two sides of the conflict in the country has achieved progress in talks that have started in Geneva on Monday, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Libya Ghassan Salame told a briefing on Thursday.
"Progress has been made on many important issues and we have before us a significant number of points of convergence," Salame said. "Are we happy with what we have? Certainly yes. Is this complete? Certainly not and that is why we are still working on refining our basic draft and on bridging the gap on a few points of divergence that still exist between the two delegations," he added.
"You know that this military track is one of the three tracks we are trying to organize in application of the Berlin's conclusions that were reached on the 19th of January. We will move to reactivate the second track, which is the economic and financial track that we started on January 6th, by a meeting in Cairo in two days from now, on the 9th of February, and the political track is a bit lagging because we are still waiting for the two chambers to select their representatives," Salame noted.
On January 19, a conference on Libyan settlement was held in Berlin at the level of heads of state and government. In the final document, participants in the conference called for a ceasefire, pledged to refrain from interfering into Libya's internal affairs, suggested to set up a unified government and launch reforms for restoring statehood. The sides in the conflict also agreed to setting up a special commission for ceasefire monitoring.
There are currently two executive bodies operating in Libya — the internationally recognized Government of National Accord, and the transitional cabinet in the east of the country which is supported by the House of Representatives (parliament) and the Libyan National Army.


tass--2020-02-06--Hainan authorities report on coronavirus updates in six languages

HAIKOU , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Hainan authorities inform the local population about coronavirus updates in six languages , according to www.hinews.cn .
The reports on coronavirus updates are published jointly by the provincial International Affairs Committee and the local Haikou administration daily .
The authorities inform the population via various technological means .
The information is translated in English , French , Russian , Arabic and Spanish .
The reports combine texts and graphics .
They enable the population to learn more about the virus , aout medical institutions where the infected can get treatment , about airports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schedules amid coronavirus outbreak .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the WHO about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the 2019-nCoV coronavirus as the cause of the disease .
The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany , Japan , India , Italy , Malaysia , Nepal , the Philippines , Russia , Singapore , South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sweden , Thailand , the United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom , the United States and Vietnam .
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 28,000 in China with 564 people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , over 1,100 people are said to have recovered from it .

HAIKOU, February 6. /TASS/. Hainan authorities inform the local population about coronavirus updates in six languages, according to www.hinews.cn.
The reports on coronavirus updates are published jointly by the provincial International Affairs Committee and the local Haikou administration daily. The authorities inform the population via various technological means. The information is translated in English, French, Russian, Arabic and Spanish.
The reports combine texts and graphics. They enable the population to learn more about the virus, aout medical institutions where the infected can get treatment, about airports', ports and railway stations' schedules amid coronavirus outbreak.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities notified the WHO about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the 2019-nCoV coronavirus as the cause of the disease. The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.
Currently, the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 28,000 in China with 564 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 1,100 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-08--Movement for UN Charter gains momentum with support from Russia, Venezuela - Lavrov

CARACAS , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
The movement defending principles of the United Nations Charter is gaining momentum with @ @ @ @ @ Venezuela , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday after his talks with Venezuelan @ @ @ @ @ With our countries ’ active participation in the UN , the movement is gaining momentum @ @ @ @ @ Charter .
I am convinced that it is a very pressing task , '' Lavrov @ @ @ @ @ illegal sanctions , methods of blackmail and diktat in international relations , along with any @ @ @ @ @ principles of the UN Charter , certainly including , first and foremost , the interference @ @ @ @ @ states and attempts to threaten to use force , '' he said about Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ In addition , Lavrov underscored that Russia is committed to have respect for Venezuela ’ @ @ @ @ @ `` with the Venezuelan leadership and the people of Venezuela in their opposition to illegal @ @ @ @ @ States and its accomplices .
`` .

CARACAS, February 7. /TASS/. The movement defending principles of the United Nations Charter is gaining momentum with active support from Russia and Venezuela, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday after his talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
"With our countries’ active participation in the UN, the movement is gaining momentum to defend the United Nations Charter. I am convinced that it is a very pressing task," Lavrov said.
"We reject illegal sanctions, methods of blackmail and diktat in international relations, along with any other steps that undermine the principles of the UN Charter, certainly including, first and foremost, the interference in domestic affairs of sovereign states and attempts to threaten to use force," he said about Russia's position on this issue.
In addition, Lavrov underscored that Russia is committed to have respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty and is solidary "with the Venezuelan leadership and the people of Venezuela in their opposition to illegal pressure exerted by the United States and its accomplices.".


tass--2020-02-08--Russia deems attempts to topple Venezuela’s government unacceptable - Lavrov

CARACAS , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russia deems any attempts to topple Venezuela ’ s legitimate government absolutely unacceptable and will do its best to have them condemned by the world community , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday .
`` Regrettably , the current crisis around Venezuela stems from attempts to stage a large-scale campaign geared to topple the legitimate government using all possible options , including the use of force , as this campaign ’ s organizers declare , '' he said at a meeting with representatives of Venezuela ’ s national reconciliation roundtable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will spare no effort to have them condemned by the world community , '' he stressed .
According to the Russian top diplomat , Russia has been pursuing this course both in its contacts with the United States and in the United Nations Security Council and demands all stay committed to their international liabilities under the United Nations Charter , such as settlement of disputes by peaceful means , non-use of force and threats of forces , and interference into domestic affairs of sovereign states .
Apart from that , Lavrov stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner in Latin America and in the world .
`` We hail you country ’ s independent policy on the international arena .
We want Venezuela , like any other country , to be independent , politically stable and successfully developing , '' he added .

CARACAS, February 7. /TASS/. Russia deems any attempts to topple Venezuela’s legitimate government absolutely unacceptable and will do its best to have them condemned by the world community, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.
"Regrettably, the current crisis around Venezuela stems from attempts to stage a large-scale campaign geared to topple the legitimate government using all possible options, including the use of force, as this campaign’s organizers declare," he said at a meeting with representatives of Venezuela’s national reconciliation roundtable.
"We consider such scenarios absolutely unacceptable and will spare no effort to have them condemned by the world community," he stressed.
According to the Russian top diplomat, Russia has been pursuing this course both in its contacts with the United States and in the United Nations Security Council and demands all stay committed to their international liabilities under the United Nations Charter, such as settlement of disputes by peaceful means, non-use of force and threats of forces, and interference into domestic affairs of sovereign states.
Apart from that, Lavrov stressed that Venezuela was Russia’s long-standing partner in Latin America and in the world.
"We hail you country’s independent policy on the international arena. We want Venezuela, like any other country, to be independent, politically stable and successfully developing," he added.


tass--2020-02-07--Russia, Belarus agreed on gas supplies in this year - Kremlin

SOCHI , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Belarus negotiated gas supplies in this year to be implemented on @ @ @ @ @ of the Russian presidential administration Dmitry Kozak said on Friday after bilateral talks .
`` @ @ @ @ @ of gas supplies on terms of the year of 2019 , '' the official said @

SOCHI, February 7. /TASS/. Russia and Belarus negotiated gas supplies in this year to be implemented on last-year terms, deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Dmitry Kozak said on Friday after bilateral talks.
"We agreed to keep conditions of gas supplies on terms of the year of 2019," the official said.


tass--2020-02-07--Parliamentary polls seen as only way for Venezuelan radicals to stay in politics - Lavrov

CARACAS , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Parliamentary elections in Venezuela in 2020 is the only possibility for the radical @ @ @ @ @ , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday .
`` We are convinced that @ @ @ @ @ not dominate the interests of entire society , '' he said at a meeting with @ @ @ @ @ Roundtable .
`` And , of course , as you have agreed , we hope @ @ @ @ @ approach to the new National Electoral Council and the National Assembly in 2020 .
I @ @ @ @ @ present the only possibility for radicals not to deprive themselves of future in Venezuela ’ @ @ @ @ @ `` It is a possibility for them to return to the civilized framework and take @ @ @ @ @ so to say , judging political forces in the country .
Only the people can @ @ @ @ @ politicians can satisfy their aspirations , '' he said .

CARACAS, February 7. /TASS/. Parliamentary elections in Venezuela in 2020 is the only possibility for the radical opposition to stay in politics, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.
"We are convinced that ambitions of individual politicians must not dominate the interests of entire society," he said at a meeting with activists of the National Dialogue Roundtable. "And, of course, as you have agreed, we hope you will have a common approach to the new National Electoral Council and the National Assembly in 2020. I am convinced that these elections present the only possibility for radicals not to deprive themselves of future in Venezuela’s political life."
"It is a possibility for them to return to the civilized framework and take part in popular court, so to say, judging political forces in the country. Only the people can decide how these or those politicians can satisfy their aspirations," he said.


tass--2020-02-07--Russian government to assist oil supplies to Belarus - Kremlin

SOCHI , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Regulatory conditions of the Russian oil sector can not be changed dramatically but @ @ @ @ @ deliveries to Belarus , deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Dmitry Kozak said on @ @ @ @ @ `` As far as oil supplies are concerned , which were the subject matter of @ @ @ @ @ , the Government of the Russian Federation and we will together provide assistance to achievement @ @ @ @ @ and oil producers in our country , '' Kozak said .
`` We can not @ @ @ @ @ our oil sector at present .
As you are aware , crude oil prices are @ @ @ @ @ rather than regulated administratively , '' he said .
Provision of oil price discounts to @ @ @ @ @ state regulation , Kozak noted .
`` We can not do this ; we can @ @ @ @ @ game again and again , placing our oil companies into an unclear situation , '' @ @ @

SOCHI, February 7. /TASS/. Regulatory conditions of the Russian oil sector cannot be changed dramatically but the government will assist oil deliveries to Belarus, deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Dmitry Kozak said on Friday after bilateral talks.
"As far as oil supplies are concerned, which were the subject matter of lengthy discussions in mass media, the Government of the Russian Federation and we will together provide assistance to achievement of agreements with Belarusian consumers and oil producers in our country," Kozak said. "We cannot dramatically change regulatory conditions of our oil sector at present. As you are aware, crude oil prices are formed by the market, rather than regulated administratively," he said.
Provision of oil price discounts to Belarus would require introduction of state regulation, Kozak noted. "We cannot do this; we cannot change rules of the game again and again, placing our oil companies into an unclear situation," he added.


tass--2020-02-07--Venezuelans tired of confrontation, calls for street protests - Lavrov

CARACAS , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
The people of Venezuela are obviously tired of confrontation , calls for street protests and foreign intervention , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with representatives of Venezuela ’ s National Dialogue Roundtable on Friday .
In his address to meeting participants , Lavrov pointed out that it is the only current format of negotiation between the Venezuelan government and opposition .
`` Thanks to the work of your roundtable , a number of practical solutions has been coordinated .
You have been able to negotiate how to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to resume participation of socialist lawmakers in the work of National Assembly , to carry out regular amnesties , to renovate the composition of the electoral council and to discuss economic reforms , '' Lavrov said .
`` We have no doubt that all this appeals much to the Venezuelans who evidently got tired of confrontation , calls for street protests and foreign intervention , '' he stressed .
`` It is crucial that unlike other negotiation formats , your roundtable discussions are genuinely inclusive since they are open to any political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was informed and our contacts can prove it , '' the minister went on to say .
`` It is clear that it causes allergy in radical opponents of the government and their foreign sponsors who seek to discredit your dialogue .
But I think that these attempts are doomed to failure , '' said Lavrov .

CARACAS, February 7. /TASS/. The people of Venezuela are obviously tired of confrontation, calls for street protests and foreign intervention, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with representatives of Venezuela’s National Dialogue Roundtable on Friday.
In his address to meeting participants, Lavrov pointed out that it is the only current format of negotiation between the Venezuelan government and opposition.
"Thanks to the work of your roundtable, a number of practical solutions has been coordinated. You have been able to negotiate how to return to the constitution framework, to overcome division and to resume participation of socialist lawmakers in the work of National Assembly, to carry out regular amnesties, to renovate the composition of the electoral council and to discuss economic reforms," Lavrov said.
"We have no doubt that all this appeals much to the Venezuelans who evidently got tired of confrontation, calls for street protests and foreign intervention," he stressed.
"It is crucial that unlike other negotiation formats, your roundtable discussions are genuinely inclusive since they are open to any political parties to join them, as I was informed and our contacts can prove it," the minister went on to say.
"It is clear that it causes allergy in radical opponents of the government and their foreign sponsors who seek to discredit your dialogue. But I think that these attempts are doomed to failure," said Lavrov.


tass--2020-02-07--Russia to develop military technical cooperation with Venezuela - Lavrov

CARACAS , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will develop military technical cooperation with Venezuela to help it ensure its @ @ @ @ @ Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday after a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro .
@ @ @ @ @ develop military technical cooperation , to safely ensure the defense capacity of our friends , @ @ @ @ @ external threats , '' he said .
According to the Russian top diplomat , the @ @ @ @ @ develop trade-and-economic , investment and humanitarian cooperation in conditions of illegal sanctions .
`` Especially @ @ @ @ @ such sectors as energy , natural resources , various industries , agriculture , and transport @ @ @ @ @

CARACAS, February 7. /TASS/. Russia will develop military technical cooperation with Venezuela to help it ensure its defense capacities, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday after a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
"Naturally, we will develop military technical cooperation, to safely ensure the defense capacity of our friends, especially in the face of external threats," he said.
According to the Russian top diplomat, the sides have also agreed to develop trade-and-economic, investment and humanitarian cooperation in conditions of illegal sanctions. "Especially promising are coordinated actions in such sectors as energy, natural resources, various industries, agriculture, and transport," he added.


tass--2020-02-07--Russian-Venezuelan intergovernmental commission to meet in May - Lavrov

CARACAS , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
The next regular meeting of the Russian-Venezuelan intergovernmental commission on trade and economic @ @ @ @ @ May 2020 , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday after talks with Venezuelan @ @ @ @ @ All aspects of our material interaction , our practical cooperation will be discussed at a @ @ @ @ @ cooperation commission scheduled for May 2020 , '' he said .

CARACAS, February 7. /TASS/. The next regular meeting of the Russian-Venezuelan intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation will be held in May 2020, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday after talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
"All aspects of our material interaction, our practical cooperation will be discussed at a session of the high-level trade-and-economic cooperation commission scheduled for May 2020," he said.


tass--2020-02-07--Venezuelan politicians’ ambitions should not dominate interests of entire society - Lavrov

CARACAS , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Ambitions of individual Venezuelan politicians should not override the interests of entire society @ @ @ @ @ Lavrov said at a meeting with representatives of Venezuela ’ s National Dialogue Roundtable on @ @ @ @ @ convinced that individual politicians ’ ambitions should not dominate the interests of entire society , @ @ @ @ @ When meeting with [ Venezuelan ] President [ Nicolas ] Maduro last September , [ @ @ @ @ @ ] Putin underscored that we believe any refusal from dialogue is irrational , harmful for @ @ @ @ @ welfare of Venezuela ’ s population , '' the minister said .

CARACAS, February 7. /TASS/. Ambitions of individual Venezuelan politicians should not override the interests of entire society, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with representatives of Venezuela’s National Dialogue Roundtable on Friday.
"We are convinced that individual politicians’ ambitions should not dominate the interests of entire society," he said.
"When meeting with [Venezuelan] President [Nicolas] Maduro last September, [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin underscored that we believe any refusal from dialogue is irrational, harmful for the country and threatening the welfare of Venezuela’s population," the minister said.


tass--2020-02-07--Lavrov says he had frank conversation with Maduro

CARACAS , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday his meeting with Venezuelan President @ @ @ @ @ an atmosphere of trust .
`` The visit was very busy .
We have just @ @ @ @ @ frank conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro .
Before it , in the morning , @ @ @ @ @ Minister Jorge Arreaza and Vice President Delcy Rodriguez .
The talks involved Venezuelan ministers who @ @ @ @ @ matters , '' he said after the meeting with Maduro .
`` We focused key @ @ @ @ @ need to be resolved to ensure further development of our strategic partnership , '' Lavrov @ @ @ @ @ benchmark in these discussions were the agreements reached by Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and @ @ @ @ @ their meeting in Moscow last September .
`` We reiterated our commitment to the respect @ @ @ @ @ , our solidarity with the Venezuelan leaders and the Venezuelan people in their resistance to @ @ @ @ @ United States and its allies , '' the Russian top diplomat stressed .

CARACAS, February 7. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday his meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was held in an atmosphere of trust.
"The visit was very busy. We have just finished a long and very frank conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Before it, in the morning, we had talks with Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza and Vice President Delcy Rodriguez. The talks involved Venezuelan ministers who are in charge of economic matters," he said after the meeting with Maduro.
"We focused key attention to concrete issues that need to be resolved to ensure further development of our strategic partnership," Lavrov noted, adding that the benchmark in these discussions were the agreements reached by Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela during their meeting in Moscow last September.
"We reiterated our commitment to the respect to Venezuela’s sovereignty, our solidarity with the Venezuelan leaders and the Venezuelan people in their resistance to the illegal pressure from the United States and its allies," the Russian top diplomat stressed.


tass--2020-02-07--Russia looks forward to Maduro’s visit to Moscow for Victory Day festivities

CARACAS , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russia looks forward to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ’ s visit to Moscow @ @ @ @ @ 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s victory in World War Two , Russian @ @ @ @ @ on Friday after his talks with Maduro .
`` We are anxiously awaiting President Maduro @ @ @ @ @ May 9 for the festivities marking the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 1941-1945 war against Nazi Germany - TASS ) , '' Lavrov said .
@ @ @ @ @ noted that this March would mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations @ @ @ @ @ `` We have agreed to celebrate this anniversary worthily , '' he added .

CARACAS, February 7. /TASS/. Russia looks forward to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s visit to Moscow for the parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War Two, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday after his talks with Maduro.
"We are anxiously awaiting President Maduro to come to Moscow on May 9 for the festivities marking the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (the Soviet Union’s 1941-1945 war against Nazi Germany - TASS)," Lavrov said.
The Russian foreign minister also noted that this March would mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Venezuela.
"We have agreed to celebrate this anniversary worthily," he added.


tass--2020-02-07--Russia, Belarus to continue integration consultations - Kremlin

SOCHI , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Belarus will continue consultations on integration , deputy head of the @ @ @ @ @ said on Friday after bilateral talks .
`` Our talks were held in a positive @ @ @ @ @ to continue consultations at the level of governments , at the level of ministries and @ @ @ @ @ mechanism of integration and strengthening of such integration , '' Kozak said .

SOCHI, February 7. /TASS/. Russia and Belarus will continue consultations on integration, deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Dmitry Kozak said on Friday after bilateral talks.
"Our talks were held in a positive way. It was agreed to continue consultations at the level of governments, at the level of ministries and agencies on improvement of the mechanism of integration and strengthening of such integration," Kozak said.


tass--2020-02-07--Putin, Lukashenko hold second round of talks

`` As we have agreed earlier , we are going on with our work .
It is a second period , if to use sports terminology .
I mean that we have just practiced sports , '' the Russian leader said opening the meeting of Russian and Belarusian delegations .
According to the Russian leader , among the main objectives of the meeting was to introduce new Russian cabinet members to the Belarusian delegation .
SOCHI , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko held a second round of talks on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first round of bilateral talks held on Friday afternoon the sides `` talked in detail about the issues on agenda . ''
The talks were held while some members of the Russian delegation could not arrive in Sochi from Moscow by air due to poor weather , '' Now we can discuss details in wider talks .
Besides , I want you to be introduced to new members of Russia ’ s government , '' Putin said .
For his part , Lukashenko said that he `` got to know well '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have had a word .
I recalled some mean things from our joint old history and also told them to them , '' he said .
`` You are wrong there , as we should remember only good things , '' Putin said laughing .
Lukashenko retorted that nobody could hear his comments .
Backing Putin who used ice hockey terms at the beginning of the meeting , Lukashenko underlined that three periods were played at the ice hockey rink , not counting the first round of negotiations .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we have done fruitful work today and thank you for suggesting that meeting so that we can be introduced to the new government , '' Lukashenko said .

"As we have agreed earlier, we are going on with our work. It is a second period, if to use sports terminology. I mean that we have just practiced sports," the Russian leader said opening the meeting of Russian and Belarusian delegations.
According to the Russian leader, among the main objectives of the meeting was to introduce new Russian cabinet members to the Belarusian delegation.
SOCHI, February 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko held a second round of talks on Friday.
Putin pointed out that in the first round of bilateral talks held on Friday afternoon the sides "talked in detail about the issues on agenda." The talks were held while some members of the Russian delegation could not arrive in Sochi from Moscow by air due to poor weather,
"Now we can discuss details in wider talks. Besides, I want you to be introduced to new members of Russia’s government," Putin said.
For his part, Lukashenko said that he "got to know well" the new members of the Russian cabinet.
"We have had a word. I recalled some mean things from our joint old history and also told them to them," he said.
"You are wrong there, as we should remember only good things," Putin said laughing.
Lukashenko retorted that nobody could hear his comments.
Backing Putin who used ice hockey terms at the beginning of the meeting, Lukashenko underlined that three periods were played at the ice hockey rink, not counting the first round of negotiations.
"It is already the fifth round today, so we have done fruitful work today and thank you for suggesting that meeting so that we can be introduced to the new government," Lukashenko said.


tass--2020-02-07--Helicopter crash in Tatarstan likely caused by bad weather, says air transport agency

MOSCOW , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
The poor weather will be among other dimensions of the probe into the @ @ @ @ @ some 850 kilometers east of Moscow , the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency told TASS @ @ @ @ @ set up a commission to investigate the civil aviation accident .
`` The poor weather @ @ @ @ @ '' the agency ’ s press office said .

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. The poor weather will be among other dimensions of the probe into the helicopter crash in Tatarstan, some 850 kilometers east of Moscow, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency told TASS on Friday.
The agency set up a commission to investigate the civil aviation accident.
"The poor weather is a preliminary cause," the agency’s press office said.


tass--2020-02-07--Putin, Lukashenko play for the same team in friendly hockey game

SOCHI , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian colleague Alexander Lukashenko have taken part @ @ @ @ @ game in Russia ’ s Sochi , playing for the same team .
Putin donned @ @ @ @ @ team uniform , sporting the number 11 , while Lukashenko played in a hockey jersey @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko ’ s son Nikolai also took part in the match .
During the second @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev came in to watch the game .
The Russian @ @ @ @ @ greet him on the substitutes ’ bench .
Medvedev warmly greeted Lukashenko , they exchanged @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko and Medvedev had a short conversation during the break .
The Russian leader scored @ @ @ @ @ .
The match ended with a 13-4 score in favor of Putin and Lukashenko ’ @ @ @ @ @ and Belarusian leaders previously played together in February 2019 , when they held three-day talks @

SOCHI, February 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian colleague Alexander Lukashenko have taken part in a friendly ice hockey game in Russia’s Sochi, playing for the same team.
Putin donned Russia’s national hockey team uniform, sporting the number 11, while Lukashenko played in a hockey jersey with the number 01. Lukashenko’s son Nikolai also took part in the match.
During the second period, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev came in to watch the game. The Russian and Belarusian leader came to greet him on the substitutes’ bench. Medvedev warmly greeted Lukashenko, they exchanged a hug. Putin, Lukashenko and Medvedev had a short conversation during the break.
The Russian leader scored three goals during the game. The match ended with a 13-4 score in favor of Putin and Lukashenko’s team.
The Russian and Belarusian leaders previously played together in February 2019, when they held three-day talks.


tass--2020-02-07--Technical failure among lines of inquiry after MP killed in helicopter crash in Tatarstan

MOSCOW , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
A technical failure is among other lines of inquiry after Airat Khairullin , @ @ @ @ @ State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) , was killed in the Bell helicopter @ @ @ @ @ 850 kilometers east of Moscow , the emergency services told TASS on Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ a number of lines of inquiry , including a technical failure .
According to prior @ @ @ @ @ trying to land , but the helicopter fell in the water area of Kuibyshev Reservoir @ @ @ @ @ adding that the pilot and two passengers , including Khairullin , were on board .

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. A technical failure is among other lines of inquiry after Airat Khairullin, a member of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament), was killed in the Bell helicopter crash in Tatarstan, some 850 kilometers east of Moscow, the emergency services told TASS on Friday.
"[We] are following a number of lines of inquiry, including a technical failure. According to prior reports, the pilot was trying to land, but the helicopter fell in the water area of Kuibyshev Reservoir," the source said adding that the pilot and two passengers, including Khairullin, were on board.


tass--2020-02-07--Russia’s Lavrov holds meeting with Venezuela’s acting vice president

The talks were held behind closed doors .
In the run-up to the talks with Rodriguez , Lavrov met with @ @ @ @ @ .
Before the start of the meeting , the Russian minister stressed the importance of @ @ @ @ @ President Nicolas Maduro ’ s visit to Russia last year .
`` Additional types and @ @ @ @ @ approved then with the aim to shield Russian-Venezuelan economic relations from unlawful interference of the @ @ @ @ @ dictate their conditions to other states and spread their legislation extraterritorially , '' Lavrov said @ @ @ @ @ members of the Russian-Venezuelan intergovernmental commission will continue to work `` in line with the @ @ @ @ @ Lavrov is later set to hold talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro .

The talks were held behind closed doors. In the run-up to the talks with Rodriguez, Lavrov met with his Venezuelan colleague Jorge Arreaza.
Before the start of the meeting, the Russian minister stressed the importance of top-level agreements signed during Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s visit to Russia last year. "Additional types and mechanisms of our cooperation were approved then with the aim to shield Russian-Venezuelan economic relations from unlawful interference of the United States that attempt to dictate their conditions to other states and spread their legislation extraterritorially," Lavrov said.
He expressed hope that members of the Russian-Venezuelan intergovernmental commission will continue to work "in line with the presidents’ agreements."
Lavrov is later set to hold talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.


tass--2020-02-07--Russian ambassador to UK says sees no signs of thaw in London-Moscow relations

LONDON , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin said on Friday he sees no signs of any thaw in relations between the two countries .
`` I can not say I see any thaw .
I have been here for just a couple of months and temperature changed little over this period .
There were not much of anti-Russian pronouncements during the elections but now the anti-Russian wave is reaching its former level , '' he told journalists .
According to the Russian diplomat , the British side is looking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never compromise Crimea or its presence in Syria for that .
`` We have been receiving signals through various channels that it is time to turn over this page , and the United Kingdom is thinking about that , '' he said .
`` It would be good but , I would like to note that senior [ British ] officials advance a number of conditions for that : Russia should change its behavior , return Crimea [ to Ukraine ] , stop its activities in Syria and vow nothing like what happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
If the price is our returning Crimea , withdrawing from Syria and so on , better relations with the United Kingdom , probably , are not worth that and Russia is not going to change its behavior . ''
Answering a TASS question , the Russian ambassador said he did not think that London would impose further economic sanctions against Moscow once , in formal terms , it had no need to align itself with the European Union on that matter after the Brexit .
`` Everything the European Union is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kingdom as a continuation of the policy , since one of the key topics Brussels is seeking to impose is the continuation of the joint policy in the sphere of defense and security .
The sanction regime is part and parcel of it , '' Kelin said .
`` Only one thing has been declared by now , that is the United Kingdom is imposing its edition of the Magnitsky act in the United States ’ and Canada ’ s interpretation .
It mean that it is not geared against Russia only , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human rights worldwide .
As for other things , the United Kingdom is silent so far . ''
`` I don ’ t think any economic sanctions would be imposed because this is what would impede liberalization of the economy and trade , the Brexit concept is resting onMuch would depend on the new climate , if any , '' he added .

LONDON, February 7. /TASS/. Russia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin said on Friday he sees no signs of any thaw in relations between the two countries.
"I cannot say I see any thaw. I have been here for just a couple of months and temperature changed little over this period. There were not much of anti-Russian pronouncements during the elections but now the anti-Russian wave is reaching its former level," he told journalists.
According to the Russian diplomat, the British side is looking at improving relations with Russia but Moscow would never compromise Crimea or its presence in Syria for that.
"We have been receiving signals through various channels that it is time to turn over this page, and the United Kingdom is thinking about that," he said. "It would be good but, I would like to note that senior [British] officials advance a number of conditions for that: Russia should change its behavior, return Crimea [to Ukraine], stop its activities in Syria and vow nothing like what happened to the Skripals would ever take place again. If the price is our returning Crimea, withdrawing from Syria and so on, better relations with the United Kingdom, probably, are not worth that and Russia is not going to change its behavior."
Answering a TASS question, the Russian ambassador said he did not think that London would impose further economic sanctions against Moscow once, in formal terms, it had no need to align itself with the European Union on that matter after the Brexit.
"Everything the European Union is doing will be adopted by the United Kingdom as a continuation of the policy, since one of the key topics Brussels is seeking to impose is the continuation of the joint policy in the sphere of defense and security. The sanction regime is part and parcel of it," Kelin said. "Only one thing has been declared by now, that is the United Kingdom is imposing its edition of the Magnitsky act in the United States’ and Canada’s interpretation. It mean that it is not geared against Russia only, it is geared against serious violations of human rights worldwide. As for other things, the United Kingdom is silent so far."
"I don’t think any economic sanctions would be imposed because this is what would impede liberalization of the economy and trade, the Brexit concept is resting onMuch would depend on the new climate, if any," he added.


tass--2020-02-07--Russia to send 2 mln face masks to China as humanitarian aid

RYAZAN , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will send 2 million medical face masks to China as a humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ and Trade Denis Manturov told reporters on Friday .
`` We have prepared 2 mln @ @ @ @ @ within the humanitarian aid framework , '' Manturov said .

RYAZAN, February 7. /TASS/. Russia will send 2 million medical face masks to China as a humanitarian aid, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov told reporters on Friday.
"We have prepared 2 mln masks for shipment to China within the humanitarian aid framework," Manturov said.


tass--2020-02-07--Russian lawmaker killed in helicopter crash in Tatarstan, source says

MOSCOW , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Airat Khairullin , a deputy chairman of the State Duma ’ s Committee @ @ @ @ @ in a helicopter crash in Tatarstan , some 850 kilometers east of Moscow , two @ @ @ @ @ on board , are in critical condition , a source at the lower house of @ @ @ @ @ TASS on Friday .
`` According to preliminary reports , Khairullin was killed , while @ @ @ @ @ were aboard the helicopter , are being rushed to hospitals in critical condition , '' @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. Airat Khairullin, a deputy chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on Agriculture, was killed in a helicopter crash in Tatarstan, some 850 kilometers east of Moscow, two more people, who were on board, are in critical condition, a source at the lower house of Russia’s parliament told TASS on Friday.
"According to preliminary reports, Khairullin was killed, while two other people, who were aboard the helicopter, are being rushed to hospitals in critical condition," the source said.


tass--2020-02-07--Court arrests deputy chief of Russia’s General Staff in gross fraud case

MOSCOW , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
A military court has arrested the deputy chief of Russia ’ s General @ @ @ @ @ Arslanov , who has been accused of gross fraud .
`` The court ruled to @ @ @ @ @ request to change the restrictive measure from written promise not to leave town to arrest @ @ @ @ @ judge Andrei Tolkachenko said .
Arslanov was remanded in custody in the court room .
@ @ @ @ @ said the ruling would be appealed against .
The investigator says Arslanov was an accomplice @ @ @ @ @ the joint stock company Voentelecom .
The criminal proceedings were opened in 2013 .
Arslanov @ @ @ @ @ ’ s General Staff .
Currently he is on vacation and does not perform his @ @ @ @ @ claims that he was involved in two gross fraud cases worth 191 million rubles ( @ @ @ @ @ 6.5 billion rubles ( $ 102 million ) .

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. A military court has arrested the deputy chief of Russia’s General Staff, Colonel General Khalil Arslanov, who has been accused of gross fraud.
"The court ruled to sustain the investigator’s request to change the restrictive measure from written promise not to leave town to arrest till April 7," judge Andrei Tolkachenko said. Arslanov was remanded in custody in the court room.
The lawyer of the accused said the ruling would be appealed against.
The investigator says Arslanov was an accomplice in embezzling cash assets of the joint stock company Voentelecom. The criminal proceedings were opened in 2013. Arslanov is Deputy Chief of Russia’s General Staff. Currently he is on vacation and does not perform his official functions. The investigator claims that he was involved in two gross fraud cases worth 191 million rubles ($3 million) and 6.5 billion rubles ($102 million).


tass--2020-02-07--One killed, two injured in helicopter crash in Tatarstan, Emergencies Ministry reports

`` One person was killed and two injured in a rough landing .
They are being taken to hospital , '' the Emergencies Ministry said .
MOSCOW , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
One person died in the crash of a Bell helicopter in Tatarstan , some 850 kilometers east of Moscow , and two more were injured , the Russian Emergencies Ministry ’ s press office told TASS on Friday .
Airat Khairullin , a deputy chairman of the State Duma ’ s Committee on Agriculture , was killed in the helicopter crash in Tatarstan , two more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in critical condition , a source at the lower house of Russia ’ s parliament told TASS .
According to the ministry , the helicopter was flying from the settlement of Levashovo in Tatarstan ’ s Alekseevsky district to the settlement of Matyushino in Laishevo district .
It did not arrive at the destination at the scheduled time .
The emergency services told TASS that the helicopter crashed on the ice of the Kuibyshev Reservoir , six kilometers off the shore .
The pilot was trying to make an emergency landing , but @ @ @ @ @ @

"One person was killed and two injured in a rough landing. They are being taken to hospital," the Emergencies Ministry said.
MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. One person died in the crash of a Bell helicopter in Tatarstan, some 850 kilometers east of Moscow, and two more were injured, the Russian Emergencies Ministry’s press office told TASS on Friday.
Airat Khairullin, a deputy chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on Agriculture, was killed in the helicopter crash in Tatarstan, two more people, who were on board, are in critical condition, a source at the lower house of Russia’s parliament told TASS.
According to the ministry, the helicopter was flying from the settlement of Levashovo in Tatarstan’s Alekseevsky district to the settlement of Matyushino in Laishevo district. It did not arrive at the destination at the scheduled time.
The emergency services told TASS that the helicopter crashed on the ice of the Kuibyshev Reservoir, six kilometers off the shore. The pilot was trying to make an emergency landing, but the helicopter fell and crashed.


tass--2020-02-07--Russian barque Sedov visits Uruguay in round-the-world voyage

KALININGRAD , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian barque Sedov participating in the round-the-world expedition of sail ships of Russia ’ s Federal Agency for Fishing has called at the Uruguayan port of Montevideo , the expedition ’ s media center said on Friday .
The round-the-world expedition `` Sails of the World 2020 '' is devoted to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctica by Russian explorers and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 .
`` The training sail ship Sedov , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round-the-world voyage , has today moored at the port of the capital of Uruguay .
The ship will stay here until February 10 , '' the media center said .
Before its call at the Uruguayan largest city , the barque Sedov made a 33-day oceanic transit , covering a total distance of over 4,400 nautical miles .
Overall , over 60 days of its sailing , which started on December 8 , 2019 in Kaliningrad , the Sedov has covered some 8,000 nautical miles , making calls at the foreign ports of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gran Canaria where it has hosted 3,438 guests .
At one of the stages of the round-the-world voyage , the barque showed a record speed , sailing more than 232 nautical miles over 24 hours .
`` Traditionally , like in other ports of its call , the barque will hold ‘ an open board ’ action , inviting Montevideo residents and guests to its deck and receive official delegations of Russian diplomats and the authorities of the capital and the port .
Meanwhile the crewmembers and the cadets of educational institutions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rest on the shore , make excursions of the city ’ s historical and memorable sites , '' the expedition ’ s media center said .
The Sedov is the second sail ship that has called at Montevideo .
On February 1-4 , the Uruguayan port received the Russian legendary barque Kruzenshtern , which is also participating in the round-the-world expedition , the media center said .
The barque Sedov was floated out at the Shipyard in Kiel ( Germany ) in 1921 and was originally named the Magdalene Vinnen II .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Germany ’ s auxiliary fleet .
It was transferred to the Soviet Union in December 1945 in accordance with a decision by the Potsdam conference on reparations and renamed as the Sedov in honor of Russian polar researcher Georgy Sedov .
The barque has been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest sail training ship in operation .
The barque is 117.5 meters long and displaces 7,320 tonnes , has a crew of 240 and a total sail area of almost 4,200 square meters .
Three Russian training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round-the-world expedition of Russia ’ s Federal Agency for Fishing : the Pallada , the Kruzenshtern and the Sedov .
The round-the-world expedition began for the Pallada on November 1 , 2019 from Vladivostok and for the Sedov and the Kruzenshtern on December 8 from Kaliningrad .
From Along their entire route of the round-the-world voyage , the Sedov and the Pallada , also the Kruzenshtern , which is on a trans-Atlantic expedition , will make over 40 calls at the ports of countries in North and South America , Africa , Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A total of 692 cadets of educational institutions of the Federal Agency for Fishing and 56 boy seamen will undergo training aboard the windjammers during their voyages .
As their major event , the windjammers will meet near the South Georgia Islands in the southern Atlantic .
In the area between the ports of Ushuaia ( Argentina ) and Cape Town ( South Africa ) where the route of the round-the-world voyage will come maximally close to the Antarctic , the barques Sedov and Kruzenshtern and the training frigate Pallada will carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @

KALININGRAD, February 7. /TASS/. The Russian barque Sedov participating in the round-the-world expedition of sail ships of Russia’s Federal Agency for Fishing has called at the Uruguayan port of Montevideo, the expedition’s media center said on Friday.
The round-the-world expedition "Sails of the World 2020" is devoted to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctica by Russian explorers and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
"The training sail ship Sedov, which is following the route of the round-the-world voyage, has today moored at the port of the capital of Uruguay. The ship will stay here until February 10," the media center said.
Before its call at the Uruguayan largest city, the barque Sedov made a 33-day oceanic transit, covering a total distance of over 4,400 nautical miles. Overall, over 60 days of its sailing, which started on December 8, 2019 in Kaliningrad, the Sedov has covered some 8,000 nautical miles, making calls at the foreign ports of Brest, Vigo and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria where it has hosted 3,438 guests. At one of the stages of the round-the-world voyage, the barque showed a record speed, sailing more than 232 nautical miles over 24 hours.
"Traditionally, like in other ports of its call, the barque will hold ‘an open board’ action, inviting Montevideo residents and guests to its deck and receive official delegations of Russian diplomats and the authorities of the capital and the port. Meanwhile the crewmembers and the cadets of educational institutions of the Federal Agency for Fishing will have a rest on the shore, make excursions of the city’s historical and memorable sites," the expedition’s media center said.
The Sedov is the second sail ship that has called at Montevideo. On February 1-4, the Uruguayan port received the Russian legendary barque Kruzenshtern, which is also participating in the round-the-world expedition, the media center said.
Russian barque Sedov and the round-the-world expedition
The barque Sedov was floated out at the Shipyard in Kiel (Germany) in 1921 and was originally named the Magdalene Vinnen II. During WWII, the vessel was part of Germany’s auxiliary fleet. It was transferred to the Soviet Union in December 1945 in accordance with a decision by the Potsdam conference on reparations and renamed as the Sedov in honor of Russian polar researcher Georgy Sedov.
The barque has been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest sail training ship in operation. The barque is 117.5 meters long and displaces 7,320 tonnes, has a crew of 240 and a total sail area of almost 4,200 square meters.
Three Russian training sail ships are taking part in the round-the-world expedition of Russia’s Federal Agency for Fishing: the Pallada, the Kruzenshtern and the Sedov. The round-the-world expedition began for the Pallada on November 1, 2019 from Vladivostok and for the Sedov and the Kruzenshtern on December 8 from Kaliningrad. From
Along their entire route of the round-the-world voyage, the Sedov and the Pallada, also the Kruzenshtern, which is on a trans-Atlantic expedition, will make over 40 calls at the ports of countries in North and South America, Africa, Europe and Oceania, covering 100,000 nautical miles. A total of 692 cadets of educational institutions of the Federal Agency for Fishing and 56 boy seamen will undergo training aboard the windjammers during their voyages.
As their major event, the windjammers will meet near the South Georgia Islands in the southern Atlantic. In the area between the ports of Ushuaia (Argentina) and Cape Town (South Africa) where the route of the round-the-world voyage will come maximally close to the Antarctic, the barques Sedov and Kruzenshtern and the training frigate Pallada will carry out a 200-mile memorial sailing race.


tass--2020-02-07--Russia behind China yet in trade with North Korea, says Russia’s ambassador

MOSCOW , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is second to China in economic cooperation with North Korea , but hopes to overcome the decline in trade , Russia ’ s Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora said in an interview with TASS .
`` Regrettably , we have to admit that our ties in practical fields , I mean first of all mutual trade , remain at the lows , '' he said .
`` Let me highlight two key reasons .
The main one is tough international restrictions against the DPRK [ the Democratic People ’ s Republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TASS ] , along with US secondary sanctions against any daredevil who would risk collaborating somehow with Pyongyang , even if that does not run counter to resolutions of the United Nations Security Council . ''
`` Russian business , even the big one , is deeply integrated in the global financial system , and does not dare to take risks , but avoid contacts with North Korean companies , '' the ambassador said .
The other reason is the closeness to China that could either absorb or supply any goods , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Chinese firms , mostly from the number of small ones that have no ties with the US market , use access to cheap loans .
Therefore , they are ready to export [ goods ] under the condition of payment by installments , they are not in pursuit of a big margin and find various ways for trade with the DPRK without violating the sanctions bans , '' he went on to say .
`` That is why , we are still losing here to Chinese partners .
Nevertheless , I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offing when the current deep decline in the Russian - North Korean economic cooperation will be overcome , '' he added .
Matsegora pointed out that the Moscow-Pyongyang relationship is mature and absolutely sincere , while the level of mutual understanding is extremely high .
`` Now that they [ the relations between Russia and North Korea - TASS ] are free from any ideological burdens , from mentorship by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and from claims about our insufficient material support to ‘ the outpost of socialism in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has become evident that the cooperation between Russia and North Korea is predetermined by inexorable geopolitical factors and deep historical traditions , '' he concluded .

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. Russia is second to China in economic cooperation with North Korea, but hopes to overcome the decline in trade, Russia’s Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora said in an interview with TASS.
"Regrettably, we have to admit that our ties in practical fields, I mean first of all mutual trade, remain at the lows," he said. "Let me highlight two key reasons. The main one is tough international restrictions against the DPRK [the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea - TASS], along with US secondary sanctions against any daredevil who would risk collaborating somehow with Pyongyang, even if that does not run counter to resolutions of the United Nations Security Council."
"Russian business, even the big one, is deeply integrated in the global financial system, and does not dare to take risks, but avoid contacts with North Korean companies," the ambassador said.
The other reason is the closeness to China that could either absorb or supply any goods, and even more, in any amounts.
"Chinese firms, mostly from the number of small ones that have no ties with the US market, use access to cheap loans. Therefore, they are ready to export [goods] under the condition of payment by installments, they are not in pursuit of a big margin and find various ways for trade with the DPRK without violating the sanctions bans," he went on to say.
"That is why, we are still losing here to Chinese partners. Nevertheless, I am hopeful that the time is in the offing when the current deep decline in the Russian - North Korean economic cooperation will be overcome," he added.
Matsegora pointed out that the Moscow-Pyongyang relationship is mature and absolutely sincere, while the level of mutual understanding is extremely high.
"Now that they [the relations between Russia and North Korea - TASS] are free from any ideological burdens, from mentorship by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and from claims about our insufficient material support to ‘the outpost of socialism in the Far East’ voiced by Pyongyang, it has become evident that the cooperation between Russia and North Korea is predetermined by inexorable geopolitical factors and deep historical traditions," he concluded.


tass--2020-02-07--Helicopter with three passengers aboard crashes in Russia’s Tatarstan

KAZAN , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
A Bell 406 helicopter with three passengers aboard crashed in the Russian region @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson for the Volga Transport Prosecutor ’ s Office told TASS on Friday .
The @ @ @ @ @ the crash site due to a lack of any adequate space for landing .
One @ @ @ @ @ the air , while the fate of the rest people is not immediately known , @ @ @ @ @ The Bell 406 [ helicopter ] with three people on board [ crashed ] outside @ @ @ @ @ people is definitely alive , as he can be seen from the rescuers ’ helicopter @ @ @ @ @ others is unknown .
The rescue helicopter is unable to land because of the forest @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office set up an inquiry into the breach of the flight safety legislation @ @ @ @ @

KAZAN, February 7. /TASS/. A Bell 406 helicopter with three passengers aboard crashed in the Russian region of Tatarstan, a deputy spokesperson for the Volga Transport Prosecutor’s Office told TASS on Friday.
The rescuers cannot land at the crash site due to a lack of any adequate space for landing. One survivor can be seen from the air, while the fate of the rest people is not immediately known, Maya Ivanova said.
"The Bell 406 [helicopter] with three people on board [crashed] outside Laishevo. One of the people is definitely alive, as he can be seen from the rescuers’ helicopter. The fate of the others is unknown. The rescue helicopter is unable to land because of the forest. The Volga Transport Prosecutor’s Office set up an inquiry into the breach of the flight safety legislation," she said.


tass--2020-02-07--China builds second hospital in Wuhan in two weeks

BEIJING , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
The second of two new hospitals in China ’ s Wuhan will be opened on Saturday , Wuhan ’ s Vice-Mayor Hu Yabo said during a press conference on Friday .
`` The 1,600-bed Leishenshan hospital will be opened on February 8 , '' he said .
According to the official , Wuhan hospitals can receive 8,900 patients in total , with the Huoshenshan hospital , which opened last week , receiving an additional 1,000 patients .
`` Three field hospitals are working in the city with 4,250 beds , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school and university buildings for healthcare purposes .
The decision to construct the Leishenshan hospital was taken on January 25 .
The total area of the hospital comes up to 60,000 square meters .
About 2,000 medical professionals are set to work at the hospital .
On February 4 , the Huoshenshan hospital opened near Wuhan .
Its construction was initiated on January 24 .
The hospital was built in eight days .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany , Japan , India , Italy , Malaysia , Nepal , the Philippines , Russia , Singapore , South Korea , Spain , Sri Lanka , Sweden , Thailand , the United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 31,000 in China with over 630 people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , over 1,500 people are said to have recovered from it .

BEIJING, February 7. /TASS/. The second of two new hospitals in China’s Wuhan will be opened on Saturday, Wuhan’s Vice-Mayor Hu Yabo said during a press conference on Friday.
"The 1,600-bed Leishenshan hospital will be opened on February 8," he said. According to the official, Wuhan hospitals can receive 8,900 patients in total, with the Huoshenshan hospital, which opened last week, receiving an additional 1,000 patients.
"Three field hospitals are working in the city with 4,250 beds," he added. City officials are currently re-equipping several school and university buildings for healthcare purposes.
The decision to construct the Leishenshan hospital was taken on January 25. The total area of the hospital comes up to 60,000 square meters. About 2,000 medical professionals are set to work at the hospital.
On February 4, the Huoshenshan hospital opened near Wuhan. Its construction was initiated on January 24. The hospital was built in eight days.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.
Currently, the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 31,000 in China with over 630 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 1,500 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-07--Russia’s UAC will not take part in Singapore airshow, says source

SINGAPORE , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russian United Aircraft Corporation ( UAC ) will not take part in the Singapore Airshow 2020 , slated to open on February 11 , diplomatic sources who take part in airshow organization told TASS Friday .
`` Today , construction of main exhibition stands commenced at Changi exhibition center .
There will be no UAC stand , and the corporation also does not plan to send its representatives there , '' the source said .
Earlier , the corporation told TASS it planned to significantly reduce its participation in the airshow , considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the [ Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being ] . ''
According to the source , Russian Federal Service of Military-Technical Cooperation Deputy Director Mikhail Petukhov would be involved in the airshow .
On February 4 , the airshow organizers reported that at least 16 large companies refrained from participating over the coronavirus-induced pneumonia outbreak , including 10 Chinese major companies , Canada ’ s Bombardier , and the US ’ s Gulfstream and Textron Aviation .
Besides , South Korean aerobatic team Black Eagles also cancelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite the entry ban for Chinese citizens without work or residence permit , Singaporean authorities allowed participation of Chinese Ba Yi aerobatic team .
The group has already arrived from Tianjin and deployed at the Singaporean Air Force base .
The Singaporean Ministry of Defense reported that more than 100 members of the team have successfully passed the medical exams and remain under daily medical supervision .
In late December 2019 , the Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the Hubei province ’ s capital city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed in 24 other countries and territories , including in Russia .
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak an international emergency .
According to latest reports , over 31,300 coronavirus cases were registered in China .
The death toll climbed to 636 , while over 1,500 people recovered from the virus .
There are 30 coronavirus cases currently in Singapore .

SINGAPORE, February 7. /TASS/. Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will not take part in the Singapore Airshow 2020, slated to open on February 11 , diplomatic sources who take part in airshow organization told TASS Friday.
"Today, construction of main exhibition stands commenced at Changi exhibition center. There will be no UAC stand, and the corporation also does not plan to send its representatives there," the source said.
Earlier, the corporation told TASS it planned to significantly reduce its participation in the airshow, considering "the coronavirus spread and general recommendations by the [Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being]."
According to the source, Russian Federal Service of Military-Technical Cooperation Deputy Director Mikhail Petukhov would be involved in the airshow.
On February 4, the airshow organizers reported that at least 16 large companies refrained from participating over the coronavirus-induced pneumonia outbreak, including 10 Chinese major companies, Canada’s Bombardier, and the US’s Gulfstream and Textron Aviation. Besides, South Korean aerobatic team Black Eagles also cancelled its demonstration flights.
In the meantime, despite the entry ban for Chinese citizens without work or residence permit, Singaporean authorities allowed participation of Chinese Ba Yi aerobatic team. The group has already arrived from Tianjin and deployed at the Singaporean Air Force base. The Singaporean Ministry of Defense reported that more than 100 members of the team have successfully passed the medical exams and remain under daily medical supervision.
In late December 2019, the Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the Hubei province’s capital city of Wuhan. Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak an international emergency. According to latest reports, over 31,300 coronavirus cases were registered in China. The death toll climbed to 636, while over 1,500 people recovered from the virus.
There are 30 coronavirus cases currently in Singapore.


tass--2020-02-07--Ruble is more stable than a year ago, Central Bank says

MOSCOW , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
The ruble is currently more stable than a year ago even when taking @ @ @ @ @ January , the Governor of the Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina said at the press @ @ @ @ @ The ruble became much stronger last year and the accumulated effect of such strengthening is @ @ @ @ @ ruble remains stronger than a year ago even if January fluctuations are taken into consideration @ @ @ @ @ last-year change of the currency rate and its disinflationary effect will be exhausted in the @ @ @ @ @ , '' Nabiullina said .
The Central Bank reduced the key rate for the sixth @ @ @ @ @ 6 % at the first Board meeting in this year .

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. The ruble is currently more stable than a year ago even when taking into account rate fluctuations in January, the Governor of the Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina said at the press conference on Friday.
"The ruble became much stronger last year and the accumulated effect of such strengthening is still manifesting now. The ruble remains stronger than a year ago even if January fluctuations are taken into consideration. The effect of the last-year change of the currency rate and its disinflationary effect will be exhausted in the first half of the year," Nabiullina said.
The Central Bank reduced the key rate for the sixth time in a row to 6% at the first Board meeting in this year.


tass--2020-02-07--Russian Northern Fleet pilots practice anti-submarine missions in Arctic during drills

MURMANSK , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
The crews of three Tupolev Tu-142 long-range anti-submarine warfare planes from the Northern @ @ @ @ @ and Air Defense Army practiced searching for and tracking a notional enemy ’ s submarines @ @ @ @ @ the neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean , the Fleet ’ s press office reported @ @ @ @ @ practiced the assigned tasks of searching for , identifying and tracking the notional enemy ’ @ @ @ @ @ sharpened their skills of setting up sonar buoys and receiving information transmitted by them , @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , the crews of Tu-142 planes practiced flying along the designated route @ @ @ @ @ points and the cohesion of actions during piloting with the absence of ground-based aero-navigation radio @ @ @ @ @ .
The flight by the crews of Tu-142 planes lasted more than 9 hours .
@ @ @ @ @ at the Kipelovo airfield .
The crews of the anti-submarine warfare planes accomplished all their @ @ @ @ @ press office added .

MURMANSK, February 7. /TASS/. The crews of three Tupolev Tu-142 long-range anti-submarine warfare planes from the Northern Fleet’s Air Force and Air Defense Army practiced searching for and tracking a notional enemy’s submarines over the Barents Sea and the neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean, the Fleet’s press office reported on Friday.
"They practiced the assigned tasks of searching for, identifying and tracking the notional enemy’s submarines. They also sharpened their skills of setting up sonar buoys and receiving information transmitted by them," the press office specified.
In addition, the crews of Tu-142 planes practiced flying along the designated route over the terrain without reference points and the cohesion of actions during piloting with the absence of ground-based aero-navigation radio equipment, the statement says.
The flight by the crews of Tu-142 planes lasted more than 9 hours. They took off and landed at the Kipelovo airfield. The crews of the anti-submarine warfare planes accomplished all their assignments in full, the press office added.


tass--2020-02-07--Aeroflot introduces flight between Krasnoyarsk and Yakutsk

MOSCOW , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s biggest air carrier Aeroflot announced a new flight between Krasnoyarsk and Yakutsk .
The first flight is due on March 30 , the company ’ s press service said .
`` Flights of 3 hours and 15 minutes will be operated six days a week - from Monday to Saturday - on Boeing 737-800 , '' the press service said .
From Krasnoyarsk , the departure is scheduled for 11:00 local time , and arrival to Yakutsk will be at 16:15 local time .
The return flight will depart at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the press service , the company offers the new route in line with the plans to open in Krasnoyarsk Aeroflot ’ s international hub .
`` For Aeroflot , it will be the second base airport ; here we shall have Boeing 737 and SuperJet 100 , '' the company said .
Krasnoyarsk has a very favorable geographic position , and from it would be very convenient direct flights to regions of the Urals , Siberian and Southern federal districts .
`` Thus , the company will expand a net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the press service added .
A new hub in Krasnoyarsk is a part of Aeroflot ’ s strategy , under which the carrier plans to service by 2023 as many as 100 million passengers .
`` With the new regional transport hub we shall build up the number of transit passengers on domestic and international lines , '' the company said .

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. Russia’s biggest air carrier Aeroflot announced a new flight between Krasnoyarsk and Yakutsk. The first flight is due on March 30, the company’s press service said.
"Flights of 3 hours and 15 minutes will be operated six days a week - from Monday to Saturday - on Boeing 737-800," the press service said. From Krasnoyarsk, the departure is scheduled for 11:00 local time, and arrival to Yakutsk will be at 16:15 local time. The return flight will depart at 17:30 and the arrival time is 19:05.
According to the press service, the company offers the new route in line with the plans to open in Krasnoyarsk Aeroflot’s international hub.
"For Aeroflot, it will be the second base airport; here we shall have Boeing 737 and SuperJet 100," the company said.
Krasnoyarsk has a very favorable geographic position, and from it would be very convenient direct flights to regions of the Urals, Siberian and Southern federal districts.
"Thus, the company will expand a net of inter-regional routes, bypassing Moscow," the press service added.
A new hub in Krasnoyarsk is a part of Aeroflot’s strategy, under which the carrier plans to service by 2023 as many as 100 million passengers.
"With the new regional transport hub we shall build up the number of transit passengers on domestic and international lines," the company said.


tass--2020-02-07--Scientists forecast submarine permafrost thawing, methane emissions

MOSCOW , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Scientists of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology ( the Russian Academy of Sciences ) have tested successfully new methods to study degradation of the submarine permafrost by analyzing seismic activities in the ocean , the institute ’ s press service told TASS .
About 80 % of the World Ocean ’ s submarine permafrost is offshore the Russian East Arctic seas .
The permafrost ’ s temperature is about 8-10 degrees higher than the temperature of terrestrial permafrost .
This is why methane , dissolved in the submarine permafrost , starts emitting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ even of mega force have been registered in the Russian Arctic seas and the force is only growing .
This phenomenon may change the cycle of methane ’ s circulation in the Earth ’ s atmosphere and may increase the greenhouse effect .
`` During the 78th voyage of the Akademik Mstislav Keldysh research vessel , experts tested for the first time self-popup bottom stations , which had been installed under the pilot project near the Gakkel Ridge ( the Arctic Ocean ) , '' the press service said .
`` The scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thus localizing high concentrations of methane to see how much the submarine permafrost is degrading . ''
The Institute ’ s scientists offer a technology , based on observing the ocean ’ s seismic activity .
They use self-popup bottom stations as seismographs .
In autumn 2019 , the bottom stations were installed at the depth of 80 and 320 meters .
According to the specialists , the stations may remain on the bottom as deep as six kilometers for up to two years .
By using the bottom stations , the scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connected with methane emissions .
Further on , they will analyze seismic activities to estimate methane emissions and to find reasons for local quakes in the ocean .

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. Scientists of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (the Russian Academy of Sciences) have tested successfully new methods to study degradation of the submarine permafrost by analyzing seismic activities in the ocean, the institute’s press service told TASS.
About 80% of the World Ocean’s submarine permafrost is offshore the Russian East Arctic seas. The permafrost’s temperature is about 8-10 degrees higher than the temperature of terrestrial permafrost. This is why methane, dissolved in the submarine permafrost, starts emitting. The big emissions of anomalous force or even of mega force have been registered in the Russian Arctic seas and the force is only growing. This phenomenon may change the cycle of methane’s circulation in the Earth’s atmosphere and may increase the greenhouse effect.
"During the 78th voyage of the Akademik Mstislav Keldysh research vessel, experts tested for the first time self-popup bottom stations, which had been installed under the pilot project near the Gakkel Ridge (the Arctic Ocean)," the press service said. "The scientists have managed to register many earthquakes, thus localizing high concentrations of methane to see how much the submarine permafrost is degrading."
The Institute’s scientists offer a technology, based on observing the ocean’s seismic activity. They use self-popup bottom stations as seismographs. In autumn 2019, the bottom stations were installed at the depth of 80 and 320 meters. According to the specialists, the stations may remain on the bottom as deep as six kilometers for up to two years.
By using the bottom stations, the scientists registered many local and instrumental quakes, connected with methane emissions. Further on, they will analyze seismic activities to estimate methane emissions and to find reasons for local quakes in the ocean.


tass--2020-02-07--This week in photos: Russian Wuhan evacuation, Soyuz MS-13 lands, and Istanbul plane crash

Russia to deliver two Project 11356 frigates to India in first half of 2024 Russia and India signed contracts in @ @ @ @ @ of four Project 11356 frigates

Biden says alternative to sanctions against Russia would be Third World War
"Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," the US leader stressed
Read more


tass--2020-02-07--Krasnoyarsk Region doubles number of passenger flights to Arctic districts

For people , living in many Arctic settlements on the Taimyr , helicopters are the only opportunity to get to the regional capital or to Norilsk .
Very often , flights are delayed due to weather conditions , and lines of passengers have to wait for vacant seats onboard .
Of the highest demand are new flights to Ust-Avam and Volochanka settlements .
KRASNOYARSK , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
The Krasnoyarsk Region doubled the number of flights to Taimyr ’ s distanced settlements , the regional government ’ s press service said .
`` From now on , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week year-round .
Besides , flights will be available to Ust-Port , Karaul and Nosok .
Twice a month until the navigation period begins , helicopters will fly to Khantaiskoye Ozero , Potapovo and Tukhard , as well as to Baikalovsk and Vorontsovo .
In summer , flights will be available to Tukhard and Khantaiskoye - also twice a month , '' the press service added .
Thus , the helicopters will make twice more flights to distanced settlements , the local administration told TASS .
Taimyr offers budget subsidies to air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities allocate more than 130 million rubles ( $ 2.05 million ) , where the biggest part will be paid in subsidies to air carriers .
The current subsidies cut by 27-55 % air fares for passengers .

For people, living in many Arctic settlements on the Taimyr, helicopters are the only opportunity to get to the regional capital or to Norilsk. Very often, flights are delayed due to weather conditions, and lines of passengers have to wait for vacant seats onboard. Of the highest demand are new flights to Ust-Avam and Volochanka settlements.
KRASNOYARSK, February 7. /TASS/. The Krasnoyarsk Region doubled the number of flights to Taimyr’s distanced settlements, the regional government’s press service said.
"From now on, to those settlements helicopters will make flights twice a week year-round. Besides, flights will be available to Ust-Port, Karaul and Nosok. Twice a month until the navigation period begins, helicopters will fly to Khantaiskoye Ozero, Potapovo and Tukhard, as well as to Baikalovsk and Vorontsovo. In summer, flights will be available to Tukhard and Khantaiskoye - also twice a month," the press service added.
Thus, the helicopters will make twice more flights to distanced settlements, the local administration told TASS.
Taimyr offers budget subsidies to air transport companies. For 2020, the authorities allocate more than 130 million rubles ($2.05 million), where the biggest part will be paid in subsidies to air carriers. The current subsidies cut by 27-55% air fares for passengers.


tass--2020-02-07--91-year-old Chinese man recovers from coronavirus, media reports say

MOSCOW , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
A 91-year-old resident of China ’ s Hubei province has recovered from the novel coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) , Xinhua news agency informed on Friday .
The man was the oldest person infected with coronavirus in the country .
`` I am very happy to be cured , '' the patient , surnamed Wang , told Xinhua .
`` I want to thank all the medical staff for their treatment and organizations at all levels for their concern and care . ''
The man was hospitalized on January 23 in the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany , Japan , India , Italy , Malaysia , Nepal , the Philippines , Russia , Singapore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sweden , Thailand , the United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom , the United States and Vietnam .
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 31,000 in China with over 630 people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , over 1,500 people are said to have recovered from it .

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. A 91-year-old resident of China’s Hubei province has recovered from the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Xinhua news agency informed on Friday. The man was the oldest person infected with coronavirus in the country.
"I am very happy to be cured," the patient, surnamed Wang, told Xinhua. "I want to thank all the medical staff for their treatment and organizations at all levels for their concern and care."
The man was hospitalized on January 23 in the city of Yichang.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.
Currently, the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 31,000 in China with over 630 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 1,500 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-07--Lavrov holding talks with Venezuelan counterpart in Caracas

CARACAS , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived at the Venezuelan foreign ministry ’ @ @ @ @ @ with his Venezuelan counterpart , Jorge Arreaza , a TASS correspondent reported on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ courtyard of the colonial-style building .
The two shook hands and watched a music and @ @ @ @ @ , they proceeded to the meeting room .

CARACAS, February 7. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived at the Venezuelan foreign ministry’s reception house for talks with his Venezuelan counterpart, Jorge Arreaza, a TASS correspondent reported on Friday.
Arreaza met Lavrov in the courtyard of the colonial-style building. The two shook hands and watched a music and dance show. After that, they proceeded to the meeting room.


tass--2020-02-07--Russian Baltic Fleet warship wipes out enemy coastal battery during drills

KALININGRAD , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
The Baltic Fleet air-cushion small amphibious assault ship Yevgeny Kocheshkov wiped out a notional enemy ’ s naval surface and air targets with its shipborne multiple rocket launchers during drills , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Friday .
`` During its deployment to the sea , the ship ’ s crew successfully delivered artillery fire against naval surface and air targets .
The fire was delivered from 140mm Ogon launchers ( the seaborne version of Grad multiple launch rocket systems ) against a special buoy field that simulated the enemy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30mm AK-630 automatic guns against air targets that simulated the notional enemy ’ s aircraft , '' the press office said in a statement .
The crew also held shipborne drills for the ship damage control and the ship ’ s radiation , chemical and biological protection at sea , the statement says .
The Yevgeny Kocheshkov is a Project 12322 ‘ Zubr ’ air-cushion small amphibious assault ship .
The Yevgeny Kocheshkov and the same-type ship Mordovia are operational in the Baltic Fleet and are the world ’ s largest air-cushion amphibious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sealift amphibious assault forces with their military hardware from equipped and unequipped shores , land troops onto the coast and provide fire support for the landing party .
Thanks to their design specifics , they can move on the ground , bypassing small obstacles ( ditches and trenches ) and minefields , move through swamps and land the amphibious assault force into the depth of the enemy defenses .

KALININGRAD, February 7. /TASS/. The Baltic Fleet air-cushion small amphibious assault ship Yevgeny Kocheshkov wiped out a notional enemy’s naval surface and air targets with its shipborne multiple rocket launchers during drills, the Fleet’s press office reported on Friday.
"During its deployment to the sea, the ship’s crew successfully delivered artillery fire against naval surface and air targets. The fire was delivered from 140mm Ogon launchers (the seaborne version of Grad multiple launch rocket systems) against a special buoy field that simulated the enemy’s coastal battery and also from 30mm AK-630 automatic guns against air targets that simulated the notional enemy’s aircraft," the press office said in a statement.
The crew also held shipborne drills for the ship damage control and the ship’s radiation, chemical and biological protection at sea, the statement says.
The Yevgeny Kocheshkov is a Project 12322 ‘Zubr’ air-cushion small amphibious assault ship. The Yevgeny Kocheshkov and the same-type ship Mordovia are operational in the Baltic Fleet and are the world’s largest air-cushion amphibious assault ships.
They are designated to sealift amphibious assault forces with their military hardware from equipped and unequipped shores, land troops onto the coast and provide fire support for the landing party. Thanks to their design specifics, they can move on the ground, bypassing small obstacles (ditches and trenches) and minefields, move through swamps and land the amphibious assault force into the depth of the enemy defenses.


tass--2020-02-07--Order of Malta calls for Russian aid in protecting Christians in Syria, says ambassador

MOSCOW , February ·7 .
/TASS/ .
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta count on cooperation with the Russian Federation on protection of the Christian values in Syria , which constitutes an important aspect of the order ’ s activity , Aimone di Savoia-Aosta , the Order Ambassador to Russia , said during his meeting with the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs head Konstantin Kosachev .
`` As you said , we do a lot in Syria .
Indeed we , let ’ s say , get involved there .
There is a very important moment for the Order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just like you have organizations of this kind working there , so we have great interest in this as well , '' he said .
`` Indeed , I ’ ve been tasked with developing this direction and [ our ] relations on protection of religion , '' the Ambassador said , as he expressed hope for cooperation on culture , humanitarian aid and protection of Christian values .
The Ambassador also said he was tasked with developing already existing spheres of cooperation with Russia .
He underscored the Order ’ s social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers - in Moscow and St. Petersburg .
The other direction the order is interested in is culture .
The diplomat recalled the archived documents bundle `` Russia and the Order of Malta , 1697-1817 , '' published last year .
Created in 11th century in Jerusalem , the Order of Malta gained significance after Pope Paschal II recognized this religious organization as a religious order .
Initially , the order was tasked with providing aid to the sick and those in need .
Consisting of 13,500 knights , the Order ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and humanitarian aid .
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a sovereign entity in international law , and has diplomatic relations with more than 100 nations , including Russia , and acts as an observer in 80 international organizations .

MOSCOW, February ·7. /TASS/. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta count on cooperation with the Russian Federation on protection of the Christian values in Syria, which constitutes an important aspect of the order’s activity, Aimone di Savoia-Aosta, the Order Ambassador to Russia, said during his meeting with the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs head Konstantin Kosachev.
"As you said, we do a lot in Syria. Indeed we, let’s say, get involved there. There is a very important moment for the Order of Malta: protection of Christians. Just like you have organizations of this kind working there, so we have great interest in this as well," he said. "Indeed, I’ve been tasked with developing this direction and [our] relations on protection of religion," the Ambassador said, as he expressed hope for cooperation on culture, humanitarian aid and protection of Christian values.
The Ambassador also said he was tasked with developing already existing spheres of cooperation with Russia. He underscored the Order’s social activity in Russia and noted two social centers - in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The other direction the order is interested in is culture. The diplomat recalled the archived documents bundle "Russia and the Order of Malta, 1697-1817," published last year.
Created in 11th century in Jerusalem, the Order of Malta gained significance after Pope Paschal II recognized this religious organization as a religious order. Initially, the order was tasked with providing aid to the sick and those in need.
Consisting of 13,500 knights, the Order’s main occupation is charity, primarily medical and humanitarian aid. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a sovereign entity in international law, and has diplomatic relations with more than 100 nations, including Russia, and acts as an observer in 80 international organizations.


tass--2020-02-07--Unannounced military drills pose threat to global peace, says Macron

PARIS , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
The increasing movement of ships through disputed areas and unannounced military drills pose @ @ @ @ @ , French President Emmanuel Macron said , addressing an audience at the Ecole Militaire in @ @ @ @ @ The areas of tensions between countries are increasing because they show military force on the @ @ @ @ @ '' the French leader said .
`` This is happening in a number of disputed @ @ @ @ @ Mediterranean Sea , the South China Sea and in the Persian Gulf .
On the @ @ @ @ @ are conducted unannounced .
Similar developments take place underwater and in the air , where @ @ @ @ @ defenses by flying strategic bombers has resumed , '' Macron pointed out .
He also @ @ @ @ @ confrontation between global players .
`` It has become a reality in the digital space @ @ @ @ @ noted .
At the same time , Macron refrained from giving specific examples and naming @ @ @

PARIS, February 7. /TASS/. The increasing movement of ships through disputed areas and unannounced military drills pose a threat to global stability, French President Emmanuel Macron said, addressing an audience at the Ecole Militaire in Paris on Friday.
"The areas of tensions between countries are increasing because they show military force on the verge of using it," the French leader said.
"This is happening in a number of disputed sea areas, including the Mediterranean Sea, the South China Sea and in the Persian Gulf. On the ground, large-scale military drills are conducted unannounced. Similar developments take place underwater and in the air, where the practice of testing missile defenses by flying strategic bombers has resumed," Macron pointed out.
He also pointed to new areas of confrontation between global players. "It has become a reality in the digital space," the French president noted.
At the same time, Macron refrained from giving specific examples and naming specific countries.


tass--2020-02-07--Russia, North Korea plan to hold several joint events in 2020

MOSCOW , February 7 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow and Pyongyang plan to exchange delegations and hold several joint events timed to important dates in 2020 , Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Alexander Matsegora said in an interview with TASS .
`` We have discussed our relations in detail with [ North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son Gwon ] , speaking of upcoming plans .
We have things to work on this year : we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our bilateral agreement and Vladimir Putin ’ s visit to the DPRK , the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will exchange delegations and hold joint events timed to these dates , '' he said .
Matsegora informed that he had not had the opportunity to contact new North Korean officials appointed in January due to the Chinese New Year and the quarantine declared after an outbreak of coronavirus .
The ambassador only had an opportunity to meet Ri Son Gwon , with whom he attended a New Year ’ s reception .
In January , the North Korean government reshuffled several officials .
The country replaced its defense and foreign ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Department of the Workers ' Party of Korea , who curates the country ’ s foreign policy .

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. Moscow and Pyongyang plan to exchange delegations and hold several joint events timed to important dates in 2020, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Alexander Matsegora said in an interview with TASS.
"We have discussed our relations in detail with [North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son Gwon], speaking of upcoming plans. We have things to work on this year: we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our bilateral agreement and Vladimir Putin’s visit to the DPRK, the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War and Liberation of Korea. We will exchange delegations and hold joint events timed to these dates," he said.
Matsegora informed that he had not had the opportunity to contact new North Korean officials appointed in January due to the Chinese New Year and the quarantine declared after an outbreak of coronavirus. The ambassador only had an opportunity to meet Ri Son Gwon, with whom he attended a New Year’s reception.
In January, the North Korean government reshuffled several officials. The country replaced its defense and foreign ministers, along with the director of the International Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, who curates the country’s foreign policy.