Briefing of Official Representative of the MFA of Russia A.K. Lukashevich, 27 March , 2012
Regarding official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia to the Republic of Armenia
On 2-3 April the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S.V. Lavrov will pay an official visit to the Republic of Armenia, timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states.
The programme of the visit provides for meetings of S.V. Lavrov with the President of the Republic of Armenia S.A. Sargsyan, Prime Minister T.S. Sarkisyan and Chairman of the National Assembly S.P. Nikoyan. Negotiations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia E.A. Nalbandyan are also planned.
The Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia which was signed on 3 April, 1992 became a major landmark of a new stage of development of the historical Russian-Armenian relations based on modern fundamentals.
The fundamental document, which determined the principles and priorities of the strategic partnership of our countries was the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia signed on 29 August 1997. This year will be 15 years since the date of its signing. The provisions of the Treaty were further developed in the Declaration on Allied Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia aimed at the 21st century, which was passed on 26 September, 2000.
Intensive, motivated contacts on all levels are maintained between Russia and Armenia today. The state visit of the President of the Russian Federation D.A. Medvedev to the Republic of Armenia on 19-20 August, 2010 and the state visit of the President of Armenia S.A. Sargsyan to the Russian Federation on 23-25 October, 2011 gave a powerful impetus to the Russian-Armenian relations.
A whole system of collective cooperation authorities, including the Interparliamentary Commission for Economic Cooperation and the Interparliamentary Commission for the Cooperation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, is functioning sustainably.
Russia is the leading foreign economic partner of Armenia. In 2011, the mutual sales turnover amounted to USD 1 billion and it is prone to further increase.
About 70 constituents of the Russian Federation are included in direct economic and other contacts with the regions and the capital of Armenia. This aspect is an interesting and important trait of our bilateral interaction.
We will publish more information about the visit on the MFA web-site.
Regarding official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia to the Azerbaijani Republic
3-4 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S.V. Lavrov will pay an official visit to the Azerbaijani Republic.
S.V. Lavrov will meet with the President of the Azerbaijani Republic I.G. Aliyev. Meetings with the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan A.T. Rasizade and the Chairman of the Milli Majlis (the parliament) O.S. Asadov and detailed negotiations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs E.M. Mamediarov will also take place.
The visit is timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between our countries which were established on 4 April 1992. The past period has vividly demonstrated the interest of Russia and Azerbaijan in the development of a profound and substantial dialogue on different aspects, the ability to find solutions to the most difficult issues of bilateral agenda by joining forces, coordinate actions and act from common ground in regional and international organizations.
A high level of bilateral cooperation aimed at the all-round consolidation of equitable, mutually beneficial and constructive relations in the spirit of traditional friendship and good-neighbourly relations between the Russian and Azerbaijani nations was reached within 20 years. We consider Azerbaijan our strategic partner in Transcaucasia and the Caspian Region.
The strategic nature of the Russian-Azerbaijani partnership was consolidated in the fundamental bilateral documents – the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Security between the Russian Federation and the Azerbaijani Republic signed on 3 July 1997, the Baku (2001 and 2008) and Moscow (2008) declarations. The signing of the State Border Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Azerbaijani Republic on 3 July 2010 became an important event on the way to further extension and consolidation of bilateral relations.
We consider the current visit of S.V. Lavrov a continuation of the intensive political dialogue in the context of goals on further promotion of bilateral interaction set by the heads of our states during the official visit of the President of Russia D.A. Medvedev to Baku on 2-3 September 2010.
The whole range of issues of the bilateral agenda, as well as topical regional and international problems will be discussed during the negotiations of S.V. Lavrov with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan E.M. Mamedyarov.
I will state only one figure regarding the Russian-Azerbaijani trade and economic cooperation: last year the mutual sales turnover exceeded USD 2.5 billion. Obviously, its potential is mcuh better. We are expecting a strengthening of this dynamic.
The type of cooperation between our countries in the humanitarian sphere is also interesting.
In 2011 a new important project – the Baku International Humanitarian Forum – was launched under the patronage of the Presidents of the two countries. We are expecting that it will become a perspective regional and international interaction format.
Let me add that during the negotiations in Yerevan and Baku the parties will interchange opinions on the Nagorny Karabakh range of problems in detail.
Regarding working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia to the Kyrgyz Republic
Working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S.V. Lavrov to the Kyrgyz Republic, timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, will take place on 4-5 April.
Major work on the building of a completely new model of Russian-Kyrgyz interstate relations has been performed during the last 20 years. It can be stated that they correspond to the interests of the nations of the two countries and the goals of provision of stability and security in Central Asia. Historic community of our brotherly nations, traditional close cultural and humanitarian ties, regardful good-neighbourly relations are the foundation of interaction with Kirgizia.
Contacts between our countries on all levels differ because of their intensive rates. The visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic A.S. Atambayev to Moscow, negotiations with the President of the Russian Federation D.A. Medvedev, as well as two meetings with the Chairman of the Government of Russia V.V. Putin have already taken place this year.
Traditional close ties are maintained in the line of foreign policy departments. Let me remind you that last year the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kirgizia paid an official visit to Moscow. Political consultations on different issues and at different levels are held regularly. Work with Kyrgyz partners in the line of defence, economic and other departments continues.
The character of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and the Kyrgyz Republic is an important indicator of the development of bilateral interaction. Russia is the leading trade partner of Kirgizia. In 2011, the trade volume amounted to almost USD 1.5 billion (an increase by 5% in comparison with 2010).
The Programme of Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2010-2013 which provides the extension of the bilateral interaction in the electric-power industry, the oil and gas sphere, industry and other prospective aspects is being implemented. The Intergovernmental Russian-Kyrgyz Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Humanitarian Cooperation is functioning actively.
Meetings with the President of the Kyrgyz Republic A.S. Atambayev, the Minister of Foreign Affairs R.A. Kazkabayev are planned to take place within the framework of the visit of S.V. Lavrov to Bishkek. The agenda of the negotiations includes a wide range of issues of bilateral interaction in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres. It is assumed to discuss topical aspects of cooperation within the framework of such regional integration structures as EurAsEC, SCO and CSTO. The plans of the Minister also include the visiting of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavonic University and the Russian Centre of Science and Culture.
The signing of a number of bilateral documents, including the Cooperation Programme between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2012, is planned.
Regarding the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the sessions of CMFA of CSTO and CIS in Astana
6 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S.V. Lavrov will take part in the regular sessions of the Councils of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Commonwealth of Independent States which will take place in Astana (Republic of Kazakhstan).
The heads of the foreign policy departments plan to discuss a wide range of international and regional problems, including the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, the state of affairs in Syria and Afghanistan, topical issues of multilateral cooperation within the framework of CIS and CSTO.
At the session of CMFA of CSTO the ministers will consider issues of further consolidation and enhancement of efficiency of the Organization in the context of completing the decision of the December (2011) session of the Collective Security Council of CSTO. An intensive interchange of opinions on the issue of foreign policy coordination of the member states of CSTO, prospects of cooperation with the UN in the sphere of peace-building will take place.
It is assumed to consider a block of important documents on the development of collective interaction in the sphere of security and defence, settlement of crisis situations at external frontiers, as well as financial intelligence in the format of CIS. It is planned to approve the draft of the resolution of the heads of the states on declaring 2013 the Year of Ecological Culture and Environmental Protection in CIS. A number of draft documents included in the agenda are aimed at the activation of connections in the sphere of tourism, physical culture and sport, contacts in the line of youth organizations.
More detailed information will appear in the next few days on the MFA web-site.
Regarding the holding of the "Friends of Syria" Group meeting in Istanbul
Lately much is being said on the Syrian subject. The President of Russia D.A. Medvedev spoke about the conceptual problems during the meeting of the Special Envoy of UN/LAS to Syria K. Annan; the Minister of Foreign Affairs S.V. Lavrov comments this situation literally on a day-to-day basis. Today, I would like to answer the questions which we were asked before the briefing and which concern the attitude of Russia towards the regular "Friends of Syria" meeting which is planned to take place in Istanbul on 1 April 2012.
The first similar meeting took place on 24 February 2012 in Tunis without Russia's participation. We intend to proceed in the same manner this time as well, although we have received the relevant invitation.
The reasons are quite clear and well-known. They haven't changed since the decision-making on non-membership in the first session of the "Group" in Tunis. Unfortunately, such events have a one-sided political trend. It is necessary to note that its participants aren't occupied in mending the inter-Syrian dialogue in favour of ceasing the conflict and searching the ways of peaceful settlement of the situation. On the contrary, they are most likely preparing grounds for outside interference.
The fact that the meeting in Istanbul will take place at the time when the mission of the Special Envoy of UN/LAS K. Annan, aimed at the search for political outcomes in Syria and around it with the participation of all the parties of the conflict and not just one of them, has begun and given the first positive results also has to be taken into account.
We are convinced that consolidated support of the efforts of Mr. K. Annan by the international community for fastest violence ceasing, as well as the resolving of critical humanitarian problems of the population in the areas of confrontation and the start of an integrated political dialogue are needed now more than ever.
Regarding Middle East settlement situation
The state of Palestinian-Israeli affairs is still not simple. Pre-negotiation contacts between Palestinians and Israelis took place in Amman in January of this year with the active auspices of Jordan. But unfortunately, they didn't lead to any breakthrough results. At the present time there remains a pause in the peace process, the political dialogue between the conflicting parties is not held.
Of course, no one is satisfied with such developments. Russia does not sit back and do nothing, it makes efforts, including within the framework of the Middle East "quartet" of international middlemen on the unblocking of the logjam in the Middle East settlement.
We actively participate in the efforts of the international community with the goal to return the Palestinians and Israelis to the negotiating table at the known international-legal platform and in correspondence with the description of actions documented in the statement of the Middle East "quartet" from 23 September 2011.
Let me remind you that on 12 March in New York the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia S.V. Lavrov took part in the informal consultations of the "quartet" at the executive level, during which the agreement on holding a full-scale ministry session of the "quartet" in the first decade of April of this year in Washington "afield" of the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of G8 was reached.
Within the framework of preparing for the Washington event, the special representative of the Ministry for Middle East Settlement, the head of the Middle East and North Africa Department S.V. Vershinin took part in the session of the special representatives of the "quartet" in Brussels on 21 March. The current situation in the peace process was analyzed in detail, specific steps which need to be taken for negotiation of the dangerous logjam at the Palestinian route were considered.
Efforts on rendering donor assistance to Palestinians continue alongside with work in the political and diplomatic aspect. It is clear that without social and economic stability it is hard to speak about stable and effective political process.
On 20-21 March also in Brussels, S.V. Vershinin took part in the session of the Interim Coordination Committee for Rendering Assistance to Palestinians, during which the financial crisis on the territories of PNA and the necessity of increasing donor assistance to help the Palestinians decrease the budget deficit and continue creating the foundations of the Palestinian national identity were discussed.
Regarding the development of the political and military situation in Iraq
Some colleagues from the Arab news agencies asked to assess the current situation in Iraq, especially on the eve of the upcoming summit meeting of LAS on 29 March.
Moscow is pleased to note that after the withdrawal of the US troops from Iraq late last year the government as a whole managed to keep the situation under control. However, there remain serious problems - the country faces a terrorist threat, which translates into periodic bursts of violence, whose victims are representatives of government and law enforcement agencies, as well as civilians.
In such circumstances, the vast majority of Iraqi political forces, despite their differences and contradictions, agree that the forward development for the best is possible by developing a mutually acceptable programme of further actions. The initiative of the President of the country J. Talabani on the holding of a nationwide meeting, the preparations for which are currently underway, is aimed at this.
At the same time the leadership of Iraq is taking steps to restore international and regional positions of the country. In this regard, an important point is the upcoming LAS summit in Baghdad on 29 March. According to the available information, this summit meeting - the first since the start of the event known as the "Arab Spring" – is scheduled to take place within one day. At the same time, to our knowledge, taking into account the current specifics of the regional situation guests from countries which are not members of LAS, except for the representatives of some international organizations are not invited to the summit.
We support the efforts of the Iraqi leadership on ensuring reliable stabilization, economic recovery and normal life of the population, the settlement of existing problems by peaceful means through national reconciliation and inclusive dialogue with all political groups and ethnic and religious communities of the country.
Regarding the Fifth Conference of Regional Economic Cooperation on Afghanistan
Fifth Conference of Regional Economic Cooperation of Afghanistan ("RECCA-V") is taking place in Dushanbe these days, 26-27 March. The event is attended by senior delegates from some 80 countries, international organizations and regional structures. A business forum and a scientific symposium of scientists and specialists are taking place within the framework of the conference.
The Russian delegation is headed by Secretary of State - Deputy Minister of Energy Y.P. Sentyurin.
Among the priorities of our participation in the conference is the intensifying of the Russian-Afghan trade and economic ties and the involvement of Russian companies to large-scale regional projects in the spheres of energy and transport, first and foremost, the creation of systems of delivery of electricity from Tajikistan and Kirgizia to Afghanistan and Pakistan ("CASA -1000").
Regarding incident in Georgia with Russian citizen
We have become aware that on 17 February Georgian authorities detained Russian citizen K.G. Rodionov, born in 1961, resident of the Moscow region. K.G. Rodionov, being an entrepreneur, arrived in Tbilisi by a flight from Moscow for a business trip at the invitation of his Georgian friend. At the airport he was arrested under the notorious "Law on the Occupied Territories" on the suspicion of visiting Abkhazia.
After the initial arrest for 48 hours, the Tbilisi City Court dismissed the petition of the lawyers for the release of K.G. Rodionov under bail, and elected imprisonment for a term of 40 days as a preventive measure for him. Now the Russian citizen is contained in the remand prison No. 8 of Tbilisi. According to the available information, the next court hearing is scheduled for 2 April, 2012. In accordance with Article 322.1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia for "illegal entry into the occupied territories" K.G. Rodionov faces from two to four years of imprisonment or a large fine.
Measures are taken to clarify the situation with K.G. Rodionov and ensure consular access to our citizen through the Russian Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy in Tbilisi. At the moment our inquiries are unfortunately left without response. The Georgian authorities put by the official confirmation of the arrest of K.G. Rodionov and the nature of the charges.
The current situation once again confirms the absence of any security guarantees for Russians visiting Georgia. While continuing to rant hypocritically about the hospitality and desire for friendship with the people of Russia, the Georgian authorities organize systematic repressions in regard to the Russian citizens visiting their country.
Regarding the events involving the crew member of Caribe Vision vessel
Today I would like to present a new evidence of the actions of the Russian Foreign Ministry on the release of the Russian citizens located on board of the detained cargo ship Caribe Vision.
From the very beginning, we are keeping tight control of the events involving the Russian citizens, members of the crew. Let me remind you, the ship was blocked on 5 February 2012 in the Dominican Republic (DR) on the suspicion of preparing illegal drug trafficking. As it is known, Dominican authorities do not present charges in regard to our sailors.
The Embassy of Russia in Venezuela (there is no Russian diplomatic presence in the DR, its functions are performed by the Ambassador of Russia to Venezuela, who is accredited part-time in the Dominican Republic), is in close contact with the captain and the sailors of the detained ship. Thanks to the work of our diplomats, it was possible to send home 13 crew members.
At the present time, four of our sailors remain in the DR – shipmaster V. Shirokov, chief officer O. Alferiev, member of the crew Y. Svetlov who, in accordance with the laws of the Dominican Republic, are to participate in the trial as witnesses for prosecution in the criminal case against the owner of the Caribe Vision, as well as engineer A. Malyshkin - for the solution of problems on the sustainment of the ship.
The Russian Foreign Ministry and the Embassy in Caracas continue to actively communicate with the Dominican side, so that the Russian sailors could soon return safely to their homeland, and for their safe and decent conditions of being during their enforced stay in the DR.
I draw your attention to the fact that on 23 March the DR Prosecutor General was handed the appeal of the Prosecutor General's Office of Russia with a request for early receipt of statements of evidence from the Russian sailors and for giving them the right to the freedom of movement.
On 26 March a talk with the Ambassador of the DR in Moscow took place in the Russian Foreign Ministry, during which we again urged the Dominican authorities to take necessary measures to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
From answers to questions of mass media representatives:
Question: During the visit of K. Annan to Moscow, the President of the Russian Federation D.A. Medvedev expressed hope that the mission of the Special Envoy of UN/LAS will contribute to solving the Syrian crisis. What is the probability of success of this mission, given that it still hasn't been possible to come to an agreement with the armed opposition in the SAR?
Answer: The Russian Government has already commented on this issue. From the very beginning we have supported the mission of the Special Envoy of UN/LAS to resolve the Syrian crisis. We believe that it has a good chance of success, provided that all Syrian parties of both the government and the opposition immediately cease armed confrontation and that the cease of fire and combat activities will be provided and an all-Syrian dialogue will begin. Our active support of K. Annan's mission is reflected in the statement of the Chairman of the Security Council. This statement has become a consolidated impetus of the international community in favour of the peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis. The signals in favour of ending the violence in Syria should go to all the parties to the conflict.
The Russian Federation has actively promoted the beginning of the dialogue of K. Annan with the Syrian leadership. We have helped ensure that the mission received support from the government of SAR. However, the dialogue should take place with the participation of all opposition forces which maintain resistance in the country. From its part, Russia is using its capabilities. We have supported and continue contacts with many opposition groups both in Syria and abroad. We expect that states which have a much greater influence on the opposition and which are still not very strongly urging it to negotiate with the government, will become active in persuading the Syrians to start political settlement, as it is done by the Russian side. This, by the way, K. Annan told reporters at the end of his visit to Moscow.
I would like to draw your attention to the fundamental estimates in support of the mission, expressed by the President of Russia D.A. Medvedev during the meeting with K. Annan. The same was discussed at the meeting of the Special Envoy of UN/LAS with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia S.V. Lavrov.
We are waiting for specific signals from the Syrian opposition. In the context of what I have already said about the upcoming meeting of the "Friends of Syria" Group it is unlikely to rely on signals from Istanbul to the Syrian opposition to cease hostilities and begin to seek political settlement.
With cautious optimism, we rely on the success of the efforts of the Special Envoy of UN/LAS, whose mission provides an opportunity to end the violence in Syria and political reforms, the impulse to which, in the figurative expression of K. Annan, is hard not to notice. It is obvious that the "wind of change" should be seen by the whole establishment of the Syrian society.
Question: Could you comment the words of the leading US presidential candidate of the Republican Party M. Romney that "Russia is the geopolitical enemy of the US"?
Answer: It's difficult for me to comment the emotional expressions of the American presidential race candidates. It is quite clear that these statements are dictated by the specific situation and needs of the political struggle, happening due to the upcoming elections in the United States of America.
The principal assessments of the President of Russia D.A. Medvedev and the President of the USA B. Obama of the current state of the Russian-American relations and opportunities for cooperation in various spheres are available in the detailed statements of the leaders of the two countries for the mass media following the results of their meeting in Seoul.
We will judge the sincerity and commitment to partnership, announced by the USA in regard to Russia from particular cases, not from public comments.
Question: It was reported recently that the Syrian government approved the plan of K. Annan to resolve the situation in the country. We would like to hear your comment in this regard.
Answer: From the very beginning Russia presumed that K. Annan's mission should find understanding and support on the part of the Syrian leadership and the Syrian opposition. We actively worked in this direction, using our contacts. I can tell you frankly, not all turned out positively. This was confirmed by Mr. K. Annan during a meeting with journalists when summing up the results of his visit to Moscow. We hope that the signals sent by the Syrian leadership are now on the right track.
The plan supported in the statement of the Chairman of the UN Security Council Mr. K. Annan is well received in the international community. Now the question is different – how will the opposite side look at it. So far we are observing the opposite effect. The public statements of B. Galiyun and other opposition figures do not set the mood for the beginning of a dialogue. Rather, they contain unrealistic and excessive demands of resignation of the current leadership as a condition for the beginning of an all-Syrian dialogue.
Russia has repeatedly said that this line was originally totally destructive and will not launch an inclusive dialogue in Syria. K. Annan also stressed that movement must occur from both sides, while his mission is a tool designed to help the Syrians find an acceptable formula for their dialogue on the future of the country.
Question: How do you assess the statements of the President of Russia D.A. Medvedev and the President of the USA B. Obama that there is no alternative to the diplomatic resolution of the Iran issue?
Answer: The made statements reflect, firstly, the basic approach of the Russian side and, secondly, the understanding by the United States that there is no alternative to a diplomatic way to resolve the situation with the Iranian nuclear programme.
Question: How can the "Friends of Syria" meeting in Istanbul influence the mission of K. Annan?
Answer: Today I have already commented in detail on this account. We do not believe that such groups are able to develop a consolidated position of the international community. Rather the opposite, they break the rhythm of positive changes which we associate with the mission of K. Annan.
Question: Please comment on the statement of the President of Russia about the fact that K. Annan's mission is the last chance to avoid an escalation of the conflict in Syria. Some observers see this, on the one hand, as the signal to the Government and the President of Syria, on the other – to the opposition for which this is the last opportunity to continue to operate in the same way.
Answer: I would not want to believe that this will be the last chance. At this stage, probably it is not worth calling the mission of K. Annan this way. Of course, this is a serious step by the international community, and no one has the right to miss this opportunity. This is the real way to end the violence and bloodshed, to involve civilian instruments, which in other circumstances have produced results.
Let me remind you about the often quoted glaring example - the settlement process in Yemen. The intra-Yemen agreement, which allowed resolving the situation, was approved by resolution of the UN Security Council. Although the intensity of the use of heavy weapons by both sides was larger, there was not less, and probably even more violence and bloodshed. Part of the representatives of the parliament and the president of the country were injured. And yet, in this situation, the international community used a responsible approach, making Yemenis seek ways to reconcilement, including the scheme proposed by the Cooperation Council of the Arab Gulf states. This initiative, in fact, became the nucleus of the agreements, around which the peace process developed.
The main problem is that political will is necessary. Within the framework of the existing opportunities Russia will continue to actively work with both the Syrian leadership and the opposition in order to facilitate the mission of K. Annan in the settlement of the Syrian crisis.
Question: The annual summit of BRICS opens tomorrow. Despite the regularity of the meetings, is it time to establish some mechanism, such as a permanent secretariat, for more effective cooperation between the countries?
Answer: I would like to note that the aide to the President of Russia A.V. Dvorkovich held a briefing on the eve of the summit and gave a detailed explanation.
I think that all the members of the countries of the group called BRICS have an agreement of opinion on the need to continue discussions, conversations, dialogue in this format, not turning it into an institution and not creating different structures. The meaning of this format consists in something else. There is a great need for coordination of positions on various aspects of international and regional environment. The development of approaches to such issues as ways of overcoming the global financial crisis, the development of nuclear energy, etc. is necessary. The leaders of our countries will be dealing with these issues. The absence of structural units in the work of BRICS does not interfere with communication not only of the heads of states and governments, but also foreign ministers, industry ministers, who often hold meetings. I am confident that the results of the forthcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi will allow judging on the annual increase of the efficiency of each meeting.
Question: The opinion that it is time to give France, as the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, an EU mandate on the Nagorny Karabakh reconcilement and thus enhance the participation of the European Union in resolving the conflict, is expressed more and more often. How would Russia react to such a prospect?
Answer: This is the first time I have heard about this. Neither the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group from France, nor the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has raised such questions, as far as we know. The three co-chairs (Russia, USA and France) have been working intensely and consistently.
If you have information that suggests otherwise, it is necessary to seek clarification of the representative of France who is involved in the work of the group or the leadership of the EU.
I repeat that the three co-chairs are working very constructively. Lately, in addition to the intensity of contacts, the volume of documents that are coordinated at different levels, including the top level, has increased. The latest example is the Ministerial Statement of the three countries in support of the negotiating efforts on the Nagorny Karabakh problem. It indicates that there is room for manoeuvre and the impact on the parties of the conflict, as well as the fact that there is a need to activate the implementation of the signal by the Minsk Group, given by the parties of the conflict at the meeting with the President of Russia D.A. Medvedev in Sochi on 23 January 2012. Let me remind you that they declared determination to accelerate work on the basic principles of the settlement. These signals additionally show that the format has developed and is functioning. This month we celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the OSCE Minsk Group. This also says that its potential is far from exhausted.
Question: Please comment on the decision of the USA to resume weapon transfers to Georgia, which were suspended in 2008.
Answer: This issue is not new to the Russian-American relations in the context of the events in Georgia. Earlier, the US Embassy in Moscow informed about the planned supply by Washington to the Georgian contingent in ISAF in Afghanistan of a lot of M-4 rifles and Hummer armoured vehicles. In this regard, on 5 September 2011 a note of the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the actions of the American side.
The very participation in the ISAF by the official Tbilisi, apparently, is perceived as a justification for the ongoing remilitarization of Georgia and one more reason to push their country into NATO. We consider it important for the weapons used by the Georgian contingent in Afghanistan, not to end up in Georgia. As shown by the tragic events of August 2008, the regime of M. Saakashvili could use them against Abkhazia and South Ossetia, including against Russian citizens living in those countries.
Given the instability and irresponsibility of the regime of M. Saakashvili, any cooperation with Tbilisi in the military sphere is fraught with grave consequences for peace and security in the Caucasus. From this point of view, we will continue to closely monitor the specific forms of US-Georgian cooperation in the sphere of defence and security.
It is in this context, we consider the holding of US-Georgian field exercises Agile Spirit -2012 on the territory of Georgia on 10-24 March, the main goal of which was, as stated, "practicing skills to combat the insurgency". The question arises: which "insurgents" exactly will the authorities of Tbilisi be struggling supported by the Americans?
In addition, we have already drawn attention of the State Department to the frequent visits of the US Navy ships, including those equipped with the Aegis systems, to the ports of Georgia. Whatever the explanation for this may be given, it is clear that the visits are perceived by the Georgian leadership as an encouragement of its revanchist aspirations.
Question: Preparations for the visit of V.V. Putin scheduled for June this year and timed to coincide with the opening of the monument to the fallen Red Army soldiers of Jewish descent will begin in Israel in May 2012. Are there preparations for this visit on the Russian side?
Answer: Let's wait for the inauguration of the elected President of Russia, and then we will speak about his foreign policy plans.
Question: The Georgian side does not satisfy the request regarding the Russian citizen K.G. Rodionov and provides very limited information about him. What specific steps will be taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia to avoid a possible repeat of the situation with the Russian pilot V.V. Sadovnichy arrested in Tajikistan last year?
Answer: Again, we will take all measures for the early release of the Russian citizen. Analogies with Tajikistan are inappropriate. First of all, the countries are different. Second of all, we must bear in mind that the diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia were ruptured on the initiative of Tbilisi. In addition, the situation with the arrest is quite different. We hope that we will receive clear answers from the Georgian side and do everything possible to release the Russian citizen.
Question: Could you clarify the situation around the Russian Embassy in Zimbabwe. There are reports that the owner of one of the buildings leased by the Embassy, has filed a lawsuit against the diplomatic mission, accusing it of debts (about USD 10,000). How will the Russian Foreign Ministry solve this issue?
Answer: I haven't heard about this story. I am not ready to give an answer immediately. We shall make inquiries and be sure to inform you to the point.
