Russia to participate in WTO General Council on October 3; Russia urges Turkey from taking steps that can escalate the prevailing tensions on its border with Syria; Russian and the US coast guards have signed a cooperation plan for 2013; Georgia looking t
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    • Reports noted that Russia will participate for the first time in the General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a full-fledged WTO member on October 3. Among the issues slated for discussion are the commitments of both Russia and WTO’s member states of the fulfilment of conditions of membership. 1

    Russia has urged the Turkish government to refrain from steps that might deteriorate the already tense situation on the Turkish-Syrian border. On October 4, the Turkish parliament had responded to an appeal from the Cabinet of Ministers and issued an authorization, for a period of twelve months, to carry out cross-border military operations. 2

    According to reports, Coast guards of Russia and the United States have agreed to step up cooperation in ensuring security in the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea in 2013, exchange information and counteract illegal fishing. In 2012 the two countries’ coast guards detained ten non-compliant vessels and held 500 online conferences for coordination of actions and information exchange. 3

    According to reports, the leader of the Georgian Dream Coalition and a candidate for the Prime Minister’s post Bidzina Ivanishvili has said that a rapid enough restoration of cultural and trade relations between Georgia and Russia is possible and it is in the interest of both parties to restore normal relations. 4

    During president Putin’s official visit to Dushanbe, Russia has signed an agreement on the usage of its military base in Tajikistan. The agreement is valid for 30 years and will last upto 2042. They will then have the option of extending it. 5

    In one of the largest military orders in post Soviet Russia, the defence ministry has signed an agreement to purchase 39 Ilyushin -476 transport jets in a deal worth 140 billion roubles. Ilyushin-476 is practically the first entirely new jet designed by Russian aircraft makers over the past 21 years. 6

    In other developments, reports noted that South Ossetia’s foreign minister, David Sanakoyev, will pay an official visit to Russia on October 8-9. They are expected to exchange opinions on urgent issues on the bilateral agenda, first of all in the context of preparation for the upcoming official visit to Russia by South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov. 7

    Minister of Communications and Mass Media Nikolai Nikiforov has said that Facebook’s research and development centre may be established in the country. As part of the interaction between Prime Minister Medvedev and Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerburg, there was also a discussion on opening a start up in Skolkovo. 8

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