Russia expects Syrian opposition to support Geneva communiqué; Russia to export more weapons in 2012 than it did in the previous year; President Putin will discuss the gas issue with his Ukrainian counterpart during the latter’s state visit to Moscow;
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  • According to reports, Russia expects the Syrian opposition to reaffirm its commitment to the Geneva communiqué which calls for a peaceful settlement in the country, after the upcoming meeting in Doha on October 17.1

    President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia to export more weapons in 2012 than it did in the previous year.2

    Reports noted that Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, who is scheduled to official visit Russia on October 22, will discuss with President Putin prospects for bilateral cooperation in areas of energy, trade, transport and space sectors. The two Presidents have also planned to discuss humanitarian projects and topical issues on regional and international agenda.3

    Russia has written off debts to the tune of US$ 20 billion to many African countries. This is in addition to many international programmes of which are designed to help the countries of the region.4

    First Vice-premier Igor Shuvalov has said that the Russian government has been studying the possibility of privatization of Rosneft in 2013-2014 under favourable market conditions.5

    Reports noted that Russia has successfully test launched the Topol intercontinental ballistic missile from its northern cosmodrome in Plesetsk. The aim of the launch was to confirm stability of the main technical parameters of the missile within its design service life extended to 24 years and assess a possibility for further lengthening of its service life to 25 years.6

    In other developments, reports noted that BP’s board has approved a 27-billion-dollar deal with the Russian State oil company Rosneft to sell its stake in TNK-BP. Rosneft had offered US$ 15-20 billion in cash for BP’s 50 percent share in TNK-BP, plus a 10-20 percent stake in Rosneft. This should allow BP to get a seat on Rosneft’s Board of Directors. The purchase of the BP stake by Rosneft will make it the biggest publicly listed oil company in the world if it also buys the other 50 percent of TNK-BP from a consortium of local oligarchs known as AAR for a reported 28 billion U.S. dollars.7

    According to reports, the U.S. has said that "serious military equipment" was found on board a passenger plane forced down by Turkish fighter jets during a flight between Moscow and Damascus last week and that it has spoken to Russia about it.8

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