Russia and Belarus outline their bilateral foreign policy programmes for the next two years; South Stream pipeline to improve international energy security; Russia and Kazakhstan discuss trade cooperation; Russia welcomes the Iranian nuclear deal; Russia
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    • (NOVEMBER 18-24)

    According to reports, the foreign ministers of Russia and Belarus have outlined a program of coordinated foreign policy for the next two years which aims to advance and protect their interests on the international arena. 1

    In the backdrop of beginning of construction of South Stream pipeline in the territory of Serbia, President Putin has said that the project will contribute towards developing international energy security. 2

    Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Serik Akhmetov during which bilateral trade and economic cooperation was discussed. The meeting was held on the sidelines of Commonwealth of Independent States’ (CIS) Council of the heads of government congregation. 3

    The Head of Russia’s Federation Council’s international committee Mikhail Margelov has welcomed the Iranian nuclear breakthrough and said that the spirit and letter of the document are similar to Russia’s position, as Russia has always insisted on Iran’s right for peaceful use of the nuclear energy. 4

    According to reports, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov has met Cypriot Ambassador in Moscow George Kasoulides to discuss the Cypriot settlement. During the meeting Mr. Gatilov confirmed Russia’s commitment “to ensuring lasting peace and resolving the Cypriot issue by dialogue and creating a two-community and two-zone federation with indivisible sovereignty based on U.N. Security Council corresponding resolutions. 5

    Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that work on a convention that would establish the legal status of the Caspian Sea has been progressing satisfactory. Russia will host the fourth summit of the Caspian littoral states in Moscow in the second half of 2014. 6

    Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized the moves of non-Caspian states to establish their military presence in the Caspian region. 7

    Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov, after a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu, has said that all problems related to handing over of the Gabala station to Azerbaijan have been resolved. 8

    According to reports, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics has said that Latvia will cooperate with Russia on Afghanistan within the framework of Russia-NATO Council. 9

    President Vladimir Putin has chaired the first meeting of the Economic Council Presidium. The main issue of discussion was the national economic policy priority for the year2014-2015. The main objective of the Council is to coordinate activities to ensure sustainable socio-economic development of Russia. 10

    President Vladimir Putin has said that he does not rule out the possibility of establishment of a Eurasian Union parliament in the future. 11

    The Foreign Ministers of Russia and Brazil in their meeting, held in Moscow on November 20, have discussed prospects for bilateral contacts and interaction within the scope of international organizations. Bilateral trade stood at US$ 10 billion in 2012. 12

    Reports noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has paid a working visit to Moscow on November 20. Among the issues discussed were developments in Syria and Iran. 13

    President Vladimir Putin, after a meeting with Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has said that relations between Russia and Turkey have been developing successfully. The two leaders met in St. Petersburg as part of the Fourth Meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council. Five documents were signed. 14

    Dnepr rocket, a converted ICBM, has placed 23 small foreign-commissioned spacecraft in near Earth orbit on November 21. The satellites were from UAE, South Korea, Italy, USA and Canada. Dnepr is a Russian-Ukrainian carrier rocket and the programme envisages the conversion of more than 150 ICBM’s into carrier rockets. 15

    According to reports, Russia and France have been discussing avenues of cooperation in developing improved combat gear (referred to as the New Generation) for the armed forces. The program may be launched by mid-2014. 16

    Russia has supplied new four Mi-171E transport helicopters to China. Under the current contract, Russia will supply 52 Mi-171E helicopters out of which 32 have been delivered with the rest expected to be delivered by 2014. 17

    Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Russia will invite the Syrian opposition for talks in Moscow in order to gather a united delegation to be sent to Geneva 2. 18

    Russia’s Foreign Ministry has urged Libya to take measures to restore law and order in the country. 19

    According to reports, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Russia will actively support Armenia’s efforts to join the Customs Union. Mutual trade between Russia and Armenia stood at US$ 1.2 billion in 2013. 20

    Russia’s Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov has said that Moscow welcomes Ukraine’s decision to improve trade and economic collaboration with it. He made this statement in the backdrop of Ukraine’s decision to suspend talks on signing an association agreement with the European Union. 21

    The director general of Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaikin has said that Moscow and New Delhi are negotiating the construction of more frigates for the Indian Navy. He did not rule out the joint production of the ships. 22

    In other developments, according to reports, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Russia supports the priority issues of the 6th BRICS summit due to take place in Brasilia in 2014. These include inclusive development, sustainable growth, reform of global monetary and financial system and strengthening of information security. 23

    Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sergey Donskoy has said that the use of subsurface resources in 2013 has generated four times more budget revenues than expected. The contribution of this sector has been US$ 160 billion rubles. 24

    Russia has a reserve of 83.7 trillion cubic meters of unconventional gas, including shale gas. Meanwhile, explored reserves of natural gas in Russia stood at 67.7 trillion cubic meters. 25

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