Russia 100414 Basic Political Developments

Finnish Government: Finnish-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation meets in Helsinki led by Ministers Väyrynen and Nabiullina

http://www.valtioneuvosto.fi/ajankohtaista/tiedotteet/tiedote/en.jsp.print?oid=292490

The eleventh joint meeting of the Finnish-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation takes place in Helsinki on 14 April. The agenda of the meeting, chaired by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen and Minister of Economic Development and Trade Elvira Nabiullina of Russia, includes the effects of the financial crisis and topical bilateral questions such as innovation cooperation and forest-sector investment prospects.

The Finnish-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation held its previous joint meeting in Moscow in March 2009. More than 20 sector-specific and region-specific working groups operate within the Commission; these working groups, for instance, develop joint projects and strive to resolve bilateral trade related problems. In conjunction with the meeting of the Commission, a business seminar will be held where the ministers will meet representatives of Finnish and Russian companies. The seminar topics focus on innovations and entrepreneurship in small and medium-sized businesses.

Minister Väyrynen and Minister Nabiullina will also have bilateral talks in connection with the joint meeting of the Finnish-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation.

Additional information: Päivi Nevala, Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, tel. [phone], mobile tel. [phone], and Counsellor Antti Vänskä, tel. [phone], mobile tel. [phone]

Brunei fm: Russia hoists flag at temporary embassy

http://news.brunei.fm/2010/04/14/russia-hoists-flag-at-temporary-embassy/

Azaraimy HH Apr 14th, 2010

BRUNEI and the Russian Federation have promising “perspectives of synergetic development” in politics and economy, investments and communications, science and technology, education and culture, arts and sports, the Russian ambassador said in a Russian national flag hoisting ceremony yesterday at its temporary embassy at Holiday Lodge Hotel, Jerudong.

Russian Ambassador Victor A Seleznev said Brunei and Russia have been enjoying friendly relations for many years. “Now we see a quality development of this relationship”.

Brunei Darussalam has already established its embassy in Moscow. Russia recently opened its direct representation in Bandar Seri Begawan, It officially started functioning since March 3 when His Majesty the Sultan received the letter of credentials from the ambassador of the Russian Federation.

The Russian ambassador said, “We have been granted a great honour and we bear a great responsibility to give a start to the functioning of the Russian diplomatic mission in this beautiful, friendly and prosperous country.

“… I am confident that due to our common efforts and with the help and assistance of our Bruneian friends we will do atmost so that the existing traditions of interactions between our countries will be prompted by more developed cooperation based on the principles of equality and mutual benefits.”

RUVR: S.Ossetia, Nicaragua seal diplomatic ties

http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/04/14/6393862.html

Apr 14, 2010 09:31 Moscow Time

The foreign ministers of South Ossetia and Nicaragua will meet in the Ossetian capital Tskhinval on Wednesday to sign a declaration on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The same day, the Nicaraguan minister Samuel Santos Lopez will hold talks with President Eduard Kokoyty and address the local parliament. Other countries that have recognized South Ossetia and another newly-independent Caucasian state - Abkhazia – are Russia, Venezuela and Nauru.

RIA: Medvedev signs national anti-corruption program for 2010-11

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100414/158571349.html
09:1914/04/2010

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed an order on a national anti-corruption program for 2010-11, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

The statement said the national anti-corruption strategy and the national anti-corruption plan were designed at eliminating corruption in society and at a federal level, respectively.

MOSCOW, April 14 (RIA Novosti)

RIA: Marine infantry land on Pyotr Veliky

http://en.rian.ru/video/20100414/158573629.html
11:3114/04/2010

A marine infantry unit on permanent standby aboard the heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky has started regular drills. The weather in the Mediterranean is favorable. The men practice rappelling down a wall, hand-to-hand combat and, of course, one of their main missions – landing on a ship from a helicopter.

According to the exercise scenario, the Marines have successfully landed on a token enemy ship from a Ka-27 helicopter, and spread out to take up their positions on the stern of the ship – each to defend his sector. The main mission of marine infantry is to land on a ship as quickly as possible and to hold their positions until the main group arrives to clear the vessel of likely terrorists or pirates.
To fulfill this objective, a helicopter hovers above the deck. Men slide down a rope and take up positions to wait until the main forces arrive. The helicopter can also pick up the men without landing on the ship. It can easily winch up two men at a time.

NTI: Russia to Place Early Warning Radar on Duty

http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20100413_8074.php
Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Russia last week indicated it could soon place into combat operations a new radar station to provide the country with early warning of incoming enemy missiles, Interfax reported (see GSN, Dec. 24, 2009).

The Voronezh radar at Lekhtusi "has already started to operate. We will put it on combat duty after the president issues an appropriate decree," Russian space forces commander Maj. Gen. Oleg Ostapenko said.

The facility "has already entered trial combat duty" and will be placed into service in accordance with a set time table, Ostapenko said.

"The construction of one more radar in Armavir is proceeding at a very rapid pace," he added (Interfax, April 9).