Medvedev says poor rule of law holds Russia back

Fri May 20, 2011

* Medvedev calls for rule of law, property rights
* Says corruption holding back Russian economy

By Alexei Anishchuk

ST PETERSBURG, Russia, May 20 (Reuters) - Corruption and the lack of a consistent rule of law hinder Russia's development, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday, as he sought to present himself as a reformer ahead of a 2012 election.

Russia, the world's largest energy producer, says it needs trillions of dollars in investment to reduce reliance on oil, gas and metals exports and to bolster economic growth rates which are forecast far below those in China and India.

Medvedev, who has pitched himself as an alternative to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ahead of the March 2012 presidential election, called on senior officials and judges to ensure property rights were protected and the law implemented.

"Even the best laws will not work, will remain simple declarations, if judicial institutions don't work, or if the institutional procedures are too flabby or excessive," Medvedev told a legal forum in his hometown of St Petersburg.

"Shortcomings in implementing laws, a lack of respect for courts and corruption are not just the perceptions of society but they are basically macro-economic factors which restrain the growth of national prosperity," he said.

With oil prices hovering at $100 a barrel, Russia forecasts that its economy will grow 4.5 percent annually over the next four years to about $2.3 trillion in 2015, half the growth rates forecast for China's $5.9 trillion economy.

Western executives agree that a lack of respect for the rule of law holds back Russia's economy, but many say privately that Medvedev has done little to improve the situation since Putin steered him into the Kremlin in 2008.

Investors say they run the risk of extortion when seeking a slice of the vast profits on offer in Russia and anti-bribery groups say corruption has increased under Medvedev.

Transparency International rated Russia joint 154th out of 178 nations in its corruption perceptions index last year, along with Cambodia, Kenya and Laos. It was Russia's lowest ranking since the index began in 1995. In 2009 it was 146th.

Russia was perceived to be more corrupt than any other member of the G8, G20 or even peers such as India, China and Brazil, which were ranked at 87th, 78th and 69th, Transparency said.

"Corruption is a challenge. It exists in every country. In countries that are swiftly developing, like Russia, it is very significant, it is huge," Medvedev said. "The trillions of dollars we pay for such development is an unacceptable price."

Medvedev said he had made progress in creating what he called a "lawful state" but admitted there was still a vast amount of work to be done to help businesses.

"Honest entrepreneurs must be confident in property rights, in the rights to what they have purchased in any deals," Medvedev said. (Writing by Guy Faulconbridge, editing by Michel Rose)

Source: Reuters.
Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/20/russia-medvedev-idUSLDE74J0SM20110520.

EXTRA: Russian president arrives in Jordan after West Bank visit

Tue, 18 Jan 2011

Amman - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Amman Tuesday evening to begin a two-day visit to Jordan.

He came from Ramallah on the West Bank, where he held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

King Abdullah II and Medvedev are due to hold talks on Wednesday which are expected to focus on efforts under way to break the deadlock surrounding the direct talks between the Palestinians and Israel, officials said.

According to observers, the latest developments in Lebanon and Tunisia are also expected to figure prominently in the discussions between the two leaders.

The two countries are also to discuss the possibility of Russian firms exploring for oil in Jordan as well as bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy, media reports said.

Medvedev is accompanied by a delegation that includes Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/362983,jordan-west-bank-visit.html.

Medvedev begins 'historic' West Bank visit

Tue, 18 Jan 2011

Ramallah - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev starts Tuesday what Palestinians have described as a "historic" visit to the Palestinian territory.

Medvedev, on his first official visit to the area, will arrive in West Bank city of Jericho from Jordan in the early afternoon. He had been slated to arrive in Israel first, but canceled his visit following a strike by Israeli foreign ministry employees.

The president is scheduled to hold official talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jericho and sign cooperation agreements before returning to Jordan in the evening in the second leg of his visit to the region.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat described Medvedev's visit as "historic and very important."

He told the official Voice of Palestine radio that the visit has "a message of support for the wise policies of President Mahmoud Abbas regarding the peace process and the building of state institutions."

Russia, he said, has supported efforts to build state institutions, particularly its role in training security forces.

Erekat also said Russia supported Palestinian efforts to get a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement policy in the West Bank.

The resolution is expected to be submitted to the Security Council on Wednesday for discussion but voting is not expected to take place for few more days.

Erekat said the United States has informed the Palestinians that it was opposed to this resolution expressing but he expressed the hope Washington will not veto it when it comes up for voting.

Russia was one of the first countries to have recognized a Palestinian state within the June 1967 borders when it was first declared in 1988 and has allowed the Palestinians to open a full fledged embassy in Moscow.

Medvedev is expected to inaugurate the Russian Museum, recently built in Jericho on land owned by the Russian church, as part of the city's 10,000 years celebration. He will also witness signature of three bilateral cooperation agreements in agriculture, information and sports.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/362837,historic-west-bank-visit.html.

Israeli walkout cancels Medvedev visit

Mon Jan 3, 2011

A walkout staged by Israeli foreign ministry workers has forced Tel Aviv to cancel an official planned visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The visit, which had been scheduled for mid-January, was postponed because Israeli workers, who are demanding improved salary conditions, are on strike, Ha'aretz reported on Monday.

Employees of the ministry said on Sunday that they would ruin the visit by not participating in preparations.

The Russian president was expected to be accompanied by a delegation of 500 members, including 300 businessmen, ministers and senior officials.

The cancellation comes after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Israel last week to stop constructing illegal settler units in the occupied Palestinian territories.

"It is absolutely necessary to halt all unilateral actions that might influence the outcome of the talks, above all, the settlement activity Israel has been pursuing in breach of the UN Security Council resolutions," he said.

The ongoing Israeli settlement construction stalled the direct talks between Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu and acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas.

The two sides began US-sponsored talks in early September, but the expiry of partial settlement freeze in late September put an end to the process.

Abbas has stressed that he would not return to the talks unless Israel stops its illegal construction activities.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/158461.html.

Medvedev orders review after snow chaos at Moscow airports - Summary

Tue, 28 Dec 2010

Moscow- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has asked the country's top prosecutor, Yuri Chaika, to review operations at Moscow's international airports, the Kremlin announced Tuesday, following days of weather-related chaos and delays.

Freezing rain storms that hit Central Russia over the weekend wreaked havoc with flight schedules, with 20,000 passengers ultimately affected, according to reports.

Thousands of stranded passengers continued to wait for their flights Tuesday at the largest of Moscow's airports, Domodedovo, and the smaller Sheremetyevo airport.

Experts from the prosecutor's office will be dispatched to both facilities. A spokesman said passenger rights need to be protected.

Moscow's new mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, has also promised help.

Airlines have blamed the airport operator for the chaos. British Airways complained that a flight to London has been delayed since Monday because ground personnel has been unable to organize its passengers and their luggage.

A Sheremetyevo spokesman, meanwhile, criticized the communication policies of Russia's largest airline, Aeroflot, which has its base at the airport.

"The passengers don't know where they are supposed to go," he said.

Numerous travelers have also complained that they did not receive any food or drinks.

At Sheremetyevo, angry passengers reportedly attacked Aeroflot employees.

"Several officials were beaten as they negotiated with the passengers," one Aeroflot worker told the Ria Novosti news agency, saying that the employees don't dare go outside now since their safety can't be guaranteed.

The Sheremetyevo spokesman denied reports about the clashes, but admitted that "police units were boosted."

At Domodedovo, meanwhile, waiting passengers were left without power Sunday when a major cable connecting the electric power stations snapped. Traffic on its access roads also backed up for 20 kilometers in some places.

Several flights were re-routed to Moscow's third airport, Vnukovo.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/359944,moscow-airports-summary.html.

EXTRA: Obama, Medvedev pledge close ties after 'historic' deal

Thu, 23 Dec 2010

Washington - US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday pledged to continue their close cooperation as the two countries were set to implement an "historic" nuclear arms reduction treaty.

In a morning telephone call, Medevedev congratulated Obama on the Senate's ratification Wednesday of the New START Treaty, the White House said in a statement. The Russian Duma could ratify the accord after January 10.

"The two leaders agreed that this was an historic event for both countries and for US-Russia relations," the White House said. The two leaders also "pledged to continue their close partnership" in 2011.

New START was signed by Obama and Medvedev in April and binds the two sides to cut their numbers of active warheads to 1,550 within seven years, or by about 30 per cent from the 1991 treaty that expired in December 2009.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/359520,close-ties-historic-deal.html.

Clinton, Medvedev disagree on OSCE role in Georgia

Wed, 01 Dec 2010

Astana, Kazakhstan - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton put herself on a collision course with Russia Wednesday by calling for re-establishment of a mission in Georgia by the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Clinton, speaking at the OSCE summit in the Kazakh capital Astana, implicitly criticized Moscow, which in 2009 vetoed the continuation of the OSCE's Georgia mission after the 2008 war with Georgia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

"It is regrettable that a participating state (Georgia) proposed to host a mission, and the OSCE has not been has not been allowed to respond," Clinton said. We here at this table must let this organization do its job and restore a meaningful OSCE presence in Georgia."

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in earlier remarks, blamed Georgia for the conflict with South Ossetia, accusing it of improper use of force.

This is "absolutely unacceptable." he said. "Today we must not deviate from OSCE principles."

Clinton said she hoped a ceasefire pledge by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili would create the ground for negotiations on the conflict.

Like Clinton, Medvedev called for updating the OSCE's mission to meet new security needs. He also urged removal of visa requirements between Russia and Europe and creation of a new security pact for Europe.

Among Washington's goals for the summit are a renewal of formal negotiations on the conflict in Moldova's Transdniestria region and an updating of OSCE principles on confidence- and security-building measures, Clinton said.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/356012,disagree-osce-role-georgia.html.

Medvedev to address Parliament in Moscow

MOSCOW, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- President Dmitry Medvedev will deliver his third annual address on the state of Russia Tuesday, the government said Friday.

Under the constitution, the president annually addresses the Federal Assembly, comprising the Federation Council and the State Duma, in the Kremlin.

Members of the government and State Council, judges of the Supreme, Constitutional and Higher Arbitration Courts, chairmen of the Audit Chamber and Central Election Commission and religious leaders will attend, RIA Novosti reported.

Medvedev's address to the Parliament last year was his longest ever at 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2010/11/26/Medvedev-to-address-Parliament-in-Moscow/UPI-25621290776615/.

Ahmadinejad to meet Medvedev in Baku

Wed Nov 17, 2010

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is to hold talks with his Russian counterpart on the sidelines of the Caspian Sea summit.

Dmitry Medvedev will meet on Thursday with Ahmadinejad to discuss Iran's nuclear program, Russia's top presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko said on Wednesday.

The US and its allies accuse Iran of pursuing a military nuclear program, and used their influence in the UN Security Council (UNSC) to impose fourth round of sanctions against the country over its nuclear program in June.

Russia, Iran's longtime trade partner, had traditionally opposed the adoption of the UNSC resolution against Tehran, but joined world powers in approving the sanctions against the country.

Tehran rejects Western accusations of pursuing a military nuclear program, arguing that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty the country has the right to peaceful nuclear energy.

Ahmadinejad and Medvedev will meet on the sidelines of a summit of Caspian Sea littoral nations in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted Prikhodko as saying.

The Iranian chief executive arrived in the Azeri capital of Baku on Wednesday to attend the third meeting of the leaders of Caspian littoral states in order to negotiate the legal regime of the sea and to discuss relations with Azeri officials.

The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea.

The maritime and seabed boundaries of the Caspian Sea have yet to be demarcated among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan -- the five countries bordering the sea.

Despite extensive negotiations, the legal status of the Caspian Sea has been unclear since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Caspian Sea legal regime is based on two agreements signed between Iran and the Soviet Union in 1921 and 1940.

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan -- the three new littoral states, established after the collapse of Soviet Russia -- do not recognize the prior treaties, triggering a debate on the future status of the sea.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://presstv.ir/detail/151402.html.

Russian President Medvedev prepares for first official visit to Syria

The Middle East settlement, Iran's nuclear program and bilateral arms trade will top the agenda of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's first visit to Syria on May 10-11.

Russia and Syria resumed high-level dialogue, which had stalled since the collapse of the Soviet Union, in 2005, during a visit of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Moscow. During the past five years, the Syrian leader has visited Russia three times. His latest visit took place in August 2008, when he met Medvedev in the Black Sea city of Sochi.

The Middle East peace process is expected to be a key topic of discussion during Medvedev's visit, as Syria is a key player in the region and froze settlement talks with Israel following the January 2009 Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Since Iran is Syria's strategic partner in the Middle East and Russia is a member of the Iran Six international mediators group, the issue of the controversial Iranian nuclear program will also be a focus of the talks.

As well as issues of international significance, Medvedev and Al-Assad are expected to discuss a range of bilateral issues, including arms trade and economic cooperation.

In the winter of 2005, Russia canceled 70% of Syria's debt, which at the time stood at $13.4 billion.

Later in 2005, Russia resumed military cooperation with Syria, delivering Strelets surface-to-air missile systems to the country.

Over 40,000 graduates of Soviet and Russian universities live and work in Syria and cultural relations may also be a subject of discussion.

In March this year, Moscow and Damascus signed a cultural cooperation program for 2010-2012. The program, which is meant to improve cultural exchanges, good relations and understanding between the two countries, includes a Russian Culture festival in Syria in 2011 and a Syrian Culture festival in Russia in 2012.

DAMASCUS, May 6 (RIA Novosti)

Source: RIA Novosti.
Link: http://en.rian.ru/world/20100506/158902225.html.

Medvedev: Russia prepared to consider joining missile shield

Copenhagen - Russia is prepared to consider to take part in an international missile defense shield, President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with Danish television ahead of a state visit Tuesday to the Scandinavian country.

"If it is a serious proposal, we can," Medvedev said in the interview aired Monday evening on Danish public broadcaster DR. The Russian leader is expected in Denmark later Tuesday after a two-day state visit to Norway.

"We have long advocated that a system of global security or missile defense should protect not only one country or group of countries, but rather be in the interests of all responsible members of the international community," he added.

Last week, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen suggested that the defense alliance and Russia should cooperate on creating a missile defense shield that would cover Europe and Russia.

Medvedev said that a missile defense shield could disturb "the existing balance between the major nuclear powers, especially between Russia and the United States."

"But if this system has a global dimension, if it is designed to mitigate threats from countries ... who violate international law in some way, who are independently developing, for example, nuclear weapons programs, or otherwise not complying with principles required for amicable international interaction, those which are currently accepted worldwide, then in this case, of course such a system of protection could be established," he said.

Rasmussen told DR that Medvedev's remarks "could open a new era in the defense cooperation between NATO, the US Russia."

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/320746,medvedev-russia-prepared-to-consider-joining-missile-shield.html.

Medvedev in Argentina for historic visit

Buenos Aires - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Buenos Aires Wednesday for the first visit to Argentina by a Russian head of state.

Medvedev was to meet with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner later Wednesday, to sign deals towards "a leap forward in Argentine relations," said Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana.

Fernandez de Kirchner visited Moscow in December 2008. At the time, she signed a strategic association agreement with Russia that was set to be expanded Wednesday.

Medvedev was accompanied by a large delegation including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the president of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency (ROSATOM), Sergey Kirienko, and a group of business leaders.

Later Wednesday, Medvedev was to take part in a Russian- Argentine business seminar in Buenos Aires.

This is the first visit to Argentina by a Russian president in 125 years of bilateral relations.

Bilateral trade showed a surplus of 705 million dollars in Argentina's favor last year.

Buenos Aires is courting Russian investment, particularly for the fields of infrastructure and transport, and it also backs Russia's request to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Medvedev is set to leave Argentina Thursday for Brazil, where he is to take part in the summit of the BRIC group (Brazil, Russia, India and China) Friday.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/318760,medvedev-in-argentina-for-historic-visit.html.

Medvedev sends condolences to Poles over Kaczynski death - Summary

Moscow - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made a televised address on Saturday to express his condolences at the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski in a plane crash.

"In the name of the Russian people I send the Polish people my deep and sincere sympathy and promise to help the bereaved and relatives of the victims," a visibly moved Medvedev said on national television.

He said the tragedy had shocked everyone in Russia.

The president promised to work with Polish authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into crash, which occurred in heavy fog near the western Russian city of Smolensk.

Kaczynski and his delegation were on their way to attend a ceremony at the Russian village of Katyn to mark the 70th anniversary of the Soviet massacre of 22,000 Polish officers during World War II.

The Russian leader said his country would go into a state of mourning on Monday as a sign of respect to the late president.

The speech was expected to receive close attention in Warsaw, which has had tense relations with Moscow, although ties had improved recently.

Latest reports said all 97 on board the Russian-built Tupolev TU- 154, including Kaczynski's wife, Maria, the head of the Polish central bank, and much of Poland's military leadership, died in the crash.

Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shogyu said the bodies of the victims would first be taken to Moscow, where relatives of the victims were due to arrive on Sunday.

Earlier, Russian media had spoken of a possible pilot error.

The vice commander of the Russian air force, Sergei Razygrayev, told Itar-Tass news agency the pilot had made four attempts to land in bad visibility and had refused an offer to divert to another airport in Minsk in Belarus.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/318011,medvedev-sends-condolences-to-poles-over-kaczynski-death--summary.html.

Obama, Medvedev sign nuclear arms treaty

US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev have signed a new treaty aimed at reducing the two countries' nuclear arsenals.

The treaty, signed in the Czech Republic's capital, Prague, is a successor to the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, also known as START, which expired in December.

The new agreement requires Washington and Moscow to reduce their nuclear arsenals by about one-third.

It will also limit the number of deployed launchers, ballistic missiles and heavy bombers.

Medvedev called the deal a key document that will shape global disarmament efforts.

The treaty must be approved by the Russian Duma and the US Senate to take effect

Obama and Medvedev are also scheduled to discuss the US missile system in Europe, among other regional and international issues.

The US and Russia currently have a combined total of over 20,000 atomic warheads. The nuclear arms are roughly equally divided between the two countries.

The new pact has a direct link between offensive nuclear weapons and US planned missile defense system in Europe.

Russia has warned that Moscow could opt out if it feels threatened by the US missile plans.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=122790§ionid=351020602.

Medvedev arrives in Slovakia to mark Bratislava liberation

Bratislava - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Bratislava on Tuesday for a two-day visit marking the 65th anniversary of the Slovak capital's liberation by the Soviet Red Army at the end of World War II.

Medvedev is visiting Slovakia before heading to Prague to sign a new arms control treaty with his US counterpart Barack Obama on Thursday.

In Bratislava, the Russian president is to meet his Slovak counterpart Ivan Gasparovic, Prime Minister Robert Fico and parliament speaker Pavol Paska.

On Wednesday, the presidents are to decorate Russian and Slovak wartime veterans, honor fallen Soviet troops and attend a signing of bilateral agreements. Medvedev and Slovak leaders are to discuss security, energy and trade.

Slovakia relies on Russian energy imports and its industries were hit hard by the Russian-Ukrainian gas crisis in early 2009.

Nevertheless, Slovakia, a NATO and EU member since 2004, maintains cordial relations with Russia, unlike some other ex-Soviet satellites.

Fico has for example slammed a Bush-era US plan to base missile defense bases in the neighboring Czech Republic and Poland, a project fiercely opposed by Russia.

Obama dropped the Bush-era project last year, but his overhauled missile shield plans, under which Romania could host a base, remain a sore point in US-Russian ties.

Medvedev is planned to depart Bratislava for Prague on Wednesday evening after attending a concert by the Alexandrov ensemble, Russia's legendary army choir. The Red Army liberated Bratislava on April 4, 1945.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/317375,medvedev-arrives-in-slovakia-to-mark-bratislava-liberation.html.

Obama calls Medvedev to express condolences - Summary

Mon, 29 Mar 2010

Washington - US President Barack Obama telephoned Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday to offer condolences following the suicide attacks on Moscow's metro system that left at least 38 people dead.

Obama pledged US cooperation in assisting the Russian government track down those responsible for the attacks and bring them to justice, the White House said.

Authorities believe two female suicide bombers carried out separate morning attacks on the metro system in what was the worst terrorist attack on the Russian capital in six years. At least 35 others are believed to have been injured.

Obama had earlier issued a statement condemning the attacks and expressed solidarity with the Russian people.

"The American people stand united with the people of Russia in opposition to violent extremism and heinous terrorist attacks that demonstrate such disregard for human life, and we condemn these outrageous acts," Obama said in a statement released by the White House.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost loved ones, and I wish all who sustained injuries a successful recovery," he said.

Meanwhile, US authorities were stepping up security in the subway stations in Washington and New York. Metro authorities in Washington announced there would be security sweeps throughout the day.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/316343,obama-calls-medvedev-to-express-condolences--summary.html.

Russian president set for first meeting with Pope Benedict

Moscow - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is to meet Pope Benedict XVI for the first time next week while on his political visit to Italy, the Kremlin disclosed Thursday. The presidential office said Medvedev would meet the pope in the Vatican on December 3, Interfax reported. There were no details give about their possible topics of discussion.

Former president Vladimir Putin met Benedict in the Vatican in March 2007.

Relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church have been tense for some time. Moscow as a result has yet to permit a pope to visit Russia, arguing among other reasons that it was feared the pontiff could try to lure faithful away from the Russian church.