A Russian-South Ossetian border treaty was signed last week in Moscow by the foreign ministers of the two countries Sergei Lavrov and David Sanakoev. The Russian Foreign Minister called the agreement an important step towards formalization of relations, which would help to dispel speculation about the relations between the states. Lavrov stressed that Russia's relations with South Ossetia and Abkhazia would be developed on an equal and mutually respectful basis. David Sanakoev agreed that the border treaty should put an end to talks of Moscow’s intention to annex the territory of South Ossetia, because it says that the boundary between the two sovereign states is determined. Before his departure to Moscow, the Foreign Minister of South Ossetia, in response to questions from the newspaper South Ossetia, said that during the preparation of the contract meticulous preparations were carried out, each item was discussed in detail. This agreement is a further development of the legal framework between Russia and South Ossetia. Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alone, more than 80 agreements were signed, memorandums, and various interdepartmental documents that regulate the work and the interaction between the structures.
According to Sanakoev, today the Foreign Minister of South Ossetia is working closely with its Russian counterpart, they are consulting on matters of mutual relations and the situation evolving around the two countries. Concerning the Treaty of Alliance and Integration, he stressed that the paragraphs indicate the desire of South Ossetia for closer cooperation with Russia. Such an approach, in his opinion, is dictated by the time and situation. Integration processes that occur between the two countries will continue to go on a single vector, which was chosen by the people of South Ossetia - rapprochement with Russia, cooperation in all fields, from security to social issues.
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The newspaper Republic of Abkhazia informs about the briefing that RA President Raul Khajimba and presidential aide Vladislav Surkov gave in Sukhumi, on issues related to the Treaty of alliance and strategic partnership between the two countries.
"I want to disappoint those who say that Abkhazia will not get all the opportunities that are provided by the contract," said the president of Abkhazia. "Pensions and salaries will be raised.” He said that they discussed issues related to the investment program, the infrastructure of roads, water supply, underground utilities.
"We reaffirm the commitment of Russia - both old and new, associated with the signing of a new treaty," said Vladislav Surkov. He recalled that for the financing of programs for socio-economic development of Abkhazia 4 billion rubles were initially planned. After the signing of the Treaty, this amount was increased by another 5 billion. The Russian President, at the request of Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Khloponin, decided not to reduce the costs associated with support for Abkhazia. What is planned is 9.3 billion rubles and will be made available to the Abkhaz leadership.
Answering a question about the problems of crossing the Russian-Abkhaz border, Surkov suggested that it should be eliminated. "Between us there should be no borders, and this is also provided by our new contract," he said, adding that in the near future the issue of Russian citizenship for citizens of Abkhazia who have not managed to get it will be addressed.
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Turnover between Armenia and Ukraine in 2014 decreased from 223 million dollars to 210 million dollars. According to the Armenian weekly Business Express, this was announced at a press conference in Yerevan by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Armenia Ivan Kuchta. According to him, $13 million, taking into account global trends in the world trade downturn, is an insignificant figure, and both countries have every chance of saving the positive dynamics of economic relations of previous years, despite Armenia's accession to the EAEC and the signing of Ukraine's free trade agreement with the European Union. In this regard, he considers it necessary for Ukraine and Armenia to settle legal documents and bring them into line with the new conditions. He stressed the importance of the meeting planned this year of the intergovernmental commission on economic issues in order to maintain and increase mutual trade turnover.
The ambassador also noted that the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, where military operations are being held, are not included in the basic package of economic relations with Armenia. Metal production basically goes to Armenia from Krivoy Rog. The candy factory AVK, located in Donetsk, has temporarily suspended its supplies, but another plant of the company from Kharkov has increased its exports to Armenia. In general, the events in Ukraine are not strongly influencing the level of bilateral trade.
Speaking about the possible arrival of President of Ukraine Poroshenko to Yerevan on April 24, he said that an invitation from the President of Armenia was received, and it is now being considered. In addition, Poroshenko sent his message to a meeting recently held in Kyiv of the Armenian Diaspora, which numbers about 500 thousand people in Ukraine. The ambassador spoke about perpetuating the memory of the Armenians who died in the Maidan. He noted in particular that one of the avenues of the city of Dnepropetrovsk, formerly Kalinin Avenue, has been renamed Sergey Nigoyan Street.
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According to the Internet portal Business-Georgia, criticisms from the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs on the introduction of visa regulations in the country have recently been heard, which, as the publication notes, have negatively affected not only the income of individuals, but also influenced the macroeconomic indicators of Georgia.
Amendments to the law "On the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons" entered into force in Georgia from September 1st 2014. The length of stay in Georgia for foreigners has been reduced and is determined as 90 days during a 180-day period. In case the foreigner wants to stay in Georgia for more than 90 days, he must obtain a special visa to take emigration from diplomatic missions and consulates of Georgia’s embassies abroad.
Government officials recognize that the tightening of the visa regime was a mistake. In particular, the head of the National Tourism Administration, George Chogovadze, said that most of all the visa regulation affected countries such as Iran, Egypt, Iraq and China, from where a large number of tourists have been arriving.
According to him, in September-December 2014 the number of tourists visiting Georgia fell by 42 thousand people compared to the same period of 2013. This, he believes, a direct consequence of the tightening of visa regulations.
The ex-Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili spoke about the negative consequences imposed by the visa restrictions. She called this decision, along with the economic crisis in Russia and Ukraine, one of the reasons for the devaluation of the national currency.
A few days ago the portal Georgia Online reported that the government is working on softening the law on visa regulations. According to Deputy Economy Minister Dmitry Kumsiashvili, the law will have several changes, but special attention will be given to two of them. An annual visa can automatically be received by foreign citizens who own real estate worth no less than 35 thousand dollars, not counting agricultural land. According to him, this legislative initiative will attract an additional 100 million dollars. The second important change is the introduction of this category of countries, the availability of visas to which automatically entitles you to enter to the country without visas. According to him, at this stage, the list of these countries has not yet been determined. Tentatively, the list will be ready within a month.
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In the Ingush village settlement of Sagopshi, the construction of a meat and dairy complex, which as the newspaper Ingushetia reports, promises to be a flagship of the industry, is nearly complete. Construction of the complex was begun in 2011 as part of the republican target program "Development of the agro-industrial complex." By the beginning of 2015 on a territory of 14 hectares a large, super-modern livestock production facility has been already built. The livestock complex includes two barns, three calf houses, a milking unit, a hay store and warehouse for concentrated feed. It is designed for 800 head of cattle. All the buildings in the complex are assembled from metal and equipped with the latest German equipment. The total project cost is more than 700 million rubles.
The number of cattle will increase gradually, and by 2018 it is planned to bring 280 goats. It is assumed that the dairy and meat complex will produce no less than 4 thousand tons of milk per year and 200 tons of meat. The complex will produce year-round production, which was intended to be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture's leadership not only in the country, but also abroad.
