Russia, Britain to cement ties
Russia and Britain will cement bilateral ties despite the existing differences.
Sep 17, 2011
Russia and Britain will cement bilateral ties despite the existing differences. A statement to this effect was made by British Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to Moscow this week. Experts indicate a noticeable thaw in Russian-British relations. The Voice of Russia’s Sergei Anisimov reports.
David Cameron’s visit to Russia this week was the first by a British leader in the past six years. Relations between Moscow and London soured over the polonium-210 murder of FSB agent Alexander Litvinenko who died in London in 2006. The UK authorities blame special services agent Andrei Lugovoi for the Litvinenko murder and demanded his extradition to London, where the crime took place. Russia refused and bilateral relations ran into a deadlock. Under the Russian Constitution, Russia cannot extradite Lugovoi. President Medvedev said during the meeting that the two countries should respect each other’s laws.
"According to Article 61 of the Russian Constitution, a Russian citizen cannot be extradited to a foreign country for trial. Moscow questions a number of British decisions too but it keeps silent on it. The two countries should respect each other’s laws."
Shortly before his visit, David Cameron was urged by his supporters and opponents not to succumb to Russia’s demands and stick to his positions no matter what attractive offers he received. Mr.Cameron demonstrated independent thinking. He said that Britain had no intention of giving up on his previous requirements but underscored that this should stand in the way of extensive bilateral cooperation between Russia and Britain.
"Britain needs Russia both politically and economically. As the British economy continues to deteriorate, the government has to find new markets and investments, or face crisis. Cooperation with Russia could help a lot," Yelena Ananyeva of the Center for Britain at the Russian Academy of Sciences, says.
"Britain’s top foreign policy priority is state debt, which is close to 70% of the GDP, and 12% budget deficit. According to official reports, Britain will strengthen bilateral ties with developing markets, which include India, Russia, Brazil and China. This is particularly important given that British exports to Ireland exceed its overall exports to Russia, China and India."
David Cameron arrived in Russia with a delegation of 24 business officials and the two sides signed $340mln of deals. As he met with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the British prime minister spoke of the failed Arctic deal with British Petroleum and expressed hope that projects of this kind would go ahead in the future. Yelena Ananyeva has this to say.
"Apart from positive changes in economic cooperation, Russia and Britain are developing cultural ties. The two countries are easing visa procedures for students, teachers and scientists and have signed a memorandum to carry out joint research and innovation projects. Russia is upgrading its Skolkovo innovation center and Britain is busy creating a technopark in east London."
Some areas, however, are beyond bilateral cooperation at the moment. For example, cooperation between Russian and British special services, so necessary amid overall efforts against international terrorism, is out of the question in the light of the Litvinenko case. British special services are still refusing to start dialogue over the case. Experts opinion on Mr.Cameron’s visit varies. Some say that he accomplished a lot during a one-day visit. Some say that the visit marked a good beginning and might even lead to good contacts and remove the differences.
Original URL: http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/09/17/56313240.html
David Cameron’s visit to Russia this week was the first by a British leader in the past six years. Relations between Moscow and London soured over the polonium-210 murder of FSB agent Alexander Litvinenko who died in London in 2006. The UK authorities blame special services agent Andrei Lugovoi for the Litvinenko murder and demanded his extradition to London, where the crime took place. Russia refused and bilateral relations ran into a deadlock. Under the Russian Constitution, Russia cannot extradite Lugovoi. President Medvedev said during the meeting that the two countries should respect each other’s laws.
"According to Article 61 of the Russian Constitution, a Russian citizen cannot be extradited to a foreign country for trial. Moscow questions a number of British decisions too but it keeps silent on it. The two countries should respect each other’s laws."
Shortly before his visit, David Cameron was urged by his supporters and opponents not to succumb to Russia’s demands and stick to his positions no matter what attractive offers he received. Mr.Cameron demonstrated independent thinking. He said that Britain had no intention of giving up on his previous requirements but underscored that this should stand in the way of extensive bilateral cooperation between Russia and Britain.
"Britain needs Russia both politically and economically. As the British economy continues to deteriorate, the government has to find new markets and investments, or face crisis. Cooperation with Russia could help a lot," Yelena Ananyeva of the Center for Britain at the Russian Academy of Sciences, says.
"Britain’s top foreign policy priority is state debt, which is close to 70% of the GDP, and 12% budget deficit. According to official reports, Britain will strengthen bilateral ties with developing markets, which include India, Russia, Brazil and China. This is particularly important given that British exports to Ireland exceed its overall exports to Russia, China and India."
David Cameron arrived in Russia with a delegation of 24 business officials and the two sides signed $340mln of deals. As he met with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the British prime minister spoke of the failed Arctic deal with British Petroleum and expressed hope that projects of this kind would go ahead in the future. Yelena Ananyeva has this to say.
"Apart from positive changes in economic cooperation, Russia and Britain are developing cultural ties. The two countries are easing visa procedures for students, teachers and scientists and have signed a memorandum to carry out joint research and innovation projects. Russia is upgrading its Skolkovo innovation center and Britain is busy creating a technopark in east London."
Some areas, however, are beyond bilateral cooperation at the moment. For example, cooperation between Russian and British special services, so necessary amid overall efforts against international terrorism, is out of the question in the light of the Litvinenko case. British special services are still refusing to start dialogue over the case. Experts opinion on Mr.Cameron’s visit varies. Some say that he accomplished a lot during a one-day visit. Some say that the visit marked a good beginning and might even lead to good contacts and remove the differences.
Original URL: http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/09/17/56313240.html