Category: Russian Federation

MIL-OSI Africa: Britain has neglected Africa and the Commonwealth for over a decade: 4 ways it can reset relations
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nicholas Westcott, Professor of Practice in Diplomacy, Dept of Politics and International Studies, SOAS, University of London

The United Kingdom is resetting its relations with Africa and other countries in the global south after more than a decade of neglect. At the United Nations in September, British prime minister Keir Starmer promised his government was

returning the UK to responsible global leadership.

This should include reconnecting with the countries of the global south which feel they have been neglected and among whom Britain’s voice is now at a discount.

The new Labour government’s recently launched reviews of Britain’s global impact and its international economic and development policies provide an opportunity to reevaluate and relaunch these relations. The opportunity must be seized for the sake of global stability.

The post-cold war order is fraying. America is increasingly reluctant to act as a global guarantor for a multilateral system governed by international rules and respecting human rights and freedoms. China, Russia and emerging middle powers such as Iran, Turkey and the Gulf States seem happier with a multipolar system based on the exercise of military and economic power. Meanwhile, the accelerating impact of climate change adds to the challenges to regional stability in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

I have followed these questions for nearly 50 years, as an academic and diplomat. Much has changed in those years, but recent British governments have been slow to adapt to these changes. To reconnect with countries in Africa and the global south, Britain needs a new attitude as well as new policies; and, paradoxically perhaps, the Commonwealth can play a constructive role in achieving this.

Britain’s problem

Distracted by its domestic political and economic difficulties since Brexit, recent British governments have neglected both Africa and the Commonwealth.
- Aid has been cut, and policy incoherence exacerbated by the merger between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development.
- An investment conference with Africa due earlier in 2024 was scrapped at short notice.
- Successive prime ministers gave little time to meeting African and other leaders from the global south. They had no answer to the questions being asked about Britain’s relationship with the south.
Yet Britain’s links to these countries remain strong. Not least through the growing diaspora communities in the UK that are now an integral part of Britain’s social and political fabric. With 5.5 million people of Asian heritage and 2.5 million of African or mixed heritage in the UK in 2021, these bonds need to be politically recognised.

Read more: How Commonwealth countries have forged a new way to appoint judges

Most of those Britons come from Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth as an organisation is no substitute for closer engagement with individual countries. But it provides a forum where connections can be made and a new, more equal relationship built.

Though British governments have neglected it, King Charles, the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, has not, as his visit to Kenya in 2023 showed. And other countries are still seeking to join, as Gabon and Togo did last year.

Commonwealth heads of government meeting

From 21-26 October Samoa will host the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (Chogm), which will choose a new secretary-general – this time from Africa. The summit brings together representatives from every continent: from G7 members to least developed countries, from the most populous country (India at 1.45 billion people) to the smallest (Tuvalu with under 10,000), from major greenhouse gas emitters to small islands at risk of disappearing beneath the sea.

Despite its imperial origins, the Commonwealth is an international network that cuts across the multi-polarity that risks dividing the world. It includes countries from the global south, the global north and the global east. The diversity makes it an ideal forum for honest conversations on difficult issues like climate change and multilateral institutional reform.

Unlike the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) in Beijing, the Commonwealth is an organisation run by its members. They share common values and interests as well as a common language. They come together to exchange ideas, not pledges of investment or aid. Its traditions of democracy and equality between members make it unique and valuable. It provides, for example, a ready-made network of global influence for any member state. For small island states, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific, it is one forum where their voices can be amplified.

This is important. With the community of nations struggling to address global challenges of the scale of climate change and pandemics, or to resolve regional conflicts, opportunities to build consensus are needed more than ever. The wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa are a portent of things to come if we fail to sustain a global structure that can resolve rather than exacerbate such conflicts. UN peacemaking efforts might then be crowned with success rather than with futility and frustration.

What Britain needs to do

Britain is only one among many voices, so it needs a persuasive narrative that will help preserve a world order that can tackle humanity’s challenges, rather than one that simply fights over what is left. The Commonwealth, like the UN, is a place where the UK can start building support for a more equal and more effective global system.

A new narrative, and a new relationship with Africa and the global south, should be based on four elements.

Firstly, repentance for sins past. Britain’s empire played a central role in making the modern world, for better and worse. While the better is often taken for granted, the sins of empire still rankle, and – like a stone in the shoe – will distract relations. Best therefore to acknowledge them, and move forward.

Secondly, the new relationship must be based on mutual respect and partnership. In particular, the age of traditional development programmes with their paternalistic tendencies is past. What countries in the global south are seeking, as many feel they do get from China, is a genuine partnership of equals that recognises the relationship as a whole and focuses on the political as well as economic sources of growth.

Thirdly, Britain needs to work with African and other southern governments to amplify their voice in multilateral institutions such as the UN and international financial institutions, so that those institutions genuinely protect their interests and those countries defend the institutions.

Finally, Britain needs to engage with the public as much as with governments in these countries. The BBC World Service, the British Council and Britain’s education sector are becoming more important in challenging disinformation as the battle of narratives hots up. Now is the time to reinforce them, not let them fade away.

A new narrative along these lines at Chogm, and incorporated into the government’s reviews, could be the start of a genuine reset in Britain’s relationship with the global south, to the benefit of all.

– Britain has neglected Africa and the Commonwealth for over a decade: 4 ways it can reset relations
– https://theconversation.com/britain-has-neglected-africa-and-the-commonwealth-for-over-a-decade-4-ways-it-can-reset-relations-239852

MIL OSI Africa –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “Manul Timofey – an animal from the Red Book” in library No. 61

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

Guests are invited to a trip to the Moscow Zoo. A comprehensive event awaits readers and guests of Library No. 61, they will be told where and in what conditions the Pallas’s cat Timofey lives, the children will be introduced to this unusual animal, its features, habits, quirks, and will study Timofey’s active preparation for winter. Under the guidance of the host, everyone will be able to make a postcard with stories about the Pallas’s cat. Different types of paper, accessories, and other materials will be used as materials for the work. A photo shoot will take place at the end.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/poster/event/320209257/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Has war increased online risks for Ukrainian children?

Source: Anglia Ruskin University

Published: 8 October 2024 at 13:00

Initial analysis finds an almost three-fold rise in mentions on dark web since invasion

Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) believe that Ukrainian children could be facing an increased risk of being exploited or sexually abused online because of the war with Russia and the opportunities the conflict has created for offenders.

Initial analysis of the dark web by ARU researchers indicates that Ukrainian children are being discussed by offenders in online forums almost 300% more frequently than before the invasion in 2022.

Now ARU’s International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI) has been awarded $250,000 of funding from US-based Safe Online to extend this work, which will be the first major European study to investigate the impact of war on the online safety of children.

Thanks to the funding, ARU is launching the Dity Online project – ‘dity’ is Ukrainian for ‘children’ – to survey and collect data from 1,500 Ukrainian children and their parents.

Around half of all Ukrainian children have been displaced from their homes and for these children, much of their education and socialising has moved online. The project aims to understand the nature and extent of online child sexual abuse in Ukraine, and the impact of conflict on children’s online behaviour and safety.

ARU will be working with partners including the Psychological Services department at the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, whilst also analysing dark web forums to understand how offenders are seeking to exploit opportunities created by the conflict to target children online.

Professor Sam Lundrigan, the Director of the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI) at ARU, said:

“Since the beginning of the Russian war in Ukraine, it is estimated that more than half of Ukraine’s 7.5 million children have been displaced, potentially increasing the risk of them being sexually abused or exploited online.

“This is because the conflict has caused Ukrainian children to spend more time online to connect with their peers and to access education. Despite this, there is currently little understanding of the impact of living in a conflict situation on children’s risks of harm in the digital world.

“What’s more, our initial analysis of the dark web has shown that Ukrainian children are being discussed by offenders in online forums more frequently than before the conflict. Our initial research showed almost a three-fold increase.”

Dr Anna Markovska, Deputy Director of the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI) at ARU and the lead for the project, said:

“All our research must lead to tangible, positive, real-world outcomes, so the final phase of the project will be the development of an education programme for schools to help raise awareness of the risks posed to children online and how to stay safe.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Safe Online for providing this funding, which will be instrumental in helping us protect more vulnerable children living through conflict.”

Safe Online is the only global investment vehicle dedicated to keeping children safe in the digital world. For more information about Safe Online, visit https://safeonline.global

More information about ARU’s International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI) is available at https://www.aru.ac.uk/international-policing-and-public-protection-research-institute

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Britain has neglected Africa and the Commonwealth for over a decade: 4 ways it can reset relations
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nicholas Westcott, Professor of Practice in Diplomacy, Dept of Politics and International Studies, SOAS, University of London

The United Kingdom is resetting its relations with Africa and other countries in the global south after more than a decade of neglect. At the United Nations in September, British prime minister Keir Starmer promised his government was

returning the UK to responsible global leadership.

This should include reconnecting with the countries of the global south which feel they have been neglected and among whom Britain’s voice is now at a discount.

The new Labour government’s recently launched reviews of Britain’s global impact and its international economic and development policies provide an opportunity to reevaluate and relaunch these relations. The opportunity must be seized for the sake of global stability.

The post-cold war order is fraying. America is increasingly reluctant to act as a global guarantor for a multilateral system governed by international rules and respecting human rights and freedoms. China, Russia and emerging middle powers such as Iran, Turkey and the Gulf States seem happier with a multipolar system based on the exercise of military and economic power. Meanwhile, the accelerating impact of climate change adds to the challenges to regional stability in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

I have followed these questions for nearly 50 years, as an academic and diplomat. Much has changed in those years, but recent British governments have been slow to adapt to these changes. To reconnect with countries in Africa and the global south, Britain needs a new attitude as well as new policies; and, paradoxically perhaps, the Commonwealth can play a constructive role in achieving this.

Britain’s problem

Distracted by its domestic political and economic difficulties since Brexit, recent British governments have neglected both Africa and the Commonwealth.
- Aid has been cut, and policy incoherence exacerbated by the merger between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development.
- An investment conference with Africa due earlier in 2024 was scrapped at short notice.
- Successive prime ministers gave little time to meeting African and other leaders from the global south. They had no answer to the questions being asked about Britain’s relationship with the south.
Yet Britain’s links to these countries remain strong. Not least through the growing diaspora communities in the UK that are now an integral part of Britain’s social and political fabric. With 5.5 million people of Asian heritage and 2.5 million of African or mixed heritage in the UK in 2021, these bonds need to be politically recognised.

Read more:
How Commonwealth countries have forged a new way to appoint judges

Most of those Britons come from Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth as an organisation is no substitute for closer engagement with individual countries. But it provides a forum where connections can be made and a new, more equal relationship built.

Though British governments have neglected it, King Charles, the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, has not, as his visit to Kenya in 2023 showed. And other countries are still seeking to join, as Gabon and Togo did last year.

Commonwealth heads of government meeting

From 21-26 October Samoa will host the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (Chogm), which will choose a new secretary-general – this time from Africa. The summit brings together representatives from every continent: from G7 members to least developed countries, from the most populous country (India at 1.45 billion people) to the smallest (Tuvalu with under 10,000), from major greenhouse gas emitters to small islands at risk of disappearing beneath the sea.

Despite its imperial origins, the Commonwealth is an international network that cuts across the multi-polarity that risks dividing the world. It includes countries from the global south, the global north and the global east. The diversity makes it an ideal forum for honest conversations on difficult issues like climate change and multilateral institutional reform.

Unlike the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) in Beijing, the Commonwealth is an organisation run by its members. They share common values and interests as well as a common language. They come together to exchange ideas, not pledges of investment or aid. Its traditions of democracy and equality between members make it unique and valuable. It provides, for example, a ready-made network of global influence for any member state. For small island states, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific, it is one forum where their voices can be amplified.

This is important. With the community of nations struggling to address global challenges of the scale of climate change and pandemics, or to resolve regional conflicts, opportunities to build consensus are needed more than ever. The wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa are a portent of things to come if we fail to sustain a global structure that can resolve rather than exacerbate such conflicts. UN peacemaking efforts might then be crowned with success rather than with futility and frustration.

What Britain needs to do

Britain is only one among many voices, so it needs a persuasive narrative that will help preserve a world order that can tackle humanity’s challenges, rather than one that simply fights over what is left. The Commonwealth, like the UN, is a place where the UK can start building support for a more equal and more effective global system.

A new narrative, and a new relationship with Africa and the global south, should be based on four elements.

Firstly, repentance for sins past. Britain’s empire played a central role in making the modern world, for better and worse. While the better is often taken for granted, the sins of empire still rankle, and – like a stone in the shoe – will distract relations. Best therefore to acknowledge them, and move forward.

Secondly, the new relationship must be based on mutual respect and partnership. In particular, the age of traditional development programmes with their paternalistic tendencies is past. What countries in the global south are seeking, as many feel they do get from China, is a genuine partnership of equals that recognises the relationship as a whole and focuses on the political as well as economic sources of growth.

Thirdly, Britain needs to work with African and other southern governments to amplify their voice in multilateral institutions such as the UN and international financial institutions, so that those institutions genuinely protect their interests and those countries defend the institutions.

Finally, Britain needs to engage with the public as much as with governments in these countries. The BBC World Service, the British Council and Britain’s education sector are becoming more important in challenging disinformation as the battle of narratives hots up. Now is the time to reinforce them, not let them fade away.

A new narrative along these lines at Chogm, and incorporated into the government’s reviews, could be the start of a genuine reset in Britain’s relationship with the global south, to the benefit of all.

Nicholas Westcott does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Britain has neglected Africa and the Commonwealth for over a decade: 4 ways it can reset relations – https://theconversation.com/britain-has-neglected-africa-and-the-commonwealth-for-over-a-decade-4-ways-it-can-reset-relations-239852
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defense on September 26 2024-10-08 Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), releases news at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024.

Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

(The following English text of the press conference is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)

Zhang Xiaogang: Friends from the media, good afternoon. Welcome to this month’s regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense.

I have four pieces of news at the top.

The first one.

At the invitation of the Ministry of National Defense of Laos, the rotating chair of ASEAN, a working group of China’s Ministry of National Defense attended the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane on Sep. 26th. During the meeting, the Chinese side had discussions with representatives of other parties on international and regional security landscape, and advocated to jointly promote the Global Security Initiative, strengthen strategic communication and deepen defense cooperation to consolidate regional peace and stability.

The second one.

China’s Ministry of National Defense hosted the 21st Expert Working Group (EWG) meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) Defense Ministers’ Meeting in PLA National Defense University in Beijing from September 25th to 26th. Representatives from SCO member states and the Secretariat exchanged views on military cooperation at the event. This is the first EWG meeting under the SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting hosted by China after its assumption of the rotating presidency. It’s also the first time for Belarus to attend as a full member of the SCO.

The third one.

At the invitation of the South African Navy, PLA Navy ship (PLANS) Xuchang from the 46th naval task group for escort missions will participate in the International Navy Day in Cape Town in early October. During the event, PLANS Xuchang will participate in the international fleet review and host an Open Day activity. In addition, it will have a maritime drill with the South African Navy.

The fourth one.

The Chinese government and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW) will co-host the third training course on medical aid and protection against chemical weapons in PLA Air Force Medical University from October 13th to 19th. Over 30 participants from more than 20 State Parties including Germany, Brazil and Morocco will participate in the training. They will focus on topics such as the symptom, diagnose and treatment of chemical weapons poisoning, the medical transportation and classification of the injured by chemical weapons, and organization and implementation of medical recue in dealing with chemical weapons. In the spirit of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the course is to strengthen rescue and response capabilities against chemical weapons, enhance capacity-building in medical protection and treatment, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), releases news at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

Question: There are growing interaction between the Chinese and US militaries in recent time. The commanders of the PLA Southern Theatre Command and US Indo-PACOM had a video phone call. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China attended the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum and the two sides had the 18th Defense Policy Coordination Talks. What’s your comment on the current China-US mil-mil relations and what interaction the two sides will have in the future?

Zhang Xiaogang: President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden had a successful meeting in San Francisco last November, and the two leaders talked on the phone this April. They have set the direction for a sound, stable and sustainable China-US relationship. At present, there is a stabler momentum in the overall and defense relations between China and the US. The two militaries maintain high-level strategic communication, policy communication, institutionalized dialogues and exchanges in specialized fields. These engagements could help enhance mutual understanding, avoid miscalculation, and manage and control risks.

We require the US side to recalibrate its strategic perception on China, return to a sensible and practical China policy, and respect China’s major concerns. The US should make concerted efforts with China in the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation to stabilize and improve the mil-mil relationship through candid, effective and constructive dialogues and cooperation.

Question: I have two questions. First, according to a recent statement by the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), the United States urges China to reconsider using dangerous and coercive strategies that may escalate tensions in the South China Sea and other regions, What’s your comment? Second, at the news conference of the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition yesterday, the deputy commander of the PLA Air Force said that many new types of aircraft developed by the PLAAF in recent years will be exhibited this time. Netizens are all eager to see the H-20 bomber. Can you provide us with more information?

Zhang Xiaogang: It is the US and its allies who is creating risks. Their vessels and aircraft have been conducting frequent close-in reconnaissance in China’s vicinity, trespassing into China’s territorial seas or administered maritime and air space, harassing routine exercises of the Chinese side, and taking irresponsible and dangerous moves. These operations severely undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests, put the safety of Chinese and their own personnel at risk, and jeopardize regional peace and stability. According to preliminary statistics, by September this year, the US military has sent about 1500 aircraft to China’s vicinity for reconnaissance or harassment, which fully showcased that the US side is a provocative and disruptive actor.

We urge the US side stop false narratives, stop dangerous and provocative operations, and strictly discipline its troops on the ground. The Chinese military is on high alert and will take legitimate and necessary measures to respond to provocation and safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests.

On your second question, I think relevant departments will release information in due course and you can follow that.

Question: On the morning of September 25th, China launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific after 44 years. Does this mean that China is accelerating the development of its nuclear forces? Will there be any change in China’s nuclear policy?

Zhang Xiaogang: This ICBM launch is to test our weapon and training performance. It is a legitimate and routine arrangement for military training. China nuclear policy is very stable, consistent and predictable. We strictly follow a nuclear policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and pursue a nuclear strategy of self-defense. China does not seek any arms race. We have promised not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against no-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China will continue to keep its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

Question: The Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress recently approved the National Defense Education Law, which will come into effect on September 21. Please give us more details about the amendment of this law.

Zhang Xiaogang: Defense makes a country and its people safe. The amendment of the national defense education law focuses on 4 aspects. First, it confirms the CPC’s leadership over defense education, and requires building a system with centralized and unified leadership, clear division of responsibilities, and civil-military coordination. Second, it emphasizes the combination of defense education at school and military service publicity. There are requirements to improve defense education at school to raise students’ awareness of perform military service in accordance with the law. Third, it regulates that the outline for military training for students should be co-drafted by relevant agencies for educational under the State Council and the CMC. Higher education institutes and high schools should organize military training based on the outline to strengthen military skills training and temper the will and discipline of students. Fourth, it asks to expand the scope and channels for defense education. Local governments can use opportunities of major festivals, commemorative days and thematic events to carry out extensive activities on defense education to strengthen the awareness for national defense in the society.

Question: US Army Secretary said recently that he discussed with Japan’s Defense Minister about deploying US Army multi-domain special task groups during his visit to Japan. Some analysts say it means the US may deploy Typhon mid-range missile system to Japan. What’s your comment?

Zhang Xiaogang: We are closely following relevant moves. US deployment of mid-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific Region will intensify arms race, threaten regional countries and undermine global strategic balance. China is firmly opposed to it. What Asia-Pacific needs is peace and prosperity rather than conflict and confrontation. We urge the US side to stop this dangerous move and do not create tensions in the region. The Japanese side should stay cautious and do not invite the wolf into the house, otherwise, it would only push itself into a dangerous situation. The Chinese side will take resolute and effective measures to respond in accordance with the developments of the situation and its own needs.

Question: The US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell recently said at a meeting of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee that China poses the greatest challenge to the United States and the China threat is more serious than the Cold War. The 2022 National Defense Strategy report issued by the Commission on the National Defense Strategy said that the United States, due to its outdated defense strategy, unreasonable military structure, and inadequate capacity of the defense industry, is unable to handle the dual threats from China and Russia. What’s your comment?

Zhang Xiaogang: In recent years, by perceiving China with its own hegemonic thinking and the Chinese military from a perspective of competition and threat, the US has gone too far to play up the alleged “China military threat”. Its intention is nothing more than finding an excuse for expanding its own military power. Records have shown that the US side is the biggest challenge to world peace and a source of future global warfare. China is opposed to US Cold War thinking and its narratives or actions that intensify confrontation and undermine China’s strategic security and interests.

China is a contributor to world peace and development and a defender of the international order. We stay committed to a defensive defense policy. China’s defense and military modernization is to safeguard its own security and interests and contributes to world peace. Playing the China card won’t help the us to solve its own problems. We require the US to have a sensible and objective view on China and China’s military development and strategic intentions. It should put more efforts on things that can help shore up China-US bilateral relations and consolidate regional peace and stability.

Question: The 2024 Quad Leaders Summit issued a joint statement which did not mention China directly but criticized coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea. It also announced to launch a first-ever Quad-at-sea Ship Observer Mission by coast guards of the four countries in 2025. What’s your comment?

Zhang Xiaogang: Relevant joint statement uses vague languages to cover its malicious intention to target China. It needs to be emphasized that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters. It is fully legitimate, justified and beyond reproach for China to conduct constructions on our own territory and carry out law-enforcement operations in waters and airspace under our jurisdiction. Though not directly concerned in the South China Sea issue, the US, Japan, India and Australia are resorting to microphone diplomacy to criticize and smear China and stir up troubles and mislead the public. In particular, the US has deployed offensive weapons in the region, worked with its allies to step up military exercises, and conduct close-in reconnaissance against China’s islands and reefs. Talking about militarization, coercion, bullying, and bloc confrontation in the South China Sea, I think the US deserves these labels more than any other country.

Joint maritime operations carried out by relevant countries should contribute to regional peace and stability, and not harm the interests of any third party. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to actions that may stir up troubles and escalate tensions in the South China Sea. We will firmly defend our own sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interest, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

Question: Both China and India have recently made positive statements about de-escalating the situation in their border area, and the Chinese foreign ministry also spoke of disengagement of troops in four areas, including the Galwan Valley. There is a great deal of expectation that there will be disengagement in other areas along the border. What is your comment, please？

Zhang Xiaogang: For quite some time, under the guidance of the two state leaders, China and India have maintained communications with each other through diplomatic and military channels, including between the two foreign ministers, between the Chinese foreign minister and Indian national security adviser, and through the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), and the Corps Commander Level Meetings. Through these discussions and communications, the two sides were able to reduce their differences and build some consensus. They have agreed to strengthen dialogues, accommodate each other’s legitimate concerns, and reach a resolution at an early date that is acceptable to both sides. Before that day comes, the two sides will continue to consolidate the outcomes, strictly abide by bilateral agreements on border issues and confidence-building measures to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility along the border.

Question: I have two questions. First, Chinese and Nepalese militaries had a joint training, the Sagarmatha Friendship-2024, in late September in south China’s Chongqing. Can you give us more details? Second, the PLA used a Z-9 helicopter to stop and dispel an intruding Philippine reconnaissance aircraft from Huangyan Dao. What is your comment, please?

Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question. The Chinese and Nepalese armies are carrying out Sagarmatha Friendship-2024 joint military training. With troops in mixed units, this training focuses on joint counter-terrorism operations in urban neighborhoods and covers comprehensive subjects including multidimensional search, check point setting and blockade, stalking, rescue with arms, evacuation under cover, and clearing and screening. Alongside the training, the two sides also organized activities such as sports games, art performance and cultural exchanges. The Sagarmatha Friendship is a signature program between the Chinese and Nepalese militaries, and it is the 4th of its kind this year. The PLA will work with the Nepalese side to strengthen military trust and substantive cooperation, and build a closer China-Nepal community of shared future in the new era.

On your second question. The Huangyan Dao is an inalienable part of Chinese territory and China has indisputable sovereignty over it and its adjacent waters. For some time now, the Philippine side has been sending public or military vessels and aircraft to intrude into the airspace and maritime waters of Huangyan Dao without the approval of the Chinese side, which has seriously violated China’s sovereignty and undermined regional peace and stability. The Chinese side has taken necessary measures in accordance with law to stop and dispel these Philippine ships and aircraft and our operations have been professional and restrained. We will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in Huangyan Dao.

Question: It is reported that on September 25th, frigates from the JMSDF transited through the Taiwan Strait. Does the Chinese side know about this? What is your comment, please?

Zhang Xiaogang: On September 25th, Japanese destroyer Sazanami, Australian destroyer the HMAS Sydney, and New Zealand supply ship the HMNZS Aotearoa conducted transit operations through the Taiwan Strait. The PLA stayed on high alert and monitored the transit. We are opposed to such provocations in the name of the so-called “freedom of navigation” that send wrong signals to the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and undermine China’s sovereignty and security.

The Taiwan question is an internal affair of China that brooks no foreign interference. We urge relevant countries to respect the One China principle, stop mudding the water on this question, and stop undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The PLA will remain on high alert and take all necessary measures to counter any threats and provocations.

Question: I have two questions. First, according to media reports, the Russian military has sent maritime and air forces to participate in China’s Northern/Interaction-2024 exercise. Can you give us more details? Second, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship 9701 has withdrew from Xianbin Jiao and the PCG said it would send another ship to the reef and would not let it become a second Huangyan Dao. Philippine Defense Secretary said that if China removes the Philippine ship grounded at Ren’ai Jiao, it would be an act of war. What’s your comment?

Zhang Xiaogang: According to this year’s cooperation plan between Chinese and Russian militaries, the Russian military participated in Exercise Beibu Unity-2024 organized by the PLA Northern Theater Command in relevant waters and airspace of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk from September 10th to 27th. More than 10 vessels and over 30 aircraft from the two sides were involved. The exercise is an effective test on interoperability of the two militaries in tactical commanding and joint operations. It further deepened strategic coordination between the two militaries and contributed to maintaining regional peace and stability and addressing security challenges.

After the exercise, relevant Chinese and Russian navy task groups will conduct joint maritime patrols in relevant waters of the Pacific.

The Philippine side recently pulled out PCG 9701 which had been illegally anchored in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao. It is the only right way forward and is conducive to restoring peace and stability in relevant waters. China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Ren’ai Jiao and Xianbin Jiao. We will take firm countermeasures against any act that infringes China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Actions that violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and undermine regional peace and stability are unwelcomed. We urge the Philippine side not to have illusion and miscalculation and stop making any risky and futile provocations.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

Question: It is reported that China has recently sent marine troops to Brazil to participate in the Operation Formosa 2024 multilateral exercise. Can you give us more details?

Zhang Xiaogang: A contingent from the PLAN Marine Corps participated in the Operation Formosa-2024 multinational joint exercise in Brazil recently. The subject of the exercise is joint landing and counter-landing operations. It is the first time for China to participate in the exercise and the Chinese troops had good exchanges with other participating forces. The exercise helped build trust and friendship, and strengthened the capability of participating countries in jointly addressing security challenges.

Question: According to media reports, the Chinese military recently hosted demining courses for Cambodia and Laos. Can you give us more information?

Zhang Xiaogang: The PLA Army Engineering University hosted two demining courses for personnel from Cambodia and Laos respectively from July 1st to September 27th. Senior delegations from Cambodia and Laos, and representatives from the UN Mine Action Service(UNMAS), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center attended the graduation ceremony, and spoke highly of the demining courses as well as the graduation drills.

Cambodia and Laos are the most severely affected regions by mines. The Chinese military attaches great importance to international cooperation on demining, and takes cooperation and assistance on Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) as an important step for building a community with a shared future for mankind and implementing the Global Security Initiative. Over the past 20-plus years, we have trained over 700 demining professionals from more than 20 countries, and sent demining EWG abroad to conduct on-site teaching multiple times. The Chinese military will continue to strengthen substantive cooperation with militaries in the region, and make contributions to international humanitarian demining cause.

Question: Recently the promotional video Cui Huo (Being Tempered) received a lot of coverage from both domestic and foreign media. Can you give us more information?

Zhang Xiaogang: The promotional video Cuihuo (Being Tempered) co-produced by the CMC Political Work Department, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and the China Media Group started airing on CCTV-1 on September 11. It was simultaneously uploaded to major web portals and covered by more than 300 Chinese and foreign media. Views and clicks of the video have reached 5.37 billion. The video represents innovative efforts of the military to promote Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military online, and another masterpiece after two promotional videos Zhuiguang (Chasing Light) and Zhumeng (Following Dream).

Cuihuo is about how the military is raising political awareness and improving combat readiness. It tells touching and thought-provoking stories about ordinary service members from multiple perspectives, reflecting enhanced political loyalty of the people’s military and its solidarity and confidence in building a strong military. The popularity of these promotional videos shows the strength of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, and the confidence and resolve of the Chinese military to achieve its centenary goal.

Question: Taiwan’s defense authorities recently submitted to the legislative body its budget for 2025 which amounts to 667b TWD (148b RMB). According to another report, Taiwan’s army will purchase many types of UAVs for monitoring and attack in urban battlefields. What’s your comment?

Zhang Xiaogang: Sticking to its policy of “Taiwan Independence”, the DPP authorities have been ignoring public opinion, making irresponsible moves and going further down the dangerous path of seeking independence by force. The more they spend on purchasing weapons, the more insecure people in Taiwan will feel. This strategy will only push Taiwan closer to the brinks of war. We warn the DPPD authorities that those who do wrong things will court its own destruction. More weapons will not change the fate of Taiwan Independence. The PLA has full capabilities to smash all separatist attempts for TWI and defend China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Question: What’s the type of the ICBM launched yesterday by the PLA rocket force? What signal is the PLA trying to send to the international community?

Zhang Xiaogang: On the test launch of the ICBM, we have released information on that in a timely manner, and I have no more information to add. I want to emphasize that this test launch is in line with international law and practice and is not directed at any country or target.

Question: According to reports, the first F-16V fighter Taiwan bought from the US will be delivered at the end of September. And 26 UAV manufacturers recently visited Taiwan. Chief of the Taipei Office of the America Institute in Taiwan said recently that there was a possibility for the US and Taiwan to jointly manufacture weapons. Meanwhile, some media reports said there are large numbers of moldy bulletproof vests and expired ammunitions in weapons assisted by the US to Taiwan. What’s your comment?

Zhang Xiaogang: We are firmly opposed to any official and military contact between the US and China’s Taiwan region. Currently, the biggest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is separatist activities by the forces for Taiwan Independence and acquiesced support provided by external forces. Whether it’s US arms sale to Taiwan or so-called joint manufacturing of weapons, the true purpose is never protecting Taiwan but using the DPP authorities as a dumb cash machine to dump obsolete and stockpiled weapons and feed the US military-industrial complex. We warn the DPP authorities that the fate of a pawn is being abandoned. Those courting the US to damage Taiwan will be punished by time and justice. The PLA will take all necessary measures to defeat any separatist attempt for Taiwan Independence and foreign interference.

Question: In the video Cui Huo, we heard a J-20 pilot saying in an interview that he can never forget the moment when he saw the Taiwan island while flying in his aircraft. This sparked conjectures that the stealth fighter J-20 also participated in a patrol over Taiwan. Can you confirm that?

Zhang Xiaogang: Taiwan is a part of the Chinese territory. The PLA fighters can go there as they want. There is no need to be surprised.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

Question: I have two questions. The first is about the continued tensions in Lebanon. Recently, the engineering detachment of the Chinese peacekeeping forces in Lebanon successfully cleared an undetonated rocket shell. What is your comment on the incident? Second, the national security adviser from the Philippines recently said that they plan to purchase mid-range missiles and will continue to use America’s Typhon missile system for training, which means the system may continue to stay in the Philippines. What is your comment on that?

Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, China is closely following the security situation in Lebanon, and we will further strengthen the security protection of our troops.

On your second question. China has made our opposition clear concerning US deployment of mid-range missiles in the Philippines under the cover of military exercises. We urge the US side to correct this wrong move and withdraw the missile system to fulfill its prior promise. The Philippine side should not have any miscalculation. Binding itself to the US chariot would only bring damages to itself. China has many options in its toolkit. We will take effective measures to respond in accordance with the developments of the situation.

Question: I have two questions. First, on September 26th, the defense authorities in Taiwan said that they monitored several PLA aircraft flying around the Taiwan Strait. Experts say the exercise was to prevent foreign interference. Can you tell us the purpose of this exercise? Second, about yesterday’s ICBM launch, which countries has China informed beforehand? The Japanese government said that it was not informed. Can you comment on that? Some experts say that this launch may increase tensions in this region. What’s your comment?

Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, it is legitimate and reasonable for the PLA to organize exercises and training activities in the sea and airspace around Taiwan Island. We will continue to strengthen military training and combat readiness, and regularly organize relevant military operations.

On your second question, the test launch of the ICBM by the PLA Rocket Force is consistent with international law and practices. Before the launch, we have issued warnings specifying the prohibited time and areas and informed several countries in advance through military and diplomatic channels. This fully demonstrates the openness and transparency of the PLA.

Question: Japan’s defense ministry announced a large-scale restructuring of its maritime self-defense force to establish a new marine corps and alert contingency. It also plans to increase defense budget and build a small satellite network. Some analysts say Japan may assist US intervention in the Taiwan Straits.

Zhang Xiaogang: We have noticed relevant moves by the Japanese side. In recent years, Japan has been accelerating restructuring of its combat forces and build-up in new domains, and developing long-range attack capabilities. There is a growing tendency for Japan to return to its militarist past, which violates its Pacifist Constitution and purely defensive defense, and challenges the post-war international order. We urge the Japanese side to take lessons from history, be cautious in military security and contributes to regional peace and stability instead of the opposite.

Question: I have two questions. First, the US Navy recently issued a strategic guideline on naval operations that claimed that the Chinese mainland has the greatest capabilities in the world in ship manufacturing and that the US should be prepared for a conflict with China in 2027. What is your comment, please? Second, the Chinese Ministry of State Security exposed a hacker organization called “Anonymous 64”, saying that the people behind this organization are from the Taiwan military. What is your comment, please?

Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, I think this rhetoric from the US side exposes again its Cold War mindset and militant nature. I have to stress that China has no intention of challenging or replacing the United States. The goal of our development is to deliver a better life for the Chinese people and provide new opportunities for world peace and development. China is on the course to build a strong nation and realize national rejuvenation through the Chinese path to modernization. No foreign forces can stop this trend. The Chinese military fears no threats or challenges, and will take firm actions to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

On your second question, you can inquire about relevant authorities for more information.

Question: The American website, Defense News, recently reported that the US plan to provide Taiwan with nearly US$570 million worth of “security assistance” has come to the final stage. This is by far the largest package assistance from the US to Taiwan region, which will be spent on training, reserves, anti-armor weapons, air defense, UAVs, and other subjects to protect Taiwan from military attacks from the Chinese mainland. What is your comment, please?

Zhang Xiaogang: We have noticed relevant reports. China is consistently opposed to the US selling weapons to the Taiwan region. What it has done has grossly violated the One China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques, severely undermined China’s sovereignty and security interests, and sent very wrong signals to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. It must be pointed out that the US attempt to contain China with Taiwan, to root for the DPP authorities and to bloat the arrogance of “Taiwan independence” separatist forces by providing military assistance and selling weapons to them, will do nothing but undermine the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. These actions will eventually backfire to burn the United States itself.

We urge the US side to stop military collusion with Taiwan and stop arming Taiwan in any way in order to maintain the relations between the two countries and the two militaries. Taiwan belongs to China. It is just across the strait from the mainland, and we will never let it drift away. The PLA will never back down in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will take firm actions to defeat any attempts at Taiwan independence and any interference by foreign forces.

Question: The website of Taiwan defense authorities recently released information that they have received detected mainland forces conducting joint landing exercises in waters near Dachengwan in Dongshan, Fujian Province. The exercise involved many types of fighters, helicopters and UAVs coupled with amphibious ships and RO-RO cargo ships loaded with ground forces. Taiwan defense authorities said they will closely monitor the exercise. What is your comment, please？

Zhang Xiaogang: The relevant exercise is a routine arrangement within the PLA’s annual plan aimed to improve the capabilities of our troops for fulfilling missions and tasks. The PLA fears no reconnaissance or harassment against its operations. The DPP authorities should be fully aware of the strong capabilities and firm will of the PLA, see clearly that “Taiwan independence” will never succeed, and completely abandon their separatist illusion.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

Zhang Xiaogang: In a few days, we are going to celebrate the 75th birthday of the PRC. In our epic journey in the past 75 years, Chinese people, under the leadership of the CPC, have made remarkable and historical achievements. Over the past 75 years, under the absolute leadership of the CPC, the people’s military has grown stronger through wars, challenges, reforms and transformation. It is always an iron great wall in defending national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and a staunch force for world peace and stability. Today, China is building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, and the Chinese military is forging ahead to achieve its centenary goal and build itself into a world-class military. Here, allow me to wish enduring peace and great prosperity to our great motherland!

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”. With Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

October 8, 2024

New exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”

October 8, 2024

Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”

October 8, 2024

Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”. With Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

October 8, 2024

Previous news Next news

Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”. With Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, together with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, opened the new Timiryazev Center exhibition complex at the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy.

As Dmitry Patrushev noted, the Timiryazev Center is not only a modern equipped space that will unite all the best in agricultural education and science, but also an excellent platform for popularizing the agricultural sector, demonstrating its achievements and high level of development.

One of the main tasks that the agro-industrial complex currently faces is staffing, including attracting young specialists with the necessary knowledge and competencies. For this purpose, the personnel training system is actively developing, approaches to educational activities are changing, and the infrastructure of universities is being comprehensively updated.

“The training and exhibition center allows both to hold exhibitions and, most importantly, to gain practical skills in work. This has never happened before within the Timiryazev Academy, it was possible to do so thanks to the support of Moscow and the company “PhosAgro”. I hope that the guys will be comfortable studying here, they will undergo practical training and gain important experience that they will need in working in agriculture,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Dmitry Patrushev and Sergei Sobyanin inspected the educational and exhibition complex, equipped with modern specialized equipment.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://government.ru/nevs/52940/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Secretary General thanks President of Finland for contributions to NATO and Ukraine

Source: NATO

On Tuesday (8 October 2024), during his first meeting with an Allied leader since taking office, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Finland’s many contributions to NATO and its strong support for Ukraine.

“Since Finland became a NATO Ally eighteen months ago, the Alliance has become stronger and Finland has become safer. Finland has highly capable military forces and cutting edge capabilities, and you are investing more than 2% of GDP in defence,” said Mr Rutte, during a joint press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

The Secretary General welcomed Finland’s decision to host a NATO battlegroup and a new headquarters to lead NATO land operations in the region, which will strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and defence along the Eastern Flank and the High North.

The Secretary General and President Stubb also discussed Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

“NATO must and will do more to help Ukraine,” Mr Rutte said, adding that Ukraine could be facing its toughest winter since the full-scale Russian invasion began, and that Russia continues to carry out strikes against critical energy infrastructure.

Mr Rutte noted that Finland has delivered more than 2 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine.

“What Finland is doing helps save lives. And the more military support we give, the faster this war will end,” he said.

While at NATO Headquarters, President Stubb also met with the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer.

MIL Security OSI –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin and Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

From October 4 to 13, 2024, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture is holding the Week of the Agro-Industrial Complex. One of the main events will be the XXVI Russian agro-industrial exhibition “Golden Autumn”, which will be held on October 9-12. On the eve of the opening, on October 8, the Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyaninand Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev inspected the exhibition. It was held in the new educational and exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”, created on the basis of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy.

“I think that this is the beginning of a new development of Timiryazevka, a new style of its work, a new style of campus development. Moscow universities are developing. We recently completed a huge project of Baumanka. Now, together with the Government of the Russian Federation, on the instructions of the President, we are starting to develop the campus of Stankin. A number of other universities are actively developing, not only Moscow State University. I am very glad that here, in Timiryazevka, such a center has emerged. Moreover, it is very symbolic that the central site of the “Golden Autumn” will be deployed here, which will probably find its permanent residence here,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

The Mayor of Moscow also congratulated those present on the opening of the Timiryazev Center and thanked Dmitry Patrushev, the team of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy and the PhosAgro company, which invested in the project.

Vladimir Trukhachev, Rector of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, in turn thanked Sergei Sobyanin and the Russian Ministry of Agriculture and noted that the building of the Timiryazev Center fits organically into the architectural ensemble of the educational institution.

Dmitry Patrushev emphasized that the Timiryazev Center was the result of joint work by the Moscow team, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, and representatives of the university over the course of a year. Exhibitions will be held here, and students will be able to practice their practical skills.

“This has never happened before at the Timiryazev Academy. This was possible thanks to the support of Moscow, thanks to the goodwill of the PhosAgro company, which helped us with the financing of the construction of this complex. I really hope that the guys will be comfortable studying here, they will do their practical training, gain that important experience that they will then need in the fields, while working in agriculture,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

He also noted that it is necessary to further develop the Timiryazev Academy, and Moscow is ready to support these plans.

Traditionally, in October Moscow becomes the venue for the largest gastronomic festival, Golden Autumn. In addition to the Timiryazev Center, this year it will cover 154 sites, two of which will be located in the city center, and 25 in the districts, two fish markets, Moscow on the Wave, and the Moskino cinema park, as well as weekend fairs and interregional fairs.

The main thing at the Golden Autumn is tasty and high-quality food. Guests are offered the best seasonal farm products. Participants from 65 regions of Russia — more than 150 large and small farms — brought vegetables, handmade cheeses, meat delicacies, honey, fish, mushrooms and berries to the festival.

The festival’s cultural program includes about one and a half thousand hours of master classes, over two thousand hours of sports activities and 260 hours of stage programs.

There are also special programs:

— a gastrofestival that will take place from October 12 to 13 in the Moskino cinema park. Its participants will be 30 farmers and more than 10 restaurants that will present dishes from the autumn menu. Everyone is welcome to tastings, culinary and creative master classes. Children will be invited to ride carousels and mini-tractors. In addition, craft and art classes, as well as a grill show are planned. The event is prepared jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia.

— a gastronomic route in Kamergersky Lane, which offers Muscovites and guests of the capital the opportunity to get acquainted with the dishes of the seasonal set menu in the best restaurants of the city.

— an exhibition of art pumpkins in Stoleshnikov Lane, where works by contemporary graffiti artists are presented.

— an entertainment program at the Moscow — on the Wave markets. Master classes and performances by cover bands will create a special atmosphere. On the weekend, there will be “battles of chefs” who will compete in preparing dishes from the autumn menu.

Guests of the district sites will be offered to take part in numerous sports activities and active games. They will be able to try hot drinks and seasonal sweets: pumpkin, cranberry and apple jam, carrot jam and apple marmalade.

The main decoration of the Golden Autumn sites, as in previous years, were orange pumpkins – a symbol of the autumn season and harvest festival. Visitors will be able to take bright photos as a souvenir of the festival.

Detailed information about the festival events and venues can be found on the website.

“Golden Autumn” is the main agricultural exhibition in Russia

The agro-industrial exhibition “Golden Autumn” has been held in Moscow since 1999 on the initiative of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture. Over the past quarter century, it has become the leading platform for demonstrating the achievements of the domestic agro-industrial complex and discussing key issues in the development of the industry.

In 2023, the exhibition was held at the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. It was visited by more than 31 thousand people, and 136 organizations and representatives of 87 regions of Russia took part in the exhibition exposition and business events.

In 2024, the Golden Autumn exhibition will be held for the first time in the new Timiryazev Center educational and exhibition complex. Its construction began in September 2023 and took exactly one year, ending in September 2024. The project was implemented using extra-budgetary funds.

As a result, a three-story building with an area of about 40 thousand square meters was erected on the territory of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy at the address: Verkhnyaya Alley, Building 8. It is planned that it will become one of the largest exhibition and business sites in Moscow.

“Its exhibition halls were named after outstanding agricultural scientists: Nikolai Vavilov, Alexander Chayanov and Vasily Nemchinov. In addition, there is a plenary session hall, meeting rooms, a diplomatic sector, a press center and a business space,” wrote Sergei Sobyanin.

in his telegram channel.

Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

If necessary, exhibition halls can be transformed for various event formats, including lecture halls, master class areas and seminars with multimedia support. The use of advanced engineering solutions guarantees a high level of events, as well as the comfort and safety of participants.

The Timiryazev Center has a high-tech plenary hall designed for 450 people, and meeting rooms of various capacities and configurations.

The adjacent area contains sports and leisure facilities, including a renovated equestrian arena.

Good transport accessibility to the Timiryazev Center is provided by the nearby (about 15 minutes’ walk) Petrovsko-Razumovskaya transport hub, which includes two metro stations on the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya and Lyublinsko-Dmitrovskaya lines and one station on the third Moscow Central Diameter.

The Golden Autumn 2024 exhibition traditionally presents the main achievements of the agro-industrial complex of Russian regions, modern agricultural machinery, products and services for agribusiness, as well as the best breeds of farm animals.

The Timiryazev Center plans to hold more than 60 congress and exhibition events in 2024–2026, including:

— 12th International Fair of Contemporary Art Cosmoscow;

— 28th International Exhibition of Means of Ensuring National Security “Interpolitex-2024”;

— 5th International Exhibition of Digital Technologies “CipherTech”;

— Forum of security technologies Say Future: Security;

— 22nd International Specialized Exhibition “Borders of Russia”;

— The 8th International Consumer Goods Exhibition / National China Quality Consumer Goods Exhibition;

— The 5th National Exhibition of Industrial Equipment and Innovations from China.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11873050/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: A Proclamation on Leif Erikson Day, 2024

Source: The White House

On Leif Erikson Day, we celebrate the history and heritage of Nordic communities in the United States, whose contributions and cultures have helped shape our Nation.

Many believe that roughly a millennium ago, Leif Erikson — a Norse explorer — and his crew were the first Europeans to reach the shores of North America. His spirit of adventure, curiosity, and resilience would inspire generations of Danes, Finns, Icelanders, Norwegians, and Swedes to sail across an ocean and begin new lives in America. These immigrants built bustling homes and enriched their communities, supporting and realizing the American Dream. They fought for our freedoms in the military; built new churches, businesses, and schools; and spearheaded social movements. Today, Nordic communities continue to enrich the fabric of the Nation.

Nordic-American communities in the United States are foundational to our partnership and friendship with our Nordic Allies and their people. These nations share our vision for a world based on freedom, security, and opportunities for all. Together, we are working in lockstep to tackle the climate crisis and pioneer the next generation of technology that will power everyone’s economies. We are also standing with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s brutal assault. I am proud that the United States supported the ratification process for Finland to join NATO, which was the fastest ratification in history. And I was honored to welcome Sweden as NATO’s 32nd Ally earlier this year. Together, I know that we will continue to stand for freedom and democracy for generations to come.

Today, may we celebrate the important contributions and vibrant cultures of Nordic Americans to our Nation. And may we continue the work that so many Nordic communities in this country began: ensuring every American has an opportunity to reach the American Dream.

To honor Leif Erikson, son of Iceland and grandson of Norway, and to celebrate Nordic-American heritage, the Congress, by joint resolution (Public Law 88-566) approved on September 2, 1964, has authorized the President of the United States to proclaim October 9 of each year as “Leif Erikson Day.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 9, 2024, as Leif Erikson Day. I call upon all Americans to celebrate the contributions of Nordic Americans to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on strengthening Moldova’s resilience against Russian interference ahead of the upcoming presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU integration – RC-B10-0072/2024

Source: European Parliament

Siegfried Mureşan, Andrzej Halicki, Michael Gahler, Sebastião Bugalho, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Nicolás Pascual De La Parte, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Wouter Beke, Krzysztof Brejza, Daniel Caspary, Jan Farský, Rasa Juknevičienė, Sandra Kalniete, Ondřej Kolář, Andrey Kovatchev, Andrius Kubilius, Miriam Lexmann, Vangelis Meimarakis, Ana Miguel Pedro, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Szczerba, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Matej Tonin, Milan Zver, Ioan‑Rareş Bogdan, Daniel Buda, Gheorghe Falcă, Mircea‑Gheorghe Hava, Dan‑Ştefan Motreanu, Virgil‑Daniel Popescu, Adina Vălean, Loránt Vincze, Iuliu Winkler
on behalf of the PPE Group
Yannis Maniatis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Sven Mikser, Thijs Reuten, Dan Nica, Victor Negrescu, Gheorghe Cârciu, Mihai Tudose, Adrian‑Dragoş Benea, Gabriela Firea, Maria Grapini, Claudiu Manda, Vasile Dîncu, Ştefan Muşoiu
on behalf of the S&D Group
Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Adam Bielan, Mariusz Kamiński, Cristian Terheş, Alexandr Vondra, Roberts Zīle, Ivaylo Valchev, Carlo Fidanza, Rihards Kols, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Michał Dworczyk, Assita Kanko, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Maciej Wąsik, Veronika Vrecionová, Georgiana Teodorescu, Adrian‑George Axinia, Ondřej Krutílek, Tobiasz Bocheński, Alberico Gambino, Gheorghe Piperea, Aurelijus Veryga, Şerban‑Dimitrie Sturdza, Claudiu‑Richard Târziu, Charlie Weimers
on behalf of the ECR Group
Dan Barna, Petras Auštrevičius, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Bernard Guetta, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Urmas Paet, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Eugen Tomac, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
on behalf of the Renew Group
Reinier Van Lanschot
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
Jonas Sjöstedt
on behalf of The Left Group

European Parliament resolution on strengthening Moldova’s resilience against Russian interference ahead of the upcoming presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU integration

(2024/2821(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on the Republic of Moldova,

– having regard to the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part [1], which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area,

– having regard to the Republic of Moldova’s application for EU membership of 3 March 2022, and the European Council’s consequent granting of candidate country status on 23 June 2022,

– having regard to the convening of the first Intergovernmental Conference on Moldova’s accession to the EU, held in June 2024,

– having regard to Articles 2 and 49 of the Treaty on European Union,

– having regard to the joint statement of 13 June 2024 by the US, Canada and the UK on exposing Russia’s subversive activity and electoral interference targeting Moldova,

– having regard to Rules 136(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas on 20 October 2024, the Republic of Moldova is scheduled to hold a presidential election and a constitutional referendum on EU integration, amid ongoing Russian interference and attempts to destabilise the political situation and electoral process in the country;

B. whereas the Russian Federation has been using economic blackmail, provocation, disinformation, illegal funding of political parties, cyberattacks and other hybrid means to undermine the stability, sovereignty, constitutional order and democratic institutions of the Republic of Moldova; whereas Russia’s subversive activities in Moldova seek to undermine popular support for the European path chosen by the people of Moldova and to incite destabilisation; whereas the active measures envisaged include establishing and promoting front organisations disguised as non-governmental organisations and ‘cultural centres’, disseminating online and offline disinformation, establishing strong pro-Russian political and societal constituencies and returning the Republic of Moldova to a state of dependency on Russian hydrocarbons;

C. whereas in 2023, the EU imposed sanctions on key Moldovan oligarchs and pro-Russian actors, such as Ilan Shor, Vladimir Plahotniuc, Igor Ceaika, Gheorghe Cavaliuc and Marina Tauber, on the basis of a recently established sanctions regime targeting persons responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova; whereas allies of Mr Shor have reportedly actively recruited, arranged logistics for and provided financial compensation to individuals to join their protests; whereas on 3 October 2024, a large-scale electoral fraud operation was uncovered, financed by pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, revealing that over USD 15 million had been transferred in September 2024 to over 130 000 Moldovan citizens involved in this voter bribery scheme; whereas on 18 September 2024, two close allies of Ilan Shor – deputy Marina Tauber and the Governor (Bashkan) of Gagauzia, Evghenia Guțul – met with the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, and subsequently gave false information about the EU and the Republic of Moldova’s future within it;

D. whereas one of the tools used by the Russian state is the state-funded RT network (formerly Russia Today), which has moved beyond media activities, becoming actively involved in cyber operations, covert influence, military procurement and information warfare across various regions; whereas in June 2024, the US, together with the UK and Canada, exposed Russia’s efforts to engage in subversive activities and electoral interference targeting the Republic of Moldova;

E. whereas in September 2024, the US imposed sanctions on three entities and two individuals for their involvement in Russia’s destabilising actions abroad, including in the Republic of Moldova; whereas these covert efforts have included RT personnel providing direct support to fugitive Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, the key perpetrator of the 2014 USD 1 billion bank fraud scandal; whereas, according to the US State Department, RT and its employees, including editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan, have directly coordinated with the Kremlin to support Russian Government efforts to influence the Moldovan presidential election of October 2024, with the apparent aim of inciting unrest in the Republic of Moldova;

F. whereas the Security and Intelligence Service of the Republic of Moldova has reported an unprecedented level of intensity in Russia’s actions aimed at anchoring Moldova within its sphere of influence; whereas this hybrid threat is targeted at democratic processes and undermines European integration by amplifying radical separatist tendencies in the south of the country, particularly in Gagauzia (UTAG), using propaganda, manipulating the information space, interfering in the electoral process and conducting subversive operations; whereas Moldova’s national security services have stated that Russia is funding the ‘no’ campaign, with around EUR 100 million for pro-Russian political groups, and spreading disinformation on social media to sow doubt about the legitimacy of the electoral process; whereas in 2023, Ukrainian intelligence reported that it had intercepted a plan by Russia to stage a coup and oust Moldovan President Maia Sandu;

G. whereas the Republic of Moldova has taken steps to combat Russian interference, including by banning pro-Russian political parties that are operating outside the law, sanctioning oligarchs, suspending media outlets that spread disinformation, and increasing customs controls; whereas Moldova’s updated national security strategy attributes disinformation campaigns and other hybrid attacks to Russia;

H. whereas the unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine profoundly affects regional security and stability, endangering the Republic of Moldova’s macroeconomic situation, financial stability, democratic development and social cohesion, while further increasing the incidence and severity of poverty, inflation and emigration; whereas the Russian Federation, in cooperation with domestic Russia-sponsored actors, galvanises and uses the resultant widespread economic, geopolitical and security uncertainty to delegitimise and foster opposition to the Moldovan Government’s pro-European policies;

I. whereas despite the dramatic effects of the war on Ukraine and these destabilisation attempts, the Republic of Moldova has managed to significantly consolidate its democracy, continue its reform trajectory and develop its relations with the EU; whereas the improvements in the country’s democratic system have been reflected in its progress on various international indexes; whereas the Moldovan Government’s enhanced implementation of current agreements demonstrates its commitment to closer cooperation with and integration into the EU;

J. whereas the Republic of Moldova is a close and valued partner of the EU; whereas its application for EU membership, and the European Council’s decision to grant candidate country status to the Republic of Moldova on the understanding that nine steps are taken, demonstrates a strong joint ambition for swift EU integration; whereas through the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, in force since 2016, the EU and Moldova have committed to promoting political association and achieving economic integration;

K. whereas on 3 March 2022, the Republic of Moldova applied for EU membership, and on 23 June 2022, was granted candidate country status by unanimous agreement of all 27 EU Member States; whereas the EU opened accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova during the first accession conference at ministerial level, held in Luxembourg on 25 June 2024, following the European Council’s decision of 14-15 December 2023 to open accession negotiations with Moldova, and the Council’s approval of the negotiating framework for these negotiations on 21 June 2024; whereas EU accession remains a merit-based process that requires the fulfilment of the EU membership criteria;

L. whereas every sovereign state has the inherent right to defend itself and to invest in its defence and resilience capabilities, and such actions are consistent with the Republic of Moldova’s status of neutrality;

M. whereas the Council has adopted assistance measures worth EUR 137 million for the benefit of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova under the European Peace Facility since 2021;

N. whereas on 24 April 2023, the EU set up the Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova) under the common security and defence policy, with the objective of enhancing the security sector’s resilience in the areas of crisis management, hybrid threats, including cybersecurity and countering foreign information manipulation and interference; whereas on 21 May 2024, Moldova became the first country to sign a Security and Defence Partnership with the EU, which will help strengthen cooperation on security and defence policy between the EU and Moldova;

O. whereas, according to several reports, many priests from the Metropolis of Moldova have travelled to Russia, where they received funds with the intention of using them for electoral purposes in the Republic of Moldova;

1. Stands in solidarity with the people of the Republic of Moldova and reiterates its unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognised borders;

2. Strongly condemns the escalating malicious activities, interference and hybrid operations by the Russian Federation, pro-Russian oligarchs and Russian-sponsored local actors aimed at undermining the electoral processes, security, sovereignty and democratic foundations of the Republic of Moldova, fostering divisions within Moldovan society and derailing the country’s pro-European trajectory, ahead of the upcoming presidential election and the constitutional referendum on EU integration;

3. Reiterates its call on the Russian authorities to respect the Republic of Moldova’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to cease its provocations and attempts to destabilise the country and undermine its constitutional order and democratic institutions; reiterates its calls on Russia to withdraw its military forces and equipment from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to ensure the full destruction of all ammunition and equipment in the Cobasna depot under international oversight and to support a peaceful resolution to the Transnistrian conflict, in line with the principles of international law and the 1999 Istanbul Summit Declaration of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe;

4. Calls for the EU and its Member States to ensure that all necessary assistance is provided to the Republic of Moldova to strengthen its institutional mechanisms and its ability to respond to hybrid threats; calls for increased EU support for Moldova in countering disinformation, hybrid threats and cyberattacks; underlines that this should entail boosting Moldova’s capacity to combat disinformation, strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure and enhance resilience against external malign influences; emphasises the particular importance of countering false Russian narratives, while underscoring their malign interference in the Republic of Moldova and the ways in which they are used to justify Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;

5. Calls on the Council to adopt additional targeted sanctions listings against individuals and entities responsible for supporting or carrying out actions which undermine or threaten the Republic of Moldova’s sovereignty and independence, as well as the country’s democracy, stability or security, and the rule of law; calls for the EU and national authorities to make sure those sanctions are duly implemented; reiterates its call on the respective hosting states and territories to extradite Ilan Shor, Vladimir Plahotniuc and other individuals sought for trial in the Republic of Moldova;

6. Highlights the important role played by the EU Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova); calls for the EU and its Member States to ensure that EUPM Moldova performs to the best of its ability, taking stock of progress and adapting its operations if necessary to make it as efficient as possible, while proposing to further extend its mandate beyond May 2025, adapt its scope and increase the mission’s resources; calls for the EU and its Member States to increase their support for Moldova’s Center for Strategic Communication and Combating Disinformation; calls on the Commission to report on the results of the EU support package for Moldova of June 2023, particularly the stated aim of countering foreign information manipulation and interference, and building capacity for independent media, civil society and youth;

7. Applauds the Republic of Moldova’s steadfast support for Ukraine since the start of Russia’s war of aggression; commends the Republic of Moldova for welcoming 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees throughout the war, of which an estimated 125 000 remain in the country; calls for the EU and its Member States to ensure continued support for Moldova and its people in addressing the challenges facing the country as a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including large numbers of refugees, inflation, threats to its energy supplies and violations of its airspace;

8. Reaffirms its commitment to the Republic of Moldova’s future membership of the EU; believes that its membership in the EU would constitute a mutually beneficial investment in a united and strong Europe; welcomes the widespread support in the Republic of Moldova for its European integration; stresses that the Republic of Moldova’s European integration represents not only a path towards greater economic prosperity, but also a safeguard for political stability and security in the face of external threats;

9. Calls for the acceleration of the screening process and the timely organisation of subsequent intergovernmental conferences, where negotiations on Cluster 1 on Fundamentals should be initiated; calls for the EU to adequately support accession-related reforms by developing robust and adaptable financial instruments tailored to the Republic of Moldova’s specific needs with a view to effectively addressing its economic and structural challenges, and ensuring the country remains resilient and capable of implementing the necessary reforms throughout its EU accession process; urges the acceleration of Moldova’s gradual integration into the EU and the single market by allowing participation in new initiatives and EU programmes, which will deliver tangible socio-economic benefits in specific areas even before the country formally joins the EU; reiterates its call, in this regard, for the EU to take swift and significant steps towards the permanent liberalisation of its tariff-rate quotas;

10. Calls for more consistent support for the Republic of Moldova in its EU accession process, including increased technical assistance by sending additional EU advisors to the Moldovan authorities, as a contribution to strengthening capacity-building;

11. Calls for the adoption of a new growth plan for the Republic of Moldova so as to adequately finance and support Moldova in achieving economic convergence with the EU; believes that this plan should finance investments in infrastructure, human capital and the digital and green transitions, facilitating sustainable economic growth;

12. calls on the Commission, in this regard, to include the Republic of Moldova in the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance and to prioritise funding for candidate countries in its proposal for the next multiannual financial framework (2028-2034), ensuring the path towards EU membership;

13. Welcomes the Republic of Moldova’s significant progress in implementing EU accession-related reforms and encourages the Moldovan authorities to continue the ambitious reforms on democracy and the rule of law; calls for the EU and its Member States to prioritise and allocate additional resources to efforts to support the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in the Republic of Moldova in order to address vulnerabilities, including those related to corruption in the security sector, justice system, public administration and media, which could enable Russian interference and disinformation; encourages the Moldovan Government to continue working with all stakeholders towards a sustainable and comprehensive justice and anti-corruption reform, in line with EU and Venice Commission recommendations;

14. Underlines the importance of advancing the country’s reform process in order to improve living standards, particularly for vulnerable groups, and to provide the younger generations with attractive prospects for life and work in the country, thereby increasing societal resilience to hybrid attacks and reducing the number of citizens seeking better living conditions elsewhere in Europe; highlights the need for the social acquis to be better represented in the Commission’s assessments and recommendations;

15. Reiterates its support for stronger cooperation on security and defence policy between the EU and the Republic of Moldova; commends the Republic of Moldova for becoming the first country to sign a security and defence partnership with the EU and calls for this partnership to be put into practical action; calls for the EU to progressively include the Republic of Moldova in upcoming legislative initiatives and programmes relating to European security and defence; supports the continued work under the High-Level Political and Security Dialogue between the EU and the Republic of Moldova to enhance cooperation on foreign and security policy;

16. Calls on the Member States to increase the European Peace Facility’s funding for the Republic of Moldova to further enhance the country’s defence capabilities;

17. Reiterates its call for the EU and its Member States to continue supporting the efforts of the Moldovan authorities to maintain macroeconomic stability and enhance its energy security by supporting the construction of new electricity interconnections with neighbouring countries; calls for the EU and its Member States to financially support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects as a clean and sustainable way of reducing Moldova’s energy demand and diversifying its supply, while ensuring energy affordability, in particular for the most vulnerable groups;

18. Urges the EU and its Member States to further strengthen cooperation with Moldova through targeted measures in order to enhance the country’s resilience to hybrid threats, including by improving strategic communications about the EU, supporting journalists and civil society in countering disinformation, promoting independent Russian-language media content and enhancing public information literacy; calls for additional resources and technical know-how to assist the Moldovan Government’s strategic communications, internal coordination and capacity-building against hybrid attacks and disinformation; commends the efforts of Moldovan civil society in supporting the Moldovan Government’s fight against disinformation and promoting democratic values; calls on the Commission and the Member States to continue supporting media literacy and media independence, as well as the strengthening of Moldova’s critical digital infrastructure, including through the replacement of Russian-origin information and communications technology systems; calls for the EU and its Member States to expand and intensify their direct engagement with Moldovan citizens by including them in various EU and bilateral programmes and projects, such as citizen consultations, and to foster people-to-people connections;

19. Calls on the Commission to assist the Moldovan Government in putting pressure on social media platforms to address disinformation effectively;

20. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President, Government and Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the Russian authorities.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia – RC-B10-0070/2024

Source: European Parliament

Rasa Juknevičienė, Michael Gahler, Andrzej Halicki, Sebastião Bugalho, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Nicolás Pascual De La Parte, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Wouter Beke, Daniel Caspary, Jan Farský, Sandra Kalniete, Ondřej Kolář, Andrey Kovatchev, Andrius Kubilius, Miriam Lexmann, Vangelis Meimarakis, Ana Miguel Pedro, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Szczerba, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Matej Tonin, Milan Zver
on behalf of the PPE Group
Yannis Maniatis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Sven Mikser
on behalf of the S&D Group
Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Adam Bielan, Mariusz Kamiński, Rihards Kols, Reinis Pozņaks, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Carlo Fidanza, Veronika Vrecionová, Michał Dworczyk, Ondřej Krutílek, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Alberico Gambino, Assita Kanko
on behalf of the ECR Group
Urmas Paet, Petras Auštrevičius, Dan Barna, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Bernard Guetta, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
on behalf of the Renew Group
Reinier Van Lanschot
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
Jonas Sjöstedt, Hanna Gedin

European Parliament resolution on the democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia

(2024/2822(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,

– having regard to the statement by the High Representative and the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement of 17April 2024 on the adoption of the ‘transparency of foreign influence’ law,

– having regard to the statement by the High Representative of 18 September 2024 on the Georgian law on ‘family values and protection of minors’ ,

– having regard to the statement by the European External Action Service Spokesperson of 4 April 2024 on the draft law on ‘transparency of foreign influence’,

– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 14 and 15 December 2023 and of 27 June 2024,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 8 November 2023 entitled ‘2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy’ (COM(2023)0690),

– having regard to Resolution 2561 (2024) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe entitled ‘Challenges to democracy in Georgia’,

– having regard to the Bucharest Declaration adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) at the thirty-first annual session from 29 June to 3 July 2024,

– having regard to the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part [1],

– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

– having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR),

– having regard to the joint statement by the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus and the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur on Georgia of 18 April 2024 on the reintroduction of the draft law on ‘transparency of foreign influence’ in Georgia,

– having regard to Rule 136(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the past months have seen significant attacks on democracy in Georgia, which have been characterised by the hasty adoption of anti-democratic legislation criticised by the UN, the Venice Commission and the EU, concurrent with attacks on civil society and independent media, prolonged mass protests and the subsequent violent suppression of those peaceful protests, and deep political and societal tensions and polarisation;

B. whereas the exercise of freedom of opinion, expression, association and peaceful assembly is a fundamental right enshrined in the Georgian Constitution;

C. whereas Georgia, as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as a member of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, has committed itself to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights;

D. whereas Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution provides that ‘the constitutional bodies shall take all measures within the scope of their competence to ensure the full integration of Georgia into the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’;

E. whereas the EU expects Georgia, a candidate country for EU accession, to abide fully by the Association Agreement and other international commitments it has made and, in particular, to fulfil the conditions and take the steps set out in the Commission’s recommendation of 8 November 2023; whereas the European Council decided to grant candidate status to Georgia solely on the understanding that these steps would be taken, including combating disinformation and interference against the EU and its values, engaging opposition parties and civil society in governance, and ensuring freedom of assembly and expression, as well as meaningfully consulting civil society and involving it in legislative and policymaking processes and ensuring that it can operate freely;

F. whereas civil society in Georgia has traditionally been very vibrant and active and played a pivotal role in soliciting and promoting democratic changes in the country, as well as in safeguarding and watching over their implementation;

G. whereas on 20 February 2024, the Parliament of Georgia passed amendments to the Electoral Code changing the procedure for the election of chair and so-called professional members of the Central Election Commission and abolishing the post of deputy chair, which is filled by a representative of the opposition;

H. whereas on 4 April 2024, less than a year before the elections, the Georgian Parliament adopted amendments to the country’s Electoral Code that modified fundamental aspects of the country’s electoral legislation, abolishing mandatory parliamentary quotas for women, which required that at least one out of four candidates on a party list be of a different gender than the majority;

I. whereas on 28 May 2024, the Georgian Parliament adopted the so-called transparency of foreign influence law, after overriding the veto of President Salome Zourabishvili and despite mass protests by Georgian citizens and repeated calls from Georgia’s European partners to withdraw the draft law which, in spirit and content, contradicts EU norms and values; whereas adopting this law has effectively frozen Georgia’s accession process and led to the suspension of EU financial assistance for Georgia;

J. whereas the law was adopted in a procedure which, according to the Venice Commission, left no space for genuine discussion and meaningful consultation, in open disregard for the concerns of large parts of the Georgian population; whereas the restrictions set by that law to the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association and the right to privacy are incompatible with the strict test set out in Articles 8(2), 10(2), and 11(2) of the ECHR and Article 17(2), 19(2) and 22(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as they do not meet the requirements of legality, legitimacy, necessity and proportionality in a democratic society, and they are also incompatible with the principle of non-discrimination set out in Article 14 of the ECHR;

K. whereas this legislation comes at a time of increasing and ongoing attacks against civil society in Georgia in a seeming effort to narrow civic space by starving independent groups of funds; whereas this legislation is modelled on the foreign agent legislation in Russia;

L. whereas on 6 June 2024, the US imposed visa restrictions on dozens of Georgian officials over the adoption of the ‘foreign agents law’;

M. whereas the European Council, in its conclusions of 27 June 2024, called on Georgia’s authorities to ‘clarify their intentions by reversing the current course of action which jeopardises Georgia’s EU path, de facto leading to a halt of the accession process’;

N. whereas on 11 July 2024, the US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted Georgia sanctions legislation known as the Megobari Act, which imposes sanctions against Georgian officials responsible for undermining the country’s democratic system;

O. whereas on 17 September 2024, the Georgian Parliament passed a law on ‘family values and the protection of minors’, which aims to ban reliable information about sexual orientation and gender identity;

P. whereas the Georgian authorities have not taken into account a single recommendation of the Venice Commission regarding the annulment or modification of the above-mentioned laws on ‘transparency of foreign influence’ and ‘family values and the protection of minors’, the abolition of gender quotas in local and parliamentary elections, and the formation of the Central Election Commission;

Q. whereas there is growing anti-Western and hostile rhetoric from the ruling Georgian Dream party against Georgia’s democratic partners, as well as promotion of Russian disinformation, manipulation and conspiracy theories; whereas that hostile rhetoric also targets Ukraine, as the ruling party uses despicable political banners depicting Ukrainian cities destroyed by Russia, thus capitalising on the suffering of brave Ukrainians; whereas the Georgian Dream party is pursuing a narrative of the West as a ‘global war party’ which is trying to push Georgia back into a war with Russia;

R. whereas an increasing number of incidents indicate that Georgia is experiencing an insecure media environment, which poses a threat to its democracy; whereas Reporters Without Borders’ annual index on press freedom ranks Georgia 103rd out of 180 countries, a drop of 26 places from the previous year;

S. whereas on 28 August 2024, the leader of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, at the inauguration of his party’s electoral campaign, spoke of his intention to ban democratic opposition parties; whereas he was seconded by the Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, who stated that, if the party received a majority in the Georgian Parliament, it would ban certain opposition parties, and referred to the opposition as a ‘criminal political force’;

T. whereas the Russian Foreign Minister’s statement expressing his readiness to help Georgia normalise its relations with ‘the neighbouring … states of Abkhazia and South Ossetia’ was praised by the leaders of the ruling party, demonstrating the Georgian Government’s departure from its policy of non-recognition of the occupied regions of Georgia;

U. whereas parliamentary elections will take place in Georgia on 26 October 2024; whereas the law on ‘transparency of foreign influence’ has effectively blocked the requirement to have domestic observers, whose presence, according to OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights principles, would contribute to an increase in the transparency of and trust in the electoral process;

1. Expresses its deep concern about the democratic backsliding in Georgia, which has occurred exponentially throughout this year and especially ahead of the parliamentary elections on 26 October 2024; strongly condemns the adoption of the law on ‘transparency of foreign influence’ and the law on ‘family values and protection of minors’, as well as the changes to the Electoral Code; considers that the above are tools used by the government to violate freedom of expression, censor media, impose restrictions on critical voices in civil society and the NGO sector or to discriminate against vulnerable people; underscores that the foregoing are also incompatible with EU values and democratic principles, run against Georgia’s ambitions for EU membership, damage Georgia’s international reputation and endanger the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration; strongly underlines that unless the above-mentioned legislation is rescinded, progress cannot be made in Georgia’s relations with the EU; regrets that Georgia, once a champion of democratic progress with Euro-Atlantic aspirations, has been in a democratic backsliding free fall for a considerable period;

2. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to investigate the consequences of the democratic backsliding that these laws represent for their donor role in Georgia and to communicate this possible impact to the Government and Parliament of Georgia; calls for all EU funding provided to the Georgian Government to be frozen until the above-mentioned undemocratic laws are repealed and for strict conditions to be placed on the disbursement of any future funding to the Georgian Government;

3. Expresses its concern about the climate of hatred and intimidation fuelled by statements by Georgian Government representatives and political leaders, as well as by the government’s attacks on political pluralism; condemns comments by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili and leading figures of the government threatening to ban opposition parties and referring to the opposition as a ‘criminal political force’; notes that such intimidation seriously undermines the political process and the freedom of expression, and contributes to an environment of fear;

4. Calls on the Georgian Bureau of Investigation to conduct a thorough investigation of police brutality against peaceful protestors during the spring protests against the law on ‘transparency of foreign influence’ in Georgia;

5. Reiterates its calls on the Commission to promptly assess how Georgia’s ‘transparency of foreign influence’ and ‘family values and protection of minors’ laws, its abolition of gender quotas and other changes in its electoral legislation, the implementation of the Venice Commission’s recommendations in general and the conduct of the elections in line with accepted international standards, affect Georgia’s continuous fulfilment of the visa liberalisation benchmarks, in particular the fundamental rights benchmark, which is a crucial component of the EU visa liberalisation policy;

6. Reiterates its unwavering support for the Georgian people’s legitimate European aspirations and their wish to live in a prosperous country, free from corruption, that fully respects fundamental freedoms, protects human rights and guarantees an open society and independent media; underlines that the decision to grant Georgia EU candidate country status was motivated by the wish to acknowledge the achievements and democratic efforts of Georgia’s civil society, as well as the overwhelming support for EU accession among its citizens, with over 80 % of the Georgian people consistently in favour; appreciates the efforts made by Georgia’s President Salome Zourabishvili to return Georgia to the democratic and pro-European path of development;

7. Deplores the personal role played by Georgia’s oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who returned to active politics on 30 December 2023 when he became ‘honorary chairman’ of the Georgian Dream party, in the current political crisis and in yet another attempt to undermine the Euro-Atlantic orientation of the country in favour of pivoting towards Russia; reiterates its call on the Council and the EU’s democratic partners to impose immediate and targeted personal sanctions on Ivanishvili for his role in the deterioration of the political process in Georgia;

8. Calls for the EU and its Member States to hold to account and impose personal sanctions on all those responsible for undermining democracy in Georgia, who are complicit in the violence committed against political opponents and peaceful protesters and who spread anti-Western disinformation; welcomes the personal sanctions imposed by the US on Georgian Dream officials;

9. Expresses concern about the fact that many recent legislative proposals adopted by the Georgian Dream majority in the Georgian Parliament betray the aspirations of the large majority of the Georgian people to live in a democratic society, continue democratic and rule of law reforms, pursue close cooperation with Euro-Atlantic partners and commit to a path towards EU membership;

10. Emphasises that the rights to freedom of expression and assembly and to peaceful protest are fundamental freedoms and must be respected under all circumstances, particularly in a country aspiring to join the EU;

11. Underlines that the public watchdog role exercised by civil society and independent media is essential to a democratic society and crucial in advancing EU accession-related reforms and therefore calls on the Georgian authorities to do their utmost to guarantee an enabling environment in which civil society and independent media can thrive;

12. Recalls that the European Council of 14 and 15 December 2023 granted Georgia candidate country status on the understanding that the relevant steps set out in the Commission recommendation of 8 November 2023 would be taken; stresses that recently adopted legislation clearly goes against this ambition and has effectively put on hold Georgia’s integration into the EU;

13. Reiterates its call on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement and the President of the Commission to remind the Georgian Government of the commitments it made and the values and principles it subscribed to when it applied for EU membership;

14. Reiterates the tangible opportunities that Georgia would take advantage of once the accession negotiations begin, such as pre-accession assistance that would improve the standard of living of Georgian citizens, as well as support the institutions, infrastructure and social services;

15. Urges the Georgian authorities to ensure that the upcoming parliamentary elections in October 2024 adhere to the highest international standards, guaranteeing a transparent, free and fair process that reflects the democratic will of the people; presses for the abolition of the ingrained practice of misusing public resources and administrative capacity for the benefit of the ruling party; urges the Georgian authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure that all respected civil society organisations involved in election observation can observe these elections without hindrance or interference in their work;

16. Shares the concerns raised by the Venice Commission about the adoption of amendments to the legal framework for elections in Georgia and the Electoral Code, agreeing that these changes to the Electoral Code will have a major impact on the stakeholders’ perceptions of and trust in the impartiality and fairness of the election administration;

17. Expresses alarm at the decision to open only a limited number of polling stations abroad, despite numerous requests from the Georgian diaspora, thereby depriving the majority of Georgians living abroad of the right to vote; is deeply concerned by reports that the Government of Georgia is creating obstacles for the coalition of 30 NGOs and Transparency International Georgia in their efforts to conduct the ‘Go Out and Vote’ campaign; considers these obstacles to be an attempt to undermine democracy in the country;

18. Notes that, amid significant international backlash questioning the legitimacy of the upcoming elections, the Prime Minister of Georgia ‘recommended’ that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) revoke its decision of 24 September 2024 designating Transparency International Georgia as having ‘declared electoral goals’ which the ACB did on 2 October 2024; recalls that the initial decision, if enforced and not revoked, would deprive one of Georgia’s leading civil society organisations of access to foreign funding, severely hindering its ability to continue operations, including election observation, as well as raise concerns about the political neutrality of the ACB;

19. Deplores the use by Georgian Dream of violent images of the war in Ukraine as a means of manipulating opinions and spreading disinformation and pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian sentiment in its campaign ahead of the October 2024 elections;

20. Expects Georgian Dream to respect the will and free choice of the Georgian people in the upcoming parliamentary elections and ensure a peaceful transfer of power; demands that Georgian Dream and its leaders immediately stop the violence, intimidation, hate speech, persecution and repression that it is committing against the opposition, civil society and independent media;

21. Strongly believes that the upcoming elections will be decisive in determining Georgia’s future democratic development and geopolitical choice, as well its ability to make progress with its EU member state candidacy; recognises that it is still possible to consolidate Georgia’s democratic future as an EU candidate country with a young, engaged generation of leaders, which was exemplified by the spontaneous protests against the foreign agent law that took place during 2024;

22. Expresses deep concern about the increased influence of Russia in Georgia, including increased immigration from Russia, increased trade ties with Russia and Georgia’s willingness to pursue reconciliation with Russia despite Russia’s war in Ukraine and its occupation of a fifth of Georgian sovereign territory; calls on the Government of Georgia to impose sanctions against Russia in response to its war of aggression against Ukraine, continue its previous policy of non-recognition of the occupied territories and honour its commitment to enforce effective measures to avoid the circumvention of European sanctions; encourages the Government of Georgia to align fully with the EU’s foreign policy and the EU’s strategy towards Russia;

23. Strongly reiterates its urgent demand for the immediate and unconditional release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds for the purpose of seeking medical treatment abroad; emphasises that the Georgian Government bears full and undeniable responsibility for the life, health, safety and well-being of former President Mikheil Saakashvili and must be held fully accountable for any harm that befalls him;

24. Notes that the Georgian Government has further worsened access to public information, including Soviet-era archives, using the EU General Data Protection Regulation to falsely justify draconian restrictions to archive access, and that some of Georgia’s most important Soviet-era archives (including the archives of the former KGB and the former Central Committee of the Communist Party) have been completely closed since October 2023 without any explanation; highlights Russia’s manipulation and falsification of history, including Soviet history, as part of its war of aggression against Ukraine and its military threats against other countries; regrets the growing cult of Stalin and the related increase in Soviet nostalgia in Georgia, supported by the ruling government, which underscores its closer alignment with Russia;

25. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the President, Government and Parliament of Georgia.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Iraq, notably the situation of women’s rights and the recent proposal to amend the Personal Status Law – B10-0091/2024
Source: European Parliament
with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 150 of the Rules of Procedure

Abir Al‑Sahlani, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Raquel García Hermida‑Van Der Walle, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan‑Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
on behalf of the Renew Group

Document selected :

B10-0091/2024

Texts tabled :

B10-0091/2024

Texts adopted :

B10‑0091/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Iraq, notably the situation of women’s rights and the recent proposal to amend the Personal Status Law

(2024/2858(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Iraq;

– having regard to Rules 150 of its Rules of Procedure;

whereas Iraq is drafting a new, highly restrictive bill on women’s rights amending Personal Status law 188/1959; whereas family matters, including on marriage, divorce and child custody, would effectively fall under the remit of religious courts rather than civil courts, entailing disturbing discrepancies along religious and socio-economic lines; whereas the minimum legal age for girls to marry would be nine years and there are fears of increased violence against women in the future; whereas the Supreme Court approved the most problematic amendments before a third reading which was postponed on October 2nd;whereas the situation of women rights in Iraq was already under heavy criticism before;

whereas Iraq’s UN mission UNITAD, which worked on sexual crimes committed by Daesh against women, particularly Yazidis, has had to close on September 17, 2024 following the decision, supported by Russia and China, to discontinue their UNSC mandate a year ago; whereas Iraq’s UN Mission UNAMI will also have to close in 2025, while UNICEF has been downsizing; whereas all mentions of gender have since been deleted from public reports, including on sexual crimes and women’s role in conflict resolution, at the request of Iraqi authorities; whereas since April 2024 a new law has criminalized the LGBTQ community with up to 15 years in prison; whereas last August, on the event of the ten year commemoration of the Daesh massacre of the Yazidi people in Iraq, Kurdish Iraqi politicians shared hate speech against them ahead of elections;

urges the EU High Representative to publically deplore Iraq’s repressive personal status bill and underlines that the bill would violate Iraq’s international obligations as regards women’s fundamental rights;

calls on the EU delegation to Iraq to intensify its dialogue with Iraqi civil society on the bill, and to pre-condition development grants to judicial training and the establishment of women shelters;

calls to reinforce EU-Iraq cooperation in criminal justice reform, notably to include internationally recognised criminal offenses, notably the use of sexual violence in armed conflicts, to fight impunity for crimes committed by Daesh against women and girls; calls on Iraqi authorities to refer to relevant and competent organisations to specifically train judges and prosecutors on sexual and gender-based violence;

urges EU-Iraq security and counter-terrorism partnerships to include, as strategic priority, the prosecution of international crimes that include sexual and gender-based violence;

calls for a reinforced partnership with the Human rights committee of Iraq’s Parliament, involving legal experts in the process of cancelling the bill, to align with international obligations, in particular on forced marriage and the rights of women and girls, in line with the Convention for the Elimination of Discriminations against Women;

is highly concerned by the lack of legal protection for domestic violence against women and children;

instructs its President to translate this resolution into Arabic and forward it to Iraq’s Parliament and Government.
Last updated: 8 October 2024
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Shares Best Practices for Urban Infrastructure Development with Regions

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Transport and Industry of Moscow

The Moscow government has launched a series of demonstration days to show best practices in urban infrastructure development that can be implemented in other regions of Russia. Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry, announced the initiative.

The first event was dedicated to advanced solutions in the field of transport. Participants were presented with the best practices for the development of the city’s transport system, as well as innovative digital services for drivers and passengers.

On the instructions of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, the capital is ready to share its successful practices and cooperate with the regions to improve the quality of life of city residents. This is in line with the goals set by the President and the Government of the Russian Federation. Today’s event is the result of extensive joint work by the Moscow Government and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. Over the past few months, we have studied and assessed socially significant urban practices that may be useful to other regions, and selected the best of them, noted Maxim Liksutov.

Experts from the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) assessed practices in Moscow and other regions to determine their feasibility and applicability in areas with different population sizes. Using a comprehensive approach, specialists identified the most promising solutions for implementation in the regions.

It is important that the regions have the opportunity to see transport infrastructure facilities and effective solutions with their own eyes. Today, they were able to evaluate Moscow solutions that help the capital remain a leader in digitalization and approaches to the development of the transport system, as well as other practices supported by the Agency and presented at Smartek. Some of these practices are completely free and can be easily implemented in the regions, since they do not require investments in new infrastructure or information systems. They can really take advantage of the huge resources that the authors of the project are ready to provide to other regions and cities. To help the regions understand the effect of the implemented transport solutions, the Agency will develop a corresponding methodology. This document will allow them to see the degree of influence of the practices on the indicators of the national project, – shared Svetlana Chupsheva, General Director of ASI.

Regions will gain access to more than 70 practices in the fields of transport, industry, tourism, culture, healthcare, ecology, education, investment and business development, and social support.

Moscow, as a center for the development of high-tech industries, is implementing more than 20 citywide measures to support industry and is already disseminating positive experience to the regions, including through the conclusion of interregional offset contracts. As part of a specialized demo day, we will share with colleagues the most successful practices of localizing innovative technical and commercial enterprises. The creation of high-tech, knowledge-intensive industries in the regions is, first of all, strengthening the technological sovereignty of the country, developing its scientific and technical potential and, of course, increasing wages and improving the quality of life of people, said Anatoly Garbuzov, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of Investment and Industrial Policy.

The Moscow government is actively replicating successful solutions to increase investment activity and economic attractiveness of regions.

Thus, within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2024, the Government of Moscow and the Ministry of Economic Development signed an agreement on the creation of a single investment portal of the Russian Federation. The basis for joint development will be the investment portal of the Government of Moscow. In February 2024, the first joint digital product was launched – the Investment Map of the Russian Federation.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Call With Argentine Minister of Defense Luis Petri

Source: United States Department of Defense

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and his Argentine counterpart, Minister of Defense Luis Petri, spoke by phone today to reaffirm the importance of the defense partnership between the United States and Argentina. Secretary Austin thanked Minister Petri for Argentina’s joining of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, and the two leaders reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to supporting a democratic, independent, and sovereign Ukraine that can defend itself and deter Russian aggression.

The two leaders noted with satisfaction the deepening of defense ties between the United States and Argentina, to include Argentina’s interest in becoming a NATO Global Partner, Argentina’s decision to join the Combined Maritime Forces in the Middle East, and Argentina’s resumption of its participation in the State Partnership Program with the Georgia National Guard. Secretary Austin thanked Minister Petri for hosting the XVI Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas, which will convene in Mendoza, Argentina on October 13-16, 2024.

The two leaders agreed to continue engaging on the important role that the Western Hemisphere plays in defending a rules-based world order.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese orchestra performs in Vladivostok

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

The China National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Orchestra performed at the Mariinsky Theatre in Vladivostok on Monday, concluding its tour in Russia.

Under the director of conductor Li Xincao, the orchestra presented a variety of pieces by both Chinese and Russian composers.

Ren Xiaolong, general manager of the NCPA Orchestra, said that the performance coincided with the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic ties, emphasizing the orchestra’s role as a bridge of friendship.

Yuri Sergeyevich, a Russian audience, said the concert “was deeply moving and left a lasting impression on us.”

The NCPA Orchestra’s tour in Russia took place from Oct. 1 to 7, with previous concerts held in Moscow and Saint Petersburg as part of the celebrations for the China-Russia Year of Culture.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Music festival harmonizes past and present

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

The Beijing Music Festival opened on Saturday with a stunning fusion of the East and the West. As dusk settled over the capital city, the National Centre for the Performing Arts concert hall glowed against the cool autumn evening, inviting the audience into a world where music and nature seemed to harmonize.

The China National Symphony Orchestra and composer-conductor Tan Dun opened the concert with the Golden Bell Chimes (bianzhong) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a remarkable artifact housed at the Palace Museum in Beijing.

The opening piece Ancient Bells of Peking’s Central Axis is composed by Tan and features pipa (four-stringed Chinese lute) player Zhao Cong.

The music piece was inspired by Beijing’s Central Axis — the 7.8-kilometer north-south line through the capital’s historical center, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 27.

As Zhao’s fingers move across the strings of the pipa, the instrument’s ancient timbre felt as timeless as the city itself, invoking images of iconic buildings from the past, such as the Forbidden City, China’s imperial palace from 1420 to 1911, now known as the Palace Museum, Jingshan Park and the Bell and Drum Towers, blending seamlessly with the contemporary orchestral sounds behind her.

An old friend of the Beijing Music Festival, the annual classical music event launched in 1998 by maestro Yu Long, Tan made his debut at the festival in 2001, performing his Oscar-winning music piece Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a film score Tan composed for director Ang Lee’s 2001 film of the same name.

“I have performed at the festival many times and every time it feels like a reunion with old friends,” says Tan a day before the concert in Beijing. “Music is like a flowing river; a continuous, ever-evolving force that transcends time. Just as a river never stops moving, music flows from generation to generation, carrying the contributions of countless musicians across eras.”

“The Beijing Music Festival, over nearly 30 years, carries stories, emotions and historical contexts, acting as a bridge between the past and the present, the East and the West. Many great musicians from around the world perform during the festival. Just like a river connecting different lands and people, the festival connects generations of cultures,” Tan says.

During the first half of the concert, Tan also led the China National Symphony Orchestra to perform his music piece Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds, during which the orchestra members held up their phones to play the recordings of birds chirping to traditional Chinese instruments.

Young Chinese suona player Liu Wenwen, a first-time performer at the Beijing festival, shared the stage with the orchestra and Tan, performing the famous suona piece Hundreds of Birds Paying Homage to Phoenix. As the nation’s first student in a doctoral program for the suona at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Liu, a 13th-generation suona player, is also one of the most active young players in China.

“We had many discussions about programs for the opening concert for this year’s Beijing Music Festival. Thanks to Tan, we presented Chinese music works during the first half of the concert and Western music pieces in the second half, bringing a sonic journey that bridges Chinese heritage with Western traditions,” says Zou Shuang, artistic director of the Beijing festival, from Oct 5 to 13, with nine concerts by international musicians.

One of the highlights during the second half of the concert was cellist Wang Jian and violinist Lu Wei playing Mozart’s Symphonie Concertante in E-flat Major, K 364 under Tan’s baton.

Composed in 1779, the piece, one of Mozart’s most famous works written specifically for the violin, the viola and the orchestra, is played in three movements, showcasing the interplay between the violin and viola supported by a full orchestra.

“If a cellist were to attempt to play the viola part, there would be both technical and musical challenges. The highly skilled cellist Wang Jian did a great job,” says Yu, an old friend of Wang who first invited the cellist to perform at the Beijing Music Festival in 1999.

“How hard is it for the cellist to interpret the viola part? Just imagine star tennis player Zheng Qinwen playing ping-pong using a tennis racket and winning,” adds Yu.

“The viola’s range sits higher than a cello, which can be physically demanding and requires mastery of the thumb position and fluent shifting. Mozart’s style calls for light, delicate articulation, especially in the interplay between the violin and viola,” he says. “The cellist would need to overcome challenges in range, articulation, tone production, and ensemble balance to maintain the integrity of Mozart’s delicate and intricate writing.”

Considered a child prodigy, Wang was enrolled in the primary school affiliated to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music at 9.

In 1979, celebrated violinist Isaac Stern made a historic visit to China with a documentary crew. In 1981, the documentary about Stern’s visit titled From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China was released, winning an Oscar for Best Documentary. Wang became known internationally as the child prodigy in the film who played the cello with seriousness.

In 1985, Wang entered the Yale School of Music. The following year, he made his debut at Carnegie Hall. Since then, he has embarked on an international career.

“When I first performed at the Beijing Music Festival in 1999, I had lived and toured abroad for decades. The festival’s atmosphere created an intimate connection between the performers and the audience, which impressed me and allowed me to frequently return to my home country,” says Wang, 56. “The festival has made great contributions to the country’s booming classical music scene.”

Tan says he will embark on a trip to France with the China National Symphony Orchestra from Wednesday to Oct 15, performing in Toulouse, Aix-en-Provence and Paris to celebrate the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations.

They will bring the same programs as the Beijing concert, which also include French composer Maurice Ravel’s famous Bolero and Russian composer Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird.

“The concert celebrates musical diversity and cultural fusion. It is a powerful reminder of music’s ability to transcend boundaries, inspiring us for the upcoming performances in France,” says Tan.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Frank Elderson: Interview with Delo

Source: European Central Bank

Interview with Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, conducted by Miha Jenko

8 October 2024

You hold two high positions in the European Central Bank: you are a member of the ECB’s Executive Board as well as the Vice-Chair of its Supervisory Board. You are responsible for both monetary matters and banking supervision in the euro area. Can you explain your dual role at the ECB?

Let me clarify that, at the ECB, decision-making on monetary policy and banking supervision is separate, and for good reason. We want these two functions to pursue their specific objectives and we want to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

That being said, it is important for each side to be aware of what the other is thinking and to understand how the decisions being taken affect the other side. Let me give you a couple of examples. During our strategy review in 2021 we explicitly recognised the importance of safe and sound banks for our price stability mandate, acknowledging that financial stability is a precondition for price stability. Moreover, banks that are safe and sound are able to effectively pass through our monetary policy.

So in the governance of the ECB there is a bridge between the two sides. And I currently occupy this bridge as a member of the Executive Board, which has six members including President Lagarde, as a member of the Governing Council and as Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board. In practice, this means that I inform the Executive Board about what was discussed in the Supervisory Board, and I debrief the Supervisory Board on the decisions taken by the Governing Council. In short, my role is to help ensure that the ECB does not carry out these two separate tasks in isolation.

What is the purpose of your current visit to Slovenia?

The ECB’s two decision-making bodies – the Supervisory Board and the Governing Council – will meet in Slovenia in the space of a week. The Supervisory Board will meet for its regular retreat to discuss strategic issues, while the Governing Council will hold its next monetary policy meeting here. Our colleagues at Banka Slovenije are kindly hosting both events.

Turning to banking supervision, how are banks’ activities and lending affected by the current environment of weak economic growth and deteriorating economic trends, which include increasing bankruptcies in some euro area countries? How resilient is the banking sector in Europe?

European banks are resilient. They have sufficient and adequate capital and liquidity buffers which enable them to absorb losses and withstand shocks. But they should not be complacent, especially in the context of the worsening geopolitical environment, which could have direct and indirect effects on banks. Near-term growth prospects have deteriorated and are subject to high uncertainty because of these rising geopolitical risks. And banks also face several medium-term, more structural challenges.

In this context, our supervisory priorities, which we update every year, help us focus on both the near-term and medium-term challenges faced by banks. We want to ensure that banks are resilient not only today, but also in the long run. As part of our priorities, we want to increase their resilience to sudden macroeconomic and geopolitical shocks and to accelerate the remediation of shortcomings in the governance and management of climate-related and environmental risks. At the same time, banks need to make further progress with their digital transformation and build up their operational resilience.

In short, banks are resilient, but we should not be complacent amid these longer-term challenges, which we will address through our supervision over the coming years.

What lessons have the ECB and the Eurosystem learned from the last financial crisis in order to be better prepared for a possible new crisis, which will not necessarily originate in the banking sector itself, but in companies connected to it?

Since the global financial crisis we have created strong pan-European supervision – the Single Supervisory Mechanism. The financial reforms implemented after that crisis have strengthened banks without compromising their lending capacity. Several things have happened since the global financial crisis: we have had a pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an energy shock and high inflation. So European economies have been exposed to unforeseen challenges. We also witnessed turmoil in international banking markets last year, which exposed fragilities in banks’ risk management and internal governance.

The European banking sector has shown itself to be resilient in the face of these challenges. Take non-performing loans, for example, which have fallen significantly in the European banking system. In 2015, their share was 7%, while in 2023 it was below 2%. That is a big step forward. And as I said, capital and liquidity indicators are now much higher than they were a decade ago. But as supervisors, we should never be complacent, especially given the new risk drivers, such as energy prices, cyberattacks, climate and nature-related risks and geopolitical risks.

Turning now to current developments in the European banking sector, where UniCredit Group’s intention to take over the German bank Commerzbank has recently made headlines. What is your view as euro area banking supervisor?

Let me first say that I cannot comment on individual banks, so my answer will be more general.

We have been crystal clear that cross-border consolidation can be an instrument for further integration of the European banking sector, and we stand by that. Consolidation can also help address long-standing issues in the European banking sector, such as low profitability.

Nonetheless, mergers always carry risks and, as supervisors, we assess them carefully, always applying the limitative criteria set out in Article 23 of the Capital Requirements Directive. Our job is to ensure that every banking transaction – whether at cross-border or national level – results in a banking group that can comply with supervisory requirements in the foreseeable future.

What is your view of the banking sector in our country? What is your message to Slovenia?

Thanks to the reforms implemented after the great financial crisis, banks in Slovenia have come a long way, and in the right direction. When the crisis hit, the Government had to support the three largest banks with a recapitalisation of €3.5 billion. And, naturally, it has taken several years for lending to strengthen. More recently, the privatisation of state-owned banks increased competition in the sector, and this has attracted international banks. Slovenian banks are now well-capitalised, highly profitable and are above the euro area average for profitability, mainly on account of very high net interest margins. Some of this progress can also be attributed to the work of supervisors, including those at Banka Slovenije, with whom we work very well.

So, like in the rest of Europe, your banks are robust but they will continue to face a number of headwinds stemming from the macro-financial environment, geopolitical shocks and challenges related to the green and digital transitions.

As mentioned, our central bank will host a Governing Council meeting next week. Do you expect a new interest rate decision at this meeting?

We will come to Slovenia with an open mind, so I am looking forward to the trip to Ljubljana and to a very genuine and open discussion. Before the meeting, we will take note of all the data and analysis and, as we have said many times before, we will take a meeting-by-meeting approach. A number of recent indicators suggest that downside risks to economic growth are already materialising, so we will need to carefully assess whether this has any implications for our inflation outlook.

What is very clear, however, is the direction of travel in the period ahead. If our projections that inflation will converge towards our 2% target in the second half of 2025 continue to be confirmed, we will continue to gradually ease our restrictive policy stance. At the same time, we need to maintain flexibility regarding the pace of adjustments. This will depend on incoming data, on the economic situation and on inflation. The latest data will of course be taken into account in whatever decision we take in Slovenia.

What specific downside risks to growth do you have in mind?

Economic growth came in at 0.2% in the second quarter, falling somewhat short of our projections. We look at a broad range of data, but we have seen that households are consuming less than anticipated and firms are less keen to invest than we had projected.

What is your view on the exact nature of inflation in the euro area? In particular, services price inflation remains very persistent. Why?

We expect inflation to decline to our target in the second half of 2025. Headline inflation is projected to average 2.5% in 2024, then 2.2% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026. Services inflation remains strong but, according to our projections, we will see a deceleration going into the new year.

We always look at the upside and downside risks surrounding these projections. Geopolitical tensions could raise energy prices, shipping costs and other transport costs in the short term, which could also lead to disruptions to global trade, which would push prices up. Inflation could also increase if wages rise more than expected or if profit margins increase, and extreme weather events and the climate crisis could increase food prices. However, there are also downside risks to inflation, such as lower than expected demand or an unexpected deterioration in the economic environment in the United States and globally.

At the ECB, you are also responsible for monitoring the effects of climate change, in addition to the dual tasks mentioned at the beginning. This year we saw the catastrophic effects of floods in some central European countries, and last year we experienced them in Slovenia as well. Greece, Spain and other parts of southern Europe are ravaged by catastrophic droughts and fires. Can the ECB and national central banks contribute more effectively to mitigating the effects of climate change? After all, you have the power – you have monetary policy and banking supervision in your hands…

I am very aware of the consequences of floods, and of those last year in Slovenia. They caused €10 billion of damage and more than two-thirds of the country was affected. Some places in the Koroška region were cut off from the world and most roads were completely submerged. Recently, we have seen similar things in several other EU countries.

When talking about climate, nature and the ECB, I always say that we are not climate policymakers. We are not involved in climate policy. This is a task for governments, who implement legislation and policies like the European Climate Law and the EU “Fit for 55” plan, for example.

But this topic is also extremely relevant for our mandate, because extreme events like flooding, wildfires and summer droughts also lead to financial risks for banks and the wider economy. In our banking supervision, we check whether banks are adequately managing their climate and nature-related risks. We also take climate and nature into account in our macroeconomic projections.

Are you in favour of introducing more decisive measures that would offer banks more targeted incentives to grant loans for more environmentally friendly or “greener” purposes?

It would be speculative to talk about possible measures that we might hypothetically take in the future. What is clear is that any measure we implement must be consistent with our primary objective of price stability. Our current monetary policy stance is restrictive, so a green lending facility would be something for us to consider in the future, in another phase of the cycle.

That being said, climate change is part of our monetary policy strategy, and we have committed to regularly reviewing our climate-related measures to ensure that we continue to support a decarbonisation path that is consistent with the EU’s climate objectives. For this, within our mandate, all options are on the table. If we were to design new instruments in the future, it’s fair to assume that they would include climate considerations.

In terms of global competitiveness, the EU is falling behind the United States and China. Former ECB President Mario Draghi recently presented a very ambitious plan to increase European competitiveness, including investments of up to €800 billion per year. In his opinion, this money could also be raised through European borrowing, so common European debt. What is your take on this proposal and Mr Draghi’s other recommendations?

We welcome the publication of this report, how concrete it is and its call for urgent action. Competitiveness is critical for sustainable growth, improving the living standards of citizens and boosting economic resilience, especially in the current environment of heightened geopolitical fragmentation. We strongly support this urgent call for coordinated action at the European and national levels. It is now a matter of turning these proposals into concrete measures.

Meeting the strategic investment needs identified in the report requires completing the capital markets union, which we have been advocating for a long time.

The private sector will not be able to finance all of these investment needs alone. European initiatives, including financing through common European funds, could help finance common European public goods such as defence, public procurement, energy grids, disruptive innovation and cross-border infrastructure. Under the right conditions, the potential issuance of common European debt could help bridge the financing gap.

Finally, a new European Commission is expected to start its work in a few weeks’ time. How do you see your cooperation, including on the common objective of making Europe more competitive?

I am very much looking forward to continuing our excellent interactions with the European Commission, both with the outgoing Commission and the incoming one. There are a number of common European initiatives that we both have a very strong interest in. I have already mentioned the capital markets union. Further progress could be made on that, as well as on finalising all aspects of the banking union. And we know from the ECB’s stress tests that the longer we take to complete the green transition, the more it will cost us, so we would very much welcome further progress on that front as well.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kugler, The Global Fight Against Inflation

Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve

Thank you, Isabel, and thank you for the opportunity to speak here at the ECB today.1 I am particularly pleased to be part of this year’s conference because the theme you have chosen has, for some time now, also been a theme of my career as an academic and public servant. Every day, of course, central bankers must bridge science and practice, drawing on the insights that research provides, specifically, because the economy and the world are continuously subject to new circumstances. We must do so, and put those insights into practice, because everyone in the United States, and in Europe, and around the world, depends on a healthy and growing economy, and depends on policymakers making the right decisions to help keep it that way.

But well before I came to the Federal Reserve, I was also bridging science and practice. First, as a labor economist, when, for example, I was exploring how employment, productivity, and earnings are influenced not only by educational attainment and experience, but also by policies. Later, as chief economist at the Department of Labor, I brought science to bear in carrying out its mission of supporting workers. As the U.S. representative at the World Bank, economic science was likewise crucial in deciding how to best direct the institution’s resources to where they were needed the most. In each of these roles, I have learned a bit more about the need to balance rigorous scientific understanding of the problems that people face with the real-world experiences of those people, which sometimes do not fit so neatly into an economic theorem or principle.
Most recently, my colleagues and I on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) have been focused on the very practical task of reducing inflation while keeping employment at its maximum level. To understand the recent experience of high inflation in the United States, it is helpful to consider how inflation behaved around the world after the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the remainder of my remarks, I will discuss the global dimensions of the recent bout of high inflation in different economies, both comparing similarities and contrasting differences, with a special emphasis on the factors that enabled the United States to achieve disinflation while having stronger economic activity relative to its peers. I will then conclude with some comments on the U.S. economic outlook and the implications for monetary policy.
Starting with the similarities in our inflationary experiences, in early 2020, a worldwide pandemic disrupted the global economy and ultimately caused a surge of inflation around the world. Global goods production was hobbled, transportation and other aspects of supply chains became entangled, and there were significant labor shortages, all combining to cause a severe imbalance between supply and demand in much of the world. Sharp increases in commodity prices were exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The result was a global escalation of inflation. As you can see by the black line on slide 2, a measure of world headline inflation in 26 economies accounting for 60 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) rose to a degree that had not been experienced since the early 1980s.
This worldwide increase of inflation was synchronized and widespread across advanced and emerging economies. To measure the synchronization and breadth of this inflationary period, Federal Reserve Board researchers have employed a dynamic factor model to estimate a common component of inflation across these 26 economies.2 As you can see by the blue line on slide 2, the estimated global component accounts for a large share of the variation of headline inflation among these economies after inflation began rising sharply in 2021. This evidence is consistent with the familiar story of widespread lockdowns, shutdowns of manufacturing plants in different parts of the world, disrupted logistic networks, increases in shipping costs, and longer delivery times. In the recovery, we also saw globally higher demand for commodities, intermediate inputs, and final goods and services, with demand exceeding a still-constrained supply.
Indeed, one important contributor to the recent co-movement in inflation across the world has been food and energy prices. As you know, most of the time variations in inflation are heavily influenced by food and energy prices, which tend to be more volatile than the prices for other goods and services. Because many food and energy commodities are traded internationally, retail prices paid by consumers also tend to have some degree of global synchronization. Thus, as you would expect, the black line in the left chart on slide 3 shows that food and energy inflation faced by consumers around the world—here called noncore inflation—rose substantially in the recent inflationary episode. Moreover, world noncore inflation is largely accounted for by its global component in yellow, thus also showing a high degree of global synchronization.
Another thing we can say about the recent worldwide escalation of inflation is how widely diffused it was across different price categories. Core inflation excludes food and energy prices, and it includes many categories more exposed to domestic conditions such as housing and medical services. Yet, as shown by the black and red lines in the right chart on slide 3, the recent rise in core inflation showed a high degree of global synchronization, with the global component accounting for a large share of the post-pandemic inflation. Looking back in history, this is the first time since the 1970s that we saw a rise in core inflation so widespread across such a large number of countries. Moreover, underlying this rise in core inflation in the United States and other advanced economies, research carried out by Federal Reserve Board economists shows that there was a widespread rise in prices across the whole range of categories within the core basket.3
Academics and policymakers have debated about the possible reasons explaining the recent co-movement of inflation around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic was a global phenomenon and had effects on supply and demand that were similar in many countries. On the supply side, businesses closed, affecting goods production and the provision of services. There were labor shortages due to illness, social distancing, early retirements, and declines in immigration, with all of these factors making it harder to produce goods and services.4 Production disruptions and labor shortages propagated around the world due to long and intricate supply chains forged over several decades of growing globalization in trade. The imbalance between supply and demand widened as consumers switched their spending from services to goods, straining transportation capacity that further disrupted supply chains.5 This re-allocation of demand from services to goods also strained the ability of firms to produce, as they struggled to find qualified workers due to the needed re-allocation of workers across sectors.6 This demand was also likely fueled by the fiscal response to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. All of these factors drove up costs, and there were others. Russia’s war on Ukraine intensified the increases in energy and food commodity prices during the recovery from the pandemic. And the interaction of these different forces also likely played a role.7 For example, as Asia increased production to meet higher demand for goods in the U.S., this may have driven up wages and other input costs in Asia, increasing demand for imports from other places and, in turn, raising costs there, and so on. My assessment is that both supply and demand contributed to the recent global inflationary episode, including in the United States, with international trade of goods, including commodities, and services playing an important role in disseminating these forces around the world.
One salient aspect of past inflationary episodes is the observation that core inflation typically falls more slowly than it increases. As we can see by the red lines on slide 4, world core inflation rose more quickly than it decreased in the three most recent episodes of significant inflation and disinflation—from a trough in 1972 to a new trough in 1978; from 1978 to a trough in 1986; and then the recent episode, from the end of 2020 through the first quarter of 2024. In these episodes, the escalation of four-quarter core inflation increased by an average of 7/10 percentage point per quarter to its peak, while it decreased by an average of only 3/10 percentage point per quarter to the trough.8
Still, it is important that central bankers not only compare similarities across economies in the recent inflation fight, but also contrast the differences. Notably, another important feature of the last three inflation and disinflation periods is that though the share of core inflation explained by the common component increases when inflation rises, this share decreases when inflation falls, as can be seen by the black shaded areas of the three panels on slide 4. This suggests that while the reasons underlying the co-movement of inflation across the world—such as global supply disruptions and commodity price shocks—may have been important when prices were increasing, they have been less important when prices have decreased. This evidence indicates that factors that vary from economy to economy become more relevant in the disinflationary period.
Economic researchers have raised several possible explanations for the different inflation trajectories experienced by different economies during this post-pandemic period. For example, some point to differences in the magnitudes of the demand and supply imbalances driven by the shutdown and reopening of each economy, with this imbalance possibly playing a larger role on inflation in the euro area relative to the United States.9 While noting that differences in the size of fiscal stimulus in different countries were likely important, the targeting of that stimulus also differed, in some cases with a greater emphasis on addressing supply disruptions.10 Global factors also affect various economies differently, with studies showing that the exposures to fluctuations in commodity prices are an important issue.11 For instance, Europe was heavily affected by natural gas shortages related to Russia’s war on Ukraine, while gas supplies in the United States were more plentiful during this period. Also, supply chains were untangled at different speeds in different parts of the world, with, for instance, low water levels in the Panama Canal and attacks in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels affecting different shipping routes differently around the world. And, last but not least, differences in labor market tightness very likely played a role, with evidence pointing to its importance in the United States in driving up nominal wage growth, a factor that likely helped keep employment and economic activity at healthy levels.12
Researchers at the Board of Governors also find that differences in the pace of disinflation across countries have been largely driven by different trajectories of services price inflation.13 As shown on slide 5, they find that the dispersion of inflation across countries peaked in 2023 and has been declining since then for headline and core goods, but not so much for core services inflation, with housing developments helping to account for the differences in services inflation. Other cross-country research suggests that wage developments help explain services inflation dynamics.14 Indeed, services inflation from both the United States and the euro area have been elevated. Still, while U.S. housing services inflation has been running higher than the wage-driven nonhousing component, the reverse is true in the euro area.
While the cross-country differences during the recent bout of high inflation have emerged more prominently during the disinflationary period, economic growth has been very heterogenous since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Generally speaking, the U.S. has experienced a significantly stronger recovery than other advanced economies. As we can see in the left panel on slide 6, real GDP has grown substantially more in the United States since 2021. This is also the case with respect to the larger components of GDP, such as consumption and investment, shown in the right two panels.
In explaining why the U.S. has managed to bring down inflation and experience strong economic activity, I believe that the combination of restrictive monetary policy together with convex supply curves can help explain these developments.15 In addition, there are three supply-related factors that have also made significant contributions to the combination of rapid disinflation together with continued and resilient growth.
First, there are important factors that have affected total factor productivity differently across countries. For instance, the U.S. has seen greater business dynamism, as reflected in a higher rate of new business formation, shown in the left panel on slide 7. This is important because while most new firms fail, a small share of those that survive grow rapidly and make significant contributions to aggregate productivity.16 Moreover, the pandemic-era business creation surge has been particularly strong in high-tech sectors, such as computer systems design as well as research and development services.17 In fact, we have also seen greater growth in total factor productivity in the U.S. relative to other advanced economies, as shown in the right figure on slide 7. In addition, while the artificial intelligence (AI) technology is still in its nascency, U.S. businesses across different sectors of the economy are investing in and adopting AI. According to the Business Trends and Outlook Survey of the Census, more than 20 percent of companies in 15 sectors have adopted AI.18 It may be too early to tell, but additional productivity gains may be coming from tasks that are enhanced by AI through process improvements.19
Second, we have seen a stronger rate of labor productivity growth in the United States as shown in the left panel on slide 8.20 The economic policy response to the pandemic in the U.S. was robust, but it was different from the response in many other advanced economies. In other economies, the emphasis was on maintaining employment, and specifically keeping workers employed in their existing firms when the pandemic arrived. This was the case, for example, in the euro area, and the middle panel indeed shows that the unemployment rate peaked several times higher in the United States. This approach minimized euro-area job losses, but it may have limited the flow of workers to more-productive sectors of the economy, which is supported by Federal Reserve Board research showing substantially more sectoral re-allocation of workers in the United States compared to the euro area, as seen in the right figure on slide 8.21
Third, the U.S. labor supply has grown in the post-pandemic period. The labor force participation rate increased solidly, especially from the beginning of 2021 through the middle of 2023, and the U.S. population increased strongly because of high levels of immigration. While recent immigration flows into some European countries have been comparable in proportion to those into the U.S., as seen in the left figure on slide 9, new immigrants may have contributed relatively more to U.S. growth because they often integrate more quickly into the labor force, as seen in the right figure.22
Finally, and turning our focus to monetary policy, this stronger economic performance, with falling inflation, has allowed the FOMC to be patient about the timing in reducing our policy rate. This performance gave us time to strongly focus on the inflation side of our mandate. And this, together with the bump in inflation early this year, helps explain why we began to ease monetary policy to less-restrictive levels only after other central banks of advanced economies had done so. But now, the combination of significant ongoing progress in reducing inflation and a cooling in the labor market means that the time has come to begin easing monetary policy, and I strongly supported the decision by the FOMC in our September meeting to cut the federal funds rate by 50 basis points.
Looking ahead, while I believe the focus should remain on continuing to bring inflation to 2 percent, I support shifting attention to the maximum-employment side of the FOMC’s dual mandate as well. The labor market remains resilient, but I support a balanced approach to the FOMC’s dual mandate so we can continue making progress on inflation while avoiding an undesirable slowdown in employment growth and economic expansion. If progress on inflation continues as I expect, I will support additional cuts in the federal funds rate to move toward a more neutral policy stance over time.
Still, my approach to any policy decision will continue to be data dependent and to rely on multiple and diverse sources of data to form my view of how the economy is evolving. For instance, I am closely monitoring the economic effects from Hurricane Helene and from geopolitical events in the Middle East, since these could affect the U.S. economic outlook. If downside risks to employment escalate, it may be appropriate to move policy more quickly to a neutral stance. Alternatively, if incoming data do not provide confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent, it may be appropriate to slow normalization in the policy rate.
As I have described, the escalation of inflation unleashed by the pandemic was global in scope, and the fight to reduce inflation has also been global. Each of our economies faces its own unique mixture of challenges, but by comparing our similarities and contrasting our differences, I believe we can learn from each other’s experiences.
In conclusion, let me thank those of you in this room who contribute to bridging science and practice. For those working on the policy side, thank you for the hard work you do each day to analyze the economic data that allows not only policymakers like me, but also consumers and businesses to gain a better understanding of ongoing developments in the global economy. On the academic side, thank you for your creativity and ingenuity in asking policy-relevant questions and pushing the boundaries of our understanding of an ever-changing economic landscape.

1. The views expressed here are my own and are not necessarily those of my colleagues on the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Open Market Committee. Return to text
2. See Danilo Cascaldi-Garcia, Luca Guerrieri, Matteo Iacoviello, and Michele Modugno (2024), “Lessons from the Co-Movement of Inflation around the World,” FEDS Notes (Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, June 28). Return to text
3. I refer to updated estimates from the following works: Hie Joo Ahn and Matteo Luciani (2020), “Common and Idiosyncratic Inflation,” Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2020-024 (Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, March; revised August 2024); and Eli Nir, Flora Haberkorn, and Danilo Cascaldi-Garcia (2021), “International Measures of Common Inflation,” FEDS Notes (Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, November 5). Return to text
4. See Danilo Cascaldi-Garcia, Musa Orak, and Zina Saijid (2023), “Drivers of Post-Pandemic Inflation in Selected Advanced Economies and Implications for the Outlook,” FEDS Notes (Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, January 13). Return to text
5. See Gianluca Benigno, Julian di Giovanni, Jan J.J. Groen, and Adam I. Noble (2022), “The GSCPI: A New Barometer of Global Supply Chain Pressures,” Staff Reports 1017 (New York: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, May). Return to text
6. See Francesco Ferrante, Sebastian Graves, and Matteo Iacoviello (2023), “The Inflationary Effects of Sectoral Reallocation,” Journal of Monetary Economics, vol. 140, supplement (November), pp. S64–S81. Return to text
7. See Paul Ho, Pierre-Daniel Sarte, and Felipe Schwartzman (2022), “Multilateral Comovement in a New Keynesian World: A Little Trade Goes a Long Way (PDF),” Working Paper Series 22-10 (Richmond: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, November). Return to text
8. For the 1972–78 period, we define the inflation ascent path as 1972:Q3 to 1974:Q4, while its descent path is 1975:Q1 to 1978:Q2. For the 1978–86 period, we define the inflation ascent path as 1978:Q3 to 1980:Q2, while its descent path is 1980:Q3 to 1986:Q2. For the 2020–24 period, we define the inflation ascent path as 2021:Q1 to 2022:Q4, while its descent path is 2023:Q1 to 2024:Q1 because it is the latest available data. Return to text
9. See Domenico Giannone and Giorgio Primiceri (2024), “The Drivers of Post-Pandemic Inflation,” NBER Working Paper Series 32859 (Cambridge, Mass.: National Bureau of Economic Research, August). Return to text
10. For the economic effects on the size of fiscal stimuli, see Oscar Jorda and Fernanda Nechio (2023), “Inflation and Wage Growth since the Pandemic,” European Economic Review, vol. 156, 104474. Return to text
11. See Christiane Baumeister, Gert Peersman, and Ine Van Robays (2010), “The Economic Consequences of Oil Shocks: Differences across Countries and Time (PDF),” in Renee Fry, Callum Jones, and Christopher Kent, eds., Inflation in an Era of Relative Price Shocks (Sydney: Reserve Bank of Australia), pp. 91–128; and Andrea De Michelis, Thiago Ferreira, and Matteo Iacoviello (2020), “Oil Prices and Consumption across Countries and U.S. States,” International Journal of Central Banking, vol. 16 (March), pp. 3–43. Return to text
12. For the effects of labor market tightness on price and wage inflation, see Olivier J. Blanchard and Ben S. Bernanke (2022), “What Caused the U.S. Pandemic-Era Inflation?” NBER Working Paper Series 31417 (Cambridge, Mass.: National Bureau of Economic Research, June); Olivier J. Blanchard and Ben S. Bernanke (2024), “An Analysis of Pandemic-Era Inflation in 11 Economies,” NBER Working Paper Series 32532 (Cambridge, Mass.: National Bureau of Economic Research, May). Return to text
13. See Maria Aristizabal-Ramirez, Dylan Moore, and Eva Van Leemput (forthcoming), “What Goes Up Together Must Not Come Down Together: An Analysis of Services Disinflation,” Forthcoming as an International Finance Discussion Paper (Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). Return to text
14. See Pongpitch Amatyakul, Deniz Igan, and Marco Jacopo Lombardi (2024), “Sectoral Price Dynamics in the Last Mile of Post-COVID-19 Disinflation,” BIS Quarterly Review, March, pp. 45–57. Return to text
15. See Adriana D. Kugler (2024), “Disinflation without a Rise in Unemployment? What Is Different This Time Around,” speech delivered at the 2024 Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research Economic Summit, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif., March 1. Return to text
16. See Titan Alon, David Berger, Robert Dent, and Benjamin Pugsley (2018), “Older and Slower: The Startup Deficit’s Lasting Effects on Aggregate Productivity Growth,” Journal of Monetary Economics, vol. 93 (January), pp. 68–85; and Ryan Decker, John Haltiwanger, Ron Jarmin, and Javier Miranda (2014), “The Role of Entrepreneurship in U.S. Job Creation and Economic Dynamism,” Journal of Economic Perspectives, vol. 28 (Summer), pp. 3–24. Return to text
17. See Ryan Decker and John Haltiwanger (2024), “High Tech Business Entry in the Pandemic Era,” FEDS Notes (Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, April 19). Return to text
18. In data released September 23, 2024, the share of firms reporting the use of AI to perform tasks previously done by employees in producing goods or services was 27 percent. Return to text
19. See Lisa D. Cook (2024), “Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and the Path Ahead for Productivity,” speech delivered at “Technology-Enabled Disruption: Implications of AI, Big Data, and Remote Work,” a conference organized by the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta, Boston, and Richmond, Atlanta, October 1. Return to text
20. See Francois de Soyres, Joaquin Garcia-Cabo Herrero, Nils Goernemann, Sharon Jeon, Grace Lofstrom, and Dylan Moore (2024), “Why Is the U.S. GDP Recovering Faster than Other Advanced Economies?” FEDS Notes (Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, May 17). Return to text
21. See Joaquin García-Cabo, Anna Lipińska, and Gaston Navarro (2023), “Sectoral Shocks, Reallocation, and Labor Market Policies,” European Economic Review, vol. 156 (July), 104494. Return to text
22. See Courtney Brell, Christian Dustmann, and Ian Preston (2020), “The Labor Market Integration of Refugee Migrants in High-Income Countries,” Journal of Economic Perspectives, vol. 34 (Winter), pp. 94–121. Return to text

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “Challenges of digitalization and new university solutions”: the first forum of additional professional education will be held at the National Research University Higher School of Economics

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

1st Moscow Forum of Continuing Education “Challenges of Digitalization and New University Solutions” will take place on November 14–16, 2024, at the HSE Cultural Center on Pokrovsky Boulevard. This event will be the largest in Russia in the field of continuing professional education (CPE). Representatives of universities, the government, and businesses will discuss current trends, advanced teaching methods, and technological solutions offered in this area.

The program includes more than 50 events on 10 thematic tracks. The forum will also include an exhibition of digital solutions in EdTech. The participants will focus on current issues of additional education for adults. Various aspects of the digitalization of additional professional education will be discussed here: current developments and educational solutions, cases of universities and EdTech companies, research results, modern development directions and approaches to organizing additional professional education, features of business education and the development of continuous education in creative industries, IT, medicine, agriculture, etc.

Events are organized in a variety of formats: panel discussions, TED, round tables, sections of reports, case sessions, master classes, world cafe, open mic.

HSE experts will present the digital ecosystem of HSE’s continuing professional education and various innovative educational solutions for continuing education of adults.

There will also be plenary sessions and thematic tracks relevant to the field of additional professional education:

“State policy and new solutions in additional professional education”;

“Digital transformation of DPO”;

“Quality of DPO”;

“Product approach and marketing in additional professional education”;

“AI and data analysis in continuous education”;

“Modern business education: market needs and the role of business schools”;

“Continued Professional Education for Healthcare: Traditions and Innovations”;

“Continued Professional Education as a Digital Educational and Industrial Environment for Design Projects and Creative Startups”;

“DPO for agrotech”;

“Design and organization of additional professional education programs.”

Workshops will be organized under the advanced training program “DPO: digitalization and new educational solutions” with a choice of one of the profiles – artificial intelligence, digital transformation, marketing and pedagogical design of additional professional education programs.

An important part of the forum will be an exhibition of digital solutions for DPO from EdTech companies, universities and corporate universities. The exhibitors are leading companies and experts in the EdTech industry, who will demonstrate digital products and services for the sphere of DPO and continuous education: modern systems for managing the educational process and developing educational content, interactive services, neural networks, CRM and BI systems, marketplaces, etc.

Participants will have an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with in-demand EdTech projects and establish business contacts.

In addition to the business part, the forum offers a cultural program with excursions around the HSE and networking.

Andrey Lavrov, senior director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics:

— Today, the development of university DPO is becoming a strategically important task given the current state of the labor market and the demographic structure of our society. The shortage of qualified personnel, the speed of technological change, the widespread use of artificial intelligence technologies — all this poses enormous challenges for universities. The Higher School of Economics, as one of the national leaders in DPO, began to look for answers to these challenges, and one of them was the digitalization of our adult education system. In a short time, we were able to create a digital ecosystem for managing all processes in DPO and we are not stopping there, we continue to develop this system. This experience, combined with serious expertise in the field of organizing the educational process, allows us to create a platform for exchanging experiences, searching for technological and optimal solutions for organizing and implementing additional education programs in universities. This is the first such large-scale event for Russian DPO, and we are confident in its relevance and practical benefits.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.hse.ru/nevs/edu/970922927.html

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “Argonauts-2024”: more than four hundred students and schoolchildren applied to participate in the journalism competition

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

All-Russian Student Journalism Competition named after Alexander Goryunov “The Argonauts” has finished accepting participants’ work. This year, 414 media projects from 34 Russian cities have applied to participate.

The student section received 245 applications, the school section – 128. The third section, “Art Journalism,” received 40 applications. Works were accepted in several nominations at once.

The following nominations were included in the school section: press; television journalism; radio journalism; photojournalism; multimedia project. In the student section: print; television journalism; radio journalism; photojournalism; multimedia project. In a separate nomination, “ART-journalism” named after Yulia Barmaeva, works were accepted that were made about culture and people of culture.

— We have been holding this competition for the thirteenth year. And it is very pleasing that the number of people wishing to participate is not decreasing. For us, this means, first of all, that students and even schoolchildren are still interested in the profession of “Journalist”. We see that the children are not indifferent to the life of the country, the lives of individuals, bright personalities. I am sure that many winners of “Argonauts” will become the pride of this profession over time. We have already begun checking the submitted works. And I can say that among them there are almost no routine, template ones, — noted Olga Dmitrievna Zhuravel, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Head of direction “Journalism” at NSU.

The winners and prize winners of the competition will receive an invitation to participate in the Argonaut School, which will be held on October 28-29, 2024, at the Boiling Point – Novosibirsk and NSU. This event will become a platform for exchanging experiences, gaining new knowledge and skills. The School will end with awarding the winners of the competition.

— I participated in the Argonauts when I was still in school. I applied in the Press nomination, Interview sub-nomination and took third place with my work on the topic of animal protection. I was awarded a certificate of honor, which I was later able to attach to my creative portfolio when applying for the Journalism program at NSU. This year, I applied for the second time, only in the student section. It included my video stories about the Kronotsky State Nature Reserve, which I shot during my summer internship. In the Multimedia Project nomination, my team and I submitted our collective work with a longread about children’s camps. Based on the results of the competition, I want to see how modern trends in journalism have changed since my school days, what current schoolchildren are doing, how this can be compared with what was before, see how students are now performing and what they focus on in their work, – shared her thoughts about this year’s competition fourth-year student of the Journalism program at NSU Elizaveta Elster.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://www.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/education/argonauts-2024-more than-four-hundred-students-and-schoolchildren-applied-for-participation-in-journalism/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Project “AtomPro”: foreign students of SPbPU learned about advanced technologies of Rosatom

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

Experts from the company “Rusatom – International Network” Polytechnic and held an expert meeting within the framework of the “AtomPro” project for foreign students of the Institute of Energy, dedicated to advanced technologies of water treatment, water purification and desalination.

The meeting was attended by students from Afghanistan, Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, China, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Iraq, Madagascar, Zambia, Ghana, Pakistan, Sudan, Paraguay, Cambodia, Rwanda. The AtomPro project is aimed at popularizing knowledge about Russian nuclear technologies through a series of expert lectures by representatives of businesses of the Rosatom State Corporation with foreign students of flagship universities.

The meeting discussed key areas of Rosatom’s activities in the field of water treatment, desalination and environmental safety.

Anna Belyakova, Senior Manager of Product Development Management at Rusatom International Network, touched upon several areas of the corporation’s work in this area. Modern desalination systems can be integrated with nuclear power plants. This allows for the efficient use of their heat and electricity to obtain fresh water, making the process more economical. Autonomous desalination plants were also presented, which are especially important for remote regions where access to water is limited.

Representatives of the private institution “RMS” shared their experience of implementing water purification technologies at international facilities, emphasizing the importance of reusing water in industry to reduce its consumption. These solutions not only save resources, but also help minimize the impact on the environment, reducing environmental risks.

Particular attention was paid to hybrid desalination technologies that combine evaporation and membrane filtration methods, which increases the reliability and efficiency of the process. At the end of the meeting, an interactive business game was held for foreign students. The best team received memorable prizes.

The expert meeting became part of the developing cooperation between the university and Rosatom, aimed at popularizing Russian scientific and engineering thought among foreign students. Such an alliance in the international arena helps not only to attract students, but also creates a comfortable environment for development and adaptation both in education and in a professional career.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/partnership/project-atompro-foreign-students-spbpo-learned-about-advanced-technologies-rosatom/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnicians discussed cooperation with Russian Mechanics

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

Representatives of the Higher School of Transport of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Technology from the Polytech Voltage Machine development team visited the company “Russian Mechanics”, which has specialized in the production of high-traffic off-road vehicles for over 50 years. It was this company that developed the first snowmobile in the USSR, the “Buran”.

The production is located next to the Rybinsk Reservoir, a place with picturesque landscapes, ideal for a ride with the wind in the wind on the equipment produced by “Russian Mechanics”. Rybinsk itself with its historical center is no less beautiful.

However, the Polytechnicians came not only to admire the city, but also to discuss areas of cooperation with the management of the Russian Mechanics company. Its employee, 2020 IMMiT graduate and Polytechnic Ambassador Yaroslav Pukazov conducted a full tour of the production, demonstrated the conveyor assembly of equipment and spoke about the aspects of putting the new development into serial production.

The guests, in turn, demonstrated unmanned electric GAZelle, which they recently competed with in the final of the Fifth Level competition. This platform could potentially establish inter-shop logistics for transporting finished products to the warehouse. The company’s management and CEO Leonid Mozheiko, having become familiar with the capabilities of the unmanned vehicle, became interested in launching a trial project on their territory to improve efficiency and optimize logistics when expanding production areas.

Following the meeting, its participants identified at least five areas of R&D that could become a step towards a strategic partnership between SPbPU and Russian Mechanics.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/partnership/polytechnics-discussed-cooperation-with-Russian-mechanics/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University at the International Astronomy Olympiad

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

The third Open World Astronomy Olympiad (OWAO) was held in Sirius. About 100 schoolchildren from 20 countries took part in it, half of them in person.

The Olympiad opened with congratulations from the cosmonauts from near-Earth orbit, who are currently conducting scientific experiments as part of the ISS crew. These are Oleg Kononenko, Nikolai Chub and Aleksandr Grebenkin. The participants in the competition were congratulated by the Minister of Education of Russia Sergei Kravtsov and Hero of Russia cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka, who also gave a lecture.

The Olympiad had four rounds: theoretical, practical, observational and testing. Participants solved problems on knowledge of the starry sky, analyzed scientific material, performed astronomical calculations and made forecasts. And, of course, they communicated with famous scientists and cosmonauts, which undoubtedly contributes to increasing the motivation of talented young people to receive a STEM education. This area of youth policy is a priority both in Russia and around the world.

The expert from Polytechnic at the Olympiad was Hussein Ali Krayani, a teacher of additional education at the Higher School of MOP and a senior lecturer at the department. He is invited to the jury for the second time.

Hussein combines his work as an expert with active work to popularize the International Astronomy Olympiad. He helps expand its geography and attract new participants from Arab countries.

The energy and activity of such polytechnicians as Hussein Krayani undoubtedly contribute to strengthening the image of Russian education in the world and help increase the number of talented applicants to St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, said Dmitry Arsenyev, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at SPbPU.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/international_activize/polytech-at-the-international-astronomical-olympiad/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University chess players held a large-scale tournament

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

The Botvinnik Chess Club of SPbPU organized an open international interuniversity online chess tournament INTER SEP-24 as part of the Interuniversity Team Battles series. More than 1,000 people took part in the event.

The chess players included representatives from Russia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Argentina, Kenya, Australia, Switzerland, Fiji, Brazil, India, Ghana, South Africa, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, Liberia and Mexico.

The organization and conduct of the tournament was carried out by Polytech students Ruslan Barseghyan, Makari Yanchev, Alexey Arkhipovsky, Alexander Khvoshchev, Alena Makovkina, Alexey Aktyufeev, Daniil Agalakov, Lev Bystritsky, Artem Mkrtchyan, Elizaveta Khazagaeva, Anna Sukhova, Anastasia Kotova, Daniil Podreshetnikov, Bogdan Sivov, Angelina Velichko, Anastasia Bulyuk, Denis Zhdanov and Anastasia Kondratyeva.

As a result, the AITU team from Astana took first place. The representatives of the Baikal State University from Irkutsk came in second. The third place was awarded to the TUSUR team from Tomsk.

Once again, the largest inter-university tournament brought together representatives from 16 countries. We intend to develop and expand this event further to make it part of the international university culture, – shared the head of the SPbPU chess club Pavel Martynov.

The final table of the international interuniversity chess tournament INTER SEP-24 can be seen atlink.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/sport/chess-players-Polytechnic-held-a-large-scale-tournament/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: New 5000 ruble banknotes: signs of authenticity

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Bank “RUSSIA” Russia Bank –

Press Releases and Events

10/08/2024

New 5000 ruble banknotes: signs of authenticity

The Bank of Russia has launched modernized 5,000 ruble banknotes into circulation.

The updated banknotes have a modern design and have an enhanced security system.

The new banknote is dedicated to Yekaterinburg and the Ural Federal District. The main image on the front side is the “Europe-Asia” stele, while the back side features the “Tale of the Urals” monument in Chelyabinsk and the “66th Parallel” (Arctic Circle) stele in Salekhard.

Banknotes of 5,000 rubles of the new type are legal tender in cash on the territory of the Russian Federation and are obligatory for acceptance at face value when paying for any types of goods and services without restrictions. The modernized banknotes will be gradually put into circulation and will circulate on par with the banknotes of the 1997 type.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the design and main signs of authenticity of the banknote in the infographics of the Bank of Russia.

Back to list

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://abr.ru/about/nevs/13710/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University donated books to libraries of Donetsk People’s Republic

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

The Polytechnic University donated literature on socially significant topics, including specialized publications on construction, architecture and transport, to replenish and form new library collections in the city of Yenakiyevo in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

The interaction of the Polytechnic University with new regions is not limited to the exchange of experience and the implementation of joint educational programs. An important aspect of cooperation has become the transfer of educational and scientific resources.

Today, library collections in new territories are experiencing a significant shortage of high-quality specialized literature in Russian, noted Lyudmila Pankova, Vice-Rector for Educational Activities at SPbPU.

Polytechnic University collected more than 150 textbooks and teaching aids. The authors of many publications are teachers of our university. Representatives of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport, the Institute of Physics and Mathematics, the Civil Engineering Institute, as well as the Information and Library Complex of SPbPU took an active part in collecting books.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/student_life/polytechnic-donated-books-to-the-libraries-of-the-Donetsk-people’s-republic/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Since the beginning of the year, more than 4.2 million square meters of housing have been put into operation using DOM.RF mechanisms

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

From January to September 2024, over 4.2 million square meters of housing were commissioned in 49 regions for 84.4 thousand families using DOM.RF instruments. Of this volume, over 2.06 million square meters were built using project financing from DOM.RF Bank. In addition, 1.62 million square meters were built on sites that were put into circulation and transferred to investors through auctions, as well as over 533 thousand square meters using the infrastructure bond mechanism. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DOM.RF Marat Khusnullin.

“Improving the housing conditions of citizens is a priority in our work. In his May decree, the President set us the task of increasing the average housing provision to 33 square meters per person by 2030. And we are systematically moving towards this goal. For the further development of housing construction, it is important to more actively engage in the involvement of unused land plots in circulation. We must also not forget about the development of social, road, and utility infrastructure, which stimulates the launch of new housing projects. DOM.RF also makes a significant contribution to this work. Thus, over nine months, with the participation of the state company, over 4.2 million square meters of housing for 84 thousand families have been commissioned,” Marat Khusnullin emphasized.

The leading regions in housing commissioning using DOM.RF tools over three quarters were: St. Petersburg (458 thousand sq. m), Tyumen region (422.5 thousand sq. m), Moscow (356 thousand sq. m. . m), Krasnodar Territory (more than 294 thousand sq. m) and the Republic of Tatarstan (280.3 thousand sq. m).

Over nine months, authorities in 30 constituent entities of the Russian Federation issued permits for the construction of over 1.93 million square meters of residential real estate on sites that were previously transferred by DOM.RF to developers and regions. The leaders in this indicator were: Voronezh (310.5 thousand square meters) and Tyumen (more than 244 thousand square meters) regions, as well as the Republic of Bashkortostan (237 thousand square meters).

“The results of the three quarters of this year have consolidated the trends that have developed over several years of our active work with the regions. On the one hand, more than 40% of housing was commissioned with the participation of DOM.RF in five regions – leaders in this indicator. This indicates a great interest on their part in using the group’s instruments. On the other hand, the number of regions using DOM.RF mechanisms is constantly increasing. In addition, we see an increase in the share of housing that is being built with the involvement of project financing from DOM.RF bank and infrastructure bonds. All this testifies to the effectiveness of the measures used to develop housing construction in the country,” said Vitaly Mutko, General Director of DOM.RF.

Over three quarters, the state-owned company brought into circulation 220 land plots with a total area of over 927 hectares for housing and other construction in 54 regions of the country.

In addition, eight projects for the integrated development of territories on sites with a total area of about 258 hectares were approved during the specified period. These sites are located in the Amur, Irkutsk, Kemerovo and Murmansk regions, as well as the Mari El Republic. Here it will be possible to build more than 717 thousand square meters of housing with all the necessary infrastructure.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://government.ru/nevs/52932/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Deposit auction of JSC “KAVKAZ.RF” will be held on 08.10.2024

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://www.moex.com/n73815

Category24-7, MIL-AXIS, Moscow, Moskov Stotsk Exchange, Russians Savings, Russian Federation, Russians Language, Russian economy

Previous PostPrevious Marat Khusnullin: Since the beginning of the year, more than 4.2 million square meters of housing have been put into operation using DOM.RF mechanisms

Archives Privations of the Police Proudly would trust WordPress

Parameters
Date of the deposit auction	10/08/2024
Placement currency	RUB
Maximum amount of funds placed (in placement currency)	30,000,000.00
Placement period, days	12
Date of deposit	10/09/2024
Refund date	10/21/2024
Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum	19.40
Conditions of imprisonment, urgent or special	Urgent
Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in placement currency)	30,000,000.00
Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs.	1
Auction form, open or closed	Open
Basis of the Agreement	General Agreement

Schedule (Moscow time)
Preliminary applications	from 12:00 to 12:10
Applications in competition mode	from 12:10 to 12:15
Setting a cut-off percentage or declaring the auction invalid	until 12:25

Additional terms

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK sanctions Russian troops deploying chemical weapons on the battlefield
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Russian troops involved in the abhorrent use of inhumane chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine have been targeted by new UK sanctions.
Russia’s Radiological Chemical and Biological Defence (CBR) troops and their commander have been sanctioned for the deployment of barbaric chemical weapons in Ukraine.

UK calls out Russia’s flagrant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and urges Russia to immediately cease all such activity.

Action continues the Foreign Secretary’s personal mission to target the full spectrum of the Kremlin’s malign activity through our arsenal of sanctions.

Russian forces have openly admitted to using hazardous chemical weapons on the battlefield, with widespread use of riot control agents and multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin – first deployed on the battlefields of WW1.

Russia’s flagrant disregard for the Chemical Weapons Convention is a serious violation of international law. Agents of Putin’s mafia state were also responsible for deploying the deadly nerve agent Novichok on the streets of Salisbury in 2018, and against opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2020.

Among those sanctioned today are the Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops of the Russian Armed Forces and its leader Igor Kirillov, responsible for helping deploy these barbaric weapons. Kirillov has also been a significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation, spreading lies to mask Russia’s shameful and dangerous behaviour.

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

The UK will not sit idly by whilst Putin and his mafia state ride roughshod over international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention. I have made it my personal mission to challenge this malign activity, and I will not back down.

Russia’s cruel and inhumane tactics on the battlefield are abhorrent and I will use the full arsenal of powers at my disposal to combat Russia’s malign activity.

Let me be clear; Putin and those who carry out his will have nowhere left to hide. We will continue to use sanctions to directly target and counter the Kremlin’s attempts to sow fear, division and disorder.

Defence Secretary, John Healey said:

Our message to Putin and his regime is clear: you cannot break international law without facing the consequences.

We will not allow such blatant violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and rules-based international order to go unpunished.

The UK is cracking down on those responsible for these horrific chemical attacks in Ukraine. Our support for Ukraine is ironclad and will continue for as long as it takes.

Also sanctioned today are two Russian Ministry of Defence laboratories for providing support for the development and deployment of these inhumane weapons for use on the frontlines.

The UK is steadfast in supporting Ukraine’s fight for freedom, liberty and victory in the face of these barbaric attacks. We have provided Ukraine with vital equipment and training to protect its people against chemical weapons.

The UK has also committed to delivering £3 billion of military aid to Ukraine every year for as long as they need. The UK’s military, financial, diplomatic and political support for Ukraine is iron-clad. We cannot and will not let aggressors like Putin succeed.

Background

Today’s action comes as the UK delivers a statement to the Organisation’s Executive Council laying out the UK’s commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the OPCW in the face of those who act to undermine it. The full speech can be found here.

Those sanctioned today are:

The Radiological Chemical and Biological Defence Troops of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.

Igor Kirillov, Head of the Radiological Chemical and Biological Defence Troops of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.

The Russian Ministry of Defence 27th Scientific Centre.

The Russian Ministry of Defence 33rd Central Scientific Research and Testing Institute.

These targets have been designated under the UK’s Chemical Weapons (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. The individual will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban, and entities subject to an asset freeze. The asset freeze will apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. An individual subject to a travel ban must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom.

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

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Published 8 October 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Measures to protect European companies – E-001813/2024
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001813/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE)

Companies both in Romania and in the rest of Europe are feeling the economic impact of the sanctions the European Union has imposed on the Russian Federation.

1.The Commission’s continued efforts to support European companies affected by the sanctions imposed on Russia are to be welcomed, but in circumstances where many firms in various sectors have been impacted by those sanctions, could the Commission clarify whether financial support measures and compensation for such companies already exist or are in the pipeline?

2.Could the Commission provide further details on the types of financial aid available and on the procedure to follow to obtain that aid?

3.Could the Commission also provide information on future initiatives that might be implemented to reduce the economic impact on the business activities of companies currently being affected?

Submitted: 25.9.2024
Last updated: 8 October 2024
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 23, 2025

Category: Russian Federation

Britain’s problem

Commonwealth heads of government meeting

What Britain needs to do

Britain’s problem

Commonwealth heads of government meeting

What Britain needs to do

Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”. With Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

New exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”

Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”

Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”. With Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

“Golden Autumn” is the main agricultural exhibition in Russia

Interview with Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, conducted by Miha Jenko

There will also be plenary sessions and thematic tracks relevant to the field of additional professional education:

Andrey Lavrov, senior director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics:

New 5000 ruble banknotes: signs of authenticity

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