Abkhazia president to address MGIMO students Tue.

MOSCOW, February 16 (Itar-Tass) - President Sergei Bagapsh of the
Republic of Abkhazia arrives in the Russian capital on Tuesday for a
two-day official visit at the invitation of Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev. Bagapsh will begin his first official visit to Russia with a
speech before the students of the MGIMO University of the Russian Foreign
Ministry.

The programme for the Abkhazia president's visit provides for his
meetings with Russian Head of Government Vladimir Putin, Vice-Premier
Sergei Ivanov, and Minister of Transport Igor Levitin.
A meeting between Sergei Bagapsh and Dmitry Medvedev will take place
in the Grand Kremlin Palace on February 17 with the participation of the
members of official delegations, to be followed by the signing of a number
of agreements on cooperation between Abkhazia and Russia in the military,
transport, and banking spheres, as well as in the fields of efforts to
curb illegal migration, the prevention and elimination of the aftermath of
emergencies, and environmental protection. Sergei Bagapsh is to have a
conversation with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in the
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on February 18.
On the eve of his visit to Russia, Sergei Bagapsh pointed out that
policy with regard to Russia, which is "the closest ally and friend of
Abkhazia" would remain unchanged. "Abkhazia will be establishing normal
relations with all countries that recognize it as an independent state and
subject of international law," he said.
Russia, which defended South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the August of
2008 against the armed aggression launched by the Mikhail Saakashvili
regime, became the first country to recognize the independence of the
Republic of Abkhazia. Its example was followed by Nicaragua in September
of the same year, and a year later Venezuela recognized Abkhazia. The
Republic of Nauru recognized Abkhazia in December 2009. Abkhazia has
established diplomatic relations with all these countries.
Bagapsh visit to Russia will be made on a fourth day after his
February 12 inauguration in Sukhum.

.Moldova-EU interparliament coop'n panel to meet Tue.

CHISINAU, February 16 (Itar-Tass) - The 12th session of the
Moldova-European Union (EU) committee for interparliamentary cooperation
opens here on Tuesday.
The press service of the republican government has announced that
representatives of the European Parliament will acquaint themselves with
the political situation in Moldova, the state of affairs in the economy,
prospects for a settlement of the Trans-Dniester Region problem, and
discuss cooperation within the framework of the EU's Eastern Partnership
programme. At the close of the second working meeting on Wednesday,
participants in the session are to adopt recommendations for Moldova and
give a press conference.
A press service official pointed out that this is the first session of
the newly composed committee. The parliamentary cooperation committee on
each side has 14 members and 12 candidate members -- from the
Europarliament and the Legislative Assembly of Moldova.
Romanian parliamentarian Monica Macovei is to co-chair the session on
the European side. Her deputies are Tatiana Zdanok of Latvia and Iliana
Iotova of Bulgaria.
On the Moldovan side, the session will be presided over by Igor
Corman, chairman of the parliamentary commission on foreign policy and
European integration (Democratic Party), and vice-chairmen -- MPs Mihai
Godea (Liberal Party) and Gregory Petrenco (Party of Communists).

.RF, Guatemala to develop coop'n in all fields -- Lavrov.

GUATEMALA CITY, February 16 (Itar-Tass) - Russia and Guatemala intend
to develop economic cooperation, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sergei Lavrov said here on Monday at the close of meeting with his
Guatemalan counterpart Aroldo Rodas,
Lavrov pointed out that he had already "had fruitful conversations
with the President of Guatemala and with the country's Parliament
Speaker". "The meetings demonstrated intentions to develop our contacts on
all tracks. The development of a sustainable political dialogue is taken
note of," Lavrov emphasized.
The Russian Foreign Minister stressed that the sides had agreed "to
elevate our economic contacts to the level that would be up to the
potential of the two countries".
When speaking of cultural cooperation, Lavrov said that not long ago
the Guatemalan President had requested Russia to provide Diego Rivera's
painting Glorious Victory from the collection of the Pushkin Museum for
exhibition. "I hope that people in Guatemala will be able to see the
painting as early as this autumn," he said.
The Guatemalan side expressed gratitude to Russia for the given aid
amounting to $1 million, which had enabled the country to overcome the
aftermath of drought in the autumn of 2009.
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