Russian-British relations inspire cautious optimism - RF ambassador.

LONDON, September 10 (Itar-Tass) -- In relations between Russia and
Britain over the past year there has been built up "a reserve that allows
for looking into the future of bilateral cooperation with cautious
optimism," Russian ambassador in London Alexander Yakovenko told Itar-Tass
in an interview in the anticipation of a two-day official visit to Russia
by British Prime Minister David Cameron, beginning on September 11.
"Undoubtedly, the trends in Russian-British relations are
multi-vectored," said Yakovenko. "A positive trend began to be felt with
the coming to power of a coalition Cabinet in Britain. Cooperation has
been developing in the trading and economic sphere, cooperation in
international affairs has never ceased, but at the same time the political
component of bilateral relations is still far below the requirements of
our societies."
"In recent years their condition can no doubt be called controversial
and difficult," said the Russian ambassador. And yet, as Yakovenko,
remarked, one can talk about cautious optimism regarding the future of
bilateral relations. Russian and British government agencies cooperate in
the field of sports, culture, justice, fight against drug trafficking,
space, and many other fields.
"Our immediate goal is to consolidate the achieved level of
cooperation and mutually respectful dialogue and greatly expand the scope
of the conjugation of efforts. Concerted response by London and Moscow to
the challenges of the day, the ability of leaders to understand and feel
each other will be crucial to the degree of harmonization of our modern
international relations," Yakovenko stressed.
Russian-British cooperation in trade and investment has been
developing dynamically. The ambassador said this is "an extremely
important element of the full range of our cooperation." The Russian
diplomat described as an example of cooperation in the most modern
industries the intensification of contacts between Roscosmos and the
British Space Agency. A program for joint action has been adopted. "There
has been an extremely symbolic Russia-Britiain Space Year, which
culminated in the unveiling of a monument to Yuri Gagarin in central
London, timed for the 50th anniversary of his trip to Britain," continued
the Russian ambassador.
The Russian authorities, as Yakovenko said, are interested in
deepening cooperation and exchanges with the British authorities in the
development of the judicial system, the creation of special mechanisms for
citizens to appeal against misconduct by law enforcement personnel,
protection of witnesses, resistance to extremism and aggressive
nationalism, and reform of the prison system. Relevant work is being
conducted by the justice ministries of the two countries within a joint
consultative committee, established in accordance with the memorandum of
understanding on cooperation in the field of justice. "In this context
quite ambitious would be the task of achieving recognition by British
courts of decisions by their Russian counterparts, which would open the
way for a more diligent action by the British judicial authorities in
response to requests from the Russian Prosecutor-General's Office," the
ambassador said.
Very promising, Yakovenko said, is the "Olympic dimension of our
cooperation, where Moscow and London could fruitfully interact through the
prism of the upcoming landmark Games in 2012 and 2014."
Cultural and humanitarian contacts hold a special place in
Russian-British relations, and in modern diplomacy as a whole. This year,
Russia was a guest of honor at the London Book Fair, and "our
participation in it, I think, was a great success," said Yakovenko. "It is
important to ensure we should be judged not only on the basis of the
achievements of the past, but on what is happening in our spiritual life
now," he added.
The Russian ambassador also said that "the mutual promotion and, in
the longer term, abolition of the visa regimen between our countries would
meet the interests of both countries."
"This is the path we are moving along in relations with the EU and a
number of other countries, including the United States."
"I believe that Russian-British relations should not lag behind this
general trend of modern international relations," said Yakovenko.