Telephone conversation with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia
At Saudi Arabia’s initiative, Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
April 4, 2017
15:55
The King of Saudi Arabia condemned the barbaric terrorist attack in St Petersburg and expressed his sincere condolences to the President of Russia and the entire nation. The heads of state confirmed the significance of intensifying international efforts against terrorism.
Both parties stressed their interest in increasing Russian-Saudi Arabian cooperation in politics, trade and the economy. They discussed upcoming contacts at various levels. Vladimir Putin confirmed his invitation for King Salman to visit Russia.
Telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe
At the initiative of the Japanese side, Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe.
April 4, 2017
15:45
Shinzo Abe expressed his sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the terrorist attack in St Petersburg and passed his wishes for soonest recovery to the injured. The Prime Minister noted that he had made a special public announcement in which he stressed solidarity with the Russian people, and pointed out that the world community must take more active measures against terrorism and extremism.
The leaders also discussed a range of issues on the bilateral agenda, including their meeting schedule.
The President signed Executive Order On Acting Head of the Republic of Udmurtia
Alexander Brechalov has been appointed Acting Head of Udmurtia.
April 4, 2017
15:40
Following the dismissal of Head of Udmurtia Alexander Solovyov from his post due to loss of trust, pursuant to the Federal Law On General Principles of Legislative (Representative) and Executive Governance in the Regions of the Russian Federation, the President appointed Alexander Brechalov Acting Head of the Republic of Udmurtia until the elected Head of Udmurtia takes office.
Telephone conversation with Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande
Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and President of France Francois Hollande.
April 4, 2017
14:35
Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande expressed their deep condolences over the heinous terrorist attack in the St Petersburg metro and asked Vladimir Putin to convey their words of sympathy to the families of the victims and wishes of early recovery to the injured.
The European leaders have pointed out the importance of strengthening cooperation against the common terrorist threat and have agreed to build up the exchange of information between their security agencies.
The discussion of the situation in southeast Ukraine focused on the need to ensure the stability of the ceasefire along the entire length of the contact line. The leaders stressed that the parties to the internal Ukrainian conflict must comply with the Easter ceasefire agreed by the Trilateral Contact Group starting from April 1 and with other de-escalation arrangements. These concern above all the withdrawal of heavy weapons and the disengagement of the parties’ forces and weapons, particularly in Luganskaya.
Vladimir Putin has called for launching efforts to implement the political provisions of the Minsk Agreements as soon as possible. He pointed out the importance of coordinating moves in the sphere of security and political settlement, which should be reflected in the roadmap that is being drafted by the leaders’ aides in keeping with the decisions taken at the Normandy format summit in Berlin on October 19, 2016.
The conversation focused on the humanitarian situation in southeast Ukraine. President Putin pointed out again that Kiev should lift the blockade of the region as soon as possible and take emergency measures to settle the socioeconomic issues in Donbass in accordance with the Minsk Package.
The leaders also discussed the operation of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine.
They have agreed to continue their contacts within the Normandy format, including in light of the upcoming consultations of their aides on April 6.
Telephone conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the Turkish side’s initiative.
April 4, 2017
14:45
The President of Turkey offered his deep condolences over the terrorist attack in the St Petersburg metro and passed on words of support and sympathy to the families of the victims and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. The presidents reaffirmed their mutual intention to further develop bilateral counterterrorism cooperation.
The presidents spoke about the Syrian settlement. It was agreed, in particular, to continue supporting the cessation of hostilities in Syria and promoting the negotiation processes in Astana and Geneva.
Current issues of Russian-Turkish relations were also discussed, taking into account the agreements reached at the meeting of the High-Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council on March 10 this year in Moscow.
Law on Russia’s accession to Convention for Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air
The President has signed the Federal law On Russia’s accession to the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air.
April 4, 2017
11:10
Under the Federal Law, the Russian Federation will adhere to the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air. This will bring Russian laws on air transportation in compliance with international law, and ensure the further integration of the national transport system into the international transport and logistics system.
The new Federal Law will contribute to the development of competitive conditions for air transportation and enhanced liability of carriers.
The Russian Federation is joining the convention subject to certain conditions, specifically, Russia’s right not to apply the convention’s provisions to international non-commercial air operations related to Russia’s functions and obligations as a sovereign state as well as related to the transportation of individuals, cargo and luggage for military officials onboard aircraft registered in the Russian Federation or on loan by the Russian Federation that are fully reserved by these officials or on their behalf.
Amendments to Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code
Vladimir Putin signed the Federal Law On Amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and Article 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation.
April 4, 2017
11:00
Under the new amendments, acts of hooliganism committed on rail, sea, inland water or air transport, as well as on any other public transport, qualify as a criminal offence.
Furthermore, liability will be established for committing acts of hooliganism that threaten the safe operation of vehicles. The maximum penalty for this crime is imprisonment for up to two years.
Law ratifying Protocol on Amendments to Agreement on Rules for Determining Country of Origin for Goods in CIS
The President signed the Federal Law On Ratifying the Protocol Amending the Agreement on Rules for Determining the Country of Origin of Goods in the Commonwealth of Independent States dated November 20, 2009.
April 4, 2017
10:30
The Protocol was signed in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 30, 2015.
The Protocol contains amendments aimed at simplifying customs clearance procedures for both foreign economic operators and the customs agencies.
In particular, it adjusts the definition of certificate of origin to the accepted international terminology.
In addition, the amended Rules for Determining the Country of Origin include a new section on the procedure and timeframe for verifying the declared information about the country of origin of goods. The Protocol also amends the List of Conditions and the Manufacturing and Technological Operations, which must be fulfilled by a given country for it to be considered a product’s country of origin.
Amendments to law on national payment system
Vladimir Putin signed the Federal Law On Amendments to Federal Law On the National Payment System.
April 4, 2017
10:10
Amendments to the Law on the National Payment System stipulate that should a foreign state impose restrictions on the use of payment systems whose operators are registered with the Bank of Russia, the cross-border transfer of funds can be effected from the Russian Federation to such a foreign state only if payment system operators and operators of payment infrastructure services are under the direct or indirect control of Russian legal entities. The restrictions apply only to cross-border transfers conducted without opening a bank account.
The Bank of Russia will publish information on its official website regarding the introduction of such restrictions by a foreign state, based on information received from a federal executive body authorised by the Russian Government.
Law ratifying Geneva Act of Hague Agreement Concerning International Registration of Industrial Designs
Vladimir Putin signed the Federal Law On the Ratification of the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs.
April 4, 2017
10:00
The federal law ratifies the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement on the International Registration of Industrial Designs, adopted on July 2, 1999 and signed in Geneva on July 6, 1999.
The Geneva Act regulates the procedure for filing international applications for the international registration of industrial designs. The ratification of the Geneva Act will simplify the procedure of legal protection of industrial designs in the countries that have ratified it.
In the Federal Law, the Russian Federation made a number of statements aimed at ensuring legal certainty and proper implementation of international obligations undertaken by the Russian Federation in accordance with the Geneva Act.
