Russian Influence Returning in Black Sea
Putin said Russia was back as a key player in the Black Sea region.President Vladimir Putin said on Monday Russia was back as a key player in the Black Sea region and urged its neighbours to turn their loose regional grouping into an effective tool of economic cooperation. "The Balkans and the Black Sea have always been a sphere of our special interests," he told reporters after a summit of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation (BSEC). "And it is but natural that a resurgent Russia in returning here." Russia lost much of its clout in the region after the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, but is seeing its influence revive on the back of its strong economic growth and booming oil and gas exports. Many of the 12 BSEC members are ex-Soviet republics or former Cold War allies of Russia. Putin told the Istanbul summit, called to mark the 15th anniversary of the grouping, that the Black Sea had great potential as a hub for delivering oil and gas from Central Asia and the Caspian region to European markets. "Energy supplies are becoming an increasingly important factor in progress," Putin told fellow leaders. "We are ready to solve with our regional partners major tasks that affect not only the economic climate in the region but also the European and world economy," he said in the sumptuous Ciragan Palace beside the Bosphorus straits. Last month, Putin told a conference in St Petersburg that flexible regional groups could challenge the domination of established Western-led international bodies, which he said had failed to fully take into account emerging nations' interests. In Istanbul, he said the BSEC could become such a grouping. "We propose to enhance the stability of local energy markets, among other things through long-term contacts," he said "Diversification of energy delivery routes is also on the agenda." Apart from its Blue Stream project, which delivers Russian gas to Europe via Turkey, Russian monopoly Gazprom last week signed a deal with Italy's ENI to build a pipeline under the Black Sea to Bulgaria and on to Europe.
RIVAL ROUTES
Analysts say the pipeline expansion plans are part of Moscow's strategy to head off the creation of rival routes bypassing Russia. European countries are keen to lessen their heavy dependence on Russia for their oil and natural gas. "All projects, small and big, should be economically viable, otherwise they will be just idle talk bringing disappointment," Putin said, in an apparent reference to the rival projects. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that other projects backed by Russia that the BSEC could undertake included a ring road around the Black Sea coast, a joint energy network and the revival of ferry traffic between major ports. But Lavrov signalled Russia's reluctance to allow the grouping to tackle the region's political conflicts. "Any attempts to politicise its work are counterproductive. The conflicts should be solved in formats that have been approved by the United Nations," he said. In particular, Armenia and Azerbaijan are at loggerheads over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have broken away from central control in Georgia. The leaders of Serbia and Albania -- both members of the BSEC though they are not on the Black Sea -- sparred at Monday's meeting over Kosovo, the mainly ethnic Albanian province that is seeking independence from Belgrade.
RIVAL ROUTES
Analysts say the pipeline expansion plans are part of Moscow's strategy to head off the creation of rival routes bypassing Russia. European countries are keen to lessen their heavy dependence on Russia for their oil and natural gas. "All projects, small and big, should be economically viable, otherwise they will be just idle talk bringing disappointment," Putin said, in an apparent reference to the rival projects. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that other projects backed by Russia that the BSEC could undertake included a ring road around the Black Sea coast, a joint energy network and the revival of ferry traffic between major ports. But Lavrov signalled Russia's reluctance to allow the grouping to tackle the region's political conflicts. "Any attempts to politicise its work are counterproductive. The conflicts should be solved in formats that have been approved by the United Nations," he said. In particular, Armenia and Azerbaijan are at loggerheads over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have broken away from central control in Georgia. The leaders of Serbia and Albania -- both members of the BSEC though they are not on the Black Sea -- sparred at Monday's meeting over Kosovo, the mainly ethnic Albanian province that is seeking independence from Belgrade.
Source: http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=56754
Russia aims to increase number of submarines in Black Sea Fleet
Russia would like to increase the number of submarines in its Black Sea Fleet, but has so far been held back by Ukraine, Russian Navy Commander Admiral Vladimir Masorin said. "In the future Russia's Black Sea Fleet [based in Ukraine's Crimea] should have a brigade consisting of 12-15 diesel submarines," Masorin said. The fleet currently has two diesel subs. "We have been asking Ukraine to transfer a sub from the Northern Fleet to the Black Sea Fleet, but we have yet to resolve the issue," he said. Masorin said in July that the construction of a new base for the Black Sea Fleet at the Russian port of Novorossiisk would be completed by 2012. President Vladimir Putin signed a decree in 2003 setting up the alternative naval base for the Black Sea Fleet in Novorossiisk, after Ukraine demanded the base in Sevastopol, Crimea, be withdrawn by 2017. The commander said that in Soviet times, there were about 60 diesel subs in the Black Sea Fleet. "There is no longer any need for such a number," he said. Masorin said the construction of a third diesel sub named Sevastopol, from the Lada family, had recently been started. He also said the Black Sea Fleet would receive two new ships this year - The Admiral Zakharyin minesweeper and a Serna air-cavity landing craft. Kiev has been pushing for the withdrawal of Russia's naval base in Sevastopol by 2017, in compliance with a previous bilateral agreement. Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement in 1997 stipulating that the Black Sea Fleet's main base in Sevastopol be leased to Russia for 20 years, with the possibility of extending the term. The annual rent of about $100 million is deducted from Ukraine's debt for Russian energy supplies. In addition to the main base, the Black Sea Fleet maintains two airfields and a ship re-supply facility on the Crimean Peninsula. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said in July the current rent could be increased in the future.
Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070802/70232773.html
Russia begins deployment of mountain brigades in North Caucasus
Russia has begun deploying two mountain brigades in the North Caucasus, near the border with Georgia, an Air Force spokesman said Tuesday. Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said in March that the brigades would be completely formed by December 2007 and would be based in the republics of Daghestan and Karachayevo-Circassia. "Over two months, Il-76 planes will conduct about 20 flights to transport personnel of the mountain brigades to the North Caucasus military district," Alexander Drobyshevsky said. The Defense Ministry plans to deploy a reconnaissance and a motorized infantry battalion in the area in July-August, and complete deliveries of military equipment and ammunition to the brigades by October. The two brigades will be manned with contract soldiers and will total about 4,500 personnel.
Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070626/67827837.html
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