Russia-EU partnership council in Kazan to discuss coop'n.

KAZAN, May 25 (Itar-Tass) - The Russia-European Union (EU) Permanent
Partnership Council, at its 12th session here on Tuesday, is to discuss
cooperation in the fields of freedom, security, and justice, Russian
Justice Ministry spokesman has told Itar-Tass.
In the "freedom" segment of matters, participants in the session will
review the implementation of agreements between Russia and the EU on
streamlining the issue of visas, and discuss migration and border
cooperation matters.
Those present will examine methods for fighting transnational crime,
terrorism, the trafficking of narcotics, and trade in humans. They will
also share experience in judicial cooperation among the countries on
criminal, civil, and commercial affairs.
The two-day session is being attended by Alexander Konovalov, Russian
Minister of Justice, Rashid Nurgaliyev, Russian Minister of the Interior,
and Konstantin Romodanovsky, Director of the Federal Migration Service.
Among foreign guests, there are Francisco Caamano Dominguez, Spanish
Minister of Justice, Spanish Interios Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba,
Belgian Justice Minister Stefaan De Clercq, Belgian Migration Minister
Wathelet Melchior, European Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem, and
representatives of other EU countries.

.Zhukov to sign statement in Rome on Culture Year program.

ROME, May 25 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Vice-Premier Alexander Zhukov
arrives in the Italian capital on Tuesday. The principal aim of his visit
to Italy is to sign together with the Italian leadership a Joint Statement
on a programme for a 2011 Year of the Russian Culture and Language in
Italy and of the Italian Culture and Language in Russia.
During the brief visit, Zhukov, who co-chairs the organizing committee
on the Russian side, will hold talks with Gianni Letta, State Secretary at
the Italian Council of Ministers, and Chairman of the organizing committee
on the Italian side.
Zhukov is being accompanied by Mikhail Shvydkoi, presidential special
representative for international cultural cooperation and coordinator of
the work of the Russian side of the committee.
The programme for numerous events of the Culture Year has not been
made public in full so far. It is known, however, that the Russian Year in
Italy will begin with an exhibition of works by Alexander Deineka, Soviet
painter, graphical artist, and sculptor of the 1920-'30s.There will be
also exchanges of exhibitions between major museums of the two countries.
The Bolshoi Theatre will give guest performances in Italy and Milan's La
Scala will perform at the re-opening of the Bolshoi's stage after
restoration.
Alexander Avdeyev, Russian Minister of Culture, said earlier that the
main purpose of the cultural initiative is to reach as large audiences in
the two countries as possible. In view of this, provision is made for
active cultural exchanges between regions of Russia and Italy.

.Oil and gas forum, specialized int'l exhibit open in Ufa Tue.

UFA, May 25 (Itar-Tass) - A major oil and gas forum and a specialized
international exhibition on the theme of "Gas. Oil. Technologies --2010"
open here on Tuesday, with over 330 companies from 12 countries
participating, an official at the organizing committee has told Itar-Tass.
Bashkortostan Vice-Premier Yuri Pustovgarov said, "This forum of
domestic and foreign leaders of the oil, gas, and power industries has
acquired a well-deserved prestige through its effective and wide-ranging
work. The forum provides a real opportunity to demonstrate the latest
achievements of the sector exchange ideas and projects, and open up new
vistas for activities".
The scientific programme of the forum will involve about 1,500
scientists and specialists of the oil and gas industry of Russia.
Thematic sections of the international specialized exhibition cover
all branches of the fuel and energy sector -- from prospecting for
deposits to an advanced processing of oil and gas. Exhibitors include
enterprises of 37 regions of the country and those of foreign firms from
Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.
Two international scientific conference workshops, dealing with oil
processing and an appraisal of oil and gas production assets will be held
within the framework of the forum. Special attention will be devoted to
the ensurance of the safety of pipeline transportation of petroleum
products and the processing of associated gas.

.Modern gas industry projects on display at St Pete exhibit.

ST PETERSBURG, May 25 (Itar-Tass) - Modern projects and innovative
technologies for the gas industry are on view at an international
specialized exhibition RosGazExpo-2010, opening here on Tuesday.
Exhibitors are 250 companies and firms from Russia and 16 neighbouring
and other foreign countries, including those from Austria, Armenia,
Belarus, Germany, Italy, France, China, the United States, and Japan, an
organizing committee official has told Itar-Tass.
On display are products of domestic and foreign science and technology
development efforts, instruments and equipment used in construction, in
the operation and reconstruction of gas distribution networks, as well as
in public utilities.
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