Lavrov, Westerwelle to discuss Egypt

MOSCOW, February 4 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov is leaving for the security conference in Munich on Friday where he
will meet his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle to discuss the crisis
in Egypt.
"The situation in Egypt will be discussed at various formats of Sergei
Lavrov's participation in the Munich conference," foreign ministry
spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said.
Lavrov and Westerwelle will also discuss Russia-EU and Russia-NATO
dialogue, cooperation in the UN Security Council framework and in the
sphere of arms control. The Iranian nuclear problem and the Middle East
settlement are likely to be on the agenda as well.
Lavrov will address the Munich conference on Saturday. The foreign
ministry said he would call to promote the constructive dynamic in
security relations in Europe and confirm they target cooperation rather
than confrontation.
"The attention of participants will be drawn to prospects of practical
implementation of the principle of security indivisibility on the
Euro-Atlantic space in compliance with the initiative of Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev to conclude a legally binding European security treaty,"
the ministry said.
Missile defense issues will be highlighted as well as material
guarantees that military planning in Russia and NATO countries does not
target each other.
Lavrov will meet U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the
sidelines of the conference to exchange ratification credentials for the
new START treaty which would officially come into force on February 5.
The Russian-US treaty reduces deployed nuclear warheads to 1550 for
each party and limits strategic nuclear means of delivery to 700.
On Saturday Lavrov will participate in the ministerial meeting of the
Middle East Quartet which was initiated by Russia.
"To change the situation for the better political will is necessary
from both parties as well as concrete actions to create the necessary
dialogue-favorable situation in the region. It is necessary that both
parties refrain from unilateral steps that predetermine the outcome of the
talks on the final status. In particular, that concerns complete cessation
of Israeli settlement activity on the occupied Palestinian territories,
including Eastern Jerusalem. Simultaneously any terrorist manifestations
shall be prevented and calm preserved along the Gaza Strip perimeter and
steps made to lift its blockade," the Russian foreign ministry said.

.Defense minister inspects South Kuril military.

KHABAROVSK, February 4 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian Defense Minister Anatoly
Serdyukov will inspect troops deployed on South Kuril Islands of Iturup,
Kunashir, and Shikotan on Friday, the headquarters of the Eastern military
district told Tass.
It said Serdyukov initially arrived in Khabarovsk and then left for
the 18th machinegun-artillery division deployed on the islands.
"During the planned trip the minister will inspect combat readiness
and material provision of troops, as well as everyday living conditions of
servicemen and their families," the press service of the headquarters said.
"Today Anatoly Serdyukov will hold a meeting in the headquarters of
the Eastern military district to sum up the results of the trip," the
press service said.

.Japan to report fishing corruption to Russia.

TOKYO, February 4 (Itar-Tass) -- The Japanese government will hand
over to Russia investigation materials concerning four Japanese fishing
companies that bribed Russian officials in order to exceed the allowed
fishing quota in Russian territorial waters.
Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Michihiko
Kano told a press conference on Friday the materials will be handed over
during consultations in Moscow on February 7.
"We would like to cooperate with Russia so that such things no longer
happen," he said.
Late last year Japanese tax authorities exposed that four domestic
companies concealed close to 500 million yen of incomes (over 6 million
dollars) in 2007-2009. The money was paid to Russian officials for illegal
extra fishing in the Russian exclusive economic zone. Media reported the
bribes were handed over either onboard trawlers or remitted to bank
accounts, including in Cyprus.
The fishing companies had to pay fines and in January were banned
from sailing into the sea for 70 days as punishment. It was decided to set
up a special taskforce to fight corruption related to fishing in Russian
waters.
A check of all vessels operating in the Russian economic zone began in
February. Such measures to eradicate poaching are taken in Japan for the
first time.