Last Saturday Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel visited Moscow. Her visit corresponded with International Woman Day which is celebrated on the 8th of March. More importantly, though, Merkel was the first foreign leader to meet not only the current President, but also with President-elect Dmitry Medvedev. Thus, her visit was divided into two parts – formal part and informal one.
Putin met Merkel in his residence in Novo-Ogarevo and reviewed the results of collaboration between Russia and Germany:
“I hope it is not the last meeting with Frau Chancellor, but it is our last meeting while I am President. Our cooperation has been very good. For last 6 years goods turnover has increased 3.5 times and reached 50 billion dollars”.
Frau Chancellor agreed with him and said that it was necessary to look in future for more intensive cooperation between Russia and Germany. Moreover Putin and Merkel also held two-way negotiations and discussed questions of economic cooperation and current world problems.
Russia & Germany: what awaits us?
Some of the results of these negotiations reported during a press-conference, which was organized for German and Russian journalists.
Russia’s President stated that Russia would provide energy for Europe, and to ensure a more reliable supply, Russia will begin construction of gas-pipe with collaboration of Germany. This pipe will run along the bottom of the Baltic Sea and will provide a permanent supply of gas for European consumers. Also Putin promised to continue cooperation with Berlin to settle the situation about Iran, Afganistan and Middle East.
Merkel agreed with Putin, but added that, when it comes to diplomatic problems, each country has its own point of vew. The difference between both leaders’ points of view became clear when the press began to ask questions. For example, Putin called NATO’s expansion as not efficient and even harmful. He said: “I have the impression that the NATO block wants to replace the UN. It forces Ukraine to enter, but people there don’t want it”. On the contrary, Merkel considered that NATO is open to everybody, and had only function was defence against terrorism and other global chanllenges.
The Russian President also called the proclamation of Kosovo’s independence a precedent which would have consequences not only in Europe, but in many regions of the world. Merkel replied that Kosovo was a unique case.
At end of the press-conference Merkel said that she would be glad to work with the new Russian President – Dmitry Medevev – and she hoped that cooperation between Russia and Germany would be as intensive as it was with Putin.
Putin resumed the press-conference with the provocative statement:
“I see that some people are waiting for me to leave the post. They think that with another person as the President, things will be much easier. Medvedev doesn’t have the label of KGB person, but he is the same Russian nationalist (in good sense) as me. He is real patriot of his country and will be active in defending Russians’ interest in world politics”
In my opinion Putin with his statement gave another opportunity for world society to discuss who is the boss in the duet – Putin or Medvedev? But one thing now is clear: other political leaders can’t be relaxed with Russia’s new president. Russia will continue to defend its interests in the international arena.
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In the contrary, the US, Britain and Ireland are flooded with visa applications from highly educated foreigners, with Russians high on the list. How this shows Russia in a positive light I simply cant see.
This is very true. As I type, I am talking online with a young, educated, (and pretty damned cute) female Russian engineer who is currently working for Exxon in Sakhalin. She’s miles smarter than most of the locals I’ve seen working here, and with a better education and work ethic. We are currently engaged in a conversation about what the best way is for her to leave Russia to work in Canada or the US, permanently.
Incidentally, she’s just managed to renew her passport after 7 weeks of trying (they are legally obliged to renew it in 4 weeks, but since when did the Russian authorities care about the law). Because of the delay, she’s missed out on going to an Exxon workshop in Houston which would have advanced her career massively. So today she gets her passport, and finds they’ve spelled her name wrongly. Time to correct the mistake? 7-8 weeks. No wonder she wants to leave.
Yeah right!
Russia is screaming with people looking to get out of there.
A number of mainstream thinking Russians are perfectly aware of the sterotypes being attempted here.
Quite easy to do with other instances.
Spoke with an American college coordinator of MBA and other exchange programs with Russian students. He/she confirmed to me how of late a number of Russians do go back to Russia.
Second attempt.Pardon if duplicated.
Yeah right!
Russia is screaming with people looking to get out of there.
A number of mainstream thinking Russians and others are perfectly aware of the sterotypes being attempted here.
Quite easy to do with other instances.
Spoke with an American college coordinator of MBA and other exchange programs with Russian students. He/she confirmed to me how of late, a number of Russians do go back to Russia.
Spoke with an American college coordinator of MBA and other exchange programs with Russian students. He/she confirmed to me how of late a number of Russians do go back to Russia.
Russian exchange students in return to home country shock!!
Wasn’t always such a given.
Also recall that between 2002-05, the number of folks migrating from Israel to Russia was around 50,000, whereas the reverse on that particular was at 10,000 for the period in question. I’m not sure of the post-2005 stats on such matter.
The top Russian ice hockey and basketball leagues are doing an excellent job at signing top talent (players and coaches) from abroad besides Russians.
Now, it’s a mistake to say that either of two leagues serve as legitimate challenges to their top North American counterparts. However, they’ve good reason to be proud of their generally accepted standing of being number two (though there’s some legitimate debate when it comes to basketball).
The bottom line is that Russia is clearly not the shithole that some seem to caricature it as.
Needless to say (perhaps), there’re several other pertinent factors to consider when evaluating the overall socio-economic situation in Russia.
The place is on the rebound and it’s quite off base to say that it acts like someone without a “job”.
”Yeah right!
Russia is screaming with people looking to get out of there.”
Nobody said that, and you know it, you’re trying to distort me and Tims argument cos you know you’re wrong. The fact is a majority of educated Russians will still end up in relatively low-paid jobs and would jump at the opportunity to leave and many do. This is indicative of a very poor industrial base for them to work in. Its called brain drain. Without oil, Russia is far behind many EU countries – around the Portugal mark I would think. And your statement about sport is ridiculously innapropriate to this discussion. Most Russian sports clubs importing players are heavily backed by energy giants; trying to suggest that Russia is a country noted for immigration simply cos of hockey/basketball/football clubs importing a few stars(usually has-beens, or never-beens, in the case of football) is totally mad. Tim’s story about the engineer was frankly typical and as depressing as ever -another piece of evidence, if any was even needed, that the sole purpose of the Russian government is to make life as fucking miserable as possible as often as possible for its citizens, and skin them for cash in the process. And as a foreigner who frequently goes to Russia, I know myself my only involvement with the Russian state is made as beauracratic as it can be, that of the Russian visa. Just to give an example of who smart the powers that be are in Russia, they still have not managed, inspite of years of threats to do so, to introduce a pay-at-the-border visa system. The result? Prague, Budapest and Riga make a fortune from foreigner visitors who’d rather have seen Moscow but couldnt be arsed standing on their head to get a visa. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. And before anyone remarks that its the same in reverse for Russians coming west, it just doesnt wash. Brit or US visitors to Russia are 99.9% likely to actually go home after the holiday is up; the same cannot be said of Russians going the other way.
”Time and time again I debunk the one sided nonsense said about Russia with facts and fact based opinions.”
Where has this happened on this thread, exactly?
”The bottom line is that Russia is clearly not the shithole that some seem to caricature it as.”
Nobody is saying it is, quite the contrary, Moscow and Petes are very beautiful places and peoples lives are defintely improving there and in select provinces. But the same people, offered a US or Brit or Irish work permit, would be on the next plane out. Mike, you think we’re sneering at Russia, we are not, we are simply calling it as it is -Russia is not a developed nation, its a second world country with some first world clothing and knickers. Only today I was at our village Paddies Day parade and was talking to a Latvian woman whose husband, a Muscovite, is a post doctoral researcher in Univerity of Limerick. They have a nice house, a big car, she looks fabulous…this kind of life is not possible for the vast majority of academics or skilled people in Russia, and thats why they are here.
Tim and Andy, well done today! We got spanked by England, deservedly so, and Wales were just great. France put their best team out and Wales still beat them, fantastic.
Prague, Budapest and Riga make a fortune from foreigner visitors who’d rather have seen Moscow but couldnt be arsed standing on their head to get a visa.
This is bang on. My father, who is ridiculously well travelled and knows his history inside out, asked me what he’d need to get a visa to St. Petersburg. Halfway through my lengthy explanation he said fuck that, and ended up going to Budapest. Your comments on the Russian visa system are absolutely spot on. The Russians are doing themselves out of millions upon millions of dollars per year by making it so difficult to visit places like St. Petes. If they’ve not matured by 2014, the Sochi winter olympics are going to be a farce.
Finally: Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! C’mon Wales!!!!!!!! Second Grand Slam in 4 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeeeeeee-heeee-eesssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a great win for Wales, it really was. After France had messed around with selection for four games, they sent out their best team today and still got spanked. Charlotte Church was looking hotter than usual even by her standards sitting in the stands. It all went right and am delighted. Pity our bunch of tools couldnt do it over the last few years, groan!
The Russain tourism potential is absolutely enormous -how many people have said to us ”I’d love to visit Russia” after we’ve told them we’ve been there? In the 1950s, when Ireland had nothing, the state quickly realised we had endless stuff to see here -castles, countryside, beaches, pubs etc -and quickly set about dragging as many tourists into the country as possible. And we made a fortune and still do it from it. The Russians? No. Make it fucking HARDER to get in each year. The reason they havent went after the tourist buck is, I suspect, that unlike oil or arms, its not an industry the state could readily control or make huge sums itself from -the money instead would be made by hoteliers and small business and ordinary workers – hence no interest by the authorities in developing this. It would benefit ordinary people, the low paid especially, and of course we all know how high up the priority list they are in the Kremlin.
I’m not “distorting” anything. This and other threads serve as proof. No need to rehash again and again the facts and facts based opinions.
And yeah, Russia can considerably help itself on the mentioned travel arrangement side.
The reason they havent went after the tourist buck is, I suspect, that unlike oil or arms, its not an industry the state could readily control or make huge sums itself from
This is definitely one reason, another is that they are paranoid control freaks by design. What other reason can there be for making Russian citizens use an internal passport to travel around the country, and forcing everyone to be registered at a property they own if they want to be somewhere for more than a couple of weeks? No wonder they won’t let foreigners in easily if they treat their own like this.
”I’m not “distorting” anything. This and other threads serve as proof. No need to rehash again and again the facts and facts based opinions.”
Nobody said you were distorting. We made the point that Russia has a poor industrial base and suffers barin-drain; you presented no evidence to counter this, inpsite of disagreeing with us.
”And yeah, Russia can considerably help itself on the mentioned travel arrangement side.”
Something we agree on. The sad thing is the only people the Russians are hurting with this nonsense is themselves. Its very sad.
”No wonder they won’t let foreigners in easily if they treat their own like this.”
Exactly. But what I find most bizarre is the Russians still have not realised the counterproductivity of this, especially with regard to foreigners entering. I suspect that Russians -who put pointless nationalist ego and pride before logic and commonsense – believe that because Russians have red-tape to endure going to the west, the same must be true in reverse. But the fact is this is necessary -a lot of Russians would not go home if given visas with ease, I actually know one or two here who ”forgot” to go home when their visa was up. Rich western holiday makers, however, of course would go home. But Russians cannot swallow their pride for a greater good, they’d rather a greater evil. In the mid-80s, when Ireland was on its knees and the IMF nearly took over the country, the US-very wisely and well within their rights-clamped down very heavily on Irish immigration. Did Ireland change our rules to make it hard for Americans in reverse? Not a chance. The Irish stepped up efforts to get US tourists in. Just to give an example of what this stuff is worth, Irish gets around 8 million foreign tourists a year, netting around 4 BILLION euro in the process. Thats tiny Ireland. Can you imagine what the Russians could make? But no. Trying to look good and imagining they are the equal of the west is much more important.
Tim the story about your Dad is sadly depressing and familiar. I’d have had far more relatives at my own wedding in Moscow were it not for this nonsense, and several friends who promised to visit – like your Dad, well travelled -just gave up. And I wouldnt mind but the Russian embassy in Ireland are actually very nice and polite, clearly being in Ireland is rubbing off. Mike, whats the story with when you came to Russia? Did you have to get one of those stupid ‘priglasheniye’ -invitations -like the rest of us in the British Isles, or is it any easier for Americans? Or did a travel agent just do it for you?
I did in fact present evidence to the contrary. I’m sure that many of those folks arriving from Israel to Russia are in the skilled category. There’s plenty of other such evidence as well.
Bureaucracy isn’t an exclusively Russian problem. Several Russians have complained to me about the lengthy paperwork regarding American citizenship and maintaining a proper standing of non-American citizenship status while residing in the US.
Post 911 America has become rather tight assed. There’ve been several news features of how big brother like cameras exist in the UK.
”I did in fact present evidence to the contrary”
where? Returning emigrants who cant get a decent job in Israel does not constitute a good industrial base at home.
”Bureaucracy isn’t an exclusively Russian problem. Several Russians have complained to me about the lengthy paperwork regarding American citizenship and maintaining a proper standing of non-American citizenship status while residing in the US.”
Thats true, but we are talking about holidays, not citizenship, which quite rightly is complex- people should not get citizenship with ease, and I’m quite happy actually that Ireland makes it as hard as possible. People have to earn the right to citizenship, and be very determined to get it, its not something to be just given out.
”Post 911 America has become rather tight assed. There’ve been several news features of how big brother like cameras exist in the UK.”
Yes, but control of internal and external movement and right of abode/work internally does not happen in these countries. This, far more than video cameras catching people drunk or getting laid, is a far more serious and insidious method of dominating the population.
It’s also inaccurate to depict the non-Russian former USSR migration to Russia as exclusively unskilled.
Ditto the Chinese, who have come to Russia’s fareast. Contrary to the sensationalists, I don’t see their presence as a definite future threat – but something more akin to the Chinese presence in California.
You apparently missed the earlier but not so distant Israeli reference.
”It’s also inaccurate to depict the non-Russian former USSR migration to Russia as exclusively unskilled.”
Nobody said FSU immigration to Russia was totally unskilled. Its just very badly paid, and there isnt a hope Russia could attract skilled work from the west in large numbers there. Mike, I dont know why you feel the need to defend Russia endlessly -nobody here is going out of their way to attack Russia, we’re simply calling it as we see it. Russia is 2nd world. Its just a fact.
Mike, I hate to say it, but Russians in many cases do not have a great life in Israel and choose to come home. It is because of this they go home, not because Russia is so great. Using this as an example of skilled immigration to Russia is total bunkum.
That retort is “bunkum”. Israel is considered an advanced country.
It’s mind boggling how some seem to get their rocks off by incessantly highlighting real and exaggerated faults in Russia.
One of the English language blogs is authored by a Westerner in Russia, who is there for its money making potential. Those are his words.
”That retort is “bunkum”. Israel is considered an advanced country.”
Unless I am mistaken, I though we were talking about Russia’s lack of industrial base, not Israel’s. Israel is indeed an advanced nation -nobody said otherwise. Russia is not.
”It’s mind boggling how some seem to get their rocks off by incessantly highlighting real and exaggerated faults in Russia.”
Its also mind boggling how people who have never actually been to Russia and speak no Russian defend it to the last!:-) Including murdering their own citizens in Chechnya!
LIAR! Ive been to Russia. Numerous individuals the world over prove that knowledge of a foreign language doesn’t often realte to knowing a good deal about the politics and history of the country in q
LIAR! I’ve been to Russia. Numerous individuals the world over prove that knowledge of a foreign language doesn’t often relate to knowing a good deal about the politics and history of the country in question.
YOU don’t set the grond rules of what is to be discussed here. Like your talking about something not having to do with the thread’s topic at all.
You still doesn’t grasp how people die in war.
You doesn’t go after Newman on the numbers killed since the 2003 Iraq war. A war that Newman supports.
You continue to carry on like a troll.
You know, perhaps a better way to respond would be:
“Sorry old chap, I do believe you’ve misunderstood me. I’ve been to Russia (jolly nice place), but don’t speak the local lingo.
Would you like a cup of tea?”
We might be talking about Russia, but this is an English blog, after all. Some decorum and rules must be observed – not least, the English obsession with politeness!
Oh – and tea. Did I mention the importance of tea?
That should extend first and foremost to the person constantly introducing rudeness.
After awhile one can be justifiably aghast at such cranking.
As for “industrial base”, Russia seems to be getting its share of new factories.
Some decorum and rules must be observed – not least, the English obsession with politeness!
The English lost that obsession years ago. We now seem to excel at, and even pride ourselves on, pig-ignorant boorishness.
Of the people who I work around in Sakhalin, the most polite by far are the Americans from the southern states, especially Texans. When discussing business with them, they refer to me as “sir” throughout, which is quaintly unusual.
Something I always admired about Dubya Bush was that he is always unfailingly polite, something his detractors are generally incapable of, and something that some of his fellow presidents (Putin and Chavez spring to mind) would do well to learn. I have read an account of Bush when he ran for governor of Texas against the incumbent Anne Richards, who marred her campaign with barrages of personal abuse against Bush and his family. Bush, by contrast, simply referred to his opponent as “Governor Richards” throughout his own campaign, and won easily.
Politeness is a very effective instrument, and a desirable one to wield. Would be nice to see more of it online.
That’s for O’Brien.
As a comparison, it doesn’t apply anywhere near as much to me.
If someone constantly sticks it, it’s not unreasonable for that person to get it right nack.
Politeness is a very effective instrument, and a desirable one to wield. Would be nice to see more of it online.
Indeed old chap, I do believe I’ve understood you. I’ve been to several blogs (jolly nice places), and understood the lingo there. And I also recognize the importance of tea.
So, dear Mr. Newman, Sir, would you like a cup of tea?
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”Indeed old chap, I do believe I’ve understood you. I’ve been to several blogs (jolly nice places), and understood the lingo there. And I also recognize the importance of tea.”
This is great, but unfortunately the vast majority of Englishmen do not speak like that! But I’m sure Andy does. No doubt he’s Eton educated and worn out from debutant balls in Chelsea:-)
At any rate, Happy Paddies day everyone!:-)
No – Zummerzet all the way.
Oim a prahper yokel, oi am.
Ah Andy! No! In my mind’s eye my picture of you was this fopish, Richard E Grant-style charmer hosting chattering soirees, charming the ladies:-)
In my mind’s eye my picture of you was this fopish, Richard E Grant-style charmer hosting chattering soirees, charming the ladies
Someone like “Phileas Fogg” ?
”Someone like “Phileas Fogg” ?”
Yes, Heribert, someone like that!:-) Everything jolly good!
Politeness is a very effective instrument, and a desirable one to wield. Would be nice to see more of it online.
Indeed.
Ah, the English veiled insult is making a comeback, I see.
Gentlemen, you would make top class Englishmen!
Gentlemen, you would make top class Englishmen!
By George ! Indeed, old chap ! Tea anybody ?
But it isn’t teatime yet, I suppose.
Anyway … may God save the Viceroy of Sakhalin, the civilized world’s hope and glory !
Time for Breakfast Tea, of course…!
Breakfast Tea at this time of the day ? According to the Bavarian-Orthodox Calender we are rapidly approaching the “Weisswurst & Bier -2nd-Breakfast” which has to be eaten before 11 AM Central-Bavarian-Daylight-Saving-Time (CBDST)
”Breakfast Tea at this time of the day ? According to the Bavarian-Orthodox Calender we are rapidly approaching the “Weisswurst & Bier -2nd-Breakfast” which has to be eaten before 11 AM Central-Bavarian-Daylight-Saving-Time (CBDST)”
2nd breakfast? Well for some! In old Ireland years ago you’d be lucky to get one breakfast, never mind two:-)
I had to get used to this 2nd-breakfast tradition in Bavaria as well. I’ve spent quite some time in Bavaria in 1987 and 1989, some 30 km from Munich.
The Bavarian lads I worked with got up at about 6 am and had a huge breakfast. From 9.30 to 10.00 AM they had their first “Brotzeit” which included a pair of “Weisswuerstl” with sweet mustard and a “Mass” (a 1 ltr mug of beer). At noon they went to lunch, had another “Brotzeit” at 4 PM and went to supper at 6 PM. With each meal they had beer, only the 6 AM breakfast came with coffee.
In Bavaria beer isn’t considered being alcohol … its “basic food”.
http://www.russiablog.org/2008/02/russia_sees_baby_boom_in_2007.php#comments
Excerpt:
Yes it is great to see this faith in the country. I am a transplanted Canadian who with my Russian wife helped to contribute to this baby boom when my daughter was born here in SPB last Oct. I am using my skills to help Russians improve their English in the State University and I am very happy that these students plan on staying in Russia because they are confident in their country.
Posted by: Frank Godon | February 9, 2008 11:46 PM
Mike, credit to you. You never give up:-)
Why “give up”, when I submit valid points?
One of many reasons why I shouldn’t “give up”.
http://www.russiatoday.ru/sports/news/22122
As currently posted, the above linked commentary is substandard. Non-nations Palestine, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands are full fledged members in the IOC.
While not supporting Kosovo’s independence, I do support the idea of it having full IOC and UN representation as an irrevocably autonomus part of Serbia. In addition to the mentioned non-nations in the IOC, Soviet era Ukraine and Belarus had such in the UN.
I stated all this on my own. No rehashing of what someone else said. This is indicative of an originally well thought out overview.
Forgive me for not being so impressed with some of the regularly propped experts. I’m not the only one feeling this way.
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