Jun52017

Electronic visa issuance for entering Russia through border crossing points in the free port of Vladivostok

Russia
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A directive on the peculiarities of issuing visas in the form of an electronic document and entry to Russia with such visas by citizens of foreign countries included in the respective list has been approved. The mechanism of issuing electronic visas will be introduced phase-by-phase starting on 1 August 2017 as the border crossing points are equipped with the necessary software and hardware. The introduction of simplified entry to Russia via border crossing points on the territory of the free port of Vladivostok will contribute to the investment attractiveness of the Far Eastern Federal District and the expansion of business contacts to facilitate the implementation of projects with foreign participation and increase the number of foreign tourists.

Reference 

Prepared by the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East in accordance with the Federal Law No. 28-FZ of March 7, 2017, On Amendments to Certain Legislation of the Russian Federation, regarding regulation of specifics of entry to Russia via border crossing points of the free port of Vladivostok for foreign citizens with visas in the form of an electronic document.

The Government’s Executive Order No.692-r of April 14, 2017, approved a list of countries whose citizens are issued visas in the form of an electronic document as they arrive through border crossing points on the territory of the free port of Vladivostok (hereinafter – the List). The List includes 18 countries.

The signed executive order approves a Directive on peculiarities of issuing visas in the form of an electronic document and entry to Russia with such visas by citizens of foreign countries included in the List.

Federal executive bodies are instructed to equip the border crossing points with the needed software and hardware, to design and launch a specialised site for processing foreigners’ applications for an electronic visa, and an automated information system for informing transport companies about issued visas.

To obtain an electronic visa, a foreign national must complete an application for such a visa on a special site of the Russian Foreign Ministry no later than four days prior to the expected arrival date.

In case of a positive decision the Russian Foreign Ministry will configure the e-visa and send its data to the state system of migration and registration, and identification document manufacturing, issuance and control (hereinafter – the Mir system).

An e-visa issuance notification will be posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s special site. The electronic visa is valid for 30 calendar days from the date of notification.

The mechanism of e-visa introduction will be put in effect gradually starting August 1, 2017 as the border crossing points are equipped with software and hardware.

Corresponding amendments were also made in the Mir system as approved by the Government Executive Order No. 813 of August 6, 2015.

The introduction of a simplified visa entry to Russia via border crossing points in the free port of Vladivostok will increase the investment attractiveness of the Far Eastern Federal District and the number of business contacts to facilitate the implementation of projects with foreign participation and increase the number of foreign tourists.

Jun52017

Approval of the Concept for Russky Island development

Russia
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As part of Federal Programme, the Socioeconomic Development of the Russian Far East and the Baikal Region. The Concept is aimed at setting up a legal and economic environment for the development of Russky Island as an international research, education and technology cluster. The Concept envisions that budget financing of investment projects may not exceed 30 percent of announced private investment.

Reference 

The signed Executive Order approves the Concept for Russky Island Development (hereinafter referred to as the Concept).

The Concept identifies goals, tasks, guidelines and mechanisms for the development of Russky Island.

The objective of the Concept is to create legal and economic conditions for developing Russky Island as an international research, education and technology cluster.

The Concept is to be implemented in 2017-2027 in two stages.

Stage I (2017–2022) envisions creating conditions necessary for attracting private investments (setting-up a territory of priority socioeconomic development is presumed, and construction of road and utilities infrastructure).

During the first stage, in particular, an international cooperation centre is to be built with congress, exhibition, hotel and office infrastructure, a nuclear medicine centre, a tourist recreation centre with the natural environment of Russky Island, a multi-purpose family center with an aqua park, a Vladivostok Fortress tourist compound, an innovation and cultural centre.

During the second stage (2023–2027) investment projects are to be implemented and Russky Island infrastructure to be further developed (infrastructure of the Far Eastern Federal University, establishing a technical-innovations park etс.).

Measures on building infrastructure for investment projects on Russky Island will be funded from the federal budget as part of the federal programme, the Socioeconomic Development of the Russian Far East and the Baikal Region.

The Concept specifies that budget co-funding of investment projects may not exceed 30 percent of the announced private investments.

Jun52017

Nationwide speeches by Green politicians call for change in political climate

Green Party
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5 June 2017

The Green Party has called for a shift in the political climate in a series of speeches across England on World Environment Day (June 5) [1].

Prominent Green politicians took part in coordinated speeches in Bath, Bristol, Isle of Wight, London and Sheffield [2]. Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, spoke in London at 10am.

Speaking ahead of the event, Bartley said:

“Theresa May’s staggeringly weak response to Trump’s climate sabotage shows how weak her Government is when it comes to environmental protection. She is standing idly by while the US president swings a wrecking ball at the Paris agreement.

“Britain could be leading the world in climate technology, creating thousands of new jobs and building an economy for the future. By voting Green on 8th June you will send the clear message to whoever is in Government that climate-wrecking policies are utterly short-sighted.

“In 2015 UKIP gained one MP but with 13% of the vote they changed the political narrative. UKIP said “jump” and the Conservatives said “how high?”. We can do the same at this election with a Green vote – a vote for a positive, inclusive, open, confident, and caring Britain. A Britain that is a true democracy with a parliament representative of the people.”

Notes:

  1. http://worldenvironmentday.global/
  2. Times and locations of speeches:

Eleanor Field in Bath

Time: 8.30am

Location: Roman Baths, Stall Street, Bath BA1 1LZ

Molly Scott Cato and Jean Lambert in Bristol

Time: 9am

Location: Brandon Hill, Park Street, BS1 5RR

Vix Lowthion in Isle of Wight

Time: 9.30am

Location: 115 St James Street, Newport, PO30 5HB

Jonathan Bartley in London

Time: 10am

Location: Corner of Natal Road and Streatham High Road, SW16 6JA

Natalie Bennett in Sheffield

Time: 11.30am

Location: Surrey Street entrance, Sheffield Winter Garden, S1 2L

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Jun52017

Get outside, connect with the planet that sustains us, urges UN on World Environment Day

United Nations
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5 June 2017 – With well documented physical and mental health benefits of being in nature, the theme of this year’s World Environment Day &#8211 ‘Connecting People to Nature’ &#8211 the United Nations is highlighting the vast benefits, from food security and improved health to water supply and climatic stability, that clean environments provide to humanity.

&#8220This is our environment. It is the keystone of a sustainable future. Without a healthy environment we cannot end poverty or build prosperity,&#8221 said Secretary-General António Guterres in a video message on the Day, commemorated annually on 5 June.

Pointing to land, water oceans, forests, and &#8220the air that we breathe,&#8221 the UN chief reaffirmed that everyone has a role to play &#8220in protecting our only home,&#8221 including using less plastics, driving less, wasting less food and &#8220teaching each other to care.&#8221

&#8220On World Environment Day &#8211 and every day &#8211 let us reconnect with nature. Let us cherish the planet that protects us,&#8221 concluded Mr. Guterres.

World Environment Day is the largest global day for positive environmental action. This year, the main celebrations are hosted by Canada. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) says thousands of people across six continents are joining massive clean-ups of beaches and parks, countries are protecting 1,600 square kilometres of land, and over 30 iconic landmarks, including the Empire State Building, ‘Christ the Redeemer’ statue in Rio, and Niagara Falls, will light up in green.

The Day’s theme encourages people to simply ‘get back outdoors’

The 2017 edition of the Day coincides with the opening at UN Headquarters in New York of The Ocean Conference, the first-ever high-level global meeting on conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. The Governments of Fiji and Sweden have the co-hosting responsibilities of the Conference.

The 2030 Agenda resolves &#8220to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources,&#8221 in particular, the Agenda’s associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 14 and 15 focus on respectively conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources and on protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of land ecosystems.

&#8220Our entire modern life, with its skyscrapers and smartphones, stands on a delicate foundation of natural systems,&#8221 said UN Environment chief Erik Solheim in remarks on the Day. &#8220Today, these foundations are shaking, undermined by man-made climate change, deforestation and extinctions. No amount of advanced technology will save us if we destroy and pollute our natural lifeblood.&#8221

Billions of rural people around the world spend every working day ‘connected to nature’ and appreciate their dependence on natural water supplies and how nature support their livelihoods in the form of fertile soil. They are among the first to suffer when ecosystems are threatened, whether by pollution, climate change or over-exploitation.

VIDEO: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) calls on everyone this World Environment Day to show how they’re #WithNature. Featuring UNEP Goodwill Ambassadors Gisele Bündchen and Don Cheadle.

‘Connect with nature’ by visiting an iconic UNECSO-designated site

In line with the theme of the Day, ‘Connecting People with Nature,’ Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, invited everyone to take time out from busy lives and to visit one of UNESCO’s sites &#8211 including Biosphere Reserves, many Global Geoparks and iconic World Heritage sites &#8211 often overlying key strategic surface or groundwater resources and which bring together more than 2,000 exceptional sites around the world.

&#8220All of them employ local people and have their doors wide open to the public, because we know now this is the surest path to more inclusive and sustainable development, respectful of the boundaries of the planet,&#8221 she said, calling women and men everywhere &#8220to connect with the nature around them that gives beauty, meaning and harmony to the lives we lead.&#8221

Jun52017

Cash-for-votes scandal: SNP overruled civil servants on £1m crofting spending announcement

Scottish Conservatives
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5 Jun 2017

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A senior SNP Minister overruled civil servants who didn’t want to make a press statement on spending for crofters because it breached purdah rules, new emails have revealed.

The fresh revelations comes after the Scottish Conservatives revealed last week that officials had admitted making “the wrong call” in unveiling a £8 million spending deal for Glasgow just before the local government elections.

The Scottish Conservatives have today said the growing scandal has shown that the SNP Government is “mired in sleaze”.

On April 25th, Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing announced he would be spending £1 million on housing for crofters.

Emails published today show that civil servants advised him not to make the announcement because of the election period – but Mr Ewing ignored them and insisted it go ahead.   Mr Ewing claimed the spending announcement was legitimate because it did not involve councils.

However, the guidance clearly states that Ministers should avoid spending announcements that could influence or could be seen to influence voters, particularly in local areas.

Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East Ross Thomson said:

“The evidence is in. It is now clear that Nicola Sturgeon’s government indulged in a systematic breaking of the rules prior to last months’ local government elections.

“This is a growing scandal that requires an urgent investigation.

“Mr Ewing was told by civil servants not to make this announcement but ignored them in an attempt to win a few headlines ahead of the local elections.

“Nicola Sturgeon must end her silence over this affair. After ten years in power, her government is now mired in sleaze.

“On Thursday, voters across Scotland can have their say and make it clear we’ve had enough.”

1. See the full emails here: http://www.scottishconservatives.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-06-03-Purdah2.pdf

2. The release on the funds for crofters on April 25th is here https://news.gov.scot/news/croft-house-grants-awarded

3. The guidance on announcements during an election period can be seen here: https://beta.gov.scot/publications/scottish-local-government-election-guidance-2017/

4. The details of the email exchanges between civil servants and the Minister are here:

18 April 2017 10:05

From REDACTED in Crofting Policy to Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity (Fergus Ewing)

‘I have purposefully not included the total budget for 2017/18, of £2m. This may raise unwanted questions such as why we approved half the budget in the first year

19 April 2017 08:39

From REDACTED in Local Government and Analytical Services Division to Minister for Transport and the Islands cc REDACTED

RE: Croft house Grant – News Release   ‘I take it the Local Government Election period does not create any difficulties with this announcement?’

19 April 2017 09:05

From REDACTED to Minister for Transport and the Islands cc REDACTED

‘I agree with [Redacted] that we should double check this can be announced given restrictions around LG elections’

19 April 2017 11:41

From REDACTED to Minister for Transport and the Islands cc REDACTED

‘Dear all, I have checked the guidance and discussed with comms colleagues and would advise against this being announced during the restricted period for the local government elections.

The funding is particularly relevant to a couple of council areas and could therefore be argued to potentially have a bearing on the local election campaign, particularly with crofting issues having been very topical recently.

‘I’d suggest we don’t issue the press release and there is no croft visit by Yousaf’

Fergus Ewing overruled them:

20 April 2017 12:46

From REDACTED on behalf of Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity To Minister for Transport and the Islands Cc Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity

‘All,   Mr Ewing has commented that a news release should still go ahead as it has nothing to do with the local government.   Aware Mr Yousaf is already on Uist but would it be possible for a news release next week? If not please can you provide more details as to why this shouldn’t go out and I will update Mr Ewing.’

21 April 2017 13:31 From REDACTED To REDACTED Cabinet Secretariat inbox

‘Mr Ewing is keen for a Scottish Government announcement of funding for the Croft House Grant Scheme to be announced next week.

This would be to confirm that £948,000 has been awarded to help crofters in some of Scotland’s most rural and remote communities benefit from better housing.

With 29 crofters sharing the funding which enables them to build or improve homes, helping to retain and attract people to rural communities.

Given the prominence and recent coverage around crofting and the fact that this is a funding announcement, initial consideration within comms was that it would be best to avoid announcing during the Local government pre-election period.

The Cabinet Secretary has now requested advice on whether the announcement could go ahead. Can I have a view from you?’

Senior Civil Servants fell into line behind Ewing – but broke their own guidance

21 April 2017 14:26

From Head of Media for the Rural Economy & Connectivity To Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity; Minister for Transport and the Islands

‘I have discussed with Cabinet Secretariat and [Redacted] has confirmed [Redacted] is content for a factual release to be issued next week’

A further email followed from the Cabinet Secretariat confirming they were not of the view local election guidance would ‘pose a problem’ because ‘the crofting counties are within a clearly defined geographical area, so I don’t think there will be much surprise from a local authority standpoint.’

This is not what the guidance states. It is in fact the opposite of what the guidance states. The guidance, available here, states that:

‘Particular care should be taken over official support, and the use of public resources, including publicity, for Ministerial or official announcements which could have a bearing on matters relevant to the local elections…national announcements by the Scottish Government may have a particular impact on local areas, for example, the publication of policy statements which have a specific local dimension.

Ministers will wish to be aware of the potential sensitivities in this regard and might decide, on advice, to postpone making certain announcements until after the local elections.’