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.

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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.

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.

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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.

The following products have been excluded from the list of agricultural produce, raw materials and foods originating in the Turkish Republic and prohibited for import to Russia: frozen chicken parts, by-products of home-raised chicken and turkey, fresh or refrigerated cucumbers and gherkins, fresh apples, pears, grapes, as well as wild and cultivated strawberries. The ban on certain types of work and services by organisations under Turkish jurisdiction has also been lifted.

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The Ministry of Economic Development drafted this document to fulfil the President’s Executive Order №244 of 31 May 2017 On Rescinding Certain Special Economic Measures as regards the Turkish Republic.

Government Resolution №1296 as of 30 November 2015 endorsed a list of agricultural produce, raw materials and food originating in the Turkish Republic that were banned from import to Russia starting 1 January 2016 (hereinafter – the list).

The signed resolution excludes from the list frozen chicken parts, by-products of home-raised chicken and turkey, fresh or refrigerated cucumbers and gherkins, fresh apples, pears, grapes, as well as wild and cultivated strawberries.

The ban on certain types of work (services) has been lifted, including the construction of buildings, engineering structures, and specialised construction work; architectural design, design and engineering; technical tests, research and analysis; activities of travel agencies and other companies that provide tourist services; activities of hotels and other places of temporary accommodation; work and services for government and municipal requirements; wood processing by organisations under Turkish jurisdiction or under the control of Turkish citizens.

In this context, Government Resolution №1458 of 29 December 2015 is hereby declared invalid.

The Agreement stipulates terms for granting national-film status to film co- productions, the entry of either party’s film crews into the territory of each other’s country, the temporary import and export of equipment and materials for film production and the amount of co-producers’ financial stakes.

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This document has been submitted by the Ministry of Culture.

The Russian Party has signed a directive approving a draft Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of India on Audio-Visual Co-Production, hereinafter referred to as the Agreement.

The Agreement stipulates terms for granting national-film status to film co- productions, the entry of either party’s film crews into the territory of each other’s country, the temporary import and export of equipment and materials for film production and the amount of co-producers’ financial stakes.

Russia has concluded similar bilateral agreements on cooperation in audio-visual productions with Canada, Italy, Bulgaria and Germany, as well as a multilateral agreement with the CIS countries. Since 1994, the Russian Federation has been party to the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production.

The conclusion of the Agreement with India is motivated by the fact that India is a major Asian film-producing country.

The signing of the Agreement will make it possible to expand the distribution of Russian-Indian films and will promote the development of the Russian film industry and stronger cultural ties between Russia and India.

Excerpts from the transcript:

Dmitry Medvedev:

In the last few years we have intensified the Russian Federation’s contacts with OPEC considerably.

Coordinated policy in the oil market affects the conditions taking shape for OPEC, other states and even the world economy in general. Many price quotations at stock exchanges, contracts that are signed and even currency exchange rates depend on meetings that take place in OPEC and consultations between OPEC countries and other states and the organisation.

We are pleased with the development of our cooperation and the decisions that were made recently on the basis of coordinated policy. This benefits all countries and allows them to find the required balance in the oil market.

I would like to thank you for your participation in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. The presence of the OPEC Secretary General at this forum will benefit it.

Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo:

Our relations with the Russian Federation entered a new stage last year when I assumed the position of Secretary General.

Your minister, Alexander Novak, was the first minister I contacted. I received valuable support from Mr Novak in a very difficult situation last year.

When I assumed this position, OPEC had problems both internally and in cooperation with non-OPEC members. This was the most difficult stage in the past 40 years, but owing to the political will of the Russian Federation and thanks to Mr Novak we managed to unite within OPEC and later on build a bridge between OPEC members and non-OPEC countries.

Last year OPEC managed to make a historic decision on oil production for the first time in almost eight years. We also involved 10 non-OPEC countries and achieved unity among 24 states. For the first time ever we managed to unite the 24 oil producers both from OPEC and outside it, and this was a historic achievement. It would have been impossible without the will of the Russian Federation and the support we received.