Russia Wants to be More than China's Source for Raw Materials

While Moscow reiterates its pledges to beef up Russia's strategic partnership with China, some Russian officials are warning that Russia would not accept the role of raw materials supplier for China's energy-hungry economy.

Moscow Speaks, Russia Listens

The expression “Moskva govorit” (Moscow speaks) was one of the main elements of inculcating minds reminding who the boss was during the former USSR era. This expression, was later changed to “Moskva govorit, Rossiya slushaet” (Moscow speaks; Russia listens) and has appeared on agenda once again recently.

China ready for more value-added Russian imports - Mironov

The Chinese government is ready to consider importing more Russian machinery and equipment, Sergei Mironov speaker of the Federation Council told reporters in Khabarovsk on Monday.

Russia wary of possible water dispute with China

Russian regional officials, water management experts, and media have reiterated their earlier warnings that Russia could suffer economic and ecological damage as a result of Beijing's plans to siphon off some of the waters of the Irtysh River into western China.

China backs Russia's proposal to hold session of parliament speakers of Shanghai CO member states

China backed Russia's proposal to hold a session of parliament speakers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, the speaker of the Russian parliament's upper chamber said Sunday.

China, Russia initiate mechanism of parliamentary exchanges

China and Russia signed a chapter for cooperation between the China's National People's Congress (NPC) and Russian Federation Council here Sunday, marking the initiation of the regular mechanism of parliamentary exchanges between the two nations.

Russian parliament leader praises Sino-Russian trade ties

Sergei Mironov, Speaker of the Russian Federation Council, said Saturday in this coastal city of northeast China's Liaoning Province that economic and trade ties between the two countries have been "further strengthened".

Russian parliament head wants new monetary benefits for young families

Speaker of the Federal Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, Sergei Mironov said Friday that Russia needed to introduce social monetary benefits for new families.

Interview: Russia seeks Chinese investment, market as ties grow closer

Russia seeks investment from China and is also interested in expanding its market shares in the neighbor as bilateral economic and trade ties grow ever closer, Sergei Mironov, speaker of the Russian Federation Council, or the upper house of parliament, said Tuesday.

Russia's Gref says govt won't directly regulate gasoline prices

Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref said Wednesday that the Russian government would not directly regulate gasoline prices, ITAR-TASS reported.

Russian lawmakers want govt to mull reducing VAT, royalty tax

Russia's Federation Council would propose that the government reduce the value added tax (VAT) and the royalty tax rates, Sergei Mironov, the speaker of the upper house of parliament, told reporters on Tuesday.

Russia-China Cooperation in Fighting Terrorism Important - Russian Official

Cooperation in fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism rank among the main aspects of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov told Interfax on Monday.

A Capital Test for National Democracy

Just over two months remain before voters go the polls to elect the next Moscow City Duma, but the election has already generated enormous interest among analysts and the political elite. For a number of reasons, the City Duma contest has emerged as the main midterm test for Russia's political parties and an indicator of where they stand in advance of the State Duma and presidential elections in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Russia’s Kasyanov to run for president

Former prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov is making a bid for the presidency in 2008. But while the liberal opposition is hoping he will offer them a chance to return to big-government politics, those close to the Kremlin warn that he has his eyes on something more immediate: a Ukraine-style revolution.

Russian speaker calls for law to protect farmers

Speaker of the Federation Council Sergei Mironov called to pass a law that would promote the development of domestic agriculture and would defend farmers from monopolists.

Mironov urges govt to pay part of housing mortgage credit costs

Federation Council chairman Sergei Mironov said the state can cover part of expenses related to housing mortgage credit programmes.

Russian senator advocates cutting 2006 budget surplus

The speaker of parliament's upper house said Wednesday that the government had planned an excessive budget surplus in 2006.

Chairman of the Federation Council Sergei Mironov told St. Petersburg's city legislature that the budget surplus was planned at 776 billion rubles ($27.5 billion), or 3.2% of the country's GDP.

Upper house speaker expects breakthrough solutions in social sphere

The speaker of parliament's upper house said he is expecting breakthroughs on social issues, following a conference with President Vladimir Putin Monday.

Parliamentary commission to publish report on Beslan tragedy by year end

A parliamentary commission investigating the Beslan school hostage-taking tragedy will publish the results of its work by the end of the year, a senior member of the upper chamber of Russia's parliament said Friday.