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Home NATIONALRussia castigates external interference on domestic matters
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Wed, 26 Jun, 2013 12:01:55 AM
Niinistö-Putin hold talks in Kultaranta
FTimes-STT Report, June 26

Russian president Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said foreign countries should not interfere to the internal affairs of his country as Russia did not interfere to others’ domestic matters.

 ‘I hope the foreign countries will not interfere our internal affairs,’ said the visiting president at a joint press conference after holding talks with his Finland counterpart Sauli Niinistö  at the Kultaranta summer residence of Finnish president Tuesday.

Finnish president Sauli Niinistö (L) and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin arrive to Forum Marinum harbor in Turku. Photo - Lehtikuva
The Russian leader claimed that there was no violation of human rights in his country as far as restriction on adoptions from countries that allow same-sex marriage, a law approved by the Duma, and the rule on non-governmental organisation is concerned.

The discussion between the two presidents was the follow-up of their last meeting held in Moscow on February 12.

Finnish president Sauli Niinistö (R) and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin talking at the presidential summer residence.Photo - Lehtikuva
Finland-Russia bilateral relations, EU-Russia relations and other international and human rights issues featured in the discussion among others.

The Finnish president pointed out the disputes regarding child adoption cases of Russian parents in Finland during the meeting when the Russian president assured that the issue was not a problem at this moment after Russia joined the Hague Convention in this regard.

Gathering when Vladimir Putin arrived at the Forum Marinum harbor in Turku with banner, which say 'Putin why are you so afraid'. Photo - Lehtikuva
Niinistö also said that the issue could be settled down through using bilateral mechanisms easily in addition to the Hague Convention. He said that Russian children are equally treated in Finland.

They also discussed development of economic relations, border crossing and visa related issues during the meeting.

The Finland president reiterated his expectation of more Russian investment to Finland while the Russian president urged for flexible process to issue Finnish visa to Russian national.

Niinistö   said that as the main markets of Finland in the European Union area is in a little bit bad situation, of course the Russian trade may compensate the gap.

 
Pesident Sauli Niinistö aplaudes as Putin touches his name plate at Archipelago Square at Forum Marinum harbor in Turku. Photo - Lehtikuva
The journalists asked number of questions to Putin on the controlling activities of the Russian government to the NGOs and the Human Rights issue following the law regarding the propaganda of homosexuality.

The lower house of the Russian parliament Duma, recently approved unanimously the controversial bill that forbids the spreading of so-called homosexual propaganda to underage people.

Putin said that the law was not against the gay relationships and there was no provision of punishment for same sex marriage but this law was enacted to protect underage children from certain information.

Putin also claimed that the NGOs were brought under accountability but the rule was neither oppressive nor violation of human rights.

He pointed out that similar provision is there in the United States and India also passed a law of this nature.

The human rights organizations and civil society strongly criticized the Russian government for the law, which treats all the organizations run by foreign aid as ‘foreign agents’. Foreign agents need to report to the government about their activities more specifically in Russia.

The presidents also visited Turku to participate in the 60th anniversary celebration of Turku- Petersburg twinning agreement and the nearby maritime centre Forum Marinum.
 

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