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Russia resumes flights with Belgium, Bulgaria, Jordan, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, North Macedonia, the United States and Turkey

Source: Russian Federation Government

Tatyana Golikova held a meeting of the Emergency Response Centre to prevent the import and spread of the novel coronavirus infection on Russian territory.

Context

Following the discussion and considering the epidemiological situation in a number of countries, a decision was made to resume reciprocal regular air traffic with the following states effective 28 June 2021:

Belgium: Moscow – Brussels, four flights a week;

Bulgaria: Moscow – Sofia, Moscow – Varna, Moscow – Burgas, four flights a week on each route; Yekaterinburg–Burgas, Yekaterinburg – Varna, Mineralnye Vody – Varna, Samara – Burgas, Rostov-on-Don – Varna, Rostov-on-Don –Burgas, one flight a week on each route;

Jordan: Moscow – Amman and Moscow – Aqaba, two flights a week on each route;

Ireland: Moscow – Dublin, two flights a week;

Italy: Moscow – Rome and Moscow – Milan, four flights a week; Moscow –Venice and Moscow – Naples, two flights a week;

Cyprus: Moscow – Larnaca, four flights a week; Moscow – Paphos, three times a week; two flights a week on each route from Russian airports that have resumed international air traffic, to Larnaca and Paphos;

North Macedonia: Moscow – Skopje, one flight a week.

Starting 28 June 2021, Moscow will also resume air traffic with the United States: Moscow – Washington and Moscow – New York, two flights a week.

In addition, following the visit of a Russian delegation to Turkey and in accordance with the conclusion of Russian experts, a decision was made on the expediency of resuming regular and charter air traffic with Turkey starting 22 June 2021, for the routes and frequency agreed upon prior to its suspension.

Starting 28 June 2021, the number of regular flights also will be increased on a reciprocal basis to Austria (Moscow – Vienna, from two to seven flights a week); Azerbaijan (Moscow – Baku, from three to four flights a week);

Armenia (Moscow – Yerevan, from five to six flights a week);

Greece (Moscow – Athens, from four to seven flights a week; Moscow – Thessaloniki and Moscow– Heraklion, five flights a week on each route; Moscow – Rhodes and Moscow – Corfu, four flights a week on each route; Moscow – Araxos and Moscow – Zakynthos, two flights a week on each route; Rostov-on-Don – Thessaloniki, Mineralnye Vody – Thessaloniki, and Samara – Thessaloniki, two flights a week on each route; Krasnodar – Thessaloniki and Kazan – Thessaloniki, one flight a week on each route);

Qatar (Moscow – Doha, from four to seven flights a week; St Petersburg-Doha, two flights a week);

Serbia (Rostov-on-Don – Belgrade and Krasnodar – Belgrade, two flights a week on each route);

Finland (Moscow – Helsinki, from seven to 14 flights a week);

Croatia (Moscow – Split, Moscow – Dubrovnik and Moscow – Pula, two flights a week on each route);

Switzerland (Moscow – Geneva and Moscow – Zurich, from three to seven flights a week on each route).

The response centre also decided to resume starting 28 June 2021 flights abroad from the international airports of Bryansk and Ulyanovsk, considering Government Resolution No 635-r of 16 March 2020 and the need to observe public health requirements.

Due to the complicated epidemiological situation in Tanzania, the current restrictions on air traffic have been extended through 19 July 2021.

The response centre has also advised travelers to get vaccinated before flying abroad for additional protection against the novel coronavirus.

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AMERICA/MESSICO – L’assassinio di Fra Juan Antonio Orozco non rimanga impunito, “la sua morte sia un seme di speranza”

Source: The Holy See in Italian

Headline: AMERICA/MESSICO – L’assassinio di Fra Juan Antonio Orozco non rimanga impunito, “la sua morte sia un seme di speranza”

Città del Messico – “La violenza sistematica che si vive nel territorio nazionale messicano derivante dall’attività della criminalità organizzata non può essere resa invisibile; né il poco o nessun impegno e preparazione da parte delle autorità federali, statali e comunali non solo per proteggere la cittadinanza, ma anche per svolgere un’indagine adeguata per perseguire e punire questo tipo di reato, violando così il diritto umano alla vita, alla dignità e alla sicurezza della popolazione in generale”.

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Official speeches and statements – June 18, 2021

Source: France-Diplomatie – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development

1. COVID-19 – Lifting of patents on COVID-19 vaccines – Reply by Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, to a question in the Senate (excerpts) (Paris – June 16, 2021)

We’re absolutely convinced of the need to make the vaccine a global public good. And this goal requires a number of conditions: first of all, financial contributions – we’re delivering – and donations, where we’re delivering too and demonstrated this again through the President’s intervention at the G7 meeting in Cornwall. It’s not just words: 60 million donations [of doses]. I’d like to tell you, coming back from Africa and having confirmed with a number of countries France’s ongoing cooperation, that for all the African leaders these aren’t just words – maybe for you, but not for them. (…)

Regarding South Africa and India, we’re in discussion with them, including in South Africa, to prepare to establish vaccine-factory projects in Africa, especially in South Africa and Senegal.

The aim is to ensure that all the factors preventing the global distribution of all the vaccines, and global immunity for all the world’s citizens, can be lifted as quickly as possible. The preventive factors are, first of all, export-linked. I’ve clearly noticed that until now the United States of America, while being in favor of lifting patents, hasn’t been in favor of lifting export processes. This scenario seems to be changing since last weekend’s meeting, and so much the better.

As regards patents, we’ve always been in favor of intellectual property not being an obstacle to the distribution of vaccines. That’s still our approach. And we’ve noticed that within the WTO and WHO, the necessary provisions exist today to avoid any monopolization of patents by pharmaceutical production companies. It’s simply about implementing this. The European Union has just made a proposal to this effect. We’d like it to be implemented within those bodies – I hope with the support of the United States of America, which mustn’t make do with mere declarations but also proposals for action.

2. United States/Russia – Press briefing by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Paris – June 17, 2021)

What’s your assessment of the outcome of the summit between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva, notably with respect to the decision to launch consultations on cyber security and strategic security?

The resumption of the high-level dialogue between the United States and Russia is a positive development.

The joint statement issued by the American and Russian Presidents paves the way for discussions on strategic stability and arms control between two countries that currently possess almost 90% of the world’s stockpile of nuclear weapons. A dialogue with Russia on these issues is necessary in the context of the gradual breakdown of the existing arms control instruments, as noted by the NATO heads of State and government at the summit in Brussels on June 14.

We would like to see greater coordination between allies, especially within NATO, in order to set the agenda and the parameters for the dialogue with Russia on these issues. It must also take into account new elements that play a role in strategic stability, such as cyber security issues. We would like the Europeans to actively contribute to these discussions relating to the security and stability of our continent.

3. Foreign Trade – Boeing-Airbus agreement – Interview given by Mr. Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, to BFM Business (excerpts) (Paris – June 15, 2021)

Was the agreement difficult to reach? The dispute dates back 17 years, obviously with all the consequences it’s had. How did the agreement… Tell us a bit about the backstory to the truce.

There are three major factors explaining the truce. First of all, the assertion of European sovereignty. We’ve been very clear for several months and shown firmness whilst reaching out. At the end of last year we applied customs tariffs, when the WTO authorized us to do so, to American aerospace and other categories of products, in retaliation for the US decisions. So we asserted our European sovereignty.

The second factor was the change of administration in the United States, with the Biden administration’s desire to forge a transatlantic relationship with Europe again, and therefore a stronger, revitalized, calmer and more peaceful transatlantic relationship.

And thirdly it was the growing power of China and the arrival of competitors to our aerospace flagships which, particularly because of unfair practices, threaten both Boeing and Airbus. So these three factors led to this historic agreement. A 17-year-long dispute and now we have an agreement that gives us a clear view of the way ahead, not only for aerospace stakeholders but also all those who have been collateral victims of the dispute, starting with producers of wines, spirits and other products that were very heavily taxed by the United States in the dispute.

And how is that going to happen, the lifting of customs duties? Is it already in place? When’s it from?

It’s already in place. As you know, there was a four-month moratorium, endorsed on March 11, which gave us until July 11 to negotiate. And now, through this decision, we’re maintaining that moratorium, in a way, but suspending these customs duties for five years, with a very clear desire to reach the best possible agreement in order, in fact, to mutually accept the definition of funding for public support to US aerospace on the US side and to European aerospace on the European Union side. And so objectively things are absolutely historic, because after a 17-year-long dispute we have five years of clarity ahead so there won’t be a trade war over aerospace and over those who, again, were collateral victims of the dispute, like [producers of] wines and spirits. (…)

But we still have a number of issues to deal with: there’s the steel dispute and there are of course questions about US extraterritorial practices that continue to cause us problems, banning a number of our businesses from trading with other countries – I’m thinking of Russia, Iran, Cuba and others. And so we have to continue dialogue, discussion with the United States. But we’ve now taken a step that really enables us to show there’s a change of attitude by the United States, a breath of fresh air.

4. United States of America – Meeting between Ms. Florence Parly, Minister for the Armed Forces, and Mr. Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America – Communiqué issued by the Ministry for the Armed Forces (Paris – June 16, 2021)

In the margins of the NATO summit on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, the Minister for the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, had a meeting with her American counterpart, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

The Minister and Defense Secretary, who welcomed the positive results gained during the summit and the prospects offered by the “NATO 2030″ initiative and by the updating of the Alliance’s Strategic Concept, highlighted the desire to act together in the framework of the Alliance and preserve its ability to carry out its responsibilities.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to reiterate the importance of the ties uniting the United States and France. The historic alliance between the two countries, based on common values, the defense of freedom and of democracy, takes the form today, among other things, of first-rate defense cooperation in various operational fields (external operations, forces training, space, cyber, intelligence etc.).

The discussions focused on joint theatres of operations, in particular related to the fight against terrorism in the Sahel and Levant. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss adapting the French military presence in the Sahel announced by the President. With France organizing a ministerial video conference with Italy on 17 June dedicated to supporting the Lebanese armed forces, Florence Parly and her US counterpart emphasized those forces’ central role in protecting the country’s stability.

The Minister and Defense Secretary discussed the Indo-Pacific region, a theatre of growing importance for Franco-US cooperation, and confirmed our two countries’ shared determination to defend multilateralism and respect for international law in that strategic region.

5. NATO – Meeting of the defense ministers of France, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom – Communiqué issued by the Ministry for the Armed Forces (Paris – June 16, 2021)

The Minister for the Armed Forces, Ms. Florence Parly, took part in a meeting in Brussels on June 15, 2021 with her counterparts from Germany, Ms. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the UK, Mr. Ben Wallace, and the United States, Mr. Lloyd Austin.

The ministers reviewed the conclusions of the NATO summit held on June 14 and welcomed the progress made since the London meeting in December 2019. They also took the opportunity to discuss the prospects offered by the “NATO 2030” initiative and by the updating of the Alliance’s Strategic Concept, reaffirming the importance of transatlantic solidarity and the Alliance’s unity, based on respect for shared values and consistency.

The ministers also discussed the security outlook in Afghanistan in the context of the withdrawal of American and NATO troops, and shared their thoughts about the Indo-Pacific region with a view to greater cooperation between them in that region.

On the eve of the meeting between the US and Russian Presidents in Geneva on June 16, 2021, the discussions also focused on challenges linked to relations with the Russian Federation, particularly in the field of arms control.

The ministers concluded by agreeing to meet again soon to share their views and ideas, particularly on the revision of NATO’s Strategic Concept.

6. Lebanon – Multilateral conference in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) – Press release issued by the Ministry for the Armed Forces (Paris – June 17, 2021)

Together with her Italian counterpart and the support of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), the Minister for the Armed Forces today chaired an extraordinary video conference devoted to international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). The aim of the meeting was to draw up a coordinated response to the urgent needs expressed by the Lebanese army in terms of troop support and maintenance.

The participants emphasized the continued deterioration in the economic and social situation in Lebanon. In this context, they pointed out how much the LAF – still an essential pillar of the Lebanese State – is in demand. Together with the domestic security forces, it plays a key role in maintaining security across the country. Its cohesion and professionalism remain essential in order to preserve the country’s stability. In this regard, the participants reiterated the importance of dissociating Lebanon from the regional crisis.

While many countries have already contributed significant aid bilaterally, the seriousness of the Lebanese crisis calls for increased commitment and coordination by everyone in order to step up collective efforts and improve the impact of the aid.

This international support, whose monitoring mechanism will be established by the LAF with UNSCOL’s support and in conjunction with the partner countries, reflects the commitment to Lebanese unity and sovereignty and will therefore contribute to the country’s stability. It is not intended to mobilize funds to equip the LAF with additional military materiel and equipment or pay the soldiers’ wages and pensions.

This exceptional support is an emergency response which cannot act as a substitute for the essential reforms which Lebanon urgently needs today for its stability, and the Lebanese for their security and prosperity. To this end, the participants insistently reiterated their call for the formation of a government without delay, as the current political deadlock is irresponsible.

The contributions announced during the conference are directly intended for the LAF. The participants emphasized that this support will also indirectly benefit the Lebanese people and be consistent with the international aid provided to them.

7. United Nations – BINUH – Statement by Ms. Nathalie Broadhurst, deputy permanent representative of France to the United Nations, at the Security Council (New York – June 17, 2021)

[translation from French]

I thank Special Representative La Lime and Ms. Hudicourt Ewald for their very comprehensive briefings. I welcome the presence of Mr. Claude Joseph, the acting Prime Minister, to the meeting.

Mr. President,

We are very concerned about the situation in Haiti. In the absence of elections, the Parliament has not been in session since January 2020 and the President is still governing by decree. Since the resignation of the Prime Minister in April, the Haitian authorities have not been able to form a government. No agreement has been reached to initiate the way out of the crisis that the country desperately needs. I remind you that it is first and foremost the responsibility of the Haitian executive to put an end to this deadlock.

The priority is therefore for legislative and presidential elections to be to organized in the fall as foreseen. To ensure that they are credible, three conditions need to be met. Firstly, the authorities must guarantee the security of voters. And I would like to welcome the establishment of a Joint Electoral Unit within the Haitian National Police; this is a step in the right direction even though much remains to be done, especially in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Secondly, the authorities need to establish reliable voter lists and accelerate the distribution of ID cards. 4.4 million Haitians have already been registered; these efforts need to continue. Finally, and this is the third condition, we call on all parties to work in good faith towards a consensus that will allow for the holding of a transparent election in a peaceful climate.

Mr. President,

The security situation in Haiti is deteriorating. Gang violence, kidnappings, human rights violations and attacks against law enforcement are multiplying. Recent events in the south suburbs of Port-au-Prince show the climate of terror that reigns in the country. As we know, the solution lies in giving greater resources to the Haitian National Police, which must be beyond reproach. The recruitments that have been made in recent months are positive and must be continued.

When it comes to the fight against impunity and corruption, we have not seen any progress. The investigation into the assassination of Monferrier Dorval has stalled. Haitians expect justice to be done after the massacres in Grand Ravine, La Saline and Bel Air, and the perpetrators of these atrocities are still at large. Corruption is eating away at the country’s institutions and undermining the population’s trust. The Haitian justice system must live up to the requirements of the rule of law the population aspires to.

At the time when some four million Haitians are already living in extreme poverty and suffer from food insecurity, a new wave of Covid-19, more deadly than the previous ones, has added to the existing fragility. Allow me to express France’s solidarity with Haiti’s fight against the health crisis.

Mr. President,

I would like to pay tribute to the work of the Special Representative and the BINUH team in an extremely difficult context. France, nationally, but also through the European Union and the International Organization of the Francophonie, stands more than ever by Haiti and the Haitian people.

8. European Union – Official Development Assistance: Council approves the Annual Report to the European Council on EU Development Aid Targets – Communiqué issued by the Council of the European Union (Brussels – June 14, 2021)

The Council today approved conclusions on the EU development aid targets for 2020 in the form of the eleventh annual report to the European Council.

The report welcomes the Commission’s analysis of trends with regard to EU collective and individual commitments on and delivery of Official Development Assistance (ODA).

ODA continues to play a crucial role in the overall financing available to help achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, global ODA remains a critical source of finance for the poorest countries that are in a state of increased fragility or in a state of conflict.

The 2021 report takes stock of the EU’s development activities and its targets and financing for the year 2020, and highlights that:

  • in 2020, the EU’s collective ODA reached €66.8 billion, up from €57.9 billion. Member States effectively achieved a 15% increase through a Team Europe approach responding to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • the EU and its member States have also confirmed their global leadership in sustainable development as the biggest global ODA provider, accounting for 46.2% of total ODA
  • at the same time, EU collective ODA represented 5% of EU Gross National Income (GNI), an increase from 0.41%, which is significantly higher than the average of non-EU members of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC)
  • moreover, four EU Member States exceeded the 0.7% threshold of ODA to GNI, while that ratio increased in 15 other Member States. In 10 Member States the ratio remained stable, while it declined in two Member States.

[source of English text: Council of the EU]

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Alexander Novak’s meeting with Aide to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev

Source: Russian Federation Government

The officials discussed issues of bilateral economic cooperation, including the energy sector.

Alexander Novak’s meeting with Aide to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev

Alexander Novak’s meeting with Aide to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak held a meeting with Aide to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev.

The officials discussed topical issues of Russia-Kazakhstan trade and economic cooperation, joint steps in the Eurasian Economic Union and other matters of mutual interest. Speaking about the energy sector, they reviewed current supplies of oil and oil products, natural gas and cooperation in the electric power industry.

Bilateral cooperation in the fuel and energy complex rests on the principles of long-term reliable partnership and mutual benefit. The two countries work together in bilateral and multilateral formats, including the CIS Electric Power Council, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and OPEC+, noted Alexander Novak. 

“We have durable economic and energy ties with Kazakhstan and are developing long-term agreements on the supply and transit of gas, oil and oil products, and coal, which are within the limits of projected balances, Mr Novak emphasised.

A number of regions in Russia and Kazakhstan are also actively developing economic cooperation. Despite the pandemic, bilateral trade remained practically the same in the past year and went up by 14.7 percent in the first quarter of this year, Mr Novak said.

“The transit of oil from Kazakhstan to foreign markets continues via Russia, while Russian oil goes via Kazakhstan onward to the People’s Republic of China. Gazprom provides uninterrupted supplies of gas to Kazakhstan. It is cooperating with KazMunayGaz in processing gas from the Karachaganak deposit at the Orenburg Gas Refinery. The two countries have established a company to develop the Tsentralnoye deposit in the Caspian Sea,” Mr Novak added.

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Les services du FMI achèvent leur visite au Togo

Source: IMF in French

le 18 juin 2021

Les communiqués de presse de fin de mission contiennent des déclarations des équipes des services du FMI qui rendent compte de leurs conclusions préliminaires après leur visite dans un pays. Les avis exprimés dans la présente déclaration sont ceux des services du FMI et ne correspondent pas nécessairement à ceux du conseil d’administration du FMI. La mission en question ne fera pas l’objet de délibérations au sein du conseil d’administration.

  • Les discussions ont porté sur les mesures visant à soutenir la réponse à la crise de la COVID-19, les efforts pour renforcer la reprise économique naissante, la nécessité de réformes pour favoriser une croissance inclusive et durable, tirée par le secteur privé.
  • Les autorités togolaises ont exprimé leur intérêt pour un soutien dans le cadre de la Facilité Elargie de Crédit.
  • Les discussions devraient se poursuivre en vue de finaliser les accords sur un nouvel accord FEC.

Washington, DC : Une équipe du Fonds monétaire international (FMI), dirigée par M. Jaroslaw Wieczorek, a tenu des réunions virtuelles avec les autorités togolaises du 1er au 18 juin 2021 afin de discuter des développements économiques récents.

A l’issue des discussions, M. Wieczorek a émis la déclaration suivante :

“Les discussions des services du FMI avec les autorités ont porté sur les mesures visant à soutenir la réponse à la crise de la COVID-19, les efforts pour renforcer la reprise économique naissante, la nécessité de réformes pouvant être mises à profit pour favoriser une croissance inclusive et durable tirée par le secteur privé, et l’amélioration des résultats du développement à moyen terme. C’est à cet égard que les autorités togolaises ont exprimé leur intérêt pour un soutien dans le cadre de la Facilité Elargie de Crédit (FEC).

“Au cours des discussions, des progrès notables ont été réalisés sur les hypothèses clés qui sous-tendent le cadre macroéconomique, dans le but de garantir des ressources pour la campagne de vaccination prévue et les autres besoins liés à la crise de la COVID-19, ainsi que le renforcement de stabilité macroéconomique à moyen terme et les marges de manœuvre budgétaires pour les dépenses sociales et de développement.

“Les autorités togolaises ont confirmé leur engagement en faveur de réformes fondées sur la Feuille de route Togo 2020-25 et le plan national de développement.

“Les discussions devraient se poursuivre dans un avenir proche en vue de finaliser les accords sur un nouvel accord FEC.

“L’équipe du FMI exprime sa gratitude aux autorités togolaises pour les discussions ouvertes et productives.”

Département de la communication du FMI
RELATIONS AVEC LES MÉDIAS

ATTACHÉ DE PRESSE: Andrew Kanyegirire

TÉLÉPHONE:+1 202 623-7100COURRIEL: MEDIA@IMF.org

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Alexei Overchuk’s meeting with Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy and Finance Akylbek Zhaparov

Source: Russian Federation Government

Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy and Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Zhaparov.

The two officials discussed a broad range of issues relating to bilateral trade and economic cooperation, devoting special attention to the marking of goods and the upgrade of taxation oversight in the Kyrgyz Republic. They noted it was important to prepare concrete investment projects in the energy sector, industry and agriculture, so that they can be reviewed at the upcoming 23rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Kyrgyz Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Humanitarian Cooperation. 

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Changes to infection control measures for travel operations in Svalbard and for cruises along the Norwegian coast

Source: Government of Norway

‘The Norwegian Government is now easing several infection control measures that apply to travel operations in Svalbard and cruises along the Norwegian coast. This includes an end to the requirement to present a negative result from a test for SARS-CoV-2 prior to departure to Svalbard for people who can document that they are protected and can present a COVID-19 certificate’, says Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie.

Cruises along the Norwegian coast and Svalbard will be permitted on certain conditions, and charter flights from the mainland may again land in Svalbard. All changes will enter into effect on Sunday 20 June at 12 pm.

‘It is important that Svalbard, too, can take part in the reopening of society. Svalbard has required special protective measures during the pandemic, partly due to capacity limitations in health emergency preparedness. The current outlook is good, and I am pleased that we can ease measures further,’ says Minister of Justice and Public Security Monica Mæland.

A rise in the number of travellers to Svalbard may involve a risk of outbreaks and resultant pressure on local health emergency preparedness, as well as on the Governor of Svalbard’s rescue service resources. Due to Svalbard’s geographic location, the transport time for intensive care patients is long, which means that any outbreak on Svalbard which requires evacuation of patients to the mainland would have serious consequences.

For this reason, we must keep some infection control measures for travellers to Svalbard with a view to reducing the risk of infection as much as possible. As a result, the reopening of Svalbard will have to be more gradual and controlled than on the mainland.

Tourism on Svalbard
The arrangement with dedicated guidance for land-based tourism in Svalbard will be removed and replaced by a duty for all businesses offering tourist activities to ensure that their operations comply with the infection control rules and in accordance with national guidance and the established industry standards, as on the mainland. 

Places offering overnight accommodation in Svalbard can now increase their occupancy rate to 90 per cent, and the existing requirement for land-based tourism operators to draw up dedicated plans to be presented to the Governor of Svalbard will be lifted.

The remaining 10 per cent of the accommodation capacity will be reserved for overnight guests with a duty to quarantine or isolate. Hotels and places offering overnight accommodation must have plans for management of overnight guests who are in quarantine or in isolation.

The Norwegian Government no longer advises against unnecessary domestic travel, and is now permitting charter traffic from the mainland. The prohibition is being upheld for international charter traffic. 

Cruises along the Norwegian coast and Svalbard
As stated earlier, the COVID-19 certificate may be used on cruises along the Norwegian coast in connection with Step 3 of the Norwegian Government’s reopening plan. If unprotected people board a ship with many passengers, this will increase the risk of an outbreak.

Last year, we learned that we need to be careful because handling outbreaks on ships can be difficult. Cruise ships will therefore be permitted a higher cap on numbers, provided that the people on board can document their protected status using a COVID-19 certificate.

Prior to starting the journey, a statement that the regulatory requirements have been met must be submitted to the Governor of Svalbard. If the passengers and crew are unprotected, a cap of 200 people will be introduced for cruises along the Norwegian coast and Svalbard, with testing required before departure.

Cruises along the Svalbard coast with up to 200 unprotected people must start and end in Svalbard. If the passengers and crew are protected, up to 2 000 persons will be allowed on board. Up to 90 per cent of capacity may be utilised. Cruises along the coast of Svalbard are also required to return to the mainland or their home port if any cases of SARS-CoV-2 are suspected or confirmed onboard the ship.

The prohibition against going ashore only applies to coastal cruises that start in countries subject to a duty to quarantine, or if people from countries subject to a duty to quarantine embark the cruise ship, or if the passengers or crew have gone ashore in areas subject to a duty to quarantine.

If there is any suspicion of COVID-19 when the coastal cruise ends, everyone must stay on board until the local authorities have decided how to handle the situation.

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The Norwegian Government is continuing to reopen society

Source: Government of Norway

The new recommendations will take immediate effect, but the changes to the Regulations will enter into effect from Sunday 20 June at 12 pm.

‘The rate of infection is declining, the number of hospital admissions is dropping, and about half of the population over the age of 18 have received at least one vaccine dose. Norway is on track, and we are ready to move to Step 3 of the reopening’, says Prime Minister Erna Solberg.

The decision to move to Step 3 is based on the recommendations of the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. It may still be necessary to suppress outbreaks locally by adopting local rules.

‘We must continue to take care. The infection situation is still unpredictable in many places around the world, and there is uncertainty associated with the mutations. This is why we need to maintain a high level of preparedness and restrict entry into Norway. The reopening of Norway is contingent upon us being able to hold back on opening our borders’, stresses Ms Solberg.

Kindergartens and schools
‘We have prioritised children and adolescents throughout the pandemic. The measures that apply to children and adolescents will be less strict, compared with adults, also at this step’, states Minister of Education and Integration Guri Melby.

Local authorities will continue to be in charge of decisions regarding the level of measures to apply to kindergartens and schools.

‘Kindergartens and schools must plan to open at green level after the summer holiday, provided that the local infection situation does not indicate otherwise. I have great confidence that most kindergartens and schools will reopen in the autumn at green level and that circumstances will be more normalised. Universities, university colleges, and vocational schools should also plan to offer physical teaching at the beginning of the autumn semester’, says Ms Melby.

‘We will be allowing inter-regional participation, including cups and matches that gather children from different parts of the country. Remember that adults, children, and their younger siblings are included in the attendance restrictions that apply to events where the athletes are children and adolescents under the age of 20’, explains the Minister of Education and Integration.

Yes to summer camp
Many children and adolescents are beginning their summer holiday today.

‘I think that both children and adults are wondering whether there will be summer camps this year. I am happy to say that summer camps, activity camps, and other leisure activities may go ahead this year. This means that thousands of children and adolescents will be able to enjoy themselves and create good memories at camp’, says Minister of Children and Families Kjell Ingolf Ropstad.

Even though it is possible to travel abroad on holiday, restrictions and complicated rules will remain in place.

‘Travelling abroad may be frustrating, and entering the country may involve long waits. The Norwegian Government therefore recommends that people spend their summer holiday in Norway. This is the safest and most predictable option’, states Mr Ropstad.

Definitions

Fully vaccinated:
• people who have received two doses of the vaccine, effective one week after the final dose

• people who have recovered from COVID-19 and received one dose of the vaccine over one week ago  they cannot have the vaccine administered until three weeks after the date of the positive test

• people who have received their first vaccine dose and have received a positive test result at least 3 weeks after vaccination  they will be fully vaccinated once they have come out of isolation

Protected:
• people who are fully vaccinated

• people who have received one dose, and 3–15 weeks have elapsed since they received their dose.

• people who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 6 months.

The national measures that apply at Step 3

National recommendations
Keep a distance of 1 metre.
Keep your hands clean.
Stay home if you are ill.

Social contact

• No more than 20 guests. (new)

• Children in kindergarten and primary school may receive visits from other children in their cohort, even if this exceeds the maximum number of guests recommended.

• Protected people (link to definition) are not included in the maximum number of guests.

• The advice to keep a distance still applies, but protected people may have close social contact (less than 1 metre) with other protected people and unprotected people who do not belong to any risk groups.

• People are encouraged to meet others outdoors.

Travel

• Domestic travel is permitted.

• People who are not protected (link to definition) and who travel to municipalities with measures that are less strict than in their home municipality should follow the recommendations that apply in the municipality they visited before their trip.

• People who are unprotected are encouraged to take extra care and plan the trip in such a way as to avoid transmission of COVID-19. This is particularly important for people who travel from areas with a high rate of infection, i.e. municipalities with strict local measures regulated by chapters 5A to 5C of the COVID-19 Regulations or equivalent local regulations.

Kindergartens and schools
Kindergartens and schools follow the traffic light model with green, yellow, or red level measures in accordance with local assessments made by each municipality, and are ready to change the level of measures in accordance with changes in the infection situation.

Higher education

• More physical teaching and consider regular testing.

• Register the names of people present and what seat they are in to make contact tracing easier.

Working life

• Increased presence at the workplace. (new)

• Combination of working from home and/or flexible working hours.

• Employers will have greater freedom to determine whether it is necessary for people to work from home in light of the local risk of infection. (new)

• General infection control measures.

• People must be able to keep a distance of 1 metre from other people.

• Protected people do not need to keep a distance from other people at the workplace, but should take special consideration of unprotected people who belong to risk groups. (new)

Public and private events
Events should be organised outdoors rather than indoors.

People who are not protected and come from areas with a high rate of infection should not attend events in other municipalities. A high rate of infection means that the municipality has strict local measures which are regulated in accordance with chapters 5A to 5C of the COVID-19 Regulations or equivalent local regulations.

Sports, culture, and leisure activities

• Outdoor activities are recommended rather than indoor activities.

• Participants are exempt from the recommendation of a 1-metre distance indoors and outdoors, when necessary, in order to participate in the activity. This means that contact sports for adults are now permitted. (new)

• The recommended group size for adults is up to 30 people indoors and up to 40 people outdoors. (new)

Summer and activity camps (new)

• It is recommended that the number of participants at summer camps, activity camps, and other leisure activities that gather many people and last for several days be limited to up to 300 people, and it is recommended that participants be divided into groups of about 40 people.

• People are not required to keep a distance of 1 metre, but the general recommendations regarding distance and good hand hygiene will also apply at camp for both adults and children.

• When activities at camp are not possible without getting closer than 1 metre, the recommendation to keep a distance will not apply.

Elite sports
Elite sports may go ahead as normal. This means that series matches may go ahead outdoors and indoors. (new)

National rules

Shops
Shops may open, and must comply with the infection control rules under the COVID-19 Regulations to ensure safe operations, and must implement measures to ensure that a distance of least 1 metre is kept, as well as having procedures for good hand hygiene.

Infection control measures in accordance with the relevant industry standard.

Trade fairs and temporary markets are now regulated in the same way as shops.

Sports, culture, and leisure activities

• Children and adolescents under the age of 20 may participate as athletes at sports events or inter-regional competitions (at the national level) both outdoors and indoors, without needing to keep a distance of 1 metre. (new)

• In recreational sports, adults are exempt from the 1-metre rule when they participate in sports events, such as matches, within their region. This applies both outdoors and indoors. (new)

• Amateur adult dancers, musicians, and dramatic artists are exempt from the 1-metre rule at both outdoor and indoor cultural events if they otherwise train or practice together. (new)

Events

Private events

• Up to 100 people at a public venue or in a rented/borrowed venue indoors or outdoors. (new)

Public events

Without a test or COVID-19 certificate

Indoors

Outdoors

With designated seating

Up to 1 000 people (2 cohorts of 500 people)

Up to 2 000 people (4 cohorts of 500 people)

Without designated seating

Up to 400 people (2 cohorts of 200 people)

Up to 800 people (4 cohorts of 200 people)

With a test or COVID-19 certificate

 

 

With designated seating

50% capacity, a maximum of 2 500 people (5 cohorts of 500 people)

 50% capacity, a maximum of 5 000 people (10 cohorts of 500 people)

Without designated seating

50% capacity, a maximum of 1 000 people (2 cohorts of 500 people)

50% capacity, a maximum of 2 000 people (4 cohorts of 500 people)

Night life, venues that serve food or alcohol and events that have a licence to serve alcohol

• The ban on serving alcohol after midnight is lifted. (new)

• The ban on admission after midnight remains in place.

• A requirement to register guests, only serve alcohol at tables, a reduced number of guests, seats for all guests, and a distance requirement.

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L’Etat salue l’adoption par la commune de Chavannes-près-Renens de son plan d’affectation « Côtes de la Bourdonnette »

Source: Swiss Canton de Vaud – news in French

Communiqué de presse

Publié le 18 juin 2021

Le projet « Côtes de la Bourdonnette » a franchi un cap important avec l’adoption jeudi soir à une large majorité du Conseil communal de Chavannes-près-Renens du plan d’affectation de ce site, mis à l’enquête en novembre dernier après 12 années de gestation. Propriétaire de la partie sud du secteur, maître d’ouvrage et futur utilisateur des infrastructures du « Campus santé » et de l’extension de la HEP notamment, l’Etat de Vaud prend acte avec enthousiasme de cette légitimation très attendue. Il annonce la mise à l’enquête publique dès septembre 2021 des premiers bâtiments de cet ambitieux projet, qui constituera un pôle de compétence et de référence nationale dans la formation des professions de la santé.    

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Propriétaire foncier du secteur des Côtes de la Bourdonnette, l’Etat de Vaud a décidé en 2013 de transférer la zone nord à sa Caisse de pensions (CPEV) afin d’y construire un quartier de logements privés. Un programme scolaire et administratif communal prendra également place sur cette parcelle, en complément du quartier voisin « En Dorigny » qui se précise actuellement. L’Etat reste pour sa part le principal maître d’ouvrage des futures constructions du « Campus santé » qui occuperont la partie sud du nouveau plan d’affectation.

Désigné lauréat du concours d’architecture en septembre 2016, le projet Banquet du bureau zurichois Jan Kinsbergen prévoit trois bâtiments emblématiques de leur fonction, fondés sur des formes géométriques simples et reconnaissables (o – +). Le Conseil d’Etat et le jury unanime ont souligné la qualité urbanistique de ce projet qui préserve en outre la valeur environnementale du site, aménagé en un vaste parc arboré et parsemé d’espaces publics.

Circulaire, le premier bâtiment est dévolu à la création du Centre coordonné de compétences cliniques (C4). Exploité en commun par HESAV, la Haute école de santé La Source, la Faculté de biologie et de médecine de l’UNIL et le CHUV, il sera consacré à la formation en environnement clinique simulé. Dans le prolongement est, le deuxième bâtiment rectangulaire permettra le regroupement sur cinq niveaux et près de 23’000 m2 de toutes les filières de la Haute école de santé Vaud (HESAV). Dotés d’une enveloppe initiale de 141 millions de francs, ces deux ouvrages sont pilotés par la Direction générale des immeubles et du patrimoine (DGIP).

Confié à la Fondation Maisons pour étudiants Lausanne (FMEL) qui financera sa réalisation, le troisième bâtiment cruciforme accueillera plus de 500 studios et chambres individuelles sur sept étages et quelque 20’000 m2 d’un lieu de vie de qualité. Les trois projets ont été développés parallèlement et leurs dossiers d’enquête publique seront déposés simultanément auprès de la Commune en septembre prochain.

Le lancement du chantier de cette première étape est attendu au printemps 2022, pour une ouverture aux étudiants et professionnels de la santé à la rentrée de septembre 2025. Actuellement à l’étude, un quatrième bâtiment abritant l’extension de la Haute école pédagogique (HEP) devrait compléter le programme cantonal à son extrémité sud-ouest, en vue d’une mise en service prévue en 2026.

Bureau d’information et de communication de l’Etat de Vaud

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114 / Oberägeri: Töfffahrer verletzt nach Überholmanöver

Source: Swiss Canton Zug – news in German

Zug, 18. Juni 2021, 14:35 Uhr

114 / MEDIENMITTEILUNG

Oberägeri: Töfffahrer verletzt nach Überholmanöver

In der Gemeinde Oberägeri ist ein Motorradlenker beim Überholen mit einem Fahrzeug zusammengeprallt. Dabei wurde der Zweiradlenker verletzt.

Der Unfall passierte am Freitagmorgen (18. Juni 2021), kurz nach 07:30 Uhr, auf der Morgartenstrasse in Oberägeri. Ein Motorradlenker fuhr hinter einem Abfallsammelfahrzeug von Oberägeri in Richtung Morgarten. Auf einem geraden Streckenabschnitt, vor einer Rechtskurve, überholte der 20-jährige Zweiradlenker das vor ihm fahrende Fahrzeug. Beim Überholmanöver kollidierte er seitlich/frontal mit einem 60-jährigen Autofahrer, welcher von Morgarten in Richtung Oberägeri unterwegs war. Bei der Kollision wurde der 20-jährige Motorradlenker leicht verletzt. Er wurde vom Rettungsdienst Schwyz ins Spital gefahren.

Der Sachschaden am Motorrad und Auto beträgt mehrere Tausend Franken.

Im Einsatz standen Mitarbeitende des Rettungsdienstes Schwyz und Zug, eines privaten Abschleppunternehmens sowie der Zuger Polizei.