Date of Entry: April 1, 1992

National Holiday: June 12

Capital: Moscow

Type of Government:Federation with republican form of governance

Head of State:President Vladimir Putin (2000 to 2008. New term since May 7, 2012)

Head of Government:Dmitry Medvedev (May 8, 2012)

Minister of Foreign Affairs:Sergei Lavrov (March 9, 2004)

Permanent Observer:-

ECONOMIC INDICATORS / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016
Population (in millions) / 142.85 / 142.96 / 143.20 / 143.50 / 143.82 / 144.09 / 144.34
GDP (US$ in trillions) / 1.525 / 2.032 / 2.17 / 2.231 / 2.064 / 1.366 / 1.283
GDP per capita (US$) / 10,674.988 / 14,212.061 / 15,154.457 / 15,543.677 / 14,125.906 / 9,329.298 / 8,748.365

Source:World Bank

FOREIGN RELATIONS POLICIES:

  • The "Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation 2016”that guides the foreign action of the Federation isbased onthe principles of openness, predictability, pragmatism, a focus on results, and protection of itsnational interests – without confrontation of any kind.
  • The main goalsof Russian foreign policy include:

Guarantee the safety of the country, protecting its territorial integrity and sovereignty, ensuring its standing position in the international community as one of the influential and competitive poles in today's world.

Actively promote world peace, security and stability, to set up a fair and democratic system of international relationsbased on collective decisions on global issues, giving priority to the international legislation (in particular of the UN).

Create external conditions that are positive for a continuous and dynamic growth of Russia's economy and its technological update, to improve the quality of life, strengthen justice and democratic institutions and guarantee Human Rights (HR) and freedoms.

Strengthen Russia's positions in the world trade and economic system, using diplomacy to avoid the discrimination against Russian products, services and investments.

Promote a good relationship with neighboring States, help to remove any trouble spot and prevent others from appearing.

Develop bilateral and multilateral associative relationships, beneficial to both sides, with other States, international organizations and forums based on respect for independence and sovereignty, pragmatism, predictability and protection of interests that avoid confrontation.

Prove a global protection of legitimate rights and interests of Russian citizens and compatriots abroad.

Promote the Russian language and strengthen its stand in the world by showing Russia's achievements.

Provide a development of a constructive dialogue among civilizations.

  • Russia follows a policy aimed at creating a stable and sustainable system of international relations based on international law and principles of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of states. The system aims to provide reliable and equal security for each member of the international community in the political, military, economic, informational, humanitarian and other areas.
  • The maintenance and strengthening of the international rule of law is among its priorities in the worldarena, as well as the expansion of the multifaceted cooperation with all partners on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
  • Integration on the post-Soviet countries has been identified as an imperative priority ofRussia’s foreign policy. Great attention is paidto Commonwealth of Independent States, , Eurasian Economic Community, Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Union state of Russia and Belarus. Moscow focuses on engaging Ukraine into integration processes.
  • The European Union is regarded as an important partner; significance is attached to establishing visa-free travel regime. TheOrganization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Northern European countries, Baltic States and the Balkans remain strategic partners fo Russia.
  • Russiais a member of theCommonwealth of Independent States(CIS),Union of Russia and Belarus,Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe(OSCE) and theNorth Atlantic Cooperation Council(NACC). Russia holds a permanent seat on theSecurity Council of the United Nations(UN) and is an active member of numerous UN system organizations. Russia also participates in some of the most important UN peacekeeping missions.
  • Russia intends to actively facilitate the creation of an equitable and non-discriminatoryglobal trade, economic, monetary and financial architecture, definition of international development’s targets assuming that common modernization challenges provide new opportunities for strengthening international economic cooperation.
  • Russia's principal objectives in the area of international economic relations, which are consistent with priorities of the innovation-based development of the country, include ensuring its equal standing in the modern system of international economic relations, minimizing risks associated with its integration into the global economy, including those related to its membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and joining the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

INVOLVEMENT WITH THE AMERICAS:

  • The Russian Federation has diplomatic relations with all OAS Member States and maintains embassies in: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

CURRENT COOPERATION AGREEMENTS WITH THE OAS:

  • Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation and the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS), to promote cooperation in priority areas in the field of electoral management and administration. Signed in March 2012.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION CONTRIBUTIONS:

YEAR / PROJECTS / FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN US$ / IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS
IN US$
2001 / Offices of the General Secretariat in the Members States (Sports utility vehicles). / $165,000.00
SUBTOTAL / $165,000.00
2012 / Exchange -Central Election Commission (CEC) and OAS Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation (DECO) / $6,650.00
SUBTOTAL / $6,650.00
TOTAL / $171,650.00

SOURCES:

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

EMBASSY OF RUSSIA IN THE UNITED STATES:
/ WORLD BANK – TRADING ECONOMICS

This page was last updated on July 11, 2017.