GOR AGREES TO EXTENSION OF U.S. RUSSIA 1988 AGREEMENT ON

UNCLAS MOSCOW 002919 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS PHSA SENV KTIA RS SUBJECT: GOR AGREES TO EXTENSION OF U.S. RUSSIA 1988 AGREEMENT ON MUTUAL FISHERIES RELATIONS REF: SECSTATE 031863 ¶1. Post received on September 19th, 2008, Government of Russia (GOR) Diplomatic Note in reply to the Embassy's diplomatic note of March 28, 2008 (REFTEL). Embassy courtesy translation follows: No. 4244 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honor to confirm receipt of the Embassy's note No. 026-08 of April 1, 2008, as follows: The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honor to refer to the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on Mutual Relations in the Sphere of Fishery (with annexes) of May 31, 1998, revised and expanded (hereinafter, the Agreement). On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, in accordance with Article XVII of the Agreement, which expires December 31, 2008, the Embassy has the honor to make a proposal on renewing the Agreement for an additional five-year period beginning from said date until December 31, 2013. If this proposal is acceptable for the Government of the Russian Federation, the Government of the United States of America suggests that this note and the reply note with the expression of agreement of the Russian Side amount to agreement between our Governments to become effective following exchange of diplomatic notes upon completion by the Sides of necessary domestic procedures. The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this opportunity to extend to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed assurances of its highest consideration. The Ministry has the honor to inform the Embassy that the Russian Side agrees with the above and proceeds from that said note of the Embassy and this reply note will amount to an agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the United States of America on this matter. Given that the domestic procedures necessary for said Agreement to become effective have been completed in the Russian Federation, the Ministry proceeds from that Agreement will become effective as of the date of the reply notification on the completion of relevant domestic procedures by the U.S. Side. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails itself of the opportunity to extend to the Embassy of the United States of America renewed assurances of its highest consideration. Moscow, September 19, 2008 ¶2. As requested, Embassy Moscow is sending via classified pouch registry No. 8548149 a copy of the Embassy's diplomatic note dated March 28, 2008 and the original response of GOR diplomatic note to the Assistant Legal Advisor for Treaty Affairs. BEYRLE