US-Russia law enforcement deal axed

Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev addresses the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos January 23, 2013.

Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev addresses the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos January 23, 2013.

Published Jan 30, 2013

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Moscow - Russia is scrapping its agreement with Washington to co-operate on law enforcement and narcotics control, another sign of deteriorating ties between the Cold War-era foes since Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin last year.

The order, signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and posted on the government website on Wednesday, said the agreement, which came into force in 2002, “does not address current realities and has exhausted its potential”.

Moscow is unhappy with a law passed by the United States in 2012 imposing sanctions on alleged Russian human rights abusers. It has responded with a bill imposing similar measures and banning the adoption of Russian children by US families.

The agreement on cooperation in law enforcement and drug control, the statement said, outlined financial assistance provided by the United States for Russian law enforcement and narcotics control programmes.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has been ordered to inform US authorities, the statement said. The US Embassy in Moscow declined immediate comment. - Reuters

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