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Kosachev: Russia might decrease payments to CE budget

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STRASBOURG, June 23 (RIA Novosti, Kristina Rodrigues) -- Russia might decrease its budget payments to the Council of Europe by 2009, said an official from Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

"I believe Russia can start downsizing its payments to the CE budget as early as in 2007, and reach an optimal amount by 2009," delegation head Konstantin Kosachyov said.

According to Kosachyov, Russia's CE Council of Ministers presidency begins in 2006 and it would not be beneficiary to decrease payment amounts during that period. Otherwise, projects Russia is planning to implement during its tenure could fold.

"It will be difficult for us to discuss anything new with our colleagues in this case," Kosachyov said. "I think that Russia currently pays an excessive amount of fees."

Kosachyov presented data indicating that Russia paid 23� million to the CE budget this year, whereas the entire CE budget constitutes 180� million.

Kosachyov said Russia should start paying "regular fees," instead,

meaning it will have to pay 10� million annually. Russia is currently the largest contributor to the CE budget.

According to Kosachyov, Russia's intention to decrease the amount of its contribution to the CE budget has nothing to do with its attitude toward CE policies.

"It simply reflects our pragmatic approach to this issue," he said.

Kosachyov also said that Russia considers it necessary "to increase the amount of funds allocated by the Council of Europe on social programs in Russia."

According Kosachyov, the CE allocates only 2.5-3� million annually to social programs in Russia, while spending 80-90% of its budget on financing other activities, including monitoring various countries.

Kosachyov said that Moscow was against what he called the CE's tendency to "look at everything through a magnifying glass."

Russia insists on monitoring concrete commitments and concrete problems, he said.

According to Kosachyov, PACE said "financing of its projects in Russia is not sufficient."

PACE has already instructed the CE Council of Ministers to discuss the possibility of increasing the financing of projects in Russia," he said.

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