The Committee on International Affairs at its meeting on April 10 recommended ratifying the Russian-Chinese intergovernmental Agreement on cooperation in the field of creating an International scientific lunar station (MNLS). It is proposed to submit the issue for consideration at the plenary meeting of the State Duma on May 15.
The agreement was signed in Moscow and Beijing on November 25, 2022, with the aim of creating an organizational and legal framework for the implementation of mutually beneficial cooperation on the multi-state multinational logistics system. “The agreement meets the interests of Russia, as it will contribute to strengthening the strategic partnership with the PRC, the development of Russian space activities, and consolidating the leading role of the Russian Federation in the exploration of outer space, including the implementation of work on the exploration and use of the Moon,” the explanatory note says.
It is noted that the mission of the station is to conduct multidisciplinary and multi-purpose research work, including the exploration and use of the Moon, fundamental experiments and technology testing, with the possibility of long-term unmanned operation with the prospect of ensuring a human presence on the Moon. Russian-Chinese cooperation in the field of creation and use of the MNLS will improve the efficiency of ongoing research, as well as reduce costs and avoid potential technical and financial risks when implementing projects to use the Moon, as indicated in the accompanying documents.
The agreement, among other things, includes provisions on the training of scientists and specialists, the protection of intellectual property created or transferred within its framework.
The Committee on International Affairs also recommended at the meeting to ratify Protocol No. 2 to the Russian-Turkish Agreement on the provision of state export credit To the Government of the Republic of Turkey on December 29, 2017. The discussion took place behind closed doors.
