Concurrent Resolutions - 09.25.2002

House Concurrent Resolution 482


Senate Concurrent Resolution 147

107th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. CON. RES. 482

Encouraging improved cooperation with the Russian Federation on energy development issues, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 24, 2002

Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Encouraging improved cooperation with the Russian Federation on energy development issues, and for other purposes. 

Whereas the Russian Federation, with its vast oil and gas resources, a growing and diverse number of private sector companies, and a renewed commitment to investment by international energy companies, offers a unique opportunity to provide stability to an often volatile and insecure world energy market; 

Whereas on June 6, 2002, the President granted market economy status to the Russian Federation; 

Whereas the granting of market economy status should promote adoption of market principles and policies by the Russian Federation and assist long-term engagement and integration of Russia into the world economy; 

Whereas a key component of new engagement is mutual efforts to bring greater stability to world energy markets and to support sustained economic growth in the Russian Federation and the United States; 

Whereas, recognizing Russia's progress on religious freedom, human rights, and a broad range of other mechanisms to address remaining concerns, the President has requested that Congress terminate application to Russia of chapter 1 of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (commonly referred to as `Jackson-Vanik') and to authorize the extension of normal trade relations to the products of Russia; and 

Whereas both the Russian Federation and the United States can play a critical role in supporting regional energy development and energy transportation corridor projects: Now, therefore, be it 


Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That--

(1) it is the sense of Congress that in proceeding with this important energy dialogue, the Governments of the Russian Federation and the United States should consult widely with the governments of other independent states of the former Soviet Union and with other interested parties to promote exchanges and to seek support from the broadest cross section of business and civil societies; and

(2) Congress--

(A) is committed to terminating the application to Russia of chapter 1 of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (commonly referred to as `Jackson-Vanik') and to authorizing the extension of normal trade relations to the products of Russia in an appropriate and timely manner;

(B) supports the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation and the Russian Duma to reform the structure of the Russian energy sector to attract international investment into the Russian energy sectors;

(C) supports the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation and the Russian Duma to permit full implementation of energy projects on Sakhalin Island and in the Timan-Pechora region, all of which offer unique opportunities to increase world and United States supplies of petroleum;

(D) encourages regulatory and investment framework in the Russian Federation to expand Russia's oil and gas export capacities;

(E) encourages Russia to work toward accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in a manner that promotes meaningful market access opportunities for United States workers, businesses, and farmers; and

(F) supports continued high level and sustained exchanges on energy development between the Governments of the Russian Federation and the United States and between businesses in the two countries.
END

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107th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. CON. RES. 147

Encouraging improved cooperation with Russia on energy development issues 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

SEPTEMBER 24, 2002

Mr. BURNS submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Encouraging improved cooperation with Russia on energy development issues. 

Whereas Russia, with its vast oil and gas resources, a growing and diverse number of private sector companies, and a renewed commitment to investment by international energy companies, is in a unique position to provide stability to an often volatile and insecure world energy market; 

Whereas on June 6, 2002, Russia was granted market economy status by the United States; 

Whereas the granting of market economy status is mutually beneficial to both Russia and the United States, and both governments should continue to pursue other measures to promote long-term engagement and integration of Russia into the world economy; 

Whereas mutual efforts by Russia and the United States to bring greater stability to world energy markets and to sustain economic growth in both nations is a key way to ensure further engagement and integration of Russia with the world economy; 

Whereas, recognizing Russia's progress on religious freedom and human rights, and its broad range of mechanisms to address remaining concerns, the President has requested that Congress terminate application to Russia of chapter 1 of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (commonly referred to as `Jackson-Vanik') and authorize the extension of normal trade relations to Russia; and 

Whereas both Russia and the United States can play a critical role in supporting regional energy development and energy transportation corridor projects: Now, therefore, be it 


Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress--

(1) encourages the Governments of Russia and the United States--

(A) to engage in a dialogue on energy development; and

(B) to consult widely with the governments of other independent states of the former Soviet Union and with other interested parties to promote exchanges on energy development and to seek support from the broadest cross section of business and civil societies;

(2) is committed to terminating the application to Russia of chapter 1 of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (commonly referred to as `Jackson-Vanik') and to authorizing the extension of normal trade relations to Russia;

(3) supports the actions of the Russian Duma designed to strengthen international investment in the Russian energy sector, such as--

(A) actions to permit the full implementation of energy projects on Sakhalin Island and in the Timan-Pechora region, all of which offer unique opportunities to increase the petroleum supplies of the United States and the world; and

(B) actions to encourage a regulatory and investment framework in Russia to expand Russia's oil and gas export capacities;

(4) supports the accession of Russia to the World Trade Organization; and

(5) supports continued high level and sustained exchanges on energy development between the Governments of Russia and the United States and between businesses in the two countries.
END