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Rogozin not to run for State Duma keeping post of RF envoy to NATO

“I’m not going to run for the State Duma,” he said, “I will certainly appear at the congress, but as a guest rather than an active participant”

MOSCOW, September 21 (Itar-Tass) — Russia’s Ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin in the near future will retain his position and would not run for the State Duma lower house of parliament from any party, Rogozin said in an interview published by the Kommersant daily on Wednesday.

“I’m not going to run for the State Duma,” he said. “I will certainly appear at the congress, but as a guest rather than an active participant.” The task with which he is entrusted (to represent Russia’s interests in NATO) “is worth it,” Rogozin explained. Earlier, Russia’s ambassador to NATO said that he “intends shortly to return to Russian politics.”

A month ago, the Ministry of Justice registered an all-Russian organisation Motherland – Congress of Russian Communities (KRO). Dmitry Rogozin promised that the organization would sign with one of the parties a partnership agreement “to protect the rights and interests of the Russian people and Russia.” The Motherland - KRO leadership clearly states that they rely on cooperation with the All-Russia Popular Front (ONF), and Dmitry Rogozin will enter the list of the United Russia party, most likely its federal part. According to the forecasts of some diplomatic sources, Rogozin’s return to the domestic politics will occur in September.

Dmitry Olegovich Rogozin (born 21 December 1963) is a well-known Russian diplomat and popular politician, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia. In January, 2008, he became Russia's ambassador to NATO. He was a leader of the Rodina (Motherland) party until it merged with other similar Russian parties to form the Just (Fair) Russia party. He speaks 4 languages and holds a doctor's degree.

On 18 February 2011 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev appointed Dmitry Rogozin as a Special Representative on anti-missile defence and negotiations with NATO countries on this issue.

As Russia's NATO envoy he was heavily opposed to Ukraine and Georgia becoming members of NATO. After the two countries were denied membership of the NATO Membership Action Plan he claimed that: “They will not invite these bankrupt scandalous regimes to join NATO...more so as important partnerships with Russia are at stake.” For such words he was criticised by some Ukrainian and Georgian officials. Former Ukraine’s envoy to NATO Igor Sakhach said: “In my opinion, he is merely used as one of cogs in the informational war waged against Ukraine. Sooner or later, I think, it should be stopped.”

During his work in Brussels he has managed to establish effective cooperation between NATO and Russia. Currently NATO considers Russia as one of its main priorities and the most important partner.