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Kudrin calls for talks between authorities and opposition

He urged opposition leaders to nominate negotiators and offer the agenda of the talks while authorities “shall clearly demonstrate readiness for dialogue”

MOSCOW, January 17 (Itar-Tass) —— Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin urged authorities and the opposition to begin talks as the absence of a dialogue is dangerous for the country.

“Contacts with representatives of authorities and the opposition make it clear the parties do not have an understanding of the necessity to begin a substantiated negotiating process. The situation suits the ‘hawks’ in both camps but it cannot suit supporters of a reasonable approach,” he said on his website on Monday.

“Further preservation of the status quo is dangerous,” Kudrin warned.

“To bring the situation out of the deadlock the parties shall make a step forward to each other,” he said.

He urged opposition leaders to nominate negotiators and offer the agenda of the talks while authorities “shall clearly demonstrate readiness for dialogue.”

Kudrin welcomed the decision of Russian ombudsman Vladimir Lukin to mediate negotiations. “It is important to expand the range of mediators with people who enjoy trust of both parties,” he said.