By FRANK JORDANS (Associated Press)
BERLIN (AP) — The German authorities mentioned Wednesday that it has informed Russia to shut 4 out of its 5 consulates common in Germany in a tit-for-tat transfer after Moscow set a restrict for the variety of workers on the German Embassy and associated our bodies in Russia.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christofer Burger informed reporters in Berlin that the measure was supposed to create a “parity of personnel and structures” between the 2 nations.
Russia has consulates in Bonn, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig and Munich, with Moscow deciding which 4 they’ll shut and which one they’ll hold open.
The Russian authorities not too long ago mentioned that an higher restrict of 350 German authorities officers, together with these working in cultural our bodies and faculties, can stay in Russia. Burger mentioned that this implies Germany must shut its consulates in Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Kaliningrad by November. Only the embassy in Moscow and the consulate in St. Petersburg will stay open, he mentioned.
He mentioned that Russia can be allowed to proceed working the embassy in Berlin and one additional consulate after the top of the yr.
The transfer displays a brand new low in relations between Moscow and Berlin since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Burger mentioned that the transfer was regrettable, however added that the struggle meant there was “simply no basis” for quite a few bilateral actions between the 2 nations anymore.
“But it is the behavior of the Russian side that has brought us into this situation,” he mentioned.
Burger mentioned Germany’s determination to pay attention its remaining workers within the embassy and a key consulate will “preserve the diplomatic presence in Russia.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”