Abstract: The subject of this research is the international relations associated with the development of cooperation in the area of corruption prevention, and the national legal policy of the countries s in this sphere established since the 1970s to the present day. The article determines the trends in development of international cooperation in the area of corruption prevention, reconstructs the dynamics of international legal policy with consideration of the produced subsequent real effect, as well as analyzes the origination of corresponding international initiatives as the crucial factor in their advancement. The article provides periodization of the process of establishment and development of international cooperation in area of corruption prevention: the first stage (1970 – early 1980s) is characterized by the negotiation process oriented towards creation of international normative legal regulation, but appeared to be inefficient in the situation of international tension and collision of interests; the second stage (late 1980s – 2005) is characterized by the transformation of ideology of the international anti-corruption cooperation,  which implies conventional-institutional approach towards international cooperation; the third stage (2005 – present) is marked by the transition towards institutional-procedural mechanism of cooperation. The conclusion is made that the promising victors of international cooperation of the Russian Federation consists in implementation of extraterritorial legal instruments for preventing corruption and adoption of the institutional-procedural approach with essential formal compliance with the international anti-corruption standards.

Keywords: intergovernmental organizations, legal policy, globalization, anti-corruption, international cooperation, Russia, USA, UN, OECD, GRECO

Abstract: This article conducts the analysis of legal regulation of relations between the Kingdom of Spain and the Russian Federation with regards to adoption of Russian children by Spanish citizens. The authors examine the history of development of bilateral Russian-Spanish cooperation; legal normative base, and procedure for the adoption of Russian orphans in the Russian and Spanish legislation. Statistical data is provided on the trends in adoption of Russian orphans by citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. The article employs the following methods of scientific research: historical, comparative-legal, statistical, and systemic analysis. The relevance of the selected topic is substantiated by the fact the for many years Spain demonstrates consistent interest in this question, ranking second among other countries that adopt children from the Russian Federation. At the same time, the legal and bureaucratic framework for realization of Russian-Spanish cooperation in this field requires improvements. The authors conclude that although the number of adopted Russian orphans by Spanish citizens has dropped in recent years, it is necessary to continue cooperation in this field by improving the existing legislation.

Keywords: orphans, legislation, international adoption, regulatory framework, international cooperation, child rights, citizen, state, Spain, Russia

Abstract: This article explores the key stages of the development of U.S. policy with regards to Arctic Region. The goal is set to outline the fundamental interests of the United States in the Arctic, as well as analyze the actions aimed at their achievement. The article examines the main priorities in U.S. Arctic policy, namely the protection and preservation of resources and ecosystem in the Arctic Region, scientific study of climatic changes, peculiarities of economic development of Alaska, and national security interests of the state. The questions of interaction of Arctic states with regards to defense cooperation become increasingly relevant. Consideration of the mid-term and long-term prospects of U.S. Arctic policy allowed the author focusing attention on the news aspects of U.S. government actions. Maritime capabilities of the United States in the Arctic waters are views in the context of modern tendencies. The author attempted to trace the prospects for expansion of U.S. influence in the Arctic Region based on the current agenda of 2019.

Keywords: the continental shelf of the Arctic, northern sea route, Arctic coastal States, USA, NATO, Arctic, international relations, international security, security, Arctic Council

Abstract: The subject of this research is the establishment and promotion of the international humanitarian centers as the means of “soft power” for creating a positive image of Russian in Eastern Europe and Transcaucasia. The author meticulously examines the peculiarities of the institution of “soft power”, as well as its application techniques. One of the recent is the humanitarian cooperation realizes by the Russian Federation in form of institutional international cooperation of the specially designed centers that provide humanitarian aid and other assistance in the area of protection against disasters. Special attention is given to the activity of the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center, its legal and political status, foreign policy issues encountered by the partnering countries. The scientific novelty is defined by the fact that the international humanitarian centers became the subject of interdisciplinary research for the first time. The author describes them as the international law institutions on one hand, and the state’s “soft power” strategy on the other. Humanitarian cooperation itself is rarely analyzed in the context of fulfilling foreign policy interests of the country. The author underlines the following facts: the importance of application of the various “soft power” techniques for creating the country’s image and advancing its foreign policy; use of humanitarian cooperation in the area of protection against disasters in this context as one of the effective methods; despite the existing opposition of Western countries, the further implementation and promotion of the activity of humanitarian centers is necessary.

Keywords: international centre, image of the state, foraign policy, humanitarian centre, international cooperation, protaction of disasters, humanitarian cooperation, soft power, humanitarian assistance, foraign policy interests

Abstract: The subject of this research is the EAEU policy in the area of innovation development aimed at solving the task of formation of the regional innovation system in the context of implementation of the digital economy agenda. The author focuses on the correlation between the aforementioned policy and cooperation of the EAEU member-states in establishing the right to intellectual property. Special attention is given to the analysis of possible algorithms of the formation of regional innovation system and usage potential of the digital platforms. The also author underlines that all member-states should witch to unified policy in this sphere. Application of the comparative-legal method allowed to compare the legal framework for ensuring innovation development in the conditions of digital economy in EU and EAEU with consideration of the growing role of the right to intellectual property in these processes. The scientific novelty consists in the following: the questions of EAEU legislation in the area of the right to intellectual property are presented in light of cooperation on the convergence of innovation development of the EAEU member-states in terms of implementation of the strategy of digitalization of economy. The key conclusion of the conducted research consists in the statements that the content of EAEU strategies in the area of intellectual property and innovation development should reflect the measures on formation of the regional innovation system, considering digitalization of law and intellectual property systems.

Keywords: regional integration, clusters, EAEU, regional innovation system, digital agenda, digital technologies, intellectual property, innovation infrustructure, European union, legal policy

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the problem that is especially relevant for Russia at the moment. In March of 2018, presidential elections will be held in Russia, and in September – the direct elections of the heads of 17 subjects of Federation, including Moscow mayoral election. In the conditions of aggravation of relations with the West, the results of elections will compel special attention of foreign observers, including possible doubts in legitimacy of decision made by Russians. International monitoring at the elections allows forming a clear idea on the elections. The goal of this article is to reveal the importance of international monitoring of national election. The author also solves other tasks associated with revelation of historical facts, development of the institution of international monitoring of elections; as well as demonstrates the role and specificity of the works of OSCE and Council of Europe. The article examines a number of aspects that have not been previously discussed in the works of Russian authors. It is noted that the international monitoring has become a traditional form of control over the elections held at the various levels. The author makes generalizing conclusions and provides recommendations that can be  considered in future organization of the national, regional, and local elections.  

Keywords: European law, international law, international elections, CSTO, CIS, Council of Europe, OSCE, foreign policy, domestic policy, international organizations

Abstract: The object of this research is the activation of the Asia-Pacific political vector of Russia. The East development plan declared by the President in 2013 alongside the foreign policy turn of the Russian Federation towards the East due to the current crises of the system of international relations, created the additional prerequisites for close integration of the Russian Federation and its Far Eastern subjects with the Pacific Rim countries. The authors assume that the activity of the Russian Federation within the framework of the international institution of BRICS, which membership Russia has for over a decade, falls within the concept of modern eastern policy of Russia. For revealing the institutional potential of Russia for realization of its “eastern” political vector through BRICS, the authors analyze the participation of Russia in the integration processes in the East, as well as the interests of the key players of the “five”. The scientific novelty lies in application of the complementarity approach of BRICS mechanism and pursuance of its leading actors, including Russian Federation, towards realization of the “eastern” foreign policy vector. The researchers believe that in the conditions of global tension, the institutional potential of BRICS will encourage Russia’s integration into the Pacific Rim.

Keywords: institutes, international relations system, actors, federal policy, foreign policy, international integration, Asia Pacific, BRICS, transformation, processes

Abstract: The object of this research is the international and domestic legal regulation in the area of dual citizenship. The subject is the dual citizenship. The issue of dual citizenship is currently relevant not only for Russian Federation, but also many other countries. The current models of legal regulation of dual citizenship greatly differ from country to country, without meeting the needs of the individual in the modern world and causing many collisions in the legal systems. The authors analyze international law and national models of regulation of the question of dual citizenship, primarily from the positions of human rights. The novelty of this research partially consists in account of the latest trends in domestic policy of a number of countries on the question of dual citizenship. The work reveals the peculiarities of the legal regulation of dual citizenship within the framework of integrated union states. Special attention is given to the evolution of legislation in Russia. The authors conclude that in the modern world of agitated global political processes, the issues resulting from simultaneous belonging to different legal systems due to citizenship require modernization of approaches to the established models of legal regulation and development of clear definitions in both international and domestic laws.

Keywords: convention, human rights, obtaining citizenship, migration, legislation, dual citizenship, citizenship, state, treaty, law

Abstract: The subject of this research is the methods of foreign policy legitimation of political power in the post-Soviet de facto states. The object of this research is the foreign policy activity of the aforementioned political-territorial entities. Special attention is given to the description and analysis of the political (opening of embassies and representative establishments; creation of alternative international organizations), economic (establishment of economic ties with other countries; participation on international forums and exhibitions), as well as cultural (promotion of brand of the de facto state using the instruments of cultural diplomacy) instruments of the foreign policy legitimation. The topic at hand is insufficiently studied and of practical relevance because the political processes in the de facto states and their further institutionalization strongly affect the relations between countries within the region. The author comes to a conclusion that the presence or absence of a vast foreign diaspora produce substantial impact upon the character and scale of the foreign policy legitimation of political power in the de facto states.

Keywords: South Ossetia, Abkhazia, representative establishment, embassy, diaspora, political power, legitimation of power, de facto state, Nagorno-Karabakh, Transnistria

Abstract: The subject matter of this article comprises legal aspects of different kinds of companies engaged in business activities in one of the BRICS countries and the partner of Russia – China, from the perspective of preference of doing business the work characterizes main features of each of the countries. This research includes the most important facets of their functions, from establishment to liquidation. Special attention is paid to the question of issue and characteristics of the shares, the rights and obligations of the parties, as well as the order of functions of the administration. From this position the author uses general scientific methods (system analysis and synthesis of normative and practical materials, etc.) and special legal methods of legal research (comparative, of interpretation of legal norms, etc.). The main conclusions of the study are, in particular, provisions according to which it iss established that national peculiarities of legal framework of activities of business companies in China are manifested in the conditions of formation of the authorized capital (the timing, amounts and types of payment, including payments at the time of registration), in the terms permitted by law to their participants; in the definition of the laws with regard to the quorum of the General meetings and number of votes for adoption of their decisions; in the composition, competence and responsibility of the Board of Directors and Supervisory Board; in the requirement of PRC law to establish companies and ensure the work of the Communist Party and Trade Unions; in the procedure of liquidation that requires uniform implementation stages. The results presented in this article are the source of relevant and up to date information about the existing law of one of the fastest growing countries in the world, and thus can be useful for practitioners with ties to China, as well as law enforcement bodies in Russia. It also serves as a source of valuable information that enriches the domestic private law.

Keywords: articles of Association, corporate management structure, establishment of a company, issue of shares, business companies, China, BRICS, reorganization, liquidation, business