Article 71 Postal services and telecommunications

1. The Parties shall expand and strengthen cooperation in this area with the aim of gradual integration at the technical level of their respective telecommunications and postal networks. To this end they shall initiate notably the following actions:

- exchange information on telecommunications and postal services and TV and broadcasting policies,

- exchange technical and other information, conduct training and advisory operations,

- carry out transfer of technology and know-how,

- have the appropriate bodies from both Parties elaborate and carry out joint projects,

- promote new communication facilities first of all for the needs of commercial and public institutions,

- promote European technical standards, systems of certification and regulatory approaches,

- cooperate in securing the communication in critical circumstances, consult each other on elaboration of guidelines for operator cooperation in conditions of catastrophes, etc.

2. These activities shall focus, inter alia, on the following priority areas:

- development and modernization of an integrated telecommunications sector in Russia in the framework of market reforms and creation of an appropriate regulatory basis,

- modernization of Russia's telecommunications network and its integration at the technical level into European and world networks,

- cooperation in development of systems of information exchange and data transmission between organizations of the Community and Russia,

- integration at the technical level of trans-European telecommunication networks,

- modernization of Russia's postal and broadcasting services, including legal and regulatory aspects,

- the management of telecommunications, postal, TV and broadcasting services in the changing economic environments of both Parties, including inter alia, organizational structures, strategy and planning, tariff policy and purchasing principles.