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Rep. James McGovern to Join the Bipartisan Policy Center For Policy Discussion on U.S. – Russia Trade Relations and Human Rights

Bipartisan Policy Centre

7 May 2012, 13:15 GMT, PR Newswire (U.S.) [337 Words]

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — With Russia’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), the U.S. could be at a commercial and political disadvantage if it does not graduate Russia from the Jackson-Vanik amendment and grant it permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status. At the same time, many policymakers and experts have serious concerns about shortcomings on human rights and the rule of law in Russia, and favor an approach to Russia that addresses those concerns.

Following its recent analysis on the subject, the Bipartisan Policy Center’s (BPC) Foreign Policy Project (FPP) will hold a policy discussion on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 to discuss the future of U.S.-Russian relations. The event will focus on building a more constructive bilateral relationship with Russia, including promoting Russian human rights, rule of law, democracy, transparency, civil society and commercial engagements.

WHO: Representative James McGovern (D-MA), Co-Chairman, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Bill Browder, CEO, Hermitage Capital Management Celeste Drake, Trade Policy Specialist, AFL-CIO David Kramer, President, Freedom House Dr. Michael Makovsky, Director, BPC Foreign Policy Project Christopher Wenk, Senior Director of International Policy, Chamber of Commerce Jackson Diehl, Moderator; Deputy Editorial Page Editor, The Washington Post WHAT: BPC Policy Discussion on the Future of U.S. – Russian Relations