Developing links with Russia

Following on from his last trip to Russia, where he was one of a group of Scottish visitors observing the elections in Moscow, Cameron Ross from the Department of Politics is preparing for a return visit this summer.

The purpose of this trip is to discuss further collaboration between local government bodies in Russia and Britain. Cameron will also be applying for a grant in collaboration with two research institutes in Moscow: the Institute for Law and Public Policy and the Institure for Urban Economics, with the aim of bringing local government officials from Moscow to Scotland and vice versa.

Cameron explains, "The plans are at a very early stage but this will be a way of continuing our exchange with Russian politicians - only this time we will focus on local government rather than national governments."

Cameron recently attended a ceremony at the city chambers where he presented Dundee's Deputy Lord Provost Charles Farquhar with the coat of arms of Moscow City Council, which was presented to the group during their trip last year. They also received the coat of arms of Dundee City Council, which they will present to Moscow City Council during the visit in the summer.

Cameron is currently writing a book on grassroots politics in Russia.