Published 12 May, 2010, 09:30, Edited 12 May, 2010, 15:21
Russian and US representatives have met in Moscow for the final round of negotiations to lift a ban on adopting Russian children and finalize a deal between the two countries.
Adoption from Russia to America was suspended last month after the culmination of several cases over recent years of neglect by foster parents, including the deaths of Russian children in the US.
The first round of negotiations took place in Moscow on April 29 and 30. At the time, Russia handed the American side a draft agreement. Now the concrete details of it have been discussed.
The American delegation is headed by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Michael Kirby. The Russian representatives include officials from the Education Ministry, the General Prosecutor’s Office and the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights Pavel Astakhov.
Pavel Astakhov said that the text of the agreement will be finalized by May 14. He added it will most likely be signed between Russia’s Education Ministry and either the Department of Justice or the State Department on the American side.
The deal will lead to the creation of a special Russian-American body for foreign adoption, which will also follow the fate of adopted children in foster families.
This sounds positive! Hopefully a court date for you will be set SOON!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found your blog! I'm in the process of adopting a little girl with Down syndrome from Pskov, but our agency told us that the judge would not allow us to divulge her location (not even Russia---that we'd have to say "Eastern Europe") on our blog.
ReplyDeleteWe are just beginning to compile our dossier, but we have been in this process for 8 months. Progress has been slow---obstacle after obstacle---but GOD has moved mightily, and we can now see clearly that our biggest, longest obstacle quite possibly saved this little girl's life!
Can't wait to follow along with your journey.
Ugh....there is no ban! Why must they keep reporting that! Delays YES a ban NO. I'm a little nervous about what else a treaty will mean for us, what MORE hoops to jump through....but I'm feeling very very hopeful and think court dates will be in the near future for us both!!
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