Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🤝 Traditional informal meeting of the leaders of the #CIS Member States took place on December 26
💬 President of Russia Vladimir Putin: This year the multifaceted interaction of our states has been developing successfully on the whole. This confirms the steady growth of trade among us and between Russia and all CIS countries.
The Commonwealth has been taking coordinated action to substitute imports, achieve technological sovereignty, and boost joint industrial production and research potential.
Maintaining security and stability in our common Eurasian region is another key aspect of cooperation within the CIS. Unfortunately, every year the challenges and threats in this area continue to grow.
Regrettably, we have to admit that disagreements among the CIS Member States also occur. Nevertheless, the most important thing is that we are ready to cooperate, and we will do so. Even if problems arise, we strive to resolve them ourselves, jointly, offering to each other help and assistance as allies and intermediaries.
I am confident that increasing the interaction within the CIS meets the fundamental interests of the peoples of our countries, helps deal with the goals of the social and economic development of the CIS countries more efficiently, and strengthens regional stability and security.
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💬 President of Russia Vladimir Putin: This year the multifaceted interaction of our states has been developing successfully on the whole. This confirms the steady growth of trade among us and between Russia and all CIS countries.
The Commonwealth has been taking coordinated action to substitute imports, achieve technological sovereignty, and boost joint industrial production and research potential.
Maintaining security and stability in our common Eurasian region is another key aspect of cooperation within the CIS. Unfortunately, every year the challenges and threats in this area continue to grow.
Regrettably, we have to admit that disagreements among the CIS Member States also occur. Nevertheless, the most important thing is that we are ready to cooperate, and we will do so. Even if problems arise, we strive to resolve them ourselves, jointly, offering to each other help and assistance as allies and intermediaries.
I am confident that increasing the interaction within the CIS meets the fundamental interests of the peoples of our countries, helps deal with the goals of the social and economic development of the CIS countries more efficiently, and strengthens regional stability and security.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🗓 On February 14, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in a Government Hour session of the State Duma where he made remarks on current issues related to the foreign policy of the Russian Federation.
The Foreign Minister focused on the key aspects of the Ministry’s efforts to resolve the foreign policy challenges facing the country and took questions from deputies. He concentrated on issues related to promoting partnerships with states that have a constructive attitude to Russia, ensuring favourable external conditions for its socio-economic development, and protecting the rights and interests of compatriots living abroad.
Sergey Lavrov also spoke about strengthening Russia’s role as a leading world power, deepening integration in the Union State, #EAEU, #CIS and #SCO, the Russian chairmanship of #BRICS, the resistance of the Global Majority to the dictates of the collective West, and the formation of a fair multipolar world order.
☝️ The Minister’s regular meetings with the members of both chambers of the Federal Assembly are an opportunity to “compare notes” and determine the main areas of joint effort by the executive and legislative authorities in the framework of the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation.
The Foreign Minister focused on the key aspects of the Ministry’s efforts to resolve the foreign policy challenges facing the country and took questions from deputies. He concentrated on issues related to promoting partnerships with states that have a constructive attitude to Russia, ensuring favourable external conditions for its socio-economic development, and protecting the rights and interests of compatriots living abroad.
Sergey Lavrov also spoke about strengthening Russia’s role as a leading world power, deepening integration in the Union State, #EAEU, #CIS and #SCO, the Russian chairmanship of #BRICS, the resistance of the Global Majority to the dictates of the collective West, and the formation of a fair multipolar world order.
☝️ The Minister’s regular meetings with the members of both chambers of the Federal Assembly are an opportunity to “compare notes” and determine the main areas of joint effort by the executive and legislative authorities in the framework of the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview for the Soviet Breakthrough documentary film project (Moscow, September 25, 2024)
❓ Question: In the 1920s, when the USSR did not have diplomatic relations with other countries, the Soviet Union decided to establish contacts with leading automotive companies to modernise its automobile industry. Despite the lack of diplomatic relations, major automakers began cooperating with our country. Does this mean that economic interest can work even at a time when there are no diplomatic relations?
💬 Sergey Lavrov: The question contains the answer.
Can economic interest break through even in the absence of diplomatic relations? This was exactly the case in the 1920s. I would not say that the Soviet Union was pressing invitations on those specialists. The process was mutual. <...>
New factories were established by Ford and Autocar (another company active at the time). The first conveyor belt was launched in Russia, using the technology transferred from Henry Ford’s factories. <...>
Those business partnerships were established at a time when we had no diplomatic relations with the United States. But the country’s government did not object to its citizens engaged in private entrepreneurship doing business in Russia at their own risk and peril. The risk and peril were very real indeed; but they paid off in the end.
Critics in the United States slammed those businesses for ‘helping the communists build up their economy.’ In response, Henry Ford uttered one of his most popular phrases. He said that no matter where the industry prospered, in India, China or Russia, it would generate more profit for all. <...> In fact, Ford predicted globalisation, something his own country is now destroying, forcefully and deliberately.
❗️ Speaking of more recent developments, the sanctions imposed by the US have hit the automotive industries of their allies hard. US automotive exports to Russia were negligible and incomparable with those from Europe – from Germany and other countries, which supplied vehicles to our country on a far greater scale. The United States effectively banned them from further cooperating with the Russian Federation. The market quickly filled – and continues to be filled – with car brands from other countries, primarily from China. Joint ventures are being established. <...>
Import substitution is working. Plans are now in place to launch the production of Russian cars using Chinese designs, the same way American know-how was used in the 1920s. This is just another example of the sanctions primarily harming those who impose them – especially when undermining their own industry was the last thing they wanted, but they had to obey the hegemon. <...> The effects of Washington’s crusade to eliminate European competition will be felt for decades to come.
❓Question: Do Russian automakers need diplomatic support to develop their operations and promote their products?
💬 Sergey Lavrov: Why just the automakers? Any economic matter with an international dimension requires political and diplomatic support.
The economic agenda is front and centre whenever President of Russia Vladimir Putin holds talks at the highest level with his partners representing countries with adequate governments, primarily our partners within the #SCO, #BRICS and post-Soviet associations including the #EAEU and the #CIS. Combining our efforts must be a win-win proposition for all of us.
☝️ Building a sealed economy is not an option in today’s world. Everything is intertwined, considering the complexity of production chains involving a plethora of parts and technological solutions. These matters are coordinated at the highest level. <...>
Once the heads of state set the political benchmarks, this is where the economic agencies step in. This is diplomacy at its finest. <...> At the end of the day, it is by combining the instructions stipulated at the highest level with efforts by specialised agencies and diplomatic support that we can make this approach a success.
Read in full
❓ Question: In the 1920s, when the USSR did not have diplomatic relations with other countries, the Soviet Union decided to establish contacts with leading automotive companies to modernise its automobile industry. Despite the lack of diplomatic relations, major automakers began cooperating with our country. Does this mean that economic interest can work even at a time when there are no diplomatic relations?
💬 Sergey Lavrov: The question contains the answer.
Can economic interest break through even in the absence of diplomatic relations? This was exactly the case in the 1920s. I would not say that the Soviet Union was pressing invitations on those specialists. The process was mutual. <...>
New factories were established by Ford and Autocar (another company active at the time). The first conveyor belt was launched in Russia, using the technology transferred from Henry Ford’s factories. <...>
Those business partnerships were established at a time when we had no diplomatic relations with the United States. But the country’s government did not object to its citizens engaged in private entrepreneurship doing business in Russia at their own risk and peril. The risk and peril were very real indeed; but they paid off in the end.
Critics in the United States slammed those businesses for ‘helping the communists build up their economy.’ In response, Henry Ford uttered one of his most popular phrases. He said that no matter where the industry prospered, in India, China or Russia, it would generate more profit for all. <...> In fact, Ford predicted globalisation, something his own country is now destroying, forcefully and deliberately.
❗️ Speaking of more recent developments, the sanctions imposed by the US have hit the automotive industries of their allies hard. US automotive exports to Russia were negligible and incomparable with those from Europe – from Germany and other countries, which supplied vehicles to our country on a far greater scale. The United States effectively banned them from further cooperating with the Russian Federation. The market quickly filled – and continues to be filled – with car brands from other countries, primarily from China. Joint ventures are being established. <...>
Import substitution is working. Plans are now in place to launch the production of Russian cars using Chinese designs, the same way American know-how was used in the 1920s. This is just another example of the sanctions primarily harming those who impose them – especially when undermining their own industry was the last thing they wanted, but they had to obey the hegemon. <...> The effects of Washington’s crusade to eliminate European competition will be felt for decades to come.
❓Question: Do Russian automakers need diplomatic support to develop their operations and promote their products?
💬 Sergey Lavrov: Why just the automakers? Any economic matter with an international dimension requires political and diplomatic support.
The economic agenda is front and centre whenever President of Russia Vladimir Putin holds talks at the highest level with his partners representing countries with adequate governments, primarily our partners within the #SCO, #BRICS and post-Soviet associations including the #EAEU and the #CIS. Combining our efforts must be a win-win proposition for all of us.
☝️ Building a sealed economy is not an option in today’s world. Everything is intertwined, considering the complexity of production chains involving a plethora of parts and technological solutions. These matters are coordinated at the highest level. <...>
Once the heads of state set the political benchmarks, this is where the economic agencies step in. This is diplomacy at its finest. <...> At the end of the day, it is by combining the instructions stipulated at the highest level with efforts by specialised agencies and diplomatic support that we can make this approach a success.
Read in full