Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🗓 On December 20, Marrakesh, the Kingdom of Morocco, hosted the 6th Session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum (RACF) at the ministerial level.
The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the Foreign Ministers of Bahrain, the Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Qatar, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen took part via video conference.
👉 The participants in the RACF session unanimously agreed that the domestic political problems of the countries in the region, no matter how challenging, should be resolved by peaceful means through a wide-ranging national dialogue embracing all political forces and walks of life.
At the same time, it was stressed that any outside interference in the internal affairs of independent states was unacceptable. The participants reaffirmed that the principle of respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity in conformity with international law and the UN Charter remained immutable.
🌐 These fundamental postulates served as the basis for a detailed analysis of a number of current regional problems with a focus on an unprecedented escalation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone.
🤝 A number of specific steps were coordinated to invigorate the entire range of cooperation between Russia and the Arab countries, including trade, the economy, research, culture, and the humanitarian area.
The RACF concluded with its participants approving a joint Statement and a Plan of Action to implement the Forum’s principles, goals and tasks for 2024-2026. It was agreed that the 7th RACF session would be held in Moscow in 2024.
Read in full
The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the Foreign Ministers of Bahrain, the Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Qatar, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen took part via video conference.
👉 The participants in the RACF session unanimously agreed that the domestic political problems of the countries in the region, no matter how challenging, should be resolved by peaceful means through a wide-ranging national dialogue embracing all political forces and walks of life.
At the same time, it was stressed that any outside interference in the internal affairs of independent states was unacceptable. The participants reaffirmed that the principle of respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity in conformity with international law and the UN Charter remained immutable.
🌐 These fundamental postulates served as the basis for a detailed analysis of a number of current regional problems with a focus on an unprecedented escalation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone.
🤝 A number of specific steps were coordinated to invigorate the entire range of cooperation between Russia and the Arab countries, including trade, the economy, research, culture, and the humanitarian area.
The RACF concluded with its participants approving a joint Statement and a Plan of Action to implement the Forum’s principles, goals and tasks for 2024-2026. It was agreed that the 7th RACF session would be held in Moscow in 2024.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇲🇦 On December 20, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was on a working visit to Morocco to attend the sixth Session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum in Marrakesh where he held talks with Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
✔️ Mr Lavrov and Mr Bourita discussed the package of current issues on the steady development of traditionally friendly bilateral relations between Russia and Morocco.
✔️ During the exchange of views on current international issues, the focus was on the developments in the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahara-Sahel zone.
✔️ The Ministers reaffirmed Moscow and Rabat’s intention to deepen their dialogue and coordinate efforts to settle regional issues through political and diplomatic methods with reliance on the fundamental principles and standards of international law with the UN central role.
During his stay in Morocco, Sergey Lavrov awarded the Foreign Ministry honorary badges “For Interaction” to honorary consul of Russia in Marrakesh Rabai Hafid and honorary consul of Russia in Agadir Abdellatif Abid for their efforts at strengthening Russian-Moroccan ties.
Read in full
✔️ Mr Lavrov and Mr Bourita discussed the package of current issues on the steady development of traditionally friendly bilateral relations between Russia and Morocco.
✔️ During the exchange of views on current international issues, the focus was on the developments in the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahara-Sahel zone.
✔️ The Ministers reaffirmed Moscow and Rabat’s intention to deepen their dialogue and coordinate efforts to settle regional issues through political and diplomatic methods with reliance on the fundamental principles and standards of international law with the UN central role.
During his stay in Morocco, Sergey Lavrov awarded the Foreign Ministry honorary badges “For Interaction” to honorary consul of Russia in Marrakesh Rabai Hafid and honorary consul of Russia in Agadir Abdellatif Abid for their efforts at strengthening Russian-Moroccan ties.
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Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (Moscow, December 20, 2023)
🔹 FM Sergey Lavrov’s schedule
🔹 Ukrainian crisis
🔹 The UNGA’s approval of a Russian resolution on preventing the glorification of Nazism
🔹 No response from the UN Secretary-General and the UN Secretariat to the repeated Russian requests for them to obtain a list of victims of the Bucha provocation from Kiev
🔹 The outcome of the EU summit
🔹 OSCE/ODIHR releases fourth interim report on violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Ukraine
🔹 Situation in Moldova
🔹 Anti-Russia sanctions
🔹 Completing the evacuation from the Gaza Strip
📰 Read in full
📺 Watch
#Ukraine
• On December 15, 2023, EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn told Reuters that last spring the US urged the EU to launch a long-term EUR 50 billion funding programme for Ukraine, so that the Biden administration would use it to pressure Congress into allocating additional funds for the Kiev regime.
Washington is cynically trying to shift the multibillion-dollar burden of the Ukrainian crisis it has unleashed onto the EU, forcing the Europeans to bankroll the corrupt and criminal Zelensky regime.
#Moldova
• On December 15, the pro-Western majority in the country’s parliament pushed through the draft of a new National Security Strategy, in which Russia is absolutely unfairly labelled ‘the most dangerous and constant source of threat <...> to the statehood, democracy and prosperity of Moldova.”
Conversely, Moldova’s time apart from Russia saw a dismantling of industry, degradation of agriculture, impoverishment of the population and depopulation – all of which we observe today. These are “serious threats to the state, democracy and prosperity of the country.”
And those who are responsible for severing Moldova’s ties with Russia or other countries that it benefited from, are responsible for this situation.
🔹 FM Sergey Lavrov’s schedule
🔹 Ukrainian crisis
🔹 The UNGA’s approval of a Russian resolution on preventing the glorification of Nazism
🔹 No response from the UN Secretary-General and the UN Secretariat to the repeated Russian requests for them to obtain a list of victims of the Bucha provocation from Kiev
🔹 The outcome of the EU summit
🔹 OSCE/ODIHR releases fourth interim report on violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Ukraine
🔹 Situation in Moldova
🔹 Anti-Russia sanctions
🔹 Completing the evacuation from the Gaza Strip
📰 Read in full
📺 Watch
#Ukraine
• On December 15, 2023, EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn told Reuters that last spring the US urged the EU to launch a long-term EUR 50 billion funding programme for Ukraine, so that the Biden administration would use it to pressure Congress into allocating additional funds for the Kiev regime.
Washington is cynically trying to shift the multibillion-dollar burden of the Ukrainian crisis it has unleashed onto the EU, forcing the Europeans to bankroll the corrupt and criminal Zelensky regime.
#Moldova
• On December 15, the pro-Western majority in the country’s parliament pushed through the draft of a new National Security Strategy, in which Russia is absolutely unfairly labelled ‘the most dangerous and constant source of threat <...> to the statehood, democracy and prosperity of Moldova.”
Conversely, Moldova’s time apart from Russia saw a dismantling of industry, degradation of agriculture, impoverishment of the population and depopulation – all of which we observe today. These are “serious threats to the state, democracy and prosperity of the country.”
And those who are responsible for severing Moldova’s ties with Russia or other countries that it benefited from, are responsible for this situation.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answers to media questions following his visit to the Republic of Tunisia (Tunis, December 21, 2023)
❓It has recently come to light that the Prosecutor’s Office of Germany is seeking the seizure of Russian assets in favour of Germany’s own budget. Was this expected? How can we retaliate? Could you comment on this, please?
💬 They are a thievish kind of people. We realised this long ago. Earlier, they were thievish politically (in the sense of going back on commitments and trying to cheat), but now we can use this word, thievish, literally. They are scampering to find some legal avenues to confiscate Russian assets. Or, as a first step, they plan to confiscate the profits derived from these assets and send them to Ukraine.
The Americans are secretly advising them on how to change their laws so that they can ultimately steal these funds. We will wait and see.
Finance Minister of Russia Anton Siluanov said that if such confiscation were to take place, we would retaliate by confiscating their assets in Russia.
❓ This agricultural year, Russian grain supplies to Tunisia have increased fivefold (some say even more). From what I understand, the Tunisian side wants to receive this grain at a discount, on favourable terms. Have there been any agreements reached regarding the price? Is the increase in supplies a long-term trend or is it due to the current poor harvest?
💬 I cannot speak on behalf of the United Grain Company, which is in negotiations with the Tunisian side. It is not the Foreign Ministry that determines the prices; that responsibility lies with those who sign contracts.
But the interest in expanding the supplies of Russian grain is evident. <...> We are ready for this, thanks to the hard work of our farmers and favourable weather conditions. We have had bumper harvests for three consecutive years. While this year’s intake may not be as high as in 2022, it still allows us to export almost the same record amount of grain as last year.
Read in full
❓It has recently come to light that the Prosecutor’s Office of Germany is seeking the seizure of Russian assets in favour of Germany’s own budget. Was this expected? How can we retaliate? Could you comment on this, please?
💬 They are a thievish kind of people. We realised this long ago. Earlier, they were thievish politically (in the sense of going back on commitments and trying to cheat), but now we can use this word, thievish, literally. They are scampering to find some legal avenues to confiscate Russian assets. Or, as a first step, they plan to confiscate the profits derived from these assets and send them to Ukraine.
The Americans are secretly advising them on how to change their laws so that they can ultimately steal these funds. We will wait and see.
Finance Minister of Russia Anton Siluanov said that if such confiscation were to take place, we would retaliate by confiscating their assets in Russia.
❓ This agricultural year, Russian grain supplies to Tunisia have increased fivefold (some say even more). From what I understand, the Tunisian side wants to receive this grain at a discount, on favourable terms. Have there been any agreements reached regarding the price? Is the increase in supplies a long-term trend or is it due to the current poor harvest?
💬 I cannot speak on behalf of the United Grain Company, which is in negotiations with the Tunisian side. It is not the Foreign Ministry that determines the prices; that responsibility lies with those who sign contracts.
But the interest in expanding the supplies of Russian grain is evident. <...> We are ready for this, thanks to the hard work of our farmers and favourable weather conditions. We have had bumper harvests for three consecutive years. While this year’s intake may not be as high as in 2022, it still allows us to export almost the same record amount of grain as last year.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇻🇪📞 President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone with President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro.
The Presidents discussed current issues of Russian-Venezuelan cooperation in energy, trade, investment and the cultural and humanitarian areas. Russia continues to assist Venezuela’s leaders in their effort to strengthen their national economy and sovereignty.
🤝 During the exchange of views on international issues, the presidents emphasised their common approaches to the creation of a fair multipolar world order and the rejection of unlawful sanctions and interference in the domestic affairs of states.
Nicolas Maduro told Vladimir Putin about his talks with the President of Guyana on the developments in Essequibo. Vladimir Putin advocated a settlement of the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana through political and diplomatic means.
The Leaders exchanged acknowledgements of the upcoming New Year and Christmas holidays and agreed to keep in touch. The President of Venezuela received confirmation of his invitation to visit Russia next year.
The Presidents discussed current issues of Russian-Venezuelan cooperation in energy, trade, investment and the cultural and humanitarian areas. Russia continues to assist Venezuela’s leaders in their effort to strengthen their national economy and sovereignty.
🤝 During the exchange of views on international issues, the presidents emphasised their common approaches to the creation of a fair multipolar world order and the rejection of unlawful sanctions and interference in the domestic affairs of states.
Nicolas Maduro told Vladimir Putin about his talks with the President of Guyana on the developments in Essequibo. Vladimir Putin advocated a settlement of the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana through political and diplomatic means.
The Leaders exchanged acknowledgements of the upcoming New Year and Christmas holidays and agreed to keep in touch. The President of Venezuela received confirmation of his invitation to visit Russia next year.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇮🇷📞 On December 22, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke over the phone with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
The Ministers discussed a number of topical issues on the regional and bilateral agenda in the context of implementing agreements reached during the highest-level talks in Moscow on December 7. Additionally, the Ministers coordinated the schedule of future contacts.
#RussiaIran
The Ministers discussed a number of topical issues on the regional and bilateral agenda in the context of implementing agreements reached during the highest-level talks in Moscow on December 7. Additionally, the Ministers coordinated the schedule of future contacts.
#RussiaIran
Ambassador Oleg Stepanov: Deeply saddened by the news of the untimely passing of H.E. Frank Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Canada. He will be remembered as a good friend and a professional. I offer my sincerest condolences to the Dominican Embassy in Canada and his family.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
⚔️ December 24th is the Day of Military Glory in Russia, established in honour of the capture of the Ottoman fortress of Izmail by Russian troops in 1790.
This victory was the high point of the Russo-Turkish war of 1787-1791 and a true testament to Alexander Suvorov's military genius.
This was one of several conflicts between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, this time sparked by the latter’s attempt to regain Crimea and other territories that had been acquired by Russia in the previous war. Despite a series of brilliant victories by the Russian forces, the Ottoman Empire was still reluctant to accept the peace terms proposed by the Russian Empire.
🏰 In order to finally defeat the enemy, Russian commanders decided to capture the fortress of Izmail, the stronghold of Turkish rule on the Danube that was considered impregnable in Europe. The Russian army, consisting of 31,000 men, faced a garrison of 35,000 defenders, half of whom were Janissaries, the Sultan’s elite infantry.
✉️ Suvorov sought to avoid bloodshed and sent two messages to the fortress defenders, offering honourable terms of surrender. “Rather would the Danube stop flowing and the sky fall to the ground than Izmail surrender,” was the reply.
Early in the morning of December 22, Russian troops launched a simultaneous assault on the fortress from three directions, disorienting the enemy. By 8 am, they had captured most of the outer fortifications and began pushing the enemy towards the centre of the city. By 4 pm, Izmail had fallen. Suvorov's disciple Mikhail Kutuzov was appointed the commandant for displaying exceptional special courage during the battle.
☝️ The capture of Izmail had a decisive impact on the course of the war. In January 1792, the Treaty of Jassy was signed, solidifying the incorporation of Crimea into Russia. The entire Northern coast of the Black Sea, from the Dniester to the Kuban, was assigned to the Russian Empire, while Izmail itself was returned to Turkey.
#HistoryOfRussia
This victory was the high point of the Russo-Turkish war of 1787-1791 and a true testament to Alexander Suvorov's military genius.
This was one of several conflicts between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, this time sparked by the latter’s attempt to regain Crimea and other territories that had been acquired by Russia in the previous war. Despite a series of brilliant victories by the Russian forces, the Ottoman Empire was still reluctant to accept the peace terms proposed by the Russian Empire.
🏰 In order to finally defeat the enemy, Russian commanders decided to capture the fortress of Izmail, the stronghold of Turkish rule on the Danube that was considered impregnable in Europe. The Russian army, consisting of 31,000 men, faced a garrison of 35,000 defenders, half of whom were Janissaries, the Sultan’s elite infantry.
✉️ Suvorov sought to avoid bloodshed and sent two messages to the fortress defenders, offering honourable terms of surrender. “Rather would the Danube stop flowing and the sky fall to the ground than Izmail surrender,” was the reply.
Early in the morning of December 22, Russian troops launched a simultaneous assault on the fortress from three directions, disorienting the enemy. By 8 am, they had captured most of the outer fortifications and began pushing the enemy towards the centre of the city. By 4 pm, Izmail had fallen. Suvorov's disciple Mikhail Kutuzov was appointed the commandant for displaying exceptional special courage during the battle.
☝️ The capture of Izmail had a decisive impact on the course of the war. In January 1792, the Treaty of Jassy was signed, solidifying the incorporation of Crimea into Russia. The entire Northern coast of the Black Sea, from the Dniester to the Kuban, was assigned to the Russian Empire, while Izmail itself was returned to Turkey.
#HistoryOfRussia
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇦🇿📞 Russia's President Vladimir Putin and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev spoke over the phone.
During the conversation, President Putin wished President Aliyev a happy birthday.
The leaders noted the high current level of #RussiaAzerbaijan relations, strategic partnership and alliance, and agreed to maintain personal contacts.
The President of Russia also sent Ilham Aliyev a message of greetings.
✉️ The message reads, in part:
During the conversation, President Putin wished President Aliyev a happy birthday.
The leaders noted the high current level of #RussiaAzerbaijan relations, strategic partnership and alliance, and agreed to maintain personal contacts.
The President of Russia also sent Ilham Aliyev a message of greetings.
✉️ The message reads, in part:
You rightly enjoy great respect at home and around the world. Under your leadership, friendly Azerbaijan is achieving significant success in the economy and social sphere, and plays an important role in regional and international affairs. Your personal contribution to enhancing allied relations between our countries can hardly be overemphasised.
I will be happy to see our constructive dialogue and close collaboration to continue.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇺🇳 The UN General Assembly adopted a Russian-drafted resolution on combating the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism, racial discrimination and xenophobia.
For the second year in a row, the adoption of this instrumental document has been accompanied by overt political posturing by Western countries and their attempts to settle scores with Russia against the backdrop of the continuing Ukraine crisis.
This time around, the West and, in particular, the EU countries abandoned any attempts to justify their refusal to support the resolution by clumsy references to freedom of assembly and speech. They spoke out against international efforts to fight the aggressive manifestations of racism and xenophobia.
The position adopted by Germany, Italy and Japan is a matter of special concern, since the fact that they have been encouraging dangerous trends of this kind leads us to question where the Western democracy is headed considering the dark pages in the history of these three countries in the 20th century.
☝️ Nevertheless, the outcome of this vote was a clear demonstration of the unwavering and tangible support by the international community for Russia’s initiatives as submitted to the UN General Assembly every year.
Read in full
For the second year in a row, the adoption of this instrumental document has been accompanied by overt political posturing by Western countries and their attempts to settle scores with Russia against the backdrop of the continuing Ukraine crisis.
This time around, the West and, in particular, the EU countries abandoned any attempts to justify their refusal to support the resolution by clumsy references to freedom of assembly and speech. They spoke out against international efforts to fight the aggressive manifestations of racism and xenophobia.
The position adopted by Germany, Italy and Japan is a matter of special concern, since the fact that they have been encouraging dangerous trends of this kind leads us to question where the Western democracy is headed considering the dark pages in the history of these three countries in the 20th century.
☝️ Nevertheless, the outcome of this vote was a clear demonstration of the unwavering and tangible support by the international community for Russia’s initiatives as submitted to the UN General Assembly every year.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov answers questions from the NTV Itogi Nedeli aka the Outcomes of the Week programme (December 24, 2023)
❓ Here is a philosophical question: Yesterday, you spoke about justice, a just solution to the crisis, a just multipolar world order, etc. Now the Global South is closely watching us. What kind of justice can we offer them? How do we make it clear to them?
💬 I think that any normal person, including politicians, immediately understands what injustice is when they see it. It is clear to them when issues are resolved fairly, based on a balance of interests and the key principle of the UN Charter, which emphasises the need to respect the sovereign equality of all states, big and small.
since the creation of the UN, the West, especially the US, has failed to comply with this key principle of sovereign equality. <...>
In this context, justice means equal rights for all states and entities established in different regions. This includes the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the African Union, #CELAC, as well as numerous subregional institutions in Africa and Latin America. In Eurasia, we have the #EAEU, the #SCO and #ASEAN. These organisations have established close contacts, including through the Belt and Road project. <...>
❓ Why didn't you mention BRICS?
💬 I didn't mention BRICS because it is self-evident. I listed the organisations that are emerging at the regional level. #BRICS is not an organisation but an association. I don't think there is any interest in turning it into a formal organisation with a secretariat, at least not at this stage <...>
BRICS is a symbol. It represents the shared desire of a majority of countries in the world to develop their initiatives together, taking into account each other's interests on an equal basis. It serves as a future umbrella for all subregional and regional processes. <...> This is the future.
☝️ In the West, there are no organisations that have fair rules in terms of equality and genuine consensus.
Read in full
❓ Here is a philosophical question: Yesterday, you spoke about justice, a just solution to the crisis, a just multipolar world order, etc. Now the Global South is closely watching us. What kind of justice can we offer them? How do we make it clear to them?
💬 I think that any normal person, including politicians, immediately understands what injustice is when they see it. It is clear to them when issues are resolved fairly, based on a balance of interests and the key principle of the UN Charter, which emphasises the need to respect the sovereign equality of all states, big and small.
since the creation of the UN, the West, especially the US, has failed to comply with this key principle of sovereign equality. <...>
In this context, justice means equal rights for all states and entities established in different regions. This includes the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the African Union, #CELAC, as well as numerous subregional institutions in Africa and Latin America. In Eurasia, we have the #EAEU, the #SCO and #ASEAN. These organisations have established close contacts, including through the Belt and Road project. <...>
❓ Why didn't you mention BRICS?
💬 I didn't mention BRICS because it is self-evident. I listed the organisations that are emerging at the regional level. #BRICS is not an organisation but an association. I don't think there is any interest in turning it into a formal organisation with a secretariat, at least not at this stage <...>
BRICS is a symbol. It represents the shared desire of a majority of countries in the world to develop their initiatives together, taking into account each other's interests on an equal basis. It serves as a future umbrella for all subregional and regional processes. <...> This is the future.
☝️ In the West, there are no organisations that have fair rules in terms of equality and genuine consensus.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a question from Rossiya Segodnya on the Russian Federation’s future interaction with the OPCW
❓ Question: What are the prospects for Russia’s future interaction with the OPCW, now that our country has not been re-elected to the Organisation’s Executive Council? Will Russia continue to pay its OPCW membership dues?
💬 Maria Zakharova: On November 30, the Foreign Ministry issued an official statement regarding the election of members to the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague. The statement emphasises that the Russian Federation, along with its allies, partners and like-minded supporters, will maintain an active role within the OPCW.
Our objective is to restore this Organisation’s previous prestige and uphold the integrity of the Chemical Weapons Convention. After Russia’s membership in the OPCW’s Executive Council expires in May 2024, we plan to continue consistently defending the Russian Federation’s interests (as an observer with the Executive Council) in the chemical industry, a highly important economic sector, and related spheres of activity.
Regarding the financial aspects of Russia’s participation in the OPCW, every OPCW member state undertakes to pay regular fees to the Organisation’s budget.
☝️ However, Russia, along with some of our partners, will continue to withhold a portion of our dues that the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW uses to fund the illegitimate “attributive” Investigation and Identification Team (IIT). This team, imposed by the US and its satellites, engages in illegal activities that serve the interests of the collective West.
❓ Question: What are the prospects for Russia’s future interaction with the OPCW, now that our country has not been re-elected to the Organisation’s Executive Council? Will Russia continue to pay its OPCW membership dues?
💬 Maria Zakharova: On November 30, the Foreign Ministry issued an official statement regarding the election of members to the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague. The statement emphasises that the Russian Federation, along with its allies, partners and like-minded supporters, will maintain an active role within the OPCW.
Our objective is to restore this Organisation’s previous prestige and uphold the integrity of the Chemical Weapons Convention. After Russia’s membership in the OPCW’s Executive Council expires in May 2024, we plan to continue consistently defending the Russian Federation’s interests (as an observer with the Executive Council) in the chemical industry, a highly important economic sector, and related spheres of activity.
Regarding the financial aspects of Russia’s participation in the OPCW, every OPCW member state undertakes to pay regular fees to the Organisation’s budget.
☝️ However, Russia, along with some of our partners, will continue to withhold a portion of our dues that the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW uses to fund the illegitimate “attributive” Investigation and Identification Team (IIT). This team, imposed by the US and its satellites, engages in illegal activities that serve the interests of the collective West.
Forwarded from Russian Delegation to UNESCO
On December 1️⃣3️⃣, the Second Award Ceremony of the UNESCO-Russia Mendeleev International Prize in the Basic Sciences was held in the Russian Academy of Sciences in a solemn atmosphere.
It is the most significant award of all UNESCO's joint prizes with foreign countries, with a fund of US $500,000, each winner receives half of this amount.
Mr. Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of Russian Federation and Ms. Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, presented the high award, a gold medal and a special diploma to two outstanding chemists Ms. I.P.Beletskaya 🇷🇺, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor of the Chemistry Department of the Moscow State University and to Mr. K.A.Müllen 🇩🇪, Honorary Director of the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research.
The Ceremony was attended by representatives of about 50 countries, including 26 foreign ambassadors accredited in Russia.
Russia 🇷🇺pays priority attention to the development of basic sciences and remains open to the scientific community. The Mendeleev Prize is an explicit example! Science has no borders!
📣Congratulations to the laureates on their well-deserved award!
🔗The Award Ceremony broadcast
It is the most significant award of all UNESCO's joint prizes with foreign countries, with a fund of US $500,000, each winner receives half of this amount.
Mr. Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of Russian Federation and Ms. Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, presented the high award, a gold medal and a special diploma to two outstanding chemists Ms. I.P.Beletskaya 🇷🇺, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor of the Chemistry Department of the Moscow State University and to Mr. K.A.Müllen 🇩🇪, Honorary Director of the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research.
The Ceremony was attended by representatives of about 50 countries, including 26 foreign ambassadors accredited in Russia.
Russia 🇷🇺pays priority attention to the development of basic sciences and remains open to the scientific community. The Mendeleev Prize is an explicit example! Science has no borders!
📣Congratulations to the laureates on their well-deserved award!
🔗The Award Ceremony broadcast
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 President of Russia Vladimir Putin's remarks at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meetings (restricted and expanded-formats)
Key points:
• We are expected to approve a declaration, drafted on the Russian side’s initiative, on the further development of economic processes within our association for the period to 2030 and further to 2045.
🇮🇷 In the run-up to our meeting, a free trade agreement between the EAEU and Iran was signed. Once the agreement comes into force, practically all categories of goods produced in the Union will obtain duty-free access to the extensive Iranian market with 90 million consumers, and non-tariff barriers will be significantly reduced.
📈 The Eurasian Union will soon be 10 years old. Over this period, the scale of trade has almost doubled and the aggregate GDP of the EAEU countries has grown from $1.6 trillion to $2.5 trillion US dollars.
• In Russia, GDP added three percent in the first three quarters and we expect it to reach 3.5 percent for the annual results. Other EAEU countries have also recorded a substantial increase in GDP.
🇪🇬🇦🇪🇮🇩 Work on a draft free trade agreement with Egypt is at a very advanced stage. Apart from that, the Eurasian Commission is negotiating with the UAE and Indonesia.
• Overall, as the EAEU’s authority and economic weight grows, an increasing number of countries and international organisations are showing interest in establishing mutually beneficial contacts with the EAEU.
🇨🇳 The work on aligning integration processes within the EAEU and China's Belt and Road Initiative is also yielding real results.
Key points:
• We are expected to approve a declaration, drafted on the Russian side’s initiative, on the further development of economic processes within our association for the period to 2030 and further to 2045.
🇮🇷 In the run-up to our meeting, a free trade agreement between the EAEU and Iran was signed. Once the agreement comes into force, practically all categories of goods produced in the Union will obtain duty-free access to the extensive Iranian market with 90 million consumers, and non-tariff barriers will be significantly reduced.
📈 The Eurasian Union will soon be 10 years old. Over this period, the scale of trade has almost doubled and the aggregate GDP of the EAEU countries has grown from $1.6 trillion to $2.5 trillion US dollars.
• In Russia, GDP added three percent in the first three quarters and we expect it to reach 3.5 percent for the annual results. Other EAEU countries have also recorded a substantial increase in GDP.
🇪🇬🇦🇪🇮🇩 Work on a draft free trade agreement with Egypt is at a very advanced stage. Apart from that, the Eurasian Commission is negotiating with the UAE and Indonesia.
• Overall, as the EAEU’s authority and economic weight grows, an increasing number of countries and international organisations are showing interest in establishing mutually beneficial contacts with the EAEU.
🇨🇳 The work on aligning integration processes within the EAEU and China's Belt and Road Initiative is also yielding real results.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
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🇷🇺🇮🇳 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov greets Foreign Minister of India Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the Russian MFA Reception House in Moscow. The Russia-India ministerial bilateral talks have commenced 🤝
🇷🇺🇮🇳 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov greets Foreign Minister of India Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the Russian MFA Reception House in Moscow. The Russia-India ministerial bilateral talks have commenced 🤝
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s address at a meeting of the United Russia Party General Council Commission on International Cooperation and Support for Compatriots Abroad (Moscow, December 26, 2023)
💬 In just five days, the New Year will arrive. At the same time, Russian Federation begins its chairmanship of #BRICS.
The world is becoming increasingly diverse, with more independent players. However, this also makes it more complex.
A prominent example of this is the interaction within BRICS. Over the years, this association has been a platform for efficient cooperation among states that represent various religions, world regions and – without exaggeration – even civilisations.
🌐 BRICS represents a cooperation network that operates in addition to the traditional North-South and West-East lines.
With the addition of new members <...> BRICS activities will undoubtedly become more comprehensive, and the process of reaching agreements will become more time-consuming.
Along with the countries that have already joined its ranks, about 30 states are currently seeking to establish partnerships with the association.
🤝 We will continue to work towards ensuring BRICS’ greater role as a pillar of the multipolar world, which will be built upon enhanced regional foundations, particularly in the countries that belong to the global majority.
❗️ Our BRICS chairmanship will take place under the theme “Strengthening multilateralism for the purposes of fair global development and security.” Our chairmanship will culminate in the BRICS summit, to be held in Kazan in October 2024.
We are considering a proposal by the United Russia party to hold a forum of BRICS political parties in Vladivostok next July.
☝️It is helpful to use the potential of party diplomacy in the future to draw the attention of the public at large and especially young people in the BRICS countries to the forthcoming international humanitarian and sports events.
💬 In just five days, the New Year will arrive. At the same time, Russian Federation begins its chairmanship of #BRICS.
The world is becoming increasingly diverse, with more independent players. However, this also makes it more complex.
A prominent example of this is the interaction within BRICS. Over the years, this association has been a platform for efficient cooperation among states that represent various religions, world regions and – without exaggeration – even civilisations.
🌐 BRICS represents a cooperation network that operates in addition to the traditional North-South and West-East lines.
With the addition of new members <...> BRICS activities will undoubtedly become more comprehensive, and the process of reaching agreements will become more time-consuming.
Along with the countries that have already joined its ranks, about 30 states are currently seeking to establish partnerships with the association.
🤝 We will continue to work towards ensuring BRICS’ greater role as a pillar of the multipolar world, which will be built upon enhanced regional foundations, particularly in the countries that belong to the global majority.
❗️ Our BRICS chairmanship will take place under the theme “Strengthening multilateralism for the purposes of fair global development and security.” Our chairmanship will culminate in the BRICS summit, to be held in Kazan in October 2024.
We are considering a proposal by the United Russia party to hold a forum of BRICS political parties in Vladivostok next July.
☝️It is helpful to use the potential of party diplomacy in the future to draw the attention of the public at large and especially young people in the BRICS countries to the forthcoming international humanitarian and sports events.