Foreign policy of Russia in 2014

By Vestnik Kavkaza

It is notable that the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs is almost the only ministry which is rarely criticized by the opposition and experts. As for foreign policy, Russian society usually approves its general directions. Progress has been achieved in creating the conditions for a peaceful resolution of some of the most dangerous crises. Russia, together with partners from the US, Europe, China and other countries, most actively contributed to mobilizing the international community on the Syrian and Iranian tracks.

“We are satisfied primarily by the fact that sensible approaches, based on the logic of peace and the basic principles of international law, finally prevailed. We consistently urge to build the work on this basis - as opposed to unilateral actions, including attempts to use force against the principles of the UN Charter. Along with participation in the program of destruction of the Syrian chemical weapons, Russia is doing everything possible for a political settlement of the Syrian crisis… The biggest challenge during the Syrian crisis is the rise of extremism and terrorism. Today most serious politicians recognize that the main threat in Syria comes from the actions of terrorist groups linked to al-Qaeda. Therefore, the development of measures to neutralise them should be a priority of the Geneva-2 conference,” Lavrov said.

Recently the implementation of the action plan to resolve the situation around the Iranian nuclear program started, based on the principles of gradualism and reciprocity, as was proposed by the Russian Federation. “Together with partners in the Group 5 +1 and Iranian counterparts, we will continue to seek a final, comprehensive solution that would ensure the inalienable right of Iran to develop a peaceful nuclear program under IAEA control and the security of all countries in the region, including Israel,” the Foreign Minister says.

According to him, this year we will commemorate the 100 years since the beginning of the First World War and the 75 years since the beginning of the Second World, and this should remind us of the catastrophic consequences of the belief in one's own uniqueness and geopolitical games.

As for cooperation with the EU, the minister says that “talks about the appearance of some systemic problems in relations between Russia and the EU are far-fetched. Of course, if the principles of equality and mutual respect are kept. These principles should be applied to all countries, including, of course, the countries participating in the program of the so-called Eastern Partnership. Respect for the right to determine their own fate is of fundamental importance in the modern world, and no one should have a decision from the outside imposed on them, especially in the form of "either, or".”

Moscow thinks that the reality of the 21st century is to erase and not to strengthen the dividing lines and to harmonise and not to isolate the integration processes. “That is what we strive to develop, together with Belarus and Kazakhstan, in the integration project aimed at creating a 2015 Eurasian Economic Union. Our integration structures are, as we have said many times, open to other partners, including all participants of the CIS free trade zone,” Lavrov reminded journalists.