Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today addressed the annual meeting of students and teaching staff of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy.
The correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza reported that Sergei Lavrov stressed that Moscow is ready to promote a positive agenda in its relations with the United States and the European Union.
"The number of countries who share the approaches that Russia has been promoting, based on joint efforts and international law, is increasing. A growing number of countries recognize the balancing role Russia has been playing in enhancing global stability and security," Lavrov said.
"We support neither confrontation, nor isolation policies. Based on the foreign policy concept approved by president Putin, we plan to continue promoting a positive agenda in our relations with all counterparts, including the United States and the European Union. Washington and the European Union member states’ capitals have been pointing to the need to restore confidence. We share this attitude and hope it will be translated into practical steps," the Russian Foreign Minister stressed.
Lavrov noted that Moscow hopes that its partners in the Normandy Four group should prevent sabotage of the Minsk peace accords.
The minister stressed that the coup d’etat in Ukraine has plunged the country into the deepest crisis. "The only way to overcome it is to implement in full the Minsk Package of Measures," he said.
"Donbass people should definitely enjoy self-rule and the right to use their mother tongue in full compliance with European and world practices," Lavrov said.
"We expect our partners in the Normandy Four, alongside with the United States, to stop Kiev’s attempts to sabotage Minsk agreements," he added.
Sergei Lavrov also noted that a broad anti-terrorist front is forming in Syria thanks to steps taken by Russia.
"The stake on hegemonism and exceptionalism has already led to the growing instability and chaos, and should be thrown to the trash can of history," he noted.
The current situation in the Middle East and North Africa is one of vivid consequences of these "illegal unilateral actions" seen over the past years, the minister pointed out.
"The export of democracy has not only failed to bring prosperity, but also plunged the region into anarchy, sparking the outbreak of terrorism and extremism. This resulted in bloody terrorist attacks around the world and the migration crisis in Europe," Russia’s diplomat said.
"For rectifying the situation, energetic steps are in demand aimed at creating a broad anti-terrorist front that, thanks to consistent Russian steps, is forming in Syria," Lavrov noted, calling to help people of the region to "carry out political, social and economic rehabilitation of the Middle East and North Africa."
