PARIS, November 6. Russia’s efforts in addressing the challenges facing UNESCO, are undermined by discriminatory measures by some States in respect of figures of culture, art and journalists. This was stated by Minister of foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov, speaking at the 38th session of the UNESCO General conference.
Interview
“We are convinced that the mandate and competence of UNESCO and demanded for the implementation of the adopted in new York in September, Global agenda development for the period up to 2030, in which fixed new ambitious goals to sustainable development goals, including in the areas of education and culture,” Lavrov said.
According to him, “Russia’s role as one of the creators of world culture, its centuries-old experience of coexistence of ethnic groups and religions, assumes a special responsibility of our countries to mobilize efforts to solve problems facing UNESCO scale tasks”.
“These efforts are being undermined as a result developed in recent times the practice of application by individual States discriminatory measures against workers of culture and art, journalists, the ban on the import of exhibits, not to mention the demolition of the monuments of the Second world war in politically correct Europe with eloquent silence of many Western leaders, – said the head of the Russian foreign Ministry. Like our continent has not experienced the horrors of Nazism, as if it was not the Nuremberg Tribunal”.
On the rights of the journalists
Lavrov hopes that UNESCO will be able to remedy the situation of a grave violation of the rights of journalists in several regions of the world.
“We appreciate the role of UNESCO, according to its founding documents, the rights of journalists, the Minister said following the meeting with the Director General of the Organization Irina Bokova. – These rights now, in many parts of the world are being violated”.
“I am confident that UNESCO can, through its appropriate mechanisms, though gradually, but consistently to correct this situation”, – said Lavrov.
Against nationalism and discrimination
According to Lavrov, Russia is counting on the active participation of UNESCO in the combat intolerance and convinced of the need to maximally promote intercultural dialogue.
“I want, said in his speech at the opening session, the Director-General, Irina Bokova, to quote Leo Tolstoy, to say the following. The great Russian writer saw the true future of humanity in getting rid of violence, lies and hypocrisy, in the improvement of the moral character of the people, – noted the Minister. – It is difficult to overestimate in this regard the importance UNESCO, which has firmly established itself as a reliable humanitarian support global architecture, a recognized forum for the protection of spiritual and cultural heritage”.
“We can say that the hopes of the participants of the first session of the General conference Organization, which is entrusted to UNESCO noble role of developing the intellectual and moral conditions necessary to ensure effective work of the whole UN system”, – said Lavrov.
According to him, “and today the organization aims to contribute to strengthening the atmosphere of trust and understanding between countries and peoples, the promotion of intransient moral values common to all major world religions and cultures”. “We count on active participation of UNESCO in combating intolerance, nationalism, discrimination. It is necessary to encourage mutually respectful inter-civilizational, intercultural, interfaith dialogue”, – stressed the head of Russian diplomacy.
The creative philosophy of cooperation
Lavrov believes that the creative philosophy of cooperation, created 70 years ago with the advent of the UN, should remain a key influencer in world Affairs.
SPECIAL project
Negotiators of all countries. 70 years UN
The history of the UN facts and legends, told by the diplomats – in a special project.
“This year, as we commemorate the 70th anniversary of UNESCO, the leading international organization in the field of humanitarian cooperation, full of significant dates for all, – said the Minister. 70 years ago ended the Second world war and the most bloody and destructive conflict in human history”.
“To ensure that such a tragedy will never be repeated, a historical decision was made about the creation of the UN,” – said Lavrov.
“Then the States parties to the anti-Hitler coalition were able to rise above the ambitions and differences and reach a compromise in the interests of creating a system of international security, which, as noted by President Putin, have saved the world from large-scale shocks, – the Minister reminded. 70 years later, this creative philosophy of cooperation was demanded. She is in demand today and should remain our key priority”.
On interfaith faults
In the current environment of increased instability in world Affairs is necessary to pay special attention to preventing the deepening of intercivilisational and interreligious faults, Lavrov said.
“International relations have entered a transition period associated with the objective process of the formation of a new polycentric system of the world, reflecting geographic, economic and civilizational diversity of the modern world, identity of peoples, their natural desire to determine their own destiny,” he said.
“This process is accompanied by increasing instability in world Affairs, increased competition in all fields, including models of socio – economic development and values”, – noticed Lavrov. He stressed that “in such circumstances it is necessary to pay special attention to preventing the deepening of intercivilisational and interreligious faults, building wide universal partnership, which is an essential component of a positive, future-focused international agenda”.
Of barbarians
Moscow is urging the international community to take collective action for the protection of cultural property from barbarians, Lavrov said.
“When barbarously destroyed priceless monuments of world civilizations – whether in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan or in Kosovo – especially the necessary collective effort to preserve human culture, – said Lavrov. – There is a legal basis is the UN Convention on the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict 1954.”
The Minister recalled that during its development used the ideas of our compatriot Nicholas Roerich, founded in 80 years ago developed the first multilateral instrument in this respect.
“As soon as the barbarians will be expelled from the territories where the objects of world heritage, UNESCO should send our missions to assess damage and prepare plans for the rehabilitation of invaluable religious and cultural shrines,” said the Minister.
About The Middle East
The upsurge of terrorism and violent extremism in the middle East and North Africa largely due to the destruction of state institutions as a result of outside interference.
“Deep concern the upsurge of terrorism and violent extremism in the middle East and North Africa, where the militants of the so-called “Islamic state” (is prohibited in the Russian Federation terrorist group – ed.) and similar commit mass murder of civilians, desecrate Islam, carry out aggression against all religions, said the Minister. – There is a mass Exodus of Christians from the region that threatens to destroy inter-confessional balance.”
“This was largely a consequence of the weakened or destroyed, including foreign intervention, the state institutions of several countries of the region, irresponsible attempts at geopolitical engineering, the imposition of peoples alien to them prescriptions without taking into account their traditions, their historical heritage”, – said the Minister.
The document on freedom of cooperation in the field of culture
Russia proposes to adopt an international instrument in support of free exchange and cooperation in the field of culture and education, said Lavrov.
“Troubled multiplying the facts about the actions of the States by obstructing the realization of human rights for intellectual communication, – the Minister said. – We propose to adopt an international instrument in support of the free nature of the exchanges and cooperation in culture, arts, science and education in full compliance with the goals and values of our organization, designed to foster peace and security by enhancing cooperation in the fields of its competence”.
