Lavrov told about the shame of the European Union
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking at the “government hour,” assured State Duma deputies that the country's foreign policy under the new president would maintain continuity. The minister complained about the double standards of the European Union and supported the idea of discussing the observance of human rights in Europe itself, and called the "Magnitsky list" just PR. The Foreign Minister described Saakashvili’s policy as an unbalanced person’s actions, and Bashar al-Assad criticized for his sluggishness and promised not to send Russian soldiers to Syria.Lavrov recalled that the current foreign policy concept, which President Dmitry Medvedev adopted in 2008, was the successor to the concept of 2000, which was formed under Vladimir Putin. However, changes in the international situation require some adjustment. Thus, in connection with the events in the Middle East, the Foreign Ministry will pay special attention to the rule of law in the international arena. According to Lavrov, international partners often point to non-observance of rights in a particular country, but they are not always as scrupulous about their own actions.
Speaking about the general principles of foreign policy, Lavrov stressed that it will be based on equal cooperation and mutual respect. "We will not obscure existing differences, but we are not going to dramatize them," he said. At the same time, the Foreign Minister noted that the strategic policy of Russia, which is not subject to "opportunistic shyness", is attracting more and more supporters in the international arena.
One example of double standards that, according to Lavrov, international partners apply, is “statelessness” in the Baltic countries. "This is a shame of the European Union, because we do not demand anything except what is required by international organizations - the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the OSCE, the Council of Europe - they all formulated specific wishes for both Latvia and Estonia" - noted the Minister. The European Union accepted Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania into its ranks, although they did not pass the criteria for membership. In particular, in relation to them, claims were voiced relating to the observance of human rights, ensuring the rights of national linguistic minorities, Lavrov recalled.
Lavrov also supported the idea to hold a hearing in the State Duma on human rights in the European Union. The first state-of-the-art report on this issue in several countries of the world was first published by the Russian Foreign Ministry at the end of last year. According to the minister, the human rights field is not a “taboo topic”, and it should be discussed in a respectful manner.
On the "lists of Magnitsky" Lavrov expressed skepticism. He considers drawing up a list of Russian officials who are banned from entering a number of Western countries because of their involvement in this case, as a PR. "Under international law, any country can refuse to issue a visa to any person from any other state without explaining the reasons. Therefore, all this, by and large, is pure PR, to show how cool we are: here we make lists, we will not allow anyone" - said the Minister in the State Duma. In his opinion, it is not lawful to punish people until their guilt is proved by a court. “We ourselves must deal with our affairs, and interference of this kind, of course, creates serious problems in our relations with our partners,” the Russian Foreign Minister added.
The head of the foreign affairs agency touched upon the topic of adoption of Russian children. According to him, the relevant agreement with the United States has already been sent to the State Duma for ratification. "The agreement with Italy has already entered into force ... the agreement with France is in the government and, I think, during March it will also be transferred to the State Duma for consideration," Lavrov said. Negotiations on this subject are also underway with Spain, Israel, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
The minister again criticized the policy of the head of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili. According to him, Russia does not persuade anyone to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia. When some countries take this step, Moscow will only learn about such arrangements after the fact. According to the Foreign Minister, an increase in the number of states that recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia will not keep Saakashvili from new military adventures. "About the fact that the number of confessions will somehow influence the inflamed brain of the President of Georgia and hold back from the start of the new adventure, this is absolutely not the case. When he started the last war, he attacked Russian peacekeepers who were protected by an international agreement signed Georgia. Even this did not stop him. Therefore, we need to be prepared here for the fact that a person is unbalanced, "Lavrov said.
Syrian leader Bashar Assad has also been criticized by the Russian Foreign Ministry. “Unfortunately, not all of our councils and far from always timely found some practical reflection in his actions,” the Foreign Minister noted, answering the questions of deputies. So, many "useful laws" were adopted by the Syrian authorities with great delay. "With delay, proposals are being made to start a dialogue, meanwhile an armed confrontation acquires its own dynamics, and this inertia can capture and absorb everyone," Lavrov added.
The minister also stressed that, in his opinion, the Russian military should not participate in the hostilities in Syria. “I think that this will contradict the fundamental interests of the Russian Federation,” he noted.
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