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Presentation of foreign ambassadors’ letters of credence

May 28, 2015, The Kremlin, Moscow

Vladimir Putin received letters of credence from 13 foreign ambassadors in a ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace’s Alexander Hall.

The President received letters of credence from new ambassadors of Austria, Albania, Lithuania, Macedonia, Monaco, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, the Philippines, Ecuador, Ethiopia, the South African Republic and South Sudan.

* * *

Address at presentation of foreign ambassador’ letters of credence

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome you and congratulate you on the official start of your honourable and responsible mission in Moscow.

You are in for some serious work to develop relations between the countries you represent and Russia. We want your work to yield results and efficiently promote political dialogue, enhance trade, economic and investment ties and humanitarian contacts. You can rest assured that the Russian leadership, our ministries, agencies, public and business circles will provide you with all the necessary assistance and support.

You are in for some serious work to develop relations between the countries you represent and Russia. We want your work to yield results and efficiently promote political dialogue, enhance trade, economic and investment ties and humanitarian contacts.

We have recently marked the 70th anniversary of Victory in World War II – the  Great Patriotic War. During that war, the multi-ethnic Soviet people gave millions of lives and made a decisive contribution to the defeat of Nazism. In the course of the celebrations, we paid tribute to the war victims and expressed our respect and gratitude to the veterans. We believe that the moral duty of today’s generation is to remember the lessons of that war. We need to remember what catastrophe aggressive nationalism, intolerance and ideas of racial domination can lead to.

The anniversary session of the UN General Assembly will take place in New York in September. The international community will be marking the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Organisation. I would like to stress that it was together with the allies in the anti-Hitler coalition that we managed to create this unique organisation and lay the foundation of the post-war world order. The basic principles of international cooperation, laid down in the UN Charter – equality of sovereign states, non-interference in internal affairs and peaceful cooperative settlement of disputes – came at a high price to humanity.

We have recently marked the 70th anniversary of Victory in World War II – the Great Patriotic War. We believe that the moral duty of today’s generation is to remember the lessons of that war. We need to remember what catastrophe aggressive nationalism, intolerance and ideas of racial domination can lead to.

Today these principles are especially important. Guided by these principles, Russia will continue to assist in every way in ensuring stability and security in international affairs. We will develop friendly relations with all our partners, both in the West and in the East, and take part in the development of joint solutions to global and regional challenges. The summits of such organisations as  BRICS and the  Shanghai Cooperation Organisation that we are preparing to host in Ufa on July 8–10 will definitely help promote these efforts.

I would like to remind you that the BRICS organisation, created on Russia’s initiative in 2006, has already become an influential factor of world politics and economy. Russia is interested in further strengthening cooperation between the BRICS states and in creating new cooperation mechanisms, including those in finance and the economy. In Ufa, we expect to reach agreement on launching the BRICS Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement. I am sure that we will give an additional impetus to the development of inter-parliamentary relations, humanitarian and informational cooperation and contacts between trade unions and non-governmental organisations.

The basic principles of international cooperation, laid down in the UN Charter – equality of sovereign states, non-interference in internal affairs and peaceful cooperative settlement of disputes – came at a high price to humanity. Today these principles are especially important.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit will traditionally discuss regional security issues. We expect important resolutions regarding the launch of SCO expansion. We are convinced that the addition of new states to the organisation, namely India and Pakistan, will enhance the authority of the SCO and make it possible to more efficiently fight terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking and other problems. We also plan to approve a new basic document outlining the SCO’s priorities – the Organisation’s Development Strategy through 2025.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Present here are heads of 13 diplomatic missions. I would like to briefly, in a few words describe Russia’s current state of relations with each of the states you represent.

We aim to develop traditional friendly relations with the Slovak Republic and to strengthen diversified business and humanitarian contacts. The visit to Russia by Prime Minister Robert Fico next week will assist this. Incidentally, he was here in Moscow on May 9 to celebrate the Victory anniversary.

We will develop friendly relations with all our partners, both in the West and in the East, and take part in the development of joint solutions to global and regional challenges. The summits of such organisations as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation will definitely help promote these efforts.

Our relations with the Republic of Senegal are developing consistently and constructively. We plan to diversify our trade, investment and humanitarian ties and the dialogue on regional matters.

We can see a number of unused opportunities in our cooperation with Albania, including our trade and economic ties. Greater bilateral cooperation meets the interests of the people of both countries and of stability on the Balkans and in South Eastern Europe in general.

Our relations with Austria are based on solid traditions of mutual respect, partnership and work to diversify cooperation. We are interested in not only maintaining, but also in multiplying the many years of experience of joint work, specifically in the spheres of energy and industry. We will further develop cultural and humanitarian exchanges with Austria, which are enhanced by the reciprocal culture seasons held in our two countries. I would like to use this opportunity to once again thank our Austrian colleagues for their constant care of the memorials and burial sites of Soviet solders.

The potential for cooperation with Lithuania is not used to the full. We are ready to develop cooperation based on principles of good-neighbourliness and mutual respect and we would like to see a similar approach on the part of our Lithuanian partners.

I would like to remind you that the BRICS organisation, created on Russia’s initiative in 2006, has already become an influential factor of world politics and economy. Russia is interested in further strengthening cooperation between the BRICS states and in creating new cooperation mechanisms, including those in finance and the economy.

We are for the soonest possible resolution of the internal conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. We support the corresponding efforts of the international community and the Africans themselves. We are interested in establishing varied bilateral contacts.

Strong links of friendship connect Russia and Ethiopia. We note your country’s constructive contribution to a settlement on the African continent. We will continue to enhance political, economic and humanitarian cooperation.

We confirm our firm intent to develop overall relations with Saudi Arabia, a leading state in the Middle East. Mr Ambassador is aware that in late April I had quite a useful telephone conversation with King Salman. I am confident that through joint efforts our states may assist in improving the situation in the Middle East, in promoting Palestine-Israeli negotiations, ensuring peace and security in the Persian Gulf area and enhancing the efficiency of anti-terrorist and anti-extremist efforts. An exposition featuring Russian regions is taking place in Jeddah, and the contacts established in its course should encourage bilateral cooperation in industry, agriculture, education and other spheres.

June 16 marks 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Ecuador – Russia’s reliable partner in Latin America. We have close views on international and regional issues. Russian business community is ready to implement our joint projects.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit will traditionally discuss regional security issues. We expect important resolutions regarding the launch of SCO expansion. We are convinced that the addition of new states to the organisation, namely India and Pakistan, will enhance the authority of the SCO and make it possible to more efficiently fight terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking and other problems.

Deep historic roots, cultural and spiritual affinity connect Russia and the Republic of Macedonia. We closely follow the latest developments in your country and see all the difficulties the Macedonian leadership is going through. Russia supports efforts to normalise the political situation, we are interested in seeing Macedonia a stable and prosperous country.

Our relations with the South African Republic have reached the level of a true strategic partnership. The results of our recent talks with Jacob Zuma on May 9 in Moscow confirmed our mutual resolve to further develop business ties and strengthen the contractual legal base. Our countries closely interact on the international arena, including within the UN and the G20. We look forward to seeing Mr Zuma in Ufa for the BRICS summit.

We are open for more active cooperation with the Republic of the Philippines, primarily in trade, culture and tourism. We also hope to develop a constructive dialogue on pressing regional and international issues.

We are satisfied with the high quality of ties between Russia and Monaco. The first official visit by the head of the Principality to this country in October of 2013 was a milestone in their development. I am certain that the numerous events held in Russia within the framework of the Year of Monaco will contribute to the progress and development of our relations. Two days ago, we discussed the development of bilateral relations in a telephone conversation with Prince Albert II, with whom we maintain regular contacts.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Hard and interesting work awaits you. I hope that once you get to know the life of this country and feel its pace you will begin to understand Russia better. And that you will do everything possible to further strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding between Russia and your countries.

I sincerely wish you success and all the best. Thank you for your attention.

May 28, 2015, The Kremlin, Moscow