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The telegram reads, in part:

”The centennial anniversary of the Hague Peace Conference, organised by Russia in 1907, is an historic milestone. At this meeting at the beginning of the 20th century, a group of lawyers, politicians and diplomats made a real breakthrough by establishing the first set of universal rules for the conduct of war, and by defining the rights and obligations of parties engaged in war on land or sea. The rules worked out at the Hague conference went on to serve as the basis of various agreements and documents, including the charters of the Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals. At the same time, another branch of international humanitarian law was created to protect the victims of war, embodied in the 1949 Geneva Conventions and Protocols.

In the tradition of the Hague Conference, Russia is making an important contribution to strengthening global security and stability on the basis of universally recognized legal rights enshrined in the UN Charter. Our country is firmly committed to the rule of law in international relations and to the resolution of contentious issues through peaceful, political and diplomatic means.

History shows that any action in violation of international law damages international relations. The legal regulation of international life has evolved gradually, creating new rules and institutions as adapted to our present needs. The Russian Association of International Law actively participates in this educational and instructional work.

It is important that in the course of the conference topical issues concerning outer space and the world's oceans be discussed. Only the combined efforts of the international community will be able to prevent the militarisation of space, and to ensure freedom of navigation, effective management of marine resources, including the development of underwater pipelines.“