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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on Australia's decision to terminate the lease agreement on the new Russian Embassy site in Canberra

27 June 2023 10:25
1260-27-06-2023

On June 15, the Australian parliament rushed through a law terminating the lease agreement on the new Russian Embassy site in the capital's district of Yarralumla. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said hypocritically that the decision had been prompted by "national security concerns" and had been recommended by the secret services.

Indicatively, this is not the first attempt by the Australian Russophobic political class to deprive Russia of its diplomatic property. Earlier, the National Capital Authority tried to take away the land plot in Yarralumla under the pretext of delayed construction. However, during talks, which involved lawyers, Russia managed to present convincing evidence that the problem had been triggered by official Canberra's obstructionist position. Under various excuses, it created obstacles to visa support for Russian specialists sent to oversee the construction on this land. On May 31, Russian officials reached an agreement with the National Capital Authority on settling the dispute, whereby Russia was given additional five years to complete the embassy building construction. The Australian Federal Court recorded this agreement in a related ruling.

It is clear now that, while signing the agreement on settling the dispute, the Australian authorities worked hard on an alternative scenario to withdraw Russian diplomatic property. These actions are unscrupulous and indicative of Australia's disregard for the rule of law. The legality of these moves is also questionable.

On June 16, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko summoned Ambassador of Australia Graeme Meehan to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow and declared a resolute protest against Canberra's actions. He emphasised our willingness to use the necessary mechanisms to defend our interests, including potential responses by way of reciprocity. Later, the lawyers representing Russia filed an appeal with the High Court of Australia to overturn the law passed on June 15 and recognise it as invalid since it contradicts the Constitution of this country.