Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at the plenary meeting of the 6th session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum, Marrakesh, December 20, 2023
20 December 2023 14:26
2581-20-12-2023
Mr Chairman,
Dear Nasser,
Colleagues,
Friends,
I would like to express gratitude, on behalf of the Russian delegation, to His Majesty King of Morocco and to the host of this event, my good friend, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, for their hospitality and for the excellent organisation of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum at such a high level.
Our meeting is being held amid an unprecedented deterioration in the situation in the Middle East and overall turbulence in the world. A collective approach to the task of strengthening peace and security in the region and ensuring its sustainable development is more important than ever in light of the complex and multifaceted nature of the emerging threats and challenges. This is the focus of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum, which was established in 2009. Since then, it has become a vital mechanism for coordinating the positions of Russia and the Arab world on a broad range of issues of mutual interest.
Our previous meeting in this format was held in Moscow in 2019, when we adopted an action plan for the implementation of the principles, goals and objectives of the Forum. Despite the interference of the Covid-19 pandemic and the drawn-out coordination of the timeframe for this meeting, the majority of the document's provisions are being implemented, boosting the development of the multifaceted and mutually beneficial Russian-Arab cooperation.
The agenda of our meeting today is full of difficult issues. The many crises and conflicts in the vast region of the Middle East and North Africa are hindering the development of many countries in the region, which has rich economic and cultural potential.
The terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, which we expressly condemned, has dramatically worsened the situation in the oldest problem area in this part of the world - the zone of Palestinian-Israeli confrontation. This time the violence, which we can see every day, has acquired an unprecedented and truly catastrophic scale. The number of dead and wounded is estimated at tens of thousands, most of whom are peaceful Gaza civilians and predominantly children and women. The suffering of civilians in the enclave is being exacerbated by the consequences of the Israeli blockade.
We see our top-priority in ending bloodshed and creating favourable conditions to provide essential humanitarian assistance for all people in need. Unfortunately, our repeated attempts, together with our supporters, to secure the approval of a UN Security Council resolution demanding a sustained ceasefire are encountering tough resistance on the part of the United States with its one-sided position as it tries to usurp all processes and initiatives. Nevertheless, we continue with this effort, in coordination with our partners, primarily our Arab partners, in the interests of facilitating long-term stabilisation and launching political-diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
Obviously, outbreaks of violence will repeat themselves, unless the long-time injustice, the root cause of the conflict, is eliminated, and unless the people of Palestine realise their right to establish their own independent state within the 1967 borders, with its capital in East Jerusalem, as required by UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. Only this well-balanced approach based on international law can facilitate sustained peace.
Russia's principled position coincides with the line of Arab countries that reaffirmed their commitment to resolving the crisis in accordance with the generally recognised international law framework at the November 11, 2023 summit of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. In this situation, it is our common task to help the parties launch the negotiating process. It is necessary to resolve all contentious issues during this process. We need a collective diplomatic mechanism aiming to create favourable conditions for implementing the international community's decisions. The reinstatement of Palestinian unity is among the key and most pressing tasks.
Even before the escalation in Gaza last spring, we suggested holding ministerial consultations to consolidate the positions of the regional parties to the issue and to help restore the unity of the Palestinian people and organisations. This initiative still stands.
We welcome the growing trend towards the Middle East countries increasing their role in efforts to resolve the problems in their region. This approach has made it possible to reach agreements on restoring relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia and has expedited comprehensive normalisation between Syria and its Arab neighbours through Syria's return to the Arab League.
These positive dynamics need support, as is particularly obvious now that it has become clear that certain outside forces are not averse to using the new escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in their interests. They are out to kindling the fire of regional hostility in order to build on the many reckless adventures the United States and its allies have launched in the Middle East during the past 20 years. As a result, we see broken statehoods, thousands of deaths, huge refugee flows, and the dramatic aggravation of social and economic problems. Their aim is clear - they want to weaken countries that pursue an independent foreign policy.
We are quite familiar with this pattern from the events in Ukraine. In their declared effort to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia, or, as they have recently been putting it in Washington, "to prevent Putin from winning in Ukraine," the United States and its European allies continue to sponsor the criminal regime in Kiev and pump the country full of lethal weapons. It is no secret that Vladimir Zelensky and his entourage are under direct external control. As before, the collective West views Ukraine as no more than a tool in its great game, a supplier of cannon fodder to serve the interests of the United States and other NATO members.
The crisis in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, as well as the distinct divide in the approaches to these crises between the Western minority and the global majority, indicate that the world is at a fateful crossroads. Essentially, it will decide whether a truly fair and democratic world order can be built, based on the central role of the UN and the principle of the sovereign equality of states from its Charter and on a carefully calibrated balance of interests of all countries - or whether the United States and a group of former colonial metropoles will continue to impose their "rules" and their selfish agenda on the international community.
We know that it is impossible to reverse history. New centres of global decision-making have taken the stage. The role of Arab countries is growing in this respect. The sooner our Western colleagues grasp this truth, the better for them. As I already said, given that the world remains stormy, it is important to get back to basics. I am primarily referring to the principles of the UN Charter that determine the norms of interstate relations, including the sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their home affairs. It is necessary to observe the principles of the UN Charter not selectively but fully, as naturally and inseparably linked.
A Security Council permanent member, Russia will continue acting in international affairs, proceeding from a clear understanding of its responsibility. We will continue to advance a unifying agenda and help strengthen global security and settle regional conflicts.
To this end, we are always open to honest partnership with all those who, like us, are guided in international affairs by the principles of equality, mutual respect and seeking to balance interests. We are happy that our Arab friends are among such partners.
I hope that apart from regional and global security issues, we will be able to discuss in detail today the prospects for deepening Russian-Arab cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural and educational, and healthcare areas. The chair of this event, Foreign Minister of Morocco and my colleague Nasser Bourita has just spoken about this.
Following the talks, we will approve a final declaration and a regular plan of action to implement the forum's principles, goals and tasks for the next three years. I am sure this will be the latest of many contributions to strengthening our partnership.
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