Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's address at a meeting of the United Russia Party General Council Commission on International Cooperation and Support for Compatriots Abroad, Moscow, December 26, 2023
26 December 2023 13:56
2626-26-12-2023
Colleagues,
We have gathered for our last meeting in this format this year. In just five days, the New Year will arrive. At the same time, Russian Federation begins its chairmanship of BRICS. With this in mind, today we have agreed to discuss the role of political parties in enhancing cooperation in this growing and increasingly popular format. You have a draft agenda for the meeting. If there are no objections, I propose to get down to work.
To begin with, I will say a few words on this topic. The formation of a multipolar, polycentric world order is undeniably becoming a major trend in international development. This process is steadily progressing, involving sovereign states and their associations that do not rely on advice from across the ocean or from closer territories, but rather prioritise their own national interests, as cultural and civilisational identity. They promote their own agenda in both domestic and international spheres, choosing the model of political and socio-economic development that best suits their people and traditions.
At the same time, many of these countries have already achieved significant success in various fields, such as economics, science and technology, and are influencing global governance and the decisions made by leading multilateral organisations. Among them (although we cannot list them all, we will mention our strategic partners) are China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Türkiye and many other countries of the Global South and East.
I have mentioned above all the countries that will join the BRICS association from January 1, 2024, in accordance with the decision made at the summit in Johannesburg this autumn.
The world is becoming increasingly diverse, with more independent players. However, this also makes it more complex, which is evident from the way discussions are developing at multilateral forums. A prominent example of this is the interaction within BRICS. Over the years, this association has been a platform for efficient cooperation among states that represent various religions, world regions and - without exaggeration - even civilisations. Our joint efforts encompass nearly all major areas, ranging from politics and security issues to the economy and humanitarian contacts in all their forms. In fact, BRICS represents a cooperation network that operates in addition to the traditional North-South and West-East lines.
With the addition of new members, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia (Argentina has now taken a 'timeout' to consider further actions, but Latin America shows a strong interest in our association), BRICS activities will undoubtedly become more comprehensive, and the process of reaching agreements will become more time-consuming. However, making an effort to reach consensus with countries that often have different approaches is very rewarding. This kind of consensus is stronger, more stable and more reliable than resolutions made by certain Western associations under the hegemon's orders.
It is only natural that many are willing to become closer to BRICS as it operates on a truly democratic and mutually respectful basis. Along with the countries that have already joined its ranks, about 30 states are currently seeking to establish partnerships with the association. We will continue to work towards ensuring BRICS' greater role as a pillar of the multipolar world, which will be built upon enhanced regional foundations, particularly in the countries that belong to the global majority. Here I should mention ASEAN, the League of Arab States, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the African Union and numerous sub-regional structures on the continent, as well as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, which includes all Latin American countries. Latin America also has many sub-regional structures that are based on a balance of interests and deserve support. We have established partnerships with most of them. This is about regional aspects and the new structure that is developing as the foundation of a multipolar world, with its growth based on actual developments rather than anyone's orders. As an association that involves all regions of the World Majority, BRICS can play a consolidating role.
We are discussing these issues with our colleagues from the scientific community, including within the Foreign Ministry's Scientific Council. We believe that the strength of the process of establishing a multipolar and polycentric world lies precisely in the fact that it is the natural course of things that countries tend towards after they have got rid of colonial oppression.
Recently, the world has seen daylight concerning the goals, which the Americans and their allies were achieving when promoting their model of globalisation. They had a similar colonial and neo-colonial goal - to live at the expense of others, to ensure one's well-being (yes, this word is quite acceptable) through the exploitation of the natural resources, and other resources, of developing countries.
Our BRICS chairmanship will take place under the theme "Strengthening multilateralism for the purposes of fair global development and security." Over a dozen Russian cities will provide venues for more than two hundred political, economic, and social events. Our chairmanship will culminate in the BRICS summit, to be held in Kazan in October 2024. Together with our partners, we expect to be able to reach a substantial set of decisions for adoption at the highest level in the main areas of cooperation. Of course, we will have contacts with our partners on the sidelines of the summit and during preparations for it, including at the BRICS Plus/Outreach format meeting. Leaders of many developing countries will take part in these formats, primarily our closest neighbours and allies from associations within the post-Soviet space.
Dialogue between legislative bodies also promotes the strengthening of strategic partnership in the association. The annual BRICS Parliamentary Forum plays a key role in this area. It has undergone changes in membership. Additional efforts will be required here to ensure the smooth continuation of this important area of our common work. The next meeting of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum is scheduled for July 2024. In April 2024, a meeting of BRICS chairs of parliamentary committees on foreign affairs will take place. I have no doubt that the legislators will facilitate the integration of the new members into our grouping, paying special attention to pressing issues, such as improving the legal framework for cooperation within BRICS.
In this context, we are considering a proposal by the United Russia party to hold a forum of BRICS political parties in Vladivostok next July. This venue has already won a reputation as a useful format that promotes dialogue between political parties and public organisations. The interparty forum will make it possible to reflect in full the diversity of the distinctive political practices of the BRICS member states and contribute to their mutual enrichment. This is much in demand in the current international situation.
At our ministry, we continue implementing the United Russia initiative to hold an international interparty forum in Moscow bringing together supporters of the struggle against modern neocolonialist practices for the freedom of nations. I am pleased to say that a number of political structures of the BRICS countries are taking an active part in preparations for this.
It is helpful to use the potential of party diplomacy in the future to draw the attention of the public at large and especially young people in the BRICS countries to the forthcoming international humanitarian and sports events. These include the World Youth Festival in Sochi, The Games of the Future, and the BRICS Games, as well as the Intervision international song contest, to name a few.
Colleagues,
Speaking at a meeting of the Council of Legislators devoted to the 30th anniversary of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on December 20 of this year, President Vladimir Putin emphasised the contribution our parliamentary diplomacy had made towards enhancing Russia's authority in the world arena and promoting a sovereign course towards building a fairer world.
For my part, I would like to thank all members of the Сommission for their joint work. This is our third meeting this year. This is a good rhythm. At the two previous sessions, we discussed ways of enhancing cooperation with the Asian, African and Latin American countries in countering modern neocolonialist practices and in implementing the new version of the Foreign Policy Сoncept of the Russian Federation.
Today, we are moving on to discussing a theme that specifies key areas of the [foreign policy] concept and cooperation with the countries of the developing continents - the World Majority. I have no doubt that we will cooperate productively in the new year as well.
We appreciate cooperation with the political parties represented in the Russian Parliament. It helps the implementation of the foreign policy course approved by President Putin.
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