Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a ceremony for opening an exhibition dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Russia-Syria diplomatic relations, Moscow, July 19, 2024
19 July 2024 13:31
1373-19-07-2024
Ladies and gentlemen,
Excellencies,
Welcome to the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Syria.
I would like to thank the staff of the Department of History and Records of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their hard work to make today's event possible. Materials from the Foreign Policy Archives of the Russian Federation covering the main phases of the multifaceted and traditionally friendly cooperation with the Syrian Arab Republic ranging from the first telegrammes concerning the establishment of diplomatic relations to photographs from the most recent meetings and talks are on display.
Russian-Syrian diplomatic relations were established on July 21, 1944 at the height of WWII. You don't need me to tell you what a difficult time it was for our respective countries and the world at large. Today, we are once again living through hard times. The collective West led by the United States has challenged the natural course of history and the processes leading to a more sustainable and just world order without hegemons, or colonial and neo-colonial practices, where countries will be able to cooperate on the basis of equality and balance of interests. Russia and Syria are at the leading edge of the pursuit of truth and justice worldwide.
We appreciate Damascus providing principled support for the special military operation in defence of Russian people, the Russian language and culture. The operation has given a powerful boost to strengthening the polycentric basis of international life. Many Global Majority countries that share similar perspectives agree that the push of the ruling circles of the Western countries to impose a unipolar dictatorship on the international community is doomed.
I am convinced that no one will succeed in preventing our Syrian friends or us from upholding our vital interests, sovereignty, and political independence. We will continue to pursue an independent foreign policy and to strengthen ties with the countries that are willing to abide by the principles of equality and mutual respect.
Syria is our reliable and time-tested ally and an important partner in the international arena. Our joint efforts made it possible for us to put out the hotbed of international terrorism in Syria. A stable ceasefire regime is maintained in the country. Not without difficulty, peaceful life is gradually returning to Syria.
President Vladimir Putin maintains communication with Bashar al-Assad. The respective foreign policy agencies cooperate closely as well. In January, I met with my colleague and friend Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faisal Mekdad in Moscow twice.
Extensive contacts are maintained at the level of our respective defence agencies and the ministries dealing with socioeconomic issues. In October 2023, the co-chairs of the Permanent Russian-Syrian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation signed an intergovernmental agreement on expanding trade and economic cooperation.
Both sides focus intensely on promoting, cultural, humanitarian, scientific and educational contacts. Thousands of Syrians are studying at our universities. Members of academic circles and cultural groups are actively interacting. Syria's interest in the Russian language is growing which is comforting to know. More than 36,000 Syrian pupils and university students are currently studying it. We will do our best to help expand this area of reciprocal educational ties.
I'm convinced that relations between Russia and Syria will continue to make steady progress based on the countries' extensive historical experience and in the spirit of long-standing friendship between our countries and peoples.
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