On April 14-15, Moscow hosted the third meeting of the national coordinators of the Group of Friends for the Defense of the UN Charter.
The event was opened by Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. In his speech, the Minister emphasized the increase in the authority and profile of the State Duma, which is becoming a prominent representative of the interests of the World majority and contributes to the formation of a more just multipolar world order. He stressed the relevance of the Group’s efforts in such areas as upholding the goals and principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelationship, countering neo-colonial practices, including illegal unilateral sanctions, and combating the politicization of human rights. Colleagues at the State Duma were called upon to work on strengthening the association, expanding its geographical and thematic coverage.
The Minister expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Group stands in solidarity in support and defense of the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinians, first of all, for self-determination and return to their lands. The participants emphasized the imperative of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the release of all hostages and forcibly detained persons, and unhindered and safe humanitarian access. In the spirit of the joint statements of the State Duma, there is no alternative to restarting the peace process on a generally recognized international legal basis, which provides for the creation of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, co-existing in peace and security with Israel. Representatives of the participating countries of the State Duma agreed that for a sustainable resolution of crises around the world, including around Ukraine, it is necessary to resolve their root causes.
During the subsequent discussion, chaired by Sergey Vershinin, Deputy Minister and National Coordinator of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the heads of the delegations of its participating states made detailed assessments of the main issues on the Group’s agenda. The Deputy Minister informed the partners about the latest Russian-American contacts at the highest and highest levels. Ways to further increase the activity and increase the effectiveness of the association were considered, including in preparation for the meeting of the heads of foreign ministries of the Group’s member countries in September this year. on the sidelines of the high-level week of the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly.
As a result, a general political declaration was adopted reflecting the principled approaches of the members of the State Duma to key issues on the international agenda, special declarations on the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II and the problems of Puerto Rico.
