Greetings to all!<\/p>\n
The SCO Council of Ministers meeting was useful, we did a good job. The mood was overshadowed by the tragic news about the crash of a helicopter that was carrying from the border\u00a0Azerbaijan with\u00a0Iran\u00a0President I. Raisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs H.Amirabdollahian and other responsible employees of the IRI Administration. At the collective meeting of heads of delegations with the President\u00a0Kazakhstan K.-J.K.During the meeting, Tokayev and the Foreign Ministry expressed their most sincere condolences and solidarity with the Iranian people, as well as confidence that the continuity of Tehran’s foreign policy will be preserved, including with regard to active participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.<\/p>\n
We actively support the SCO. In the Foreign Policy Concept approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 31, 2023, the Organization is designated as one of the priorities of our activities in the international arena. It is encouraging that all member countries, without exception, show a similar attitude. We confirmed our readiness to continue to consolidate our cooperation on multilateral platforms, including the UN, to develop cooperation with partners such as the EAEU, the CIS, the CSTO, ASEAN, and to continue to deepen contacts with BRICS.<\/p>\n
We have a common opinion that the SCO remains one of the supporting pillars of the multipolar world order. She is quite capable of becoming the driving force behind the transformation of Eurasia into a single continental space of peace, stability, mutual trust and development. We talked about it a lot today. We are talking about combining the potential of all structures located in the vast Eurasian space, harmonizing their programs, primarily in the field of economic development, infrastructure, logistics, as well as in the field of security. Security can be reliably ensured only by the forces of the countries of the continent themselves, without the intervention of extra-regional forces.<\/p>\n
We observe such trends on the part of the United States,\u00a0The European Union and\u00a0NATO, which actively want to take responsibility for everything that happens. If you translate it into simple language, you can interfere in the processes on the entire Eurasian continent. In its western part, they “crushed” the OSCE, completely privatized it, where they declared the North Atlantic Alliance the main organization to which everyone should obey. They are taking practical steps in this direction, including unleashing a war against us using the Ukrainian Nazi regime.<\/p>\n
The same applies to the eastern part of the Eurasian continent, where the alliance is already openly moving significant parts of its infrastructure. according to his model, he is building military blocks of a “small configuration” there: AUKUS, unprecedented in scale exercises within the framework of the USA-Japan-Republic of Korea troika, which include a nuclear component. This also suggests certain thoughts. The DPRK has recently expressed serious concern about the provocative actions of the United States and its allies in the region aimed at aggravating the situation up to the transition to its hot phase. We do not exclude that these are the plans that Washington and its satellites are hatching when they try to provoke unrest on the Korean peninsula.<\/p>\n
In other parts of the Eurasian continent (Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Moldova), NATO and the European Union, led by the Americans, are everywhere trying to introduce their structures, subordinate these countries to their own orders, and lure them into anti\u2013Russian activities. Both from the point of view of severing economic ties with Russia under the pretext of compliance with “secondary” sanctions, and penetration into the sphere of security and law enforcement agencies. There are attempts by the “collective West” led by the United States to take control of the entire Eurasian continent. We talked about it today.<\/p>\n
Everyone understands the need to intensify the work of both the SCO itself, given its weight and role in the Eurasian space, and its partners \u2013 the CSTO, the CIS, the EAEU, and ASEAN. The Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf is also located here. We consider it important to leave in the hands of these states the process of normalization of relations between the Arabs and Iran that has begun, without attempts to impose any recipes from the outside. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is also our continent.<\/p>\n
The task of developing common approaches to ensuring Eurasian security and cooperation by the states of this continent themselves is urgent. They stressed that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization could well play the role of a catalyst for these processes, involving other partners in the region in them.<\/p>\n
We discussed a number of proposals being prepared on behalf of the heads of state. They are devoted to the comprehensive modernization of the SCO’s activities, improving the functioning of its bodies, including giving additional impetus to the work of the Secretariat and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS). We have agreed to create an integrated center for countering modern challenges and threats on the basis of RATS, within which mechanisms for information security and combating organized crime will work. Additionally, an anti-drug center will be established in Dushanbe. An agreement on coordination of actions will be concluded between him and the universal center for countering challenges and threats, taking into account the direct and close connection of drug trafficking with the financing of terrorism. We are preparing these solutions for the leaders who will gather in Astana in July.<\/p>\n
As for expanding our activities with dialogue partners and observers, the SCO has two observers and 14 dialogue partners. Recently, we applied for the status of a partner\u00a0Laos and\u00a0Algeria. We discussed improving the efficiency of work with these countries in the SCO Plus format. A separate dialogue in this format will be held at the Organization’s summit in Astana in July.<\/p>\n
We exchanged views on key issues of the global situation. They expressed their condolences in connection with the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, as well as the death of Iranian diplomats after the strike\u00a0Israel at the Iranian Consulate in Damascus. This is a gross violation\u00a0The Vienna Convention, which guarantees the inviolability of any diplomatic and consular institutions.<\/p>\n
We discussed the Middle East settlement. We came to a common opinion that without the creation of a Palestinian state (and this issue is now being “wrapped up” in every possible way by Israel and the United States, which supports it throughout the world), it is impossible to ensure stability in this region of our Eurasian continent.<\/p>\n
They spoke in favor of resuming activities\u00a0The SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group. This is a useful mechanism for exchanging assessments on how to continue normalizing the situation around this country, assisting the Afghan authorities in ensuring the inclusiveness of the State-building process, including representatives of all ethnic and political groups.<\/p>\n
A program of cooperation in countering terrorism, separatism and Extremism for 2025-2027 and the SCO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2024-2029, as well as a program for its implementation, are being prepared for approval by the leaders. The meeting once again confirmed the general intention to expand the areas of cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In the economic dimension, documents are being prepared aimed at deepening cooperation in the fields of energy, transport, logistics, environmental protection, international information security, sports, and healthcare (very relevant now). In these areas, Russia is actively contributing to achieving practical results.<\/p>\n
Question:\u00a0In total, the SCO has more than twenty countries in its assets, taking into account observers and dialogue partners. It is expected that at the summit in July, a decision will be made on Belarus’ accession to the SCO. Which other countries are currently closest to becoming full members of the Organization?<\/p>\n
Sergey V. Lavrov:\u00a0I did not mention this, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus participated in today’s meeting from the very beginning (still on a non-permanent basis). Starting from the July summit, Belarus will become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko will participate in all events of the Astana summit without any exception. The Belarusian minister was present at our discussion. At the end of the discussion, he spoke, thanking everyone for the active support of Minsk’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.<\/p>\n
As for the further prospects of expanding this structure, as I have already said, there are two observer countries:\u00a0Afghanistan, which I have already mentioned, and Mongolia. We believe, together with China and our other partners, that the obvious next candidate for joining the SCO is the Mongolian side. If you look at the map, it fits seamlessly into the Highway space. We will encourage our Mongolian neighbors to make such a decision. All members of the Organization are unequivocally in favor. Another 14 countries are dialogue partners. More applications for this status have been received from Laos and Algeria. So the process is underway.<\/p>\n
As our relations with these States develop, they can apply for membership, having passed the status of “dialogue partner” and “observer”. I personally think this is a somewhat cumbersome scheme. So, as part of the work on modernizing the SCO, its rules and regulations, we will pay attention to the need to “straighten” this distance. I hope we get some support.<\/p>\n
Question:\u00a0Did the Russian delegation have contacts with the meeting’s colleagues? Do you expect changes in Iran’s domestic and foreign policy in connection with the recent tragic events? How can this affect bilateral relations?<\/p>\n
Sergey V. Lavrov:\u00a0I had contact with the head of the Iranian delegation. This is the deputy of the deceased Iranian Foreign Minister H.A. Abdollahiyan, Mr. M. Safari. He confirmed the continuity of our relations.<\/p>\n
The Iranian Ambassador to Moscow, Mr. K. Jalali, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and representatives of our military and rescue structures on May 19 this year. He also stressed that no changes are expected in Iran’s foreign policy, including the promotion of partnership with all its neighbors, including the SCO.<\/p>\n
I sincerely do not see any reason why it was possible to speculate on the topic of changing the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. On the contrary, the head of the delegation, Deputy Minister M.Safari, who is participating in the SCO meeting here, confirmed a clear interest in the implementation of a series of practical projects in the field of transport and energy, which were agreed upon by the presidents and are in great demand in the interests of the development of the Islamic Republic of Iran itself and the North-South corridor.<\/p>\n
Question:\u00a0On May 19 of this year, the helicopter of the President of Iran crashed in the northeast of the country. The causes of the tragedy are still being investigated. At the same time, it is known that the president flew on an American Bell-212 helicopter. But since Iran is under sanctions, it is obvious that spare parts for the helicopter were not supplied. Can we say that this did not contribute to maintaining airworthiness and could it have provoked a tragedy?<\/p>\n
Sergey V. Lavrov:\u00a0The former Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, D.M. Zarif, has already said this directly. He outlined this version, accusing the United States, in fact, that by imposing sanctions, including a ban on the supply of spare parts for American aircraft, they put people’s lives at risk. The Americans disown this.<\/p>\n
But in fact, other countries against which the United States announces sanctions do not receive spare parts for American equipment, including aviation. Therefore, the “spells” that we hear from the West all the time are that the sanctions they apply are aimed at correcting the behavior of the authorities of the respective countries and do not affect the interests of citizens. An obvious and outright lie. And it once again confirms that the complete unreliability and incompetence of Western partners in any sphere, be it trade, economic, investment, financial, has already become a byword everywhere and everywhere. Just as this unreliability manifests itself, if we talk about aviation technology, as civilian aircraft of the United States (I mean the constant scandals with Boeing).<\/p>\n
In this case, we are talking about deliberately causing damage to ordinary citizens who use vehicles. If spare parts are not supplied, then this is directly related to a decrease in the level of safety. That’s why\u00a0The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and other departments are actively and rapidly replacing any parts that we used, receiving them from the West. Now the production of engines and other components of our equipment is fully established on Russian territory.<\/p>\n
Question:\u00a0Recently, the media, including our media, has been actively replicating the accusation that our partners in Central Asia have become more susceptible to the “courtship” of the West, which does not hide its intentions to displace Russia’s presence in areas such as energy and security. What is the situation really like and is this opinion an alarmism?<\/p>\n
Sergey V. Lavrov:\u00a0In my opening remarks, I have already said how the situation is developing on the entire Eurasian continent. In the West of the United States, their satellites “destroyed” the OSCE and “crushed” everything under NATO. At least they’re trying to do it. We “stumbled” in Ukraine because we could not afford it and honestly warned about it.<\/p>\n
In the southeast of the continent, the United States is trying to escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, including by creating block military structures similar to NATO. They are also being introduced into the daily life of Central Asia. We talked about this with our Kazakh hosts on May 20 this year, and today with the Uzbek and Tajik ministers, and also discussed it at a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers.<\/p>\n
Of course, Central Asia is of interest and no one is against the creation of “Central Asia + 1” communication formats. But in the case of the United States and the European Union, these formats are used to literally try to get into all areas of the organization of the country’s life and in the organization of the activities of any Central Asian state. This does not mean that the West offers equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, but tries to “subjugate” these processes, threatening, demanding to report on how secondary sanctions are being implemented.<\/p>\n
Our colleagues expressed indignation at such brusqueness and outright arrogance in conversations. But the West is the West. The East is the East. The West wants to refute R.J. Kipling: not just to get along with the East, but to “bend” it “under itself.” I think it won’t work. The problem of Eurasian security involves the activation of all of us and the countries of the continent, as well as the organizations that have been established here, including the SCO (as one of the most effective). In order to take “into our own hands” both the development and the orders that we must establish here ourselves.<\/p>\n
Question:\u00a0By the end of last year, Russia lost the status of Kazakhstan’s main trading partner, ceding leadership to China. China’s cooperation with other countries is steadily developing. It is clear that his influence is growing. Do they see any risks in Moscow with this situation?<\/p>\n
Sergey V. Lavrov:\u00a0We don’t see any risks in any natural development of things.<\/p>\n
The growth of the Chinese economy is an objective reality. It is the largest economy not only within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, but also within the whole world, if we take purchasing power parity.<\/p>\n
It is clear that the growth of the Chinese economy, which has been stable in recent years, ensures its active involvement in international trade. Its volume within the SCO is growing. This is also a mutually beneficial process for us. But cooperation is not limited to trade and turnover alone. It is necessary to take into account investment projects and plans aimed at localization of production in the context of investment activities.<\/p>\n
The comprehensive nature of our economic partnership is beneficial for all participants, including the Russian Federation.<\/p>\n
Question:\u00a0Experts believe that the West is trying to turn Kazakhstan into a kind of “wall” for Russia. After two days of active work in Astana, do you have a feeling that the Kazakh “wall” is growing?<\/p>\n
Sergey V. Lavrov:\u00a0I do not know who “dismisses” such assessments. We are well aware that the West likes to build “walls” and lower the “iron curtain”.<\/p>\n
A physical “wall” is being built nearby, by the Scandinavian countries. Finland wanted to build a similar wall on the border with us, as well as Estonia.<\/p>\n
This is actually a reflection of a small mind and the tasks that the “collective West”, led by the United States, sets itself on the world stage, including on the Eurasian continent, to take control of as many spaces as possible using blackmail, threats, sanctions and ultimatums.<\/p>\n
I did not feel any detachment from our Kazakh and all other participants in the meeting of the SCO Foreign Ministers. On May 20 this year, I had a meeting with the President of Kazakhstan K.-J.K.Tokayev, who clearly confirmed the focus on the implementation of all agreements that have been reached and will be reached between him and our president.<\/p>\n
Wishful thinking is a well\u2013known Western style. Let it be. Whatever the child is amused with, as long as it does not cry.<\/p>\n
Question:\u00a0Recently, Russia has repeatedly spoken about supporting the Chinese peace initiative. Can it become a real alternative to the “V.A. Zelensky formula” for the West?<\/p>\n
Sergey V. Lavrov:\u00a0We have already commented on the Chinese initiative. This initiative follows a dialectical logic from the general to the particular.<\/p>\n
What is the main thing in it? It means the need to understand the root causes of the situation when the West decided to “undermine” Russia’s legitimate interests with the hands of Ukraine.<\/p>\n
The Chinese initiative involves addressing the root causes and reaching an agreement to eliminate them by ensuring the principle of equal indivisible security in practice \u2013 the security of all States involved will be equally guaranteed.<\/p>\n
It is impossible not to agree with this. This is a clear reflection of the analysis provided by the Chinese side. Recently, in addition to these “12 points”, President Xi Jinping, while in France and discussing the upcoming planned events with E. Macron at the initiative of the French side \u2013 a conference in Switzerland and other actions around the “formula of peace” by V.A. Zelensky, clearly said that the Chinese side would support the convening of an international conference equally reflecting the interests of both Russia and Ukraine and based on a wide range of proposals and initiatives.<\/p>\n
The Swiss conference is being convened solely to discuss Zelensky’s “formula for peace” in the form of an ultimatum. It is no coincidence that the Swiss themselves, including Swiss diplomats, say that it will not be about “building bridges” for peace, but about supporting Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Zh.Borrel stated that the “formula for peace” is the only initiative under discussion. As he said a couple of weeks ago, other offers have “disappeared.” And let me remind you that, in addition to the Chinese initiative, they came from African parties, Brazil, and the League of Arab States.<\/p>\n
We have the opportunity to receive information that is not usually intended for publication and disclosure. At the end of April this year, discussing with foreign ambassadors in Kiev this “venture” with the Swiss conference, according to some participants, V.A. Zelensky spent most of the time randomly improvising in raised, almost hysterical tones, demanding to support his “formula of peace” as a means to force Russia to “get down” on its knees. A person, when he does not feel the need to control himself, tells the truth. Those who are now being “courted”, under “pressure” with an appeal to come to Switzerland, create “extras”, participate in this “family photo”, then to talk about broad support for the “formula of peace” by V.A.Zelensky, should understand where they are being lured \u2013 to support the ultimatum, which will then be presented to Russia. This is ridiculous.<\/p>\n
President Vladimir Putin spoke about this quite recently. These “games” have nothing to do with diplomacy, as well as other foreign policy steps of our Western partners who have lost their diplomatic skills.<\/p>\n
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