Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s greetings on the occasion of Diplomatic Worker’s Day, Moscow, February 10, 2022
Colleagues, friends,
Today, we are celebrating Diplomatic Worker’s Day. First of all, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of our common professional day, no matter where you work, at foreign missions, the Foreign Ministry’s regional offices or the сentral office.
Diplomatic Worker’s Day was established by President Putin’s executive order 20 years ago on October 31, 2002. It helps preserve and enhance the Foreign Ministry’s best traditions, spreads knowledge about our profession, and strengthens respect for diplomatic work.
It is deeply symbolic that we are marking another milestone – the 220th anniversary of the Foreign Ministry (September 8 (20), 1802) – this year as well. Notably, the history of the foreign policy service goes well back in time, largely in lockstep with the stages of the development of Russian statehood. Specifically, the date of our holiday goes back to the earliest documented mention of the Ambassadorial Prikaz – Russia’s first department in charge of external relations - in February 1549.
We are rightfully proud of the fact that the glorious annals of Russian diplomacy boast numerous brilliant victories and outstanding names. In our daily activities, we try to borrow the best from the treasure trove of the diplomatic art of our great predecessors, such as Alexander Gorchakov, Andrey Gromyko, Yevgeny Primakov and many others.
In all times, true patriots have worked for our foreign policy who have fought for the common cause, including, if necessary, with weapons in their hands. The feat of our comrades, employees of the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, who fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, serves as an enduring moral compass for all of us.
Colleagues,
Today, relying on our experience and rich traditions, the diplomatic service remains at the forefront of the efforts to promote and protect the interests of our Motherland in the international arena. It contributes to ensuring the country's security, creating a favourable external environment for dynamic domestic development, improving the level and quality of life. We invariably strive to promote a constructive agenda which is designed to unite our efforts with our like-minded partners for the sake of bringing a fair solution to common international problems based on achieving a fair balance of interests.
This policy is based on generally recognised norms of international law, primarily the UN Charter’s goals and principles, and enjoys broad support among the international community. This helps us expand mutually beneficial and equal cooperation in a variety of formats with most of the countries in Eurasia, Africa, and Latin America. Not in words, but in actions, we are contributing to the formation of a global “belt of neighbourliness” which is mandatory if we want to maintain overall stability and strengthen Russia's international positions.
The complexity of the modern world and mixed nature of ongoing developments puts high demands on diplomats. So, always, and particularly today, it is important to keep up with the times, to constantly improve ourselves, to skillfully combine traditional diplomatic art with new approaches and technologies. This is the key to the effective fulfillment of the ambitious goals that the President has set before us.
Much of our success and productivity depends on a strong and dependable home front. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank your families and friends who share with you all the difficulties and sometimes everyday inconveniences of our trade, including extended business trips to countries with challenging military-political situations and harsh climates.
Of course, on this day we commemorate our veterans who generously shared their expertise and opened the door to a great diplomatic future for us. Dear veterans, I bow to you for your tireless work to ensure the continuity of time and generations of diplomats working in the building on Smolenskaya Square.
Colleagues, friends,
On this remarkable day, I would like to wish you all good health, prosperity, and new successes for the benefit of Russia.
Happy holiday!
