Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s greetings to the participants, organisers and guests of the Russia’s Friends Club roundtable discussion held as part of the Artek Brings Friends Together forum

Friends,

I am glad to greet the participants, organisers and guests of the roundtable discussion titled Russia’s Friends Club. It is taking place in hospitable Yalta as part of the Artek Brings Friends Together forum.

The fact that you are meeting in the Livadia Palace is highly symbolic since it served as the venue of a landmark international conference. In February 1945, the World War II allies who were part of the anti-Nazi coalition succeeded in overcoming their differences to bring the Great Victory closer, as well as lay the foundations of the post-war international order. The United Nations became its cornerstone, and retains its central coordinating role in global affairs to this day.

Today, with the tensions accumulating around the world, Russian diplomacy is doing all it can to improve the international environment. In its interstate relations, Russia has been consistent in promoting the timeless values of truth and justice, equality and mutual respect, solidarity, and cultural and civilisational diversity. The fact that this approach enjoys wide-reaching support across the countries of the Global East and South, which are home to 85 percent of the world’s population, is very satisfying.

In their day-to-day painstaking work, my colleagues diplomats strive to maintain an atmosphere of friendship, trust and mutual understanding on the international arena. It is essential that public diplomacy, including its youth dimension, supplements these efforts.

I believe that the very purpose of your meeting is to contribute to delivering on this important objective, especially considering that it is based on Artek’s unique and unparalleled concept of international friendship among young people that transcends boundaries. I know that proactive and engaged representatives of the younger generation from across Russia and from abroad have gathered here. These people are never complacent and always strive to improve themselves, learn new things, coming up with joint undertakings and carrying them out.

I am certain that this roundtable will facilitate informal networking, enabling its participants to share their personal experiences, make new friends, and of course discover Crimea’s unique historical and cultural heritage and enjoy its diverse landscapes in all their beauty and splendour.

I wish you fruitful exchanges and all the best.

Sergey Lavrov