Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s greetings to organisers and participants in the International Forum “Russia and Ibero-America in a Turbulent World: History and Modernity”

I welcome the organisers and participants in the 6th International Forum “Russia and Ibero-America in a Turbulent World: History and Modernity” hosted by the St Petersburg State University.

Over the years, your discussion format has acquired a reputation as an authoritative venue where experts, political scientists, diplomats, and representatives of political and business circles can gather to discuss the current issues in relations between Russia and countries of the Ibero-American world.

Today, this open and politics-free exchange of views is in high demand. All of us are witnessing tectonic transformations linked to the continuing emergence of a more just multipolar world order. Increasingly more countries and nations are choosing the path of a free and sovereign development based on national traditions and values.

There is no doubt that Latin America will take an important position in the remoulded world architecture. Russia will continue to support both individual Latin American and Caribbean states and the region as a whole in their efforts to enhance their international role. We welcome our Latin American friends’ striving to take the solution of emerging problems into their own hands.

I am confident that the forum will make an important contribution to strengthening trust and mutual understanding between our countries. I wish you meaningful and interesting discussions and all the best.

SERGEY LAVROV