Speech by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Bestowal Ceremony of the Title of “Honorary Doctor of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia” Upon Sergey Vadimovich Stepashin, Moscow, October 25, 2011

Dear Sergey Vadimovich,

Dear Yevgeny Maximovich [Primakov],

Dear Yevgeny Petrovich [Bazhanov],

Colleagues and Friends,

The occasion is especially pleasant – the bestowal of the title of "Honorary Doctor of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia" upon Sergey Vadimovich Stepashin. I don't think there is a need for detailed introduction of the laureate, but I will nevertheless say a few words.

Since the early 1990s of the last century, Sergey Stepashin has been literally in the midst of political and public life in our country. He has made an invaluable contribution to the formation of a new framework for the functioning of the federal organs of internal affairs, the security service, the legal system of the new Russia and its control and auditing mechanisms. He is no stranger to the diplomat's profession either, because his diplomatic skills were hardened and fully manifested themselves when in 1987-1990 he was performing missions in hot spots of the still united country: in Baku, Ferghana, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Sukhumi. These qualities have stood the test of time in the course of numerous contacts with foreign colleagues "in the guild," who also appreciate his ability to clearly state things and negotiate.

For many years, Sergey Stepashin successfully worked in various positions in the Government of the Russian Federation; in a difficult environment, assumed the burden of its Chairman. His versatile abilities particularly stood out as Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation. At first glance, it's a boring, bureaucratic entity. At the same time, this mechanism of financial control, which Stepashin has been heading since 2000, has become in his hands an important "transmission belt" for the Russian state machine, operating based on the principles of legality, objectivity, independence and transparency. Its sole purpose is to improve efficiency in the use of federal budget funds.

Sergey Vadimovich has a wide range of professional and public interests. Among the associations led by him are the Russian Book Union, Association of Russian Lawyers, the Association of Control and Audit Bodies of Russia, and the board of trustees of the Dynamo football club, in which I see his passion for sports, football. We often watch fair encounters between our favorite teams, Dynamo and Spartak.

I especially want to note that Stepashin has been heading the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society since 2007. In this capacity, he has managed to do a lot, primarily from the viewpoint of strengthening the Russian presence in the Holy Land. The Society's activities are currently in great demand, as the Middle East has entered into a painful stage of major transformation of political, economic, and social systems. Russia never made colonial conquests, never waged wars in the region, but made a considerable historical contribution to maintaining peace and harmony, and helped the humanitarian and cultural development of Arab countries. Furthermore, we always gave priority emphasis to the preservation of interfaith peace and harmony. Today this is the most pressing problem in the Middle East. The Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society actively facilitates its solution. I am confident that we will soon see extra effort.

Sergey Vadimovich is an all-rounder. He has achieved great heights in various fields: General Colonel, State Counselor of Justice, candidate of historical science, doctor of legal science, professor. Today, it is suggested to add to this impressive list the title of "Honorary Doctor of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia." According to the regulations this title is conferred – I quote – on "outstanding national and foreign diplomats, and government, political and public figures." Among past laureates are: Yevgeny Maximovich Primakov, Aleksandr Fyodorovich Dobrynin, Oleg Aleksandrovich Troyanovsky, Samuel Huntington (author of the theory on the "clash of civilizations"), Hugo Chavez, Askar Akayev, and Robert Kocharian.

The talent of Sergey Vadimovich Stepashin, multiplied by his energy and resoluteness and by his sense of the new, is also called for today, when we pursue a policy of radical renewal of the country, so that it can adequately and effectively respond to the difficult challenges of the contemporary world. I'll finish with the quote of the connoisseur of life and people Honoré de Balzac: "In any domain, to create means to burn; to copy means to slowly smolder." I am confident that today's meeting is confirmation that Sergey Stepashin belongs to the category of creative people, on which we congratulate him.

Thank you for your attention.