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Russian New Diplomacy Concept Stresses U.N. Role, Ties With Asia
A new Russian foreign policy concept released Monday stresses the United Nations' role in the world community and gives a top priority to the development of relations with Asian states.
The United Nations must continue to be the main center for regulating international relations in the 21st century, says the concept.
"Russia will resolutely oppose attempts to downgrade role of the U.N. and its Security Council in world affairs, which alone has a right to authorize the use of force in peace enforcement," the document says.
"The use of force in contravention of the U.N. Charter is illegitimate and will destabilize the entire system of international relations," it stresses.
Taking "humanitarian intervention and limited sovereignty" as excuses for the unilateral use of force by circumventing the U.N. Security Council, is unacceptable, reads the document, calling for "faithful observance of the fundamental principles of the U.N.
Charter in particular the preservation of the status of permanent council members," it says.
It states that the reforms of the United Nations must not forego the veto rights of UN Security Council permanent members.
Moscow advocates increasing the effectiveness of the UN Security Council as the main tool of the maintenance of international peace and security and making that body more representative. It "will consistently meet its commitments under international treaties and agreements on arms limitation and reduction and work for keeping the 1972 treaty on restricting missile defense systems" in place, the document says.
Meanwhile, the new concept emphasized that the general improvement of the situation in Asia "is of crucial importance to Russia."
Russia "will concentrate on its equal participation in the solution of the Korean problem and balanced relations with the two Korean states," the concept says.
A leading sphere of the Russian foreign policy in Asia "is the development of friendly relations with the key Asian states, primarily China and India," it says.
Russia is striving for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with China in all spheres. The agreement of economic cooperation with the level of the Russian-Chinese political contacts is a main task, the document says.
Russia "will also deepen the traditional partnership with India, including in international issues," it says.
"Russia regards the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty by India and Pakistan and their joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty as an important factor in the maintenance of stability in the Asia-Pacific region," the concept says, Russia supports efforts to create nuclear-free zones in South Asia, it added.
"We will pursue the policy aimed at steady development of its relations with Japan and at achieving true good-neighborly relations between Moscow and Tokyo," Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov told a news conference on the concept here Monday.
He assured that "by means of negotiations the Russian Federation will continue looking for a mutually acceptable decision on the demarcation of an internationally recognized border between Russia and Japan."
The concept also draws attention to the protracted conflict in Afghanistan, vowing to pool efforts with other interested states to achieve a lasting and fair political settlement in Afghanistan and to prevent terrorism and extremism from spilling out of the country.
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