MOSCOW, October 26. /TASS/. Russia will strengthen cooperation with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations to counter fuelling conflicts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday at talks with UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser.
"The importance of your activities has grown considerably in the conditions when inter-religious strife is being fuelled in different parts of the world, when religious and civilizational factors are being used as an instrument of unscrupulous policy," Lavrov said.
"Russia stood at the origins of this structure and actively participated in its creation. Over the 10 years of Alliance of Civilizations’ existence, Russia has made possible contributions to the work of the Alliance and to achievement of high aims that were put in front of it by UN General Assembly," he stressed.
Lavrov also noted that he had worked with Al-Nasser in the United Nations for a long time. "I am glad that your great experience is in demand by the international community," he added.
"You visited Moscow as a representative of the UN General Assembly. Now you have come as the head of a very important international structure that is tasked with preventing inter-cultural, inter-civilizational and religious split," the foreign minister stressed.
Lavrov also expressed confidence that Al-Nasser’s visit "will allow to strengthen the basis of cooperation between Russia and the Alliance." "You have several important meetings planned with Russian officials, non-governmental organizations and educational institutions. I am confident that this will be helpful," he concluded.
Russia and Alliance of Civilizations will sign 2 memorandums of understanding
Russia and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations will sign two memorandums of understanding, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser said on Monday at the meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Al-Nasser has thanked Lavrov for the invitation and said the visit is very important because Russia plays an important role in preventing extremism.
He stressed that the Alliance of Civilizations wants to strengthen cooperation with Russia. Al-Nasser stressed that support of governmental circles is important, as well as cooperation with the civil society and religious leaders.