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Russia hopes that UNESCO will send missions to countries that suffered from terrorists

According to the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, using issues of culture and science in covert political games is unacceptable

PARIS, November 6. /TASS/. Moscow hopes that UNESCO will send an expert mission to Syria to assess destruction of cultural sites as soon as security situation allows, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday after the meeting with UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova.

"Cultural heritage being destroyed by barbarians, including in Syria, is our common domain. I am convinced that UNESCO, in accordance with its mandate, will send an expert mission there as soon as security situation allows," Lavrov said.

Politicization of culture and science impermissable

Using issues of culture and science in covert political games is unacceptable, Russian Foreign Minister went on to say.

"This is a difficult time, and it is especially important to preserve culture and science," Lavrov said. "They should not allowed to be used in covert games, and the politicization of these issues should not be allowed," he added.

According to Lavrov, the attempts to grant UNESCO membership to Kosovo lead to the politicization of the organization’s activities.

"With all the complexities of international life it is important to avoid the politicization of the UNESCO activities, that's what we see now in connection with attempts to grant the organization’s membership to Kosovo in violation of Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council," he said.

Lavrov wished Bokova success in holding the UNESCO General Conference.

The foreign minister will make a speech today at the general political discussion at the 38th session of UNESCO General Conference. After that, Lavrov will go to Paris to take part in the meeting of the "Normandy Quartet" (Russia, Ukraine, France, Germany).