MOSCOW, October 9. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has called on the leading world powers to set aside their difference and pool their efforts in the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organization.
"It is time all states set aside their ambitions and differences so as to unite in order to rout ISIS and other extremist groups, which constitute the biggest challenge to civilization," he said in an interview with the APS news agency ahead of his visit to Algeria.
Speaking about efforts against global terrorism and transnational organized crime, the Russian prime minister noted that Moscow and Algeria have similar views on these problems. "We agree that the proliferation of terrorism is a global challenge. It is only by joining forces that we can stand up to it. We must do this in a coordinated manner by joining all available forces and definitely relying on international law," he noted, adding that Russia wants to expand cooperation with Algeria in these areas.
He vowed that the Russian authorities would continue to coordinate with Algeria their "positions on foreign policy issues, including on the situation in the Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa."
The Russian prime minister stressed that both countries stand for "strengthening the leading role of the UN and its Security Council in maintaining peace and security, as well as for a multipolar world." Russia and Algeria, in his words, share the opinion that regional conflicts should be resolved by diplomatic means on the basis of the United Nations Charter and the supremacy of international law.
"Russia and Algeria have similar views on the right of nations around the world to choose their future and settle their domestic problems without external interference. This must be done peacefully and non-violently, through dialogue based on law," he emphasized.
"Outside interference is absolutely unacceptable. Only in this way can the conflicts in Syria, Libya, Yemen and Mali be settled. Only in this way can people in those countries be protected from suffering and wars and have a chance for a normal, tranquil and, most importantly, peaceful existence," Medvedev stressed.