MOSCOW, June 30. /TASS/. Moscow is opposed to the idea to restrict the veto power wielded solely by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Tuesday.
"We cannot agree with the ideas to restrict the veto power of the five permanent members," Gatilov told the Civic Chamber.
"This would mean a deviation from the principle of unanimity of permanent members, enshrined in the Charter, which is a cornerstone of the whole UN architecture, the system of checks and balances," he said.
The high-ranking diplomat said the veto right is a guarantee of balanced decisions rather than a privilege and its major goal is to encourage states for the joint work and the search for a compromise, taking into account mutual interests and first of all on the most acute issues.
"Artificial restrictions would inevitably fuel tensions and create loopholes for those pursuing unilateral lucrative purposes," he stressed.
The proposals on limiting the veto right "have become more active of late," he said. "In particular, the French are preoccupied with this and call for holding various conversations and discussions in this regard," he added.
"The use of the veto by Russia, for example jointly with China, has prevented the interference into domestic affairs of a whole range of countries," Gatilov said, naming the situation in Syria as an example.
"Many partners have expressed their gratitude for such a principled position which has proved to be justified," he said.