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Sergey Lavrov

Tomorrow, Russia celebrates Diplomat’s Day — a professional commemoration day to honour Russian diplomats and revere the memory of the veterans of Russian Diplomatic service. The holiday was established in October 2002 by the Decree of the Russian President V. Putin. Its establishment is true evidence of the public recognition of the profession of a diplomat and its role as one of the key elements of Russia’s statehood.

At the same time, Diplomats’ Day is an opportunity for people both in Russia and abroad to learn more about the diplomatic profession, about past and present of Russia’s diplomacy. The date February 10th was not chosen randomly. On this day falls the earliest mentioning of Posolsky Prikaz (Ambassadorial Office) in annals of the state — the first Russian foreign policy agency.

It’s main functions were: sending Russian embassies abroad and the reception of foreign embassies, the preparation of texts of the “instructions” for the Russian envoys, agreements, negotiations, and from the beginning of the XVIII century — assignment and control over the actions of the permanent Russian diplomatic representatives abroad.

Russian diplomatic service greatly expanded and improved over the years. Russian Emperors attached great importance to the country’s interests on the international arena, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the rank of a chancellor was Czar’s right-hand man and second important person in the country.

Among Russian diplomats were many remarkable writers and poets, which left their mark not only in our diplomatic history, but also in Russian classic literature. Alexander Pushkin, considered as a founder of modern Russian literature, started his state service in the Foreign Ministry in 1817. Fyodor Tuytchev, the great romantic poet of Russia, served as trainee diplomat in 1821 in Munich.

Outstanding Russian playwright Alexander Griboyedov was an Ambassador to Persia. After the October revolution, under the decree of the new government the People’s Commissariat of Foreign Affairs was organised.

In 1946, it returned its name of a Ministry. In the difficult post-war period and in the following years Soviet diplomacy worked tirelessly for the good of the Motherland, helping to keep the country a significant place on the world stage, defending the interests of the state, helping to preserve peace and prosperity.

The major area of the foreign policy of Soviet diplomacy in the second half of the XX century was the struggle for peace, international détente and disarmament. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation succeeded to the Soviet Foreign Ministry.

Nowadays, the Russian Federation has diplomatic relations with almost 200 countries, 140 Embassies working abroad and 14 Permanent Representations to International Organisations. In addition, Russian Federation is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Russian diplomacy plays a significant role within the UN, G20, APEC and other world and regional forums, promotes ties of friendship and cooperation with other states.

In the new environment, the best fundamental traditions of the Russian diplomats are still going strong, and among them — high professional culture, profound knowledge of international relations, commitment to their own country and respect for the countries of posting.

A diplomat today is not only a government official, but also an analyst, a journalist, an eloquent speaker, a PR officer, an interpreter and even a sales manager. Amidst tense international environment and terrorist threat, the diplomatic service requires new qualities from those who chose this path. The profession of diplomat is getting more and more dangerous.

Apart from broad knowledge, skills and talents a contemporary diplomat must have courage, willpower, ability to find solutions in difficult situations, to stay undisturbed and do his job even under a threat to his life and health. The professional holiday of Russian Diplomats clearly demonstrates the Russian leadership’s unwavering focus on the diplomatic service.

Foreign Ministry’s significant contribution to upholding national interests and strengthening the position of the country on the world stage cannot be underestimated. Russia is aware of the special responsibility that rests with the national diplomatic corps given the current international situation.

President V. Putin once emphasised, “Under no circumstances and under no pressure, will we change our independent foreign policy, as it meets the vital interests of our people and is in line with the efforts to ensure global security and stability.”

Russia is not opposed to any associations of countries, but instead affirms the principles of equality, mutual respect of interests and collective settlement of critical problems in international relations, which are rooted in international law and the central role of the UN.

As Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, “Russia has consistently advocated respect for sovereignty and the right of peoples to determine their own destiny. Only on the basis of equality it can be achieved the uniting of efforts in the struggle against the common challenges and threats for all mankind, primarily international terrorism.”

Russia wants all nations and people to feel equally protected and confident that their right to choose their future will be respected.

The Article was prepared by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Zimbabwe.