FOREIGN POLICY NEWS
22.05.2015
Commentary by the Information and Press Department concerning Canada’s refusal of entry to Russian delegation for PSI working group meetingThe Canadian authorities’ decision to deny visas to a Russian delegation at the Proliferation Security Initiative Operational Experts Group (PSI OEG) meeting was an openly unfriendly move that contradicts the normal practice of multilateral events.
It is regrettable that Ottawa, which has been fanning anti-Russian hysterics for domestic political considerations, has acted contrary to common sense, expropriating the right to decide who can attend an important multilateral event that happens to be held on its territory.
We would like to remind the international community that Russia, being a key partner in the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and a full member of the PSI, is not seeking any favours from Canada.
Non-proliferation is a highly important aspect of international cooperation. Squaring political accounts in a narrow-minded manner, which has recently become a favourite hobby for Stephen Harper’s government, is inappropriate and counterproductive.
We will be sure to provide a response to these hostile actions.
LATEST EVENTS
On August 14, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke over the phone with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the initiative of the German side. They continued their thorough discussion of the developments in southeastern Ukraine in the context of the implementation of the February 12, 2015 Minsk agreements.
More than 60 people were killed and some 200 wounded as a result of a truck bomb explosion at a crowded market in northeastern Baghdad on August 13. There are children among the dead and the wounded. The “Islamic State” group has claimed responsibility for the terrorist act.
We are pleased to welcome your delegation to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have for a long time been inviting representatives of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces to hold a dialogue in order to think together about ways of helping the Syrian people. We are glad that this meeting has taken place. We are meeting at a time when the region is being exposed to growing threats, primarily the terrorist threat.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan has notified the Embassy of the Russian Federation on the Uzbek authorities’ plans to relocate the monument to Alexander Pushkin to one of the central streets or squares of Tashkent as part of the ongoing architectural renovation of the Uzbek capital.
On August 10, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Pavel Klimkin by phone.
On August 10, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan upon the Russian side’s initiative.
On August 7, Norway issued a temporary instruction on the deportation from the Svalbard Archipelago of people included in the UN Security Council’s sanction lists and individuals whose international travel is restricted. Apparently, the latter category includes those who are covered by the EU’s anti-Russian sanctions.
Resolution 2235 (2015)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 7501st meeting, on 7 August 2015
(Regarding the investigation of chemical weapons use in Syria)
On 7 August 2015 Russian Ambassador met Ambassador of the Dominican Republic Mr Federico Cuello Camilo.
On August 6, at least 13 people were killed and several others were wounded by an explosion in a mosque in Abha, the main city of the Saudi Asir Province.
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