PRESS-RELEASE
18.01.05
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov Attends Russian Non-governmental Organizations' Conference in Petrozavodsk
On January 18 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov took part in a conference on the contribution of Russian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to the promotion of cross-border cooperation by the Northwest of Russia held in Petrozavodsk at the initiative of the NGO Council working under the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Karelia.
Speaking to the participants of the forum, Lavrov set out his vision of ways to strengthen cooperation by the foreign affairs agency with the institutions of civil society in the light of the tasks set by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in his annual state of the nation address to the Federal Assembly. Special emphasis was laid on interest in seeing the Russian non-governmental sector entering the international scene more actively and helping solve extensive national tasks, primarily in the fields of strengthening relations with compatriots abroad, popularizing the Russian language, culture and education, shaping a positive image of Russia and deepening its traditional ties of friendship with peoples, in the first place those of the CIS countries.
The conference generalized the practical experience in developing the cross-border ties of the northwestern regions of Russia with the contiguous countries as well as the role of the NGOs in this cause and articulated recommendations as to how to improve the appropriate legislative base.
In the course of a conversation between the Minister and the Head of the Republic of Karelia, Sergey Katanandov, the sub-regional aspects of Russian relations with Finland and the European Union with regard to the implications of its enlargement, and the prospects and priorities of Russia's participation in cooperation within the framework of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council in relation to the passage of the chairmanship in the Barents Regional Council to Karelia in 2005.
On the whole, the results of the Conference attest to the existence of considerable possibilities for drawing Russian non-governmental organizations extensively into the advancement of the interests of Russia on the international scene, first of all in the economic, cultural and humanitarian fields, as well as in terms of imparting new dynamics and enhancing the effectiveness of interregional and cross-border links. By all accounts, the forum constituted an important stage in the development of the traditional dialogue and constructive cooperation between the Foreign Ministry and the institutions of civil society.
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