The role of multilateral diplomacy in the preparation of the pan-European conference. Historical evolution of multilateral diplomacy What forms of multilateral diplomacy existed in the past

Question 2. Multilateral and conference diplomacy.

Multilateral diplomacy, as a separate and unique type of diplomatic activity, can be divided into the following main types:

Diplomacy of international congresses and conferences

Diplomacy of multilateral negotiation processes on specific international problems

Diplomatic activities within international organizations.

Moreover, each type of multilateral diplomacy includes bilateral diplomatic work and bears all the features of bilateral diplomacy.

An important distinguishing feature of multilateral diplomacy is the need to bring a large number of different positions to a single denominator, the interaction of which can give a completely unexpected result when the point of view of not the strongest participant or the strongest group of negotiators becomes predominant.

The difference between multilateral diplomacy is its greater openness, not due to the wishes of the participants or due to the nature of the issues under consideration, but simply because with a large number of participants in the process, maintaining the confidentiality of the discussion can be difficult. Greater openness of the decision-making process leads to greater consideration public opinion.

The cumbersome nature of multilateral diplomatic processes predetermines their long duration, and this entails greater dependence on the dynamic real international situation.

International organizations can be considered a type of international conferences, most of which arose in the second half of the 20th century and which play a significant role in resolving many issues of international relations. Their difference from conferences lies primarily in the presence of permanent delegations or representative offices. This leaves a special imprint on the relationship between diplomats from different countries, who interact with each other on an ongoing basis, and not occasionally, as is the case at conferences.

Many scholars and researchers of diplomatic art note the special role of the personal qualities of a diplomat in multilateral diplomacy, and the more complex the situation, the more important the personality of the negotiators, the higher the level of the meeting, the higher the rank of its participants, the more higher value has the personality of the delegation leaders, their professionalism.

Multilateral diplomacy is a multi-layered job. Before being submitted for consideration and approval at a high official level, any issue or document is carefully studied and agreed upon by experts, and then at the working level.

Multilateral negotiation mechanisms created to solve specific international problems should be highlighted as an independent and increasingly important type of multilateral diplomacy. Among those that continue to operate today, the most “long-lasting” is the negotiation process to resolve the Middle East conflict. At the same time, its participants do not raise the question of curtailing the process, realizing that even though difficult, slow and ineffective negotiations are still better than military confrontation. A well-known example of a multilateral negotiation mechanism for solving a specific international problem is the six-party negotiations on the DPRK nuclear program.

In the second half of the 20th century. The forms of multilateral diplomacy have become more diverse. If in the past it was reduced mainly to the negotiation process within the framework of various congresses (for example, the Westphalian Congress of 1648, the Karlowitz Congress of 1698–1699, the Vienna Congress of 1914 - 1915, the Paris Congress of 1856, etc.), today multilateral diplomacy carried out within the framework of:

International universal (UN) and regional (OAU, OSCE, etc.) organizations;

Conferences, commissions, etc., convened or created to solve a problem (for example, the Paris Conference on Vietnam, the Joint Commission for the Settlement of the Conflict in South West Africa);

Multilateral summit meetings (for example, meetings of seven, and after Russia’s accession - eight leading countries of the world) – Big Eight. Nowadays, meetings are being held more and more often and in a larger format – in the G20 format.

Activities of embassies (for example, US Deputy Secretary of State S. Talbot notes that, for example, the American Embassy in Beijing, together with Chinese and Japanese colleagues, directs a significant part of its efforts to finding solutions to problems on the Korean Peninsula; similar actions are being taken in other regions - in Latin America, southern Africa).

Multilateral diplomacy and multilateral negotiations give rise to a number of new aspects in diplomatic practice. Thus, an increase in the number of parties when discussing a problem leads to a complication of the overall structure of interests, the possibility of creating coalitions, as well as the emergence of a leading country in negotiation forums. In addition, on multilateral negotiations arises a large number of organizational, procedural and technical problems associated, for example, with agreeing on the agenda, location, development and adoption of decisions, chairing forums, accommodating delegations, providing them with the necessary conditions for work, providing copying and other equipment, vehicles, etc. . All this, in turn, contributes to the bureaucratization of negotiation processes, especially those conducted within international organizations.

International conferences classified differently:

Bilateral / multilateral

Special/regular

Single-issue/multi-issue

With/without special secretariat

To exchange information / to develop agreements

By level of publicity: open (with the media) / semi-closed (1\2) / closed.

The agenda is developed in advance, the rules are approved at the beginning of the conference. Heads of delegations also have credentials (confirming that they can speak on behalf of the state)

Rights of conference participants:

Each participant has the right to speak once

Has the right to respond to criticism

Right to procedural motions (at the beginning)

Decisions are made based on submitted proposals

Functions of the conference chairman:

Procedural:

Opening, closing

Call to the podium

Interruption of performance

Comments during the presentation

Ensuring the work of the conference

Regular:

Election of members to the new commission

Acting as a facilitator to achieve the purpose of the conference

To conduct the conference, secretariats are created that are responsible for:

Transport, premises, accommodation

Translation of reports into all languages ​​and printing of copies.

Multilateral diplomacy in a bipolar system of international relations

© Russian Foundation for the Promotion of Education and Science, 2012

© Yavorsky I. R., layout design and layout, 2012

Introduction

In the 21st century Multilateral diplomacy is playing an increasingly important role in international diplomatic activity. The processes of globalization and integration that have swept the whole world, the strengthening of ties between various participants in world politics, the intensification of interstate communication and the expansion of the functions of the state as a regulator of social relations have created sufficient conditions for the use of mechanisms of multilateral diplomacy, which often replace traditional bilateral relations between states. The need for multilateral cooperation is driven by the growth of global problems such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or pollution environment and global warming, which require the combined efforts of the entire world community and agreement through the mechanisms of multilateral diplomacy of an adequate response to the challenges of the modern world. The importance of multilateral diplomacy and the need to use its methods is fully understood by leading participants in international relations. The Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation, promulgated in 2008, identifies multilateral diplomacy as the main instrument of the system of international relations, designed to “ensure reliable and equal security for every member of the world community in the political, military, economic, information, humanitarian and other fields.”

It is not surprising, in this regard, that the problems of multilateral diplomacy are increasingly becoming the object of attention and discussion in a variety of circles related to the field of foreign policy and international relations: from politicians and diplomats to representatives of the scientific community - historians, political scientists, political analysts. Under these conditions, understanding the essence of multilateral diplomacy, its scope and evolution at different stages in the history of international relations becomes important.

When defining multilateral diplomacy, most practitioners and scholars tend to limit themselves to pointing out the indispensable involvement of three or more participants in the negotiation process, which gives multilateral diplomacy its distinctive character from traditional forms of bilateral relations. Thus, the formal quantitative sign of this form of diplomatic activity comes to the fore, to the detriment of the very principle of multilateralism, which puts at the forefront the essence of the relations between the participants in multilateral diplomacy and the nature of their interaction. In the history of international relations there are many examples when the participation of three or more states in a diplomatic process was not much different from traditional bilateral relations, since the interaction within this process between an individual participant with each of his partners developed in isolation from each other and was based on frequent divergent principles. An example of such “false multilateral” diplomacy is the Alliance of the Three Emperors, created in the 1870s and 1880s. as part of a system of alliances built by Otto von Bismarck and directed against Great Britain and France.

Consequently, the fundamental difference between multilateral diplomacy and traditional forms of diplomacy is that it is not only a means of coordinating the foreign policy activities of a group of three or more states, but this coordination is carried out on the basis of certain principles that are common to all participants in this group. In other words, in the case of multilateral diplomacy, there is no place for exclusivity, a special position for one or another participant in the diplomatic process, which would provide him with privileged positions compared to others, which presupposes the equality of each of them both in terms of rights and responsibilities. These principles are fully embodied in the system collective security, which is based on the premise that the world is indivisible and that a war waged against one of the members of the world community is, ipso facto, a war against all.

Despite the fact that the intensive growth of multilateral diplomatic activity began mainly after the end of World War II, multilateral diplomacy is not an innovation of the second half of the last century or of the 20th century in general. This form of diplomacy was also resorted to at earlier stages, for example, during the formation of the so-called “Concert of Europe”, the system of international relations of the 19th century that emerged after the Napoleonic Wars. Later in the century, multilateral agreements were implemented in the fields of trade (Free Trade), finance (Paris Monetary Agreement), telecommunications (International Telegraph Union and International Postal Union) and the peaceful settlement of disputes (The Hague Conferences of 1899 and 1907). ). However, until the twentieth century. the need to coordinate the efforts of members of the world community in a few cases led to the creation international organizations, which especially concerns the security sector.

For the first time, multilateral diplomacy in this area received institutionalization only after the First World War with the creation of a multi-purpose universal international organization - the League of Nations in 1919-1921. And although the League of Nations was unable to fully use the mechanisms of multilateral cooperation between states to prevent a new world war, its experience played an invaluable role after the victory over Nazi Germany and militaristic Japan in 1945 in the development of various forms of multilateral diplomacy - from the United Nations to international conferences and forums that brought together representatives of states and non-governmental organizations and movements. It was after the Second World War that multilateral diplomacy experienced rapid growth, expressed in the creation of the UN, its system specialized institutions, a whole series regional organizations and other intergovernmental and international institutions. In 1951 there were 123 of them, and in 1976 308 such organizations were registered, and this number basically remained unchanged until the end cold war. In the same year, 3,699 multilateral intergovernmental conferences were held with the participation of country representatives at a variety of levels.

This growth of multilateral diplomacy was not prevented even by the Cold War, which often served as a serious obstacle to uniting the efforts of states and peoples on international arena. Despite the split of the world into two hostile blocs and the fierce ideological, political and military rivalry characteristic of the Cold War period, awareness of the danger of a global military conflict, which with the creation nuclear weapons could have catastrophic consequences for the whole world, and was often a powerful incentive to overcome differences in order to maintain peace in the international arena and strengthen security. In addition, the needs economic development, scientific and technological progress, and humanitarian cooperation dictated the need to combine efforts in many areas of human activity, for which multilateral diplomacy served as an important means and serious support.

However, the Cold War was bound to have a negative impact on multilateral diplomacy, especially within the institutions created in connection with it. Both superpowers participating in the confrontation - the USSR and the USA - often resorted to this form of diplomatic activity to achieve their selfish goals, which sometimes contradicted the very spirit of international cooperation. They used the potential of multilateral diplomacy, for example, to ensure support for their foreign policy actions from as many allies and partners as possible. They used it for propaganda purposes to mobilize public opinion and win it over to their side. Multilateral diplomacy served as an important means of strengthening their prestige and expanding their influence in the international arena. At the same time, the world community managed, through multilateral diplomacy, to prevent, keep under control or find a peaceful solution to most of the armed conflicts that took place after 1945. The UN and other multilateral organizations played a crucial role in this matter.

It is the United Nations that holds the leading place in the system of institutions of multilateral diplomacy. The leading position of the UN in international cooperation is not disputed by any member of the world community, despite sometimes harsh criticism of certain aspects of its activities in recent years. In an article published in connection with the sixtieth anniversary of the UN, Russian Foreign Minister S.V. Lavrov emphasized the importance of this organization: “The UN embodies planetary legitimacy, the basis of a universal system of collective security, which is built on the fundamental principles of international law: sovereign equality states, non-use of force or threat of force, peaceful resolution of disputes, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Within the UN, there is a mechanism for coordinating and taking collective measures to prevent and eliminate threats to peace and security.”

Introduction 3
1. The essence of multilateral diplomacy 5
2. Multilateral diplomacy and international security 9
3. Multilateral diplomacy of the Russian Federation 13
4. Organization of multilateral interregional diplomacy of foreign countries using the example of Latin American states 19
Conclusion 25
References: 26

Introduction

In recent years, significant changes have occurred on the world stage. The growing processes of globalization, despite their contradictory consequences, lead to a more even distribution of resources of influence and economic growth, laying an objective basis for the multipolar structure of international relations. The strengthening of collective and legal principles continues in international relations based on the recognition of the indivisibility of security in modern world. In world politics, the importance of the energy factor and, in general, access to resources has increased. Significantly strengthened international situation Russia. A stronger, more confident Russia has become an important part of positive change in the world.
There are many definitions of diplomacy. Some of them are given, for example, in such well-known works as “Diplomacy” by G. Nicholson, “Guide to Diplomatic Practice” by E. Satow, etc. Most of these definitions are based on the direct connection of diplomacy with the negotiation process. Thus, G. Nicholson, based on the definition given in the Oxford Dictionary, writes that diplomacy is “the conduct of international relations through negotiations; the method by which these relations are regulated and conducted by ambassadors and envoys; the work or art of a diplomat.” This definition later formed the basis of many studies on diplomacy and negotiation theory. However, we should immediately make a reservation that it would be wrong to reduce diplomacy only to negotiations. In this case, a significant part of consular work would be outside the scope of diplomacy, as well as, for example, consultations (they do not imply the adoption of a joint decision, which is the goal of negotiations) and a number of other activities. Therefore, at present, broader definitions of diplomacy are increasingly being used, where negotiations are given key importance. A fairly broad definition is given in the book of the English researcher J. Berridge, who writes that “diplomacy is the conduct of international affairs rather through negotiations, as well as through other peaceful means (such as collecting information, demonstrating goodwill), directly or indirectly involving negotiations than through the use of force, the use of propaganda or recourse to legislation.
A number of the above characteristic features The international system (the growth of international organizations, globalization, the end of the Cold War, multipolarity) contributed to the increasing role of multilateral diplomacy in world politics. Multilateral diplomacy differs from traditional bilateral diplomacy in the environment, or arena, in which it operates. In this arena, IMPOs, INGOs, international conferences and summits take part.
Multilateral diplomacy is a form of diplomacy within international organizations, carried out through delegations and permanent representations of states to international organizations.

1. The essence of multilateral diplomacy

Multilateral diplomacy emerged simultaneously with the Westphalian state-centric order. For most of its existence, multilateral diplomacy manifested itself mainly in forums associated with the post-war peace settlement (Congress of Vienna 1815, Paris Peace Conferences 1919-1920 and 1946). In the modern world, multilateral diplomatic activity takes place mainly within the framework of international organizations (IOs) (UN, NATO, WTO, etc.).
The Cold War had a significant impact on the development of multilateral diplomacy. This was due to the fact that the two rival superpowers were changing allies, which led to the creation of new defense organizations. This is how NATO and the Warsaw Pact Organization (WTO) emerged. During the Cold War, a large number of new independent states emerged and joined the UN and other international organizations.
Globalization has contributed to increasing the importance of multilateral diplomacy and at the same time making it more complex. It turned out to be more suitable for resolving the problems generated by globalization than bilateral diplomacy. Many, if not all, serious problems of international relations involve a large number of states and IGOs.
Actors of multilateral diplomacy are not only representatives of states. Delegates from TNCs and INGOs vie for influence in the corridors of the UN and other IOs with career diplomats, politicians and international officials. The role of non-state actors who lobby for the interests of their organizations among governments, the press and international officials is increasing. Representatives of INGOs demonstrate greater competence in solving special, very specific issues than professional diplomats. The so-called “diplomatic counter-elite” is being formed from among non-state actors, as if opposing professional diplomatic personnel. German "Dictionary" international politics" (1998) introduces the concept of "parallel elite in diplomacy nation state"He includes diplomats working in the field of multilateral diplomacy.
There are a number of differences between multilateral and bilateral diplomacy. The first concerns the base of knowledge and information that is required for a particular type of diplomacy. In traditional diplomacy, a diplomat representing his country in the capital of another state must have a good understanding of the national interests of both sides. He must know where these interests coincide and where they differ. He needs knowledge and understanding political system and political culture of the host country, getting to know its prominent people.............

Conclusion

In the second half of the 20th century. The forms of multilateral diplomacy have become more diverse. If in the past it was reduced mainly to the negotiation process within the framework of various congresses (for example, the Westphalian Congress of 1648, the Karlowitz Congress of 1698 -1699, the Vienna Congress of 1914 - 1915, the Paris Congress of 1856, etc.), today it is multilateral Diplomacy is carried out within the framework of:
- international universal (UN) and regional (OAU, OSCE, etc.) organizations; conferences, commissions, etc., convened or created to solve any problem (for example, the Paris Conference on Vietnam, the Joint Commission for the Settlement of the Conflict in South West Africa);
- multilateral summit meetings (for example, meetings of seven, and after the accession of Russia - eight leading states of the world).
- activities of embassies.
Multilateral diplomacy and multilateral negotiations give rise to a number of new aspects in diplomatic practice. Thus, an increase in the number of parties when discussing a problem leads to complication general structure interests, the possibility of creating coalitions, as well as the emergence of a leading country in negotiating forums. In addition, at multilateral negotiations, a large number of organizational, procedural and technical problems arise, associated, for example, with agreeing on the agenda, venue, development and adoption of decisions, chairing forums, accommodating delegations, providing them with the necessary conditions for work, providing copying facilities and other equipment, vehicles, etc. All this, in turn, contributes to the bureaucratization of negotiation processes, especially those conducted within international organizations.

Bibliography:

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2. Groom D. Growing diversity of international actors // International relations: sociological approaches - M.: Gardarika, 2007.
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4. Lebedeva M. International processes // International relations: sociological approaches - M.: Gardarika, 2007.
5. McFarlane S. Neil. Multilateral interventions after the collapse of bipolarity // International processes, 2003, No. 1, p. 42.
6. Moiseev E.G. International legal framework for cooperation between CIS countries. -M.: Lawyer, 1997.
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9. Tickner E. Rethinking security problems // Theory of international relations at the turn of centuries / Ed. K. Busa and S. Smith - M.: Gardarika, 2002.

Multilateral diplomacy

Multilateral diplomacy- a form of diplomacy within international organizations, carried out through delegations and permanent missions of states to international organizations.

In the diplomatic dictionary Multilateral diplomacy is generally understood as “diplomatic activity with the participation of representatives of several states related to the work of international intergovernmental organizations and conferences, negotiations, consultations, etc.”

Currently, most researchers call modern diplomacy conference or multilateral diplomacy par excellence. Famous diplomat IN AND. Popov connects this phenomenon with:

• · emergence global problems, in the solution of which many states are interested
• with a significant increase in the number of states in the world
• · with the need for the participation of most or all states of the world in solving emerging problems.

Nowadays the overwhelming Most international conferences are held by one or another international organization or under its auspices. There has been a tendency to consider international conferences and congresses as one of the forms of regular activity of international organizations. Conducted outside the system of international organizations international congresses and conferences are often seen as an independent form of multilateral diplomacy.

Multilateral the negotiation process can take place both within the organizations themselves and during the regular international conferences they convene, as well as outside the organizations. As a rule, special issues are discussed in detail at international conferences. At such specialized conferences, professional diplomats may not constitute the majority of participants. Politicians and experts actively participate in them. International conferences are international forums of a temporary nature. They can be: according to the composition of participants - intergovernmental, non-governmental and mixed; according to the range of participants - universal and regional; according to the object of activity - general and special.

Other characteristics modern diplomacy was highlighted by foreign experts in this field. For example, K. Hamilton and R. Langhorne, speaking about the features of modern diplomacy, highlight two key points. Firstly, its greater openness compared to the past, which means, on the one hand, the involvement of representatives of various segments of the population in diplomatic activities, and not just the aristocratic elite, as before, and on the other, widespread coverage of agreements signed by states. Secondly, intensive development of multilateral diplomacy at the level of international organizations.

The strengthening role of multilateral diplomacy within international organizations is noted by many other authors. The 21st century, which is called the "century of global information society", together with its new information and communication technologies (IT), the Internet and the computerization of communications contributes to quick exchange information, and also changes previous ideas about time and space. Today, the “information revolution” has a direct impact on the development of modern diplomacy.

The central multilateral structure in the modern world is United Nations(UN). We can say that the UN sets the “rules of the game” for economic diplomacy of all countries. Chapter IX of the UN Charter is called “International Economic and Social Cooperation”, which states that the UN promotes:

• 1) improving the standard of living, full employment of the population and the conditions for economic and social progress and development;
• 2) permission international problems in the field of economic, social, etc.; international cooperation in the field of culture and education;
• 3) universal respect and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

Globalization processes have had a significant impact on the nature of multilateral economic diplomacy, it has acquired a number of trends:

• · Firstly, it is observed expansion of mandate leading multilateral organizations and forums beyond traditionally discussed issues. For example, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has in recent years been discussing such non-traditional aspects as environmental and food security, population aging, the fight against corruption and others.
• Secondly, multilateral economic diplomacy has become more representative from the point of view of the participating countries. So, at the time of the creation of the World trade organization In 1995, the WTO had 125 member states; by 2004, their number increased to 149.
• · Thirdly, the expansion of the mandate and the increase in the number of participants has led to numerous attempts reforming institutions multilateral economic diplomacy. Thus, the WTO has a document called “The Future of the WTO,” which contains proposals for organizational reform.
• · Fourthly, economic diplomacy in general, and multilateral diplomacy in particular, has acquired open, worldwide public character. Thus, many developed countries of the world often make proposals addressed to the entire world community.

Bilateral diplomacy, carried out on an ongoing basis through the diplomatic mission of one state on the territory of another state.

On modern stage bilateral diplomacy has a number of specific features:

• 1) bilateral diplomacy deals not only with individual issues of trade and economic cooperation, it directs its efforts to creating an effective environment for development of such cooperation(strategic cooperation agreements are concluded).
• 2) Bilateral diplomacy is increasingly used as a tool for solving problems that were not settled at the multilateral level.
• 3) The agenda of bilateral negotiations includes a growing number of issues that go beyond bilateral cooperation. For example, joint projects with third countries are being developed.
• 4) Involvement in the economic negotiation process is increasing senior officials.
• 5) Happened spatial shift in bilateral economic diplomacy, that is, now not only states of the same region interact, but also states geographically distant from each other.
• 6) The very concept of “bilateral diplomacy” has become somewhat conditional, since increasingly one of the parties to such diplomacy is an integration association, or both parties are associations of states.

multilateral diplomacy negotiation process

• · Bilateral diplomacy is often more effective than multilateral diplomacy.
• · Bilateral diplomacy is inherently more flexible and efficient than multilateral diplomacy, since it does not require numerous and labor-intensive agreements between various parties.
• · On the other hand, bilateral diplomacy complements multilateral diplomacy and, on the one hand, serves as the basis for subsequent agreements at the multilateral level, and on the other hand, it brings the results of multilateral diplomacy into practice.

FOREIGN POLICY

AND DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITIES

OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN 2014

REVIEW OF THE RUSSIAN MFA

Moscow, April 2015

INTRODUCTION

2014 was marked by further deterioration of the international situation. The ongoing process of formation of a polycentric model of the world order was accompanied by growing instability and the accumulation of elements of chaos at the global and regional levels. The rivalry between states, often unfair and aggressive, characteristic of the transition period, the instability of political and economic processes, and cross-border challenges and threats intensified. New crises and hotbeds of tension have been added to many years of chronic conflicts, including directly on Russia’s borders.

What is happening in the world is reflected in the situation around Ukraine, where the attempts of the “historical West” to maintain dominance in the international arena at any cost, to impose their own approaches and views, including by interfering in the internal affairs of other states, are clearly evident. The support provided by the United States and the EU for the anti-constitutional coup d'etat carried out in this country led to a deep, even armed conflict, split in Ukrainian society. As a result, tensions in world affairs have increased significantly and the polarization of approaches to key issues on the current agenda of international relations has increased.

The Ukrainian crisis was used by the United States and the Western alliance led by them to use a wide arsenal of means to contain Russia, including unilateral economic restrictions, information warfare, and the buildup of NATO military potential near Russian borders. The damage from the confrontation that was not initiated by us, of course, is borne by all parties.

Under these conditions, an active Russian foreign policy aimed at improving the international situation and building collective action to find solutions to global and regional problems was especially in demand. Our country has taken the necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security, and has actually demonstrated its ability to protect compatriots and the principles of truth and justice in international affairs. A historical event was the reunification of Crimea with Russia, carried out as a result of the free, peaceful expression of the will of the inhabitants of the peninsula.

We firmly and consistently advocated for a comprehensive and exclusively peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis through the political process, taking into account the interests of all regions and citizens of this country. The Russian leadership put forward relevant initiatives that contributed to the achievement of ceasefire agreements in September.

At the same time, they remained ready for constructive interaction with Western states on an equal, mutually respectful basis, including in the interests of developing adequate responses to the global challenges of our time. The task of creating a single economic and humanitarian space from Lisbon to Vladivostok, which was perceived with increasing interest in the political circles of a number of EU countries, was not removed from the agenda.

Russian Federation remained open to joining forces with everyone who showed a reciprocal willingness to cooperate on the basis of the principles of equality, mutual respect and benefit based on international law and the central role of the UN in world affairs. Our country has taken an active part in international efforts to resolve conflicts in various regions.

We have consistently pursued a policy of intensifying collective counteraction to the rise of the wave of extremism and terrorism in the Middle East and North Africa region. We proceeded from the fact that measures taken to contain the threat from the Islamic State, Jabhat al-Nusra and other radical groups whose actions pose a danger to the future of entire states must be built without double standards and a hidden agenda on a solid basis. basis of international law.

Intensively interacted with stakeholders to complete the process of chemical demilitarization of Syria in accordance with the plan developed by the OPCW Executive Council and approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2118. We consistently worked in the interests of a political settlement of the internal Syrian conflict, supported the desire of the Syrians to ensure the future of their country as a sovereign, territorially integral, secular state, where the rights of all ethnic and religious groups would be equally guaranteed.

Together with our Six partners and Iranian colleagues, we continued to work towards a comprehensive and final settlement of the situation around the Iranian nuclear program. Thanks to the desire shown by all parties to find compromises, it was possible to significantly bring positions closer together. The key role was played by the principles of phasing and reciprocity put forward by the Russian side, which formed the basis of the dialogue.

Both on a bilateral basis and together with partners in the CSTO and SCO, we made consistent efforts in the interests of stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan. They confirmed their readiness to provide full assistance to Kabul in building a peaceful, independent, democratic state capable of independently fighting terrorism and organized crime, including drug trafficking.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Russian Federation continued to contribute to international efforts to resolve crisis situations in Africa, including in meetings high level in Somalia, South Sudan, Central African Republic and Mali. A number of African states have received targeted humanitarian aid. An important direction of Russian foreign policy remained the strengthening of multifaceted relations with sub-Saharan African countries and their interstate structures.

The leading priority of Russian foreign policy remained the strengthening of close friendly ties with states in the CIS. Joint work within various integration formats received a powerful impetus thanks to the signing on May 29 by Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan of the Treaty on the Eurasian economic union, which came into force on January 1, 2015. During the year, decisions were made on Armenia’s accession to it, and the process of Kyrgyzstan’s accession to the EAEU advanced significantly. More than 40 countries have expressed their desire to develop cooperation in one form or another with the new integration association.

Cooperation with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region has become increasingly important in Russia's multi-vector foreign policy, including in the interests of stimulating the country's innovative development and the accelerated rise of its eastern regions. Russian approaches to ensuring safe growth in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as building regional integration on the principles of transparency, equality and mutual benefit in the interests of forming an open common market.

Relations between Russia and China have entered a new stage of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction. The unprecedentedly rich ties between the two countries have firmly established themselves as a major element in maintaining global and regional stability.

An important role was given to developing relations of a particularly privileged strategic partnership with India and maintaining a constant dialogue with Vietnam and other ASEAN countries.

Russia stands for a strong, politically united Latin America. We note with satisfaction that the countries of the region are increasingly openly defending their identity in world affairs on the basis of equality, balance of interests and mutual respect. We acted progressively in the interests of expanding multifaceted cooperation with the LAC countries.

During recent years multilateral network diplomacy is confidently establishing itself in international relations, implying various shapes interaction based on the coincidence of national interests in order to solve common problems, which is especially important in light of the ongoing difficult situation in the global economy and the high risks of new crisis phenomena. The most successful formats of such multilateral cooperation, along with the UN, have been the G20, BRICS, and SCO. We actively used these platforms to promote the integration agenda and overall improvement of the climate in international affairs.

Having assumed the presidency of the SCO in 2014-2015, Russia focused its efforts on further consolidating the Organization, increasing its potential and practical impact, and improving its structures.

In working with BRICS partners, we acted with an eye to transforming the forum into one of the supporting elements of the system global governance. This was greatly facilitated by the unity of positions on issues of strengthening international stability in its various dimensions, including financial and economic. The practical results of joint work, including the decisions to create the New Development Bank and the BRICS Contingent Foreign Exchange Reserve Pool, testify to both the powerful potential of the Association and the harmonious correspondence of this format of work to modern realities.

The G20 summit once again confirmed the important role that this organization has acquired in strengthening the stability of the world economy. Supported the ongoing activities of the forum in the interests of consolidating the international regime for regulating financial markets and supervising financial institutions.

Among the natural priorities of domestic diplomacy in 2014 remained the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of Russian citizens and compatriots abroad, assistance in promoting the interests of Russian business, improving foreign policy tools, including economic diplomacy, using the capabilities of “soft power”, information support for international activities.

MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY