MOSCOW. March 1 (Interfax) - During its chairmanship of the UN Security Council, Russia intends to focus on the situation in Afghanistan, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on Thursday.
"Russia will become chair of the UN Security Council on March 1. In accordance with Russia's approaches aimed at ensuring equal rights, mutual respect, and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, we intend to proceed primarily from the need to resolve conflicts solely using peaceful methods, increasing collective interaction based on strict observation of the charter prerogatives of the UN Security Council, and strengthening the legal foundations in interstate relations," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a report posted on its site.
"The main issue of Russia's chairmanship will be the situation in Afghanistan. This country is entering a very responsible stage of its development, which requires new efforts from the people of Afghanistan and consolidated support from the entire international community, with the UN playing an unconditional central coordinating role," the report says.
The UN Security Council is expected to meet on March 19 to address the situation in Afghanistan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The foreign ministers of the countries of the UN Security Council and Afghanistan have been invited to take part in the meeting, which will be chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
"We expect the UN secretary-general, the countries neighboring Afghanistan, the most important partners and donors, and active participants in the international efforts to stabilize the situation in this country to contribute to this debate. The UN Security Council will adopt a resolution extending the mandate of the UN mission to assist Afghanistan," the report says.
"During its chairmanship of the UN Security Council, Russia will also focus on the Middle East issues and further efforts made by the Quartet to achieve a comprehensive regional settlement," the document says.
In addition, the settlement of the situation in Kosovo will be addressed.
"Members of the UN Security Council will discuss the fulfillment of Resolution 1701 on Lebanon, the developments on the Golan Heights in the context of the UN forces deployed there, the situations in Iraq and Yemen. Russia will also focus on the situation in Libya and the situations in the Libyan sanctions regime. It is also planned to extend the mandate of the UN mission to support this country," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in its report.
In addition, "the UN Security Council will continue working on the settlement of relations between Sudan and Southern Sudan. The Council will address the situation in Southern Sudan and the work of the UN peacekeeping mission deployed there. The mandate of the UN division in Sierra-Leone will be extended, the progress in the elimination of the consequences of the conflict in and strengthening stability in Liberia will be discussed. Issues relating to the work of the UN Security Council's committee on sanctions on Iran, Somalia and Eritrea will also be discussed," the document says.
"At the end of Russia's chairmanship, members of the Security Council will discuss ways of further assisting the resolution of the crisis in Mali based on a report by the UN secretary-general. Russia will make efforts to ensure effective and coordinated operation of this main body of the UN based on constructive cooperation between all members of the Security Council," the report says.