MOSCOW. Nov 16 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has pointed to politicization of modern interstate humanitarian relations.
"Regretfully, politicization of humanitarian relations, including discriminative measures against cultural figures and artists, bans on importation of exhibits and dismantlement of historical monuments has been recently encountered on a more frequent basis," Lavrov said in an article published by the newspaper Kommersant on Monday.
"Obviously, such actions alongside restrictions on the work of journalists and discrimination against the media based on national identity violate rights of people to cultural and intellectual communication and lead to the appearance of new dividing lines," the Russian minister pointed out.
In his words, Russia "has proposed the adoption of an international document supporting free exchanges and cooperation in the field of culture and arts and will take consistent measures towards its approval in accordance with fundamental values of the organization."
"Amid the ongoing turbulent situation in the world featuring escalating instability and crises and tightening of every form of competition, the role of UNESCO has been growing in maintaining confidence and mutual understanding on the global scene, resistance to the world's split on civilization and confessional grounds, and promotion of cultural pluralism," the Russian foreign minister said.
"I am confident that in the rapidly changing world it is necessary to fully use the constructive potential of UNESCO in the interests of stability and progress and for the benefit of all states and peoples," the Russian minister said.
He is confident that UNESCO "is capable of making an input to the achievement of ambitious goals declared by the Global Development Agenda for the period until 2030 in New York in September."
"Against the backdrop of an unprecedented outbreak of terrorism in the Middle East and North Africa, there is need for systemic work in the deterrence of extremism, xenophobia, racial and religious intolerance. Another topical area for making efforts is the protection of world cultural heritage which is being seriously damaged by barbarian actions of ISIL fighters," Lavrov said.