Address by H.E. Mr.Gleb A.Ivashentsov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, at the
reception on the occasion of the Day of Russian Diplomatic Service on February
10, 2006
I am happy to greet all
of you today in the Embassy of the Russian Federation at the reception on the
occasion of the Day of Russian Diplomatic Service. This day is officially
celebrated in our country. And since I have not heard about same occasions in
other countries, and all our guests are somehow connected to diplomatic
service, let us celebrate this day as our common event.
Profession of
diplomat is as old as this world. Probably the first diplomat was that member
of a primitive tribe, whom the chieftain sent to the neighbors in order to
peacefully settle a dispute over hunting grounds instead of stating the rights
for the same with the help of a bludgeon.
A diplomat is as needed
in modern society as a teacher or a doctor, and is especially important today
when the means of human annihilation have become remarkably destructive. It is due
to the efforts of diplomacy that we have not witnessed the third world war
after the first and second ones. But at the same time it is diplomacy, which is
responsible for the fact that notwithstanding the end of Cold War, the number
of regional conflicts and "hot spots" within last 15-20 years have
not only failed to come down but multiplied.
We are now based
in the country for which diplomatic endeavors have a special value.
Confrontation on the Korean Peninsula that has lasted over half a century has become more complicated today because of the
nuclear issue. My country, Russia, is devotedly interested in turning the
Korean Peninsula and the whole of Northeast Asia into a region of peace,
security and cooperation. That is why we support the building of bridges of mutual understanding
between the South and the North of Korea. That is why Russia is a party to the Beijing
talks on the nuclear issue of the Korean
Peninsula. We are glad that our relations with the Republic of Korea have reached
the level of multifaceted and trustful partnership. We are also glad that the approaches
of two our countries to major international problems of today�s world are
either close or common.
The tasks that Russian diplomacy is setting for itself are simple and
clear. It is creation of favorable external conditions for secure and
prosperous life of our people. The absolute majority of other countries want
the same for their peoples. However in today�s interdependent world we can
achieve this only by joint efforts and in the spirit of partnership.
Still we do not close our eyes to remaining disagreements, to the
practice of double standards, and to relapses into bloc mentality. However they
are not the ones to set the main direction of international development. Not
the things that divide the world community, but things that unite it are
steadily coming to the fore.
As for Russia we are not looking for unilateral privileges, we are open
for frank dialogue and equal mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries
of the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I greet all of you � members of diplomatic community, of diplomatic
brotherhood, people of cold mind, of clean hands and of a good humor that is
extremely essential while discussing controversial issues. I greet you, who
live their lives as eternal gypsies moving from country to country for the sake
of the great aim to enhance mutual understanding and peace between the nations.
To your health, dear Colleagues!
To our mutual understanding!
To the partnership between Russia and the Republic of Korea!
To the world peace!