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something will come of
population's
the
raise each other if we pay respect specialized agencies of the
standard of living. It is also it? to historically developed UN system. All of them are
aimed at ensuring our ways of life. In this sense, important for us, notably
national interests, as well as The answer is "yes", other- democracy cannot be one- WHO, ILO, UNECE, ITU,
the security and sovereignty wise there is no sense in dimensional. The strength of WTO, the humanitarian
of the country. There are no launching this initiative. democracy is in its diversity. agencies, as well as the
dramatic changes in our This is a very important Life has repeatedly proved it Conference
on
foreign policy and I do not political move. By this, we is counter-productive for Disarmament. I should also
foresee them in the near demonstrate to the world anyone to try to impose their contribute greater efforts
future. our commitment to act views about democracy by and time to the work carried
decisively to keep the arms applying one's own rules out by the Human Rights
Q. Putin's Presidency is race out of space. Needless and perceptions. Council.
over, and to many he to say, it is a very difficult
has been a great presi- task. But, if we stay idle, Q. How would you Q. Many Ambassadors
dent, while to others he outer space may soon turn describe the human tell me that they are
has not. What is in your into a real threat for inter- rights situation in always rushing from
opinion Russia? one conference to ano-
President national peace and security.
Putin's legacy? ther. Do you have time
One could adopt the point of Non-biased observers can- for leisure or hobbies?
For clear reasons I cannot view of those sceptics who not ignore the fact that over
give my assessment of the claim that a couple of the last fifteen or even Ambassadors cannot afford
role and accomplishments countries tend to block twenty years Russia has to be cunning. Nevertheless,
of the President of Russia. negotiations on space. I advanced impressively in almost every day I try to
But in my personal view we would reply that today the ensuring the respect, the spend at least an hour swim-
-- Russia and Europe -- have situation is, perhaps, exactly provision and the promotion ming or walking. Reading,
benefited from Putin's eight- as they say. But the very fact of human rights. These of course. My other hobby,
year presidency. For Russia that the draft treaty on space changes are of a fundamen- if I may say so, are my
his tenure was definitely a is on the table obliges us to tal and irreversible nature. grandchildren; I have six of
period of Renaissance. think it over, to cool down However, observance of them. Although, with the
those who dream about human rights is a process exception of the youngest
It is quite challenging to placing weapons in space. that enables human rights (he is only six months old),
sum up Putin's legacy And -- my last comment -- norms and practices to be they live outside Geneva, I
briefly. To boil it down, I this is not a fantasy, it is a continuously developed and do my best to spend as much
will argue that in his years in real and imminent threat and enhanced. What really time as possible with them
office Russia has been we have no moral right to matters is how thoroughly and my family.
completely transfonned and remain idle. they are implemented. To
the living standards of its this end I must admit that
people raised. In other Q. There are always a we have a long way to go in
words, the country has been lot of discussions order to achieve the highest
significantly strengthened in about democracy. standards in this field. Our
political and economic Some say that each major reference point is the
terms. At the same time, country has to develop Universal Declaration of
Russia does not have any its own form, whereas Human Rights, the inter-
temptation to threaten any- others want to impose a national covenants and other
body or to flex its muscles. certain form of demo- legal instruments and
Our work is aimed at cracy on others. mechanisms on human
rebuilding the country and According to a German rights to which Russia is
strengthening international University Professor, bound.
co-operation and security, in the Russian democracy
particular, within the frame- has been set up to Q. On a more personal
work of the United Nations reflect Russian culture level, Mr. Ambassador,
system. and tradition. among the international
organizations here in
Q. Your Foreign Russia possesses a rich Geneva do you have a
Minister, Mr. Lavrov culture and centuries-long preferred one?
was in Geneva in traditions. They are not
February launching a identical with those of other Geneva is a unique capital
for nations. These differences
new of multilateral diplomacy
initiative
Disarmament in Outer should not divide us, but and international co-
Space. Do you think rather enable us to enrich operation. It hosts major
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vainternatloflal.