Lavrov: Russia rejects any neo-colonial thinking in the world

19 May 2022


Russia rejects any manifestations of neo-colonial thinking in the world, claims of exclusivity and racist prejudices, the message of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the participants of the plenary session of the XIII International Economic Summit "Russia - Islamic World: KazanSummit 2022" reads.


The text of the address was read Thursday by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.


"We reject racist prejudices, claims of exclusivity, and any other manifestations of neo-colonial thinking," the head of the diplomatic mission said in the message.


In the address, the minister stressed that Russia and the Islamic world share a number of common aspirations. "It is gratifying that today many things unite us: first of all, the commitment to the goal of democratization of international life, as well as unconditional respect for the right of the peoples of the world to determine their own destiny," the message reads.


The minister added that Russia and Muslim states have a mutual interest in promoting equal relations. "We are pleased to note the mutual interest of the Russian Federation and Muslim states in promoting equal and mutually beneficial relations. Assigning Kazan the status of the youth capital of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation this year is a vivid confirmation of this," the Russian foreign minister said in a message.


About the Summit


The 13th International Economic Summit "Russia - Islamic World: KazanSummit 2022" which brings together representatives of 63 countries and 52 regions of the Russian Federation, is taking place in Kazan from 19 to 21 May. This year the key topics were Islamic finance and partnership banking, the halal industry, youth diplomacy, export development, entrepreneurship and investment. Within the limits of the summit also the events devoted to the 1100 anniversary of adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria Empire are held.


KazanSummit was held for the first time in 2009, having accepted 250 participants, and in 2021 the event was visited by more than 5 thousand participants. KazanSummit is aimed at strengthening cooperation between Russia and the Muslim world.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic world"

Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry

Based on materials from TASS