The Russian Federation strongly urges strengthening international solidarity in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the UN General Assembly's consideration of the Declaration of solidarity in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
"We emphasize the unique role of the UN in this area. We welcome the UN General Assembly resolution on this topic, which was initiated by Ghana, Indonesia, Liechtenstein, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland. We supported its adoption by consensus," reads the message.
At the same time, as noted in the Department, the document bypasses a number of topical issues in the light of the pandemic, which is urgently called for, including by the UN Secretary-General.
In this regard, Russia has submitted to the General Assembly a draft Declaration of solidarity in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, which focuses on the principle of cooperation in the development of a strategy to combat COVID-19 and its treatment methods. There was also a call for assistance to the most affected states, especially developing countries, the rejection of trade wars and unilateral sanctions adopted in circumvention of the UN Security Council in order to ensure urgent access to food and medicine for the population, and the need to counteract speculation in essential goods. The Declaration was co-authored by 28 states.
The adoption of this document was prevented by the US, the UK and the EU, as well as Ukraine and Georgia.
"We regret that even against the background of the global epidemic threat, they did not consider it possible to abandon their politicized approaches. Especially outrageous is the unwillingness of a number of international players to say goodbye to their sanctions policy, which puts ordinary people in the most vulnerable states on the verge of survival. We believe that the UN Secretary-General should persistently raise his voice in favor of abolishing discriminatory measures in these emergency circumstances," the message stressed.
Russia, at the same time, as noted, "basing on the principle of solidarity, will continue to provide assistance through bilateral channels and the WHO to countries in need in the fight against coronavirus infection."
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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