Russian and Venezuelan Foreign Ministers Hold Key Press Conference in Moscow
On the 16th of November, 2023, a significant press conference took place in Moscow where Sergei Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of Russia, stood alongside his Venezuelan counterpart, Yván Gil Pinto. The meeting of these two diplomatic figures has sparked considerable attention, as the conference was set to cover pivotal advances in bilateral relations and address urgent international matters.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The press conference revealed that Russia and Venezuela have reached an agreement to bolster their cooperation in key economic sectors, with a special focus on oil and gas extraction. This leap in collaborative efforts comes as part of a broader strategy to enhance partnerships in areas such as agriculture, medicine, communication, space, and new technologies.
“We have numerous projects in oil production and gas field development, in agriculture, in medicine and pharmacy, in communications, in space and in the field of new technologies,” declared Lavrov.
Consensus on Middle East Tensions
Lavrov highlighted the near-complete alignment of Moscow and Latin America, particularly with regard to escalating Middle East tensions. He recalled a statement issued by the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) — initiated by Venezuela — concerning the situation surrounding the Gaza Strip and the broader Middle East.
Additionally, Lavrov condemned terrorism while expressing firm opposition to indiscriminate combat methods, such as bombings, which have led to the loss of countless innocent lives, including children. He underscored that such methods violate international humanitarian law.
The turmoil in Gaza reached a critical point on October 7, when Hamas launched an unprecedented missile attack and an armed incursion into southern Israel, leading Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to state that the country was at war. Israel’s subsequent military response involved mobilizing hundreds of thousands of reservists and initiating a campaign of aerial bombardments over Gaza.
International Arrest Warrant Controversy
The press conference also touched on recent international legal actions, with Lavrov commenting on France’s issuance of an international arrest warrant against Syrian President Bashar Assad, which he labeled as a demonstration of judicial partiality.
“The Western judicial system, both domestically and internationally, has repeatedly demonstrated its bias,” Lavrov remarked.
The Role of International Cooperation
Lavrov lauded Caracas’s proactive stance in promoting integration across Latin America and the Caribbean. He emphasized the trust-based dialogue between Moscow and Caracas, which has been key to tracking the implementation of bilateral cooperation efforts stemming from agreements brokered by the nations’ presidents.
Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, indicated that plans to expand ties in commercial, economic, scientific, technological, cultural, and humanitarian domains would be on the meeting’s agenda. This includes discussions on current global and regional challenges and collaboration at the UN level.
Zakharova stressed, “Russia and Venezuela advocate for the formation of a new, more just world order, with respect for international law, national sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs upheld by all states.”
The press conference in Moscow signifies a crucial moment for both Russia and Venezuela, marking a renewed commitment to deepening their alliance and collaboratively facing international challenges.
Article originally reported by Sputnik Mundo.