25 December 2002 00:00
TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS BY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IGOR IVANOV AT THE PRESENTATION OF AN ANNIVERSARY EDITION, "ESSAYS ON THE HISTORY OF THE RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS" (MOSCOW, DECEMBER 24, 2002)
Today we are having a significant event - we are presenting to your attention "Essays on the History of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs," dedicated to the 200th anniversary of our Ministry. As you know, in relation to this jubilee quite a few most diverse scholarly and public undertakings have already taken place in our country and abroad. There have appeared many new publications dedicated to the history of our diplomacy. In particular, a very interesting historical essay has been reprinted that was prepared in 1902 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of our Ministry. But even against this background the appearance of the present three-volume edition has a special significance. Nothing of the kind has hitherto been published in our country in size or in fullness of coverage of the history of Russian diplomacy. This is the result of the enormous work in which a large team of scholars, diplomats and workers of our archival services took part. Taking this opportunity, I would like on behalf of the entire staff of the Ministry and on my own behalf to thank them for this cooperation, for the truly serious contribution to publishing this three-volume edition.
At the same time, I think that in its value this work extends beyond a purely scholarly, academic scope. It is conceived as an attempt not merely to describe, but to interpret in a profound and comprehensive way the historical past of our diplomacy, to interpret it in all its fullness, embellishing nothing but objectively examining the positive, along with the negative historical experience. All this is of fundamental importance for this stage in the development of our diplomatic service.
Over the last two centuries the international situation and the real position of Russia in the world invariably made the highest professional requirements to our diplomatic service. The same is also occurring now when it faces exceptionally complex tasks linked not only to shaping a new foreign policy of Russia, but also, in essence, a new world pattern. To accomplish these tasks is only possible on the basis of continuity, of the best traditions of the national diplomatic school. From this point of view the three-volume edition which we are today presenting is also a tribute to the memory of the many generations of Russian diplomats. However the historical character of our state changed, they selflessly upheld its interests on the international scene, showing high patriotic, professional and moral qualities. "Our foreign policy has had no purpose other than our internal affairs and removed everything that could disrupt them" - that was how aptly the main tasks in activity of Russian diplomacy were defined by one of its most brilliant representatives, Chancellor A. M. Gorchakov. These words are still fully relevant . They accord entirely with the content of the present foreign policy course of Russia, aimed at the creation of favorable conditions for ensuring the reliable security and onward development of our country, and the lawful rights and interests of Russian citizens and our compatriots abroad.
The world is changing, so is Russia, but one thing remains invariable - the necessity to pursue an active foreign policy, commensurating it with the real possibilities and vital interests of our country. And in this we are always helped by our recourse to the historical legacy of Russian diplomacy, to the principles formulated and honed by the many generations of our outstanding predecessors. Therefore I am convinced that "Essays on the History of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs" will find their reader and will enjoy wide use among those who are interested in the questions of the foreign policy of our country or take a direct part in the elaboration and pursuit of its foreign policy course.
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