Lavrov: The world is tired of dividing lines, of separating states  into and

ArmInfo.  Foreign Minister of Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, on behalf of the CSTO member states, made a video address at the high-level event of the UN  General Assembly on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the  world-wide Organization. This was reported by the press service of  the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Thus, according to the source, the head of the Foreign Ministry in  his speech, in particular, notes: "I have the honour to speak on  behalf of Collective Security Treaty member states: the Republic of  Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the  Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Russian  Federation.

Today, we are marking what is truly a momentous occasion. The  foundations of our shared global home, the United Nations, were laid  75 years ago. Looking back, we admire the determination demonstrated  by the founding fathers of the universal organisation to build a  democratic system of international relations. They came together in a  shared aspiration to save the succeeding generations from the scourge  of war, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, establish  conditions for a world order of justice and promote social progress.

Years later, some are inclined to take this landmark achievement for  granted. However, it has to be remembered that every step in this  direction was a real feat, and Victory over Nazism was the most  important of them all. The free nations came together in the face of  a horrible tragedy, laying the foundation for putting into practice  the ideals that once seemed to be a utopia.

Against this backdrop, attempts to revise history and denigrate the  role played by the nations that made a decisive contribution to  Victory over fascism are totally absurd. The memory of those who fell  during this dark period is sacred. All of us have to be mindful of  the lessons of history, honour the exploits of the liberator soldiers  and ensure the preservation of monuments erected in their glory.

Unfortunately, the Cold War that started soon after the UN was  established prevented it from fully unleashing its creative  potential. New hope was born only 44 years later, with the fall of  the Berlin wall as a symbol of the geopolitical confrontation between  two irreconcilable systems. This was not just about preventing  military confrontation, but also overcoming mistrust, inequality and  reigning in neo-colonial aspirations, as well as promoting  constructive cooperation for the sake of building a shared future.

It is unfortunate that today military conflicts continue unabated in  various regions, supplemented by a number of challenging threats the  world is facing today: international terrorism, drug trafficking,  cybercrime, and climate change. This year, another major challenge  was added to this list: the coronavirus pandemic that sparked grave  socioeconomic and other crises. In this context, the Russian  Federation believes that the UN Secretary-General's call for a global  ceasefire in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic to be extremely  timely, and the CSTO member states unanimously supported it.

With every year, responding to these and many other global issues is  becoming increasingly challenging, especially as the international  community is becoming increasingly fragmented. We believe that this  is largely attributable to the fact that some countries are not  willing to account for the legitimate interests of other states. They  are seeking to impose concepts and standards like the "rules-based  world order," while attempting to meddle in the domestic affairs of  other states, using unilateral sanctions in violation of the UN  Security Council prerogatives, and exhibiting intolerance and hatred.

However, history runs its course. New economic growth centres are  affirming themselves on the international stage, the demand for  settling armed conflicts by exclusively peaceful means is growing,  and connectivity is on the rise. The world is tired of dividing  lines, of separating states into friends and foes, and demands  stepping up all- encompassing and inclusive mutual assistance and  cooperation. In other words, the goals articulated 75 years ago at  the founding of the United Nations are becoming increasingly  relevant.

This makes it even more important to reaffirm our commitment to the  UN Charter and the universally recognised norms of international law,  emphasise that there is no alternative to genuine multipolarity and  step up collective efforts to find solutions to global issues with  the UN playing its central coordinating role.  Mr Chairman, This  anniversary provides us with an occasion to outline the contours of  the organisation's future operations.

In today's world, the UN must remain an effective structure carrying  out coordinated work strictly in keeping with its Charter. We cannot  allow the mandates of the main bodies within the UN system to be  diluted or have their responsibilities overlap, since this would only  set us back from achieving our goals. In its day-to-day operations,  the UN should take into consideration the experience of regional  organisations like the CSTO.

Peacekeeping operations account for a lion's share of UN's  achievements. Today, there are high hopes for these operations like  never before since they are expected to resolve urgent problems and  bring about lasting solutions.

Settling conflicts exclusively by peaceful, political and diplomatic  means within the framework of internationally recognised negotiating  formats and based on international norms must remain among the main  objectives for the international community.

Expanding cooperation in fighting terrorism and its links with  organised crime remains an absolute priority. Ensuring international  cyber security is becoming increasingly important with the  development of information and communications technology that are  used to further terrorist, criminal and military ends.

We need to stave off attempts to weaken arms controls, disarmament  and non- proliferation frameworks for the sake of global stability.  Special attention must be given to fending off transnational threats,  including the deployment of foreign terrorist fighters to conflict  zones, chemical and biological terrorism, as well as ensuring that  outer space is used for peaceful purposes.

The organisation must remain focused on facilitating development,  which is an indispensable condition for strengthening peace. It is  essential that the decolonisation process, which is complicated by  the determination of the former colonial powers to maintain their  influence in a new environment, is brought to an end.

Mr Chairman,  To conclude, I would like to emphasise that the future  of the organisation is in the hands of its member states. Just like  in 1945, we need to cast aside our differences and come together for  the sake of delivering on common objectives based on equitable  dialogue and the mutual respect for one another's interests. The UN  offers all the necessary conditions to this effect."