“Neighbour relations is priority number one”
In his speech to international analysts and observers last Friday, Russian President Dmitrii Medvedev underlined that Russia wants a return to a world order based on international law. At the same time, he highlighted that good relations with neighbouring countries is Russia’s priority number one.
Mr. Medvedev spoke to an audience of international analysts and observers as part of the Valday Club in Moscow last Friday. In his speech he strongly criticized the USA for its “uni-polar” position in world politics. He called for a return to “the system of international security as developed in the course of the 20th century”.
-What kind of security system is this? he asked. –This is at least a security system which observes international law – not the law of the strong, but international law, he underlined.
-As a matter of fact, all the 20th century was used by the civilized peoples to create a modern system of international law, the president underlined. He expressed disappointment with the current state of affairs.
-Unfortunately, the 21th century in my opinion has started with the denial of what has been done, President Medvedev told the international club members.
In the meeting which included a number of questions from the foreign guests, Medvedev also highlighted the importance of good relations with neighbouring states.
-It must be completely clear that we are interested in a stable situation in relations with all our neighbours, absolutely with all of them, […] even the ones with which we have the most complicated relations he said.
-What does this mean? It means a simple, but very clear thing: our neighbours, are, without any doubt, countries which are close to us and which are in our traditional sphere of interests, the same way as Russia is in their sphere of interest, the president said.
-Good relations with our neighbours is priority number one for us, he underlined.
