OREANDA-NEWS. September 10, 2009. Carlos Morales Troncoso, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, paid an official visit to the Russian Federation from 7th to 11th September 2009 at the invitation of Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

During the talks, the two Ministers discussed current challenges in forging cooperation between the two countries, and international agenda issues of mutual concern.

The Ministers noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics in bilateral political, economic and trade ties, and affirmed their shared mindset to deepen mutually beneficial and equitable cooperation, especially in areas such as energy, including the hydrocarbons industry, transport, tourism and education. Simultaneously, the Ministers called for further development and expansion of the practice of inter-MFA political consultations on bilateral, regional and international topics. Sergey Lavrov welcomed the decision of the Government of the Dominican Republic to open a Consulate General in St. Petersburg, and Carlos Morales Troncoso expressed support for the Russian side's intention to expedite work on establishing its diplomatic mission in Santo Domingo.

The heads of the foreign affairs agencies reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to universally recognized principles of international law, including those enshrined in the UN Charter, among them the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, nonuse of force or threat of force in interstate relations and noninterference in internal affairs of states.

The Ministers stressed the central role of the UN in maintaining international peace and stability and countering global threats, including the provision of food, energy and climate security. They spoke up for the need of forming a polycentric, more just and equitable international order and a new global financial architecture in which all states, regardless of their size or potential, could effectively realize their right to socioeconomic development.

The sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and stressed that counterterrorism must be strictly consistent with the generally recognized principles and norms of international law and without “double standards.” The heads of the MFAs spoke for reinforcing the key coordinating role of the UN in the suppression of terrorism and its financing, illicit drug trafficking and transboundary organized crime. They also reaffirmed their disposition towards developing close cooperation in pursuing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, implementing the norms of the universal antiterrorist conventions and completing the negotiation of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at an early date. They drew attention to the relevance of increasing interregional cooperation to curb terrorist, drug and criminal threats, and spoke for dynamizing Russian-Dominican bilateral interaction to suppress terrorism and other threats. The sides emphasized the importance of preventing the ideological expansion of terrorism, and in this context, fostering intercivilizational and intercultural dialogue, involving the capabilities of civil society, business and the media.

In examining human rights issues, the heads of the Foreign Ministries supported the activities of the UN Human Rights Council seeking to overcome the major shortcomings that were intrinsic to its predecessor, the UN Commission on Human Rights. In this context, the Sides stressed that the situation of human rights must be viewed through cooperation rather than confrontation, highlighting their strong rejection of selective, discriminatory attitudes, politicization and the use of double standards in this important area. They pointed out that the Russian Federation and the Dominican Republic are strongly opposed to such things as racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and in this connection welcome the outcome of the Review Conference on Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action against racism.

The Ministers reaffirmed the two countries’ stance in favor of general and complete disarmament, including nuclear disarmament, which should be the ultimate goal of all international efforts in this area. They pointed out the need to continue to work towards universalizing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and enhance its effectiveness and expressed their willingness to comprehensively aid the success of the 2010 NPT Review Conference. Recognizing the inalienable right of all states parties to the Treaty to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the Sides underlined the need for states’ compliance with their obligations under the NPT.

The position of the countries against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other types of weapons of mass destruction also was reaffirmed, and the need for control over the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons was underlined. Morales Troncoso commended the efforts of the Russian Federation aimed at preventing an arms race in outer space, as well as ensuring international information security.

In exchanging views on the process of reforming the UN, Lavrov and Morales Troncoso expressed support for a reform of the Security Council based on the widest possible consensus among the member states of the Organization in order to enhance its effectiveness.

The ministers were unanimous on the need to resolve international conflicts through negotiation, not through force, in full accordance with the principles of international law. In this context, they expressed commitment to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state, on a generally recognized international legal basis with the aim of finding a solution by the parties guaranteeing the right of all states and peoples of the region to live in peace and security.

The heads of the foreign affairs agencies expressed their opposition to the practice of unilateral coercive measures, including the still continuing trade and economic embargo on Cuba, and stressed the importance for the US administration to take real steps to speedily normalize the situation around the island and fully reintegrate it into all regional structures, with regard for the UN General Assembly resolution, overwhelmingly backed by the international community, “Necessity to End the Economic, Commercial and Financial Blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba,” and the solidarity opinion of Latin American countries on this issue, as set forth at the Fifth Inter-American Summit in Trinidad and Tobago in April this year.

With regard to the situation in Haiti, the Sides expressed support for international material assistance and stabilization efforts in the country, including the recent extension of the mandate of MINUSTAH until October 2009.

The heads of the MFAs noted the increasing role of integration in Latin America and the Caribbean Basin (LACB) and of the ongoing major political and economic processes in this region.

Noting that the talks passed in an atmosphere of goodwill and mutual understanding, the Ministers called for boosting the bilateral dialogue and imparting a regular character to it.

Minister Morales Troncoso thanked the Government of Russia for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay in the country and conveyed to Minister Lavrov an invitation to visit the Dominican Republic at a convenient time for him.