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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks
at a meeting with OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier,
Moscow, October 29, 2018

Mr Zannier,

Lamberto,

We meet in Moscow once again. We are pleased that you remain among the active supporters of democratic values in the OSCE space. This is your first visit to the capital of Russia as the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. We worked together closely when you were the OSCE Secretary General. I hope this cooperation will continue.

It is deeply unfortunate that the problem of national minorities is subject to so much politicisation. Some OSCE member countries regard the problem of national minorities on the basis of their political preferences instead of objective factors. Of course, considering all the accompanying factors, we would like for your work as the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities to be as focused as possible on the exercise of the powers and rights envisaged under the political and international legal obligations of the OSCE member states.

I have no doubt that your rich experience and political wisdom will see to the success of your mission.