'Russia Day' celebrated with a reception in Istanbul

Consul General of the Russian Federation in Istanbul, Andrey Buravov, delivered an evaluation speech regarding Turkey-Russia relations and current agenda topics on the occasion of Russia Day.

Consul General Andrey Buravov, who began his speech by congratulating Russia's national holiday, stated the following:

“34 years ago, on June 12, 1990, the first Congress of People's Deputies adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia, and exactly one year later, the first presidential elections of the Russian Federation took place. This date marks the starting point of the modern history of the Russian state, whose roots go back to the distant past.

As stated in the new Foreign Policy Concept of Russia, “more than a thousand years of independent statehood experience, the cultural legacy of the previous era, deep historical ties with traditional European culture and other cultures of Eurasia, and the ability developed over centuries to ensure the harmonious coexistence of different peoples, ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups, determine Russia's special position as a unique state-civilization and a vast Eurasian and Euro-Pacific power that unites the Russian people and other peoples who constitute the cultural and civilizational community of the Russian world.

Possessing significant resources in all areas of life, holding the status of a permanent member of the UN Security Council, participating in leading interstate organizations and communities, and being the successor to the USSR, Russia acts as one of the sovereign centers of world development. Our country is steadily advancing toward the construction of a multipolar international system and the provision of necessary conditions for the peaceful and progressive development of all humanity on the basis of a unifying and constructive agenda.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

This policy of our country's leadership receives broad support from the citizens of Russia. The results of the Presidential elections of the Russian Federation held in March of this year clearly demonstrate this.

The Decree “On National Development Goals of the Russian Federation for the Period up to 2030 and for the Future up to 2036,” signed by V.V. Putin immediately after he resumed his duties, defines large-scale tasks aimed at the comprehensive development of the country, increasing its economic and technological capacity, ensuring the security of the state and society, protecting the population, and solving environmental and digital transformation issues. For each area, specific goals and tasks have been set, the achievement of which will be an indicator of the effectiveness of the steps taken.

SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE

We are determined to ensure the fulfillment of the goals of the Special Military Operation in Ukraine, aimed at ensuring the security of Russia, the right to life and free development of the Russian and Russian-speaking population of Donbass and Novorossiya, and the elimination of Nazism in its new form. We are open to dialogue and negotiations aimed at a settlement that takes into account legitimate Russian interests and current realities.

Humanity is experiencing an era of revolutionary change. The formation of a fairer, multipolar world continues. Non-Western world powers and leading countries at the regional level are consolidating their sovereignty and increasing their competitiveness.

RUSSIA'S FOREIGN RELATIONS

As President V.V. Putin stated, "We have been and will be open to strengthening good relations with all countries that see Russia as a reliable and honest partner." Our country aims to focus its creative energy on the geographical vectors of its foreign policy that have clear prospects in terms of expanding mutually beneficial international cooperation.

BRICS FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING

This year, the Russian Federation holds the presidency of BRICS, a unique interstate format where different countries representing different civilizations, religions, and cultures communicate and develop joint decisions based on the principles of full equality, mutual respect, openness, and balance of interests. The fact that the number of members has doubled recently and that nearly 30 states have applied or expressed their intention to move closer to BRICS in one way or another is clear evidence of the interest in this partnership.

TURKEY-RUSSIAN FEDERATION RELATIONS

In this context, we note with satisfaction the interest shown by the Republic of Turkey in establishing contact with this partnership. The participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Hakan Fidan in the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting held in Nizhny Novgorod on June 10-11 was a concrete confirmation of this.

We are determined to further continue and deepen our multifaceted, mutually beneficial partnership with our good neighbor, the Republic of Turkey. We welcome the balanced and nationally focused policy of our Turkish friends, which aims to realize the full potential of Russia-Turkey relations in the face of unprecedented pressure from the collective West. We hope for the continuation of constructive, mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of our countries and our peoples.”

Historian İlber Ortaylı also attended this reception held at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Istanbul.