Inquiry Into Chemical Attacks in Syria
The United States blocking the draft UN Security Council resolution introduced by Bolivia on the renewal of the UN-OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) mandate shows that Washington does not want this mechanism to be "honest, understandable and effective," Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated.
According to the minister, the draft had all the necessary amendments that should be introduced to the mechanism’s work "to make it truly unbiased and honest."
READ MORE: Russia Open to Temporarily Extending JIM Mandate
Lavrov also called US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley's claims that she failed to reach Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya in order to coordinate a joint text of the resolution a "blatant lie." In fact, Russia made clear its point of view concerning the need to reform the investigative mechanism; however, the US only pretended to take Russia's remarks into account, according to the foreign minister.
The investigative mechanism was established by the UN and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in 2015 to determine who is to blame for the chemical attacks in Syria, with JIM's mandate expiring on November 17. The United States and Russia had earlier presented two different versions of the renewal, both proposals suggesting an extension of the mission, but on different terms.
If there was #sarin in the shell pit, the picture would be quite different, terrifying ➡️https://t.co/aGIVgRmr4k #Syria🇸🇾 @UN @OPCW #JIM pic.twitter.com/56DflP8gKK
— Russia in USA 🇷🇺 (@RusEmbUSA) November 3, 2017
On October 26, the JIM released a report on chemical attack against Syria's Khan Sheikhoun in April that claimed lives of around 100 people, in which it blamed Damascus for the incident. The Syrian government has refuted the allegations, while the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the opinions of Russian experts were not taken into consideration during the investigation, though "they are indeed objective, because, unlike the JIM report, they are based on laws of physics, ballistics and technical analysis."
Russian-Mexican Relations
According to the foreign minister, Mexico is one of Russia's traditional partners among the Latin American and Caribbean countries, and Moscow is interested in further strengthening bilateral cooperation. In particular, Lavrov stressed prospects for cooperation in aviation, energy and shipbuilding, as a Russian-Mexican joint commission on economic, trade, science and technology cooperation, as well as sea navigation, would contribute significantly to unleashing the potential of bilateral trade and investment ties.
S. #Lavrov: Para #Rusia #México es uno de los asociados tradicionales en América Latina y el Caribe
— MAE de Rusia 🇷🇺 (@mae_rusia) November 17, 2017
Lea la intrevista del Canciller🇷🇺 con el periódico mexicano Excélsior publicada el 17 de noviembre, https://t.co/cV1FMKIpdi 🇷🇺🇲🇽 #DiplomaciaRusa pic.twitter.com/40YreWS77S
According to Lavrov, the conclusion of a Russian-Mexican visa-free agreement would also contribute to improvements in the bilateral ties between the countries.
READ MORE: Mexico Mulls Buying Over a Dozen Russian Ansat Helicopters by 2020
Moreover, Moscow is interested in Mexican organizations actively participating in various Russian forums, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, the International Forum of Technological Development in Novosibirsk, the Innoprom forum in Yekaterinburg and the Russian Energy Week, the foreign minister said.
READ MORE: Russian President to Meet Mexican Counterpart on Sidelines of BRICS Summit
Lavrov also expressed hope that relations between Mexico and Russia will further develop based on equality, mutual benefit and interest, regardless of the state of relations both countries have with the United States.
Later in the day, Lavrov is scheduled to hold talks with his Mexican counterpart Luis Videgaray Caso, who is currently in Russia on a two-day official visit.
2018 FIFA World Cup
According to Lavrov, ensuring the safety of football fans that come to Russia for international sports event is a high priority issue for Moscow.
The top Russian diplomat also congratulated the Mexican national team on its successful performance during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier and expressed confidence that the football team would play an "interesting and fascinating" game in Russia in 2018.
READ MORE: 'I Totally Fell in Love With Russia': Mexican Football Fan Tells About His Trip
Russia will host its first FIFA World Cup match between June 14-July 15, 2018. The games will take place in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Saransk, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg and Sochi. The Mexican national team is one of the 32 teams that have qualified for the sports event.
Paris Climate Agreement
Answering the question why Moscow is dragging out the ratification process of the Paris Agreement, aimed at tackling global climate change, Sergei Lavrov pointed out that "Russia is not postponing, or protracting the process of the Paris deal ratification." According to the minister, Russia considers this document a reliable basis for the long-term settlement of the climate change issue.
The Paris agreement has been a highly debated issue, as in June US President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement making the US the only country to pull out of the accord. Russia signed the deal in April 2016, however, Moscow has not yet ratified the agreement.
READ MORE: Trump Withdraws From Paris Climate Deal, but US Business Remains Committed
The Paris agreement has been created within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and has been ratified by 170 countries. The agreement was entered into force in November 2016 and is aimed at keeping the increase in average global temperature at below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.