Such a conference with the participation of ambassadors and permanent representatives was last held sixteen years ago. And that we are today reviving this tradition is due, above all, to the enhanced requirements that are being made to the Russian diplomatic service.

World processes are currently accelerating at a hitherto unseen pace. Under way is the most profound transformation of the very bases of present-day international relations. On the direction in which the processes in the world will go the question of how favorable our country's external conditions are for continued national reforms and for the further strengthening of Russia's positions in the international arena directly depends.

In this connection the role and significance of foreign policy greatly increases with respect to ensuring the national interests of our country. So today's extremely high tempo of our activity in international affairs is absolutely natural. The course formulated in the Russian Foreign Policy Concept two years ago has begun to yield tangible results in terms of ensuring the security of our state and creating the necessary conditions for Russia's socioeconomic, cultural and spiritual development. And this, in the final analysis, constitutes the central tasks which we must accomplish in our international activity.

The results achieved should not create in us a feeling of self-complacency. On the contrary - we currently face the most important and difficult task, and this is to implement effectively the recently concluded agreements and simultaneously to determine precise and well-considered moves for the further pursuit of the Russian foreign policy course.

The leadership of the country may rest assured that our diplomatic service, relying on its best historical traditions, will continue to be a reliable support in the work of building a new prosperous Russia.


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© Publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.