Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe

On June 16, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

During their conversation, the officials discussed key aspects of Russia-WHO collaboration and focused on regional specifics. They prioritised the WHO reform in the context of topical challenges facing the global healthcare system.

Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s support for WHO and its European office, as well as our readiness to expand partner relations with these entities and a commitment to the principles of multilateralism in international relations. The Minister noted the need to strengthen the WHO’s coordinating role and advocated the depoliticisation of specialised collaboration at the organisation’s platform.

Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge was also received by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin. The officials touched upon issues of bilateral collaboration, long-term priorities of the WHO European office’s work and the implementation of joint projects in the Central Asian region.