Approved by the President
of the Russian Federation
V. Putin
June 28, 2000
I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
The foreign policy concept of the Russian Federation is a system
of views on the content and main areas in the foreign policy activities
of Russia.
The legal basis of this concept consists of the Constitution
of the Russian Federation, the Federal laws, other legislative acts of
the Russian Federation that regulate the activity of Federal bodies of
state power in foreign policy, generally recognized principles and norms
of international law, and international treaties of the Russian Federation,
as well as the Concept of National Security of the Russian Federation that
was approved by Decree No. 24 of the President of the Russian Federation
on January 10, 2000.
The international situation that has taken shape by the beginning
of the XXI century has required reevaluation of the overall situation around
the Russian Federation, of the priorities of Russian foreign policy and
the possibilities of ensuring it with resources. Along with certain strengthening
of the international positions of the Russian Federation, negative tendencies
are in evidence as well. Certain plans related to establishing new, equitable
and mutually advantageous partnership relations of Russia with the rest
of the world, as was assumed in the Basic principles of the foreign policy
concept of the Russian Federation, endorsed by Directive No. 284-rp of
the President of the Russian Federation on April 23, 1993, and in other
documents have not been justified.
The uppermost priority of the foreign policy course of Russia
is to protect the interests of the individual and the society. Within the
framework of that process, the main efforts should be directed towards
attaining the following main objectives:
To ensure reliable security of the country, to preserve and strengthen
its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to achieve firm and prestigious
positions in the world community, most fully consistent with the interests
of the Russian Federation as a great power, as one of the most influential
centers of the modem world, and which are necessary for the growth of its
political, economic, intellectual and spiritual potential;
To influence general world processes with the aim of forming
a stable, just ad democratic world order, built on generally recognized
norms of international law, including, first of all, the goals and principles
in the U.N. Charter, on equitable and partnership relations among states;
To create favorable external conditions for steady development
of Russia, for improving its economy, enhancing the standards of living
of the population, successfully carrying out democratic transformations,
strengthening the basis of the constitutional system and observing individual
rights and freedoms;
To form a good-neighbor belt along the perimeter of Russia's
borders, to promote elimination of the existing and prevent the emergence
of potential hotbeds of tension and conflicts in regions adjacent to the
Russian Federation;
To seek concord and coinciding interests with foreign countries
and interstate associations in the process of resolving the tasks that
are determined by the national priorities of Russia, and on this basis,
to build a system of partnership and allied relations that improve the
conditions and parameters of international cooperation;
To uphold in every possible way the rights and interests of Russian
citizens and fellow countrymen abroad; and
To promote a positive perception of the Russian Federation in
the world, to popularize the Russian language and culture of the peoples
of Russia in foreign states.
II. THE MODERN WORLD AND THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
The modem world is going through fundamental and dynamic changes
that profoundly affect the interests of the Russian Federation and its
citizens. Russia is an active participant in this process. Being a permanent
member of the U.N. Security Council, possessing a substantial potential
and resources in all spheres of vital activity and maintaining intensive
relations with the leading states of the world, Russia exerts significant
influence on the formation of a new world order.
The transformation of international relations, the end of confrontation,
steady elimination of the consequences of the "Cold War," and the advancement
of Russian reforms have substantially broadened the possibilities for cooperation
in the world arena. The threat of a global nuclear conflict has been reduced
to a minimum. While the military power still retains significance in relations
among states, an ever greater role is being played by economic, political,
scientific and technological, ecological, and information factors. Coming
to the fore as the main components of the national might of the Russian
Federation are its intellectual, information and communications capabilities,
the well-being and education level of the population, the degree of combining
of scientific and production resources, and concentration of financial
capital and diversification of economic ties. The overwhelming majority
of states are firmly set on pursuing market methods of managing the economy
and democratic values. The major breakthrough in a number of key areas
of scientific and technological progress leading to the formation of a
single, worldwide information environment, the deepening and diversification
of international economic ties add a global nature to interdependence of
states. Prerequisites are being created for build a more stable and crisis-resistant
world structure.
At the same time, new challenges and threats to the national
interests of Russia are emerging in the international sphere. There is
a growing trend towards the establishment of a unipolar structure of the
world with the economic and power domination of the United States. In solving
principal questions of international security, the stakes are being placed
on western institutions and forums of limited composition, and on weakening
the role of the U.N. Security Council.
The strategy of unilateral actions can destabilize the international
situation, provoke tensions and the arms race, aggravate interstate contradictions,
national and religious strife. The use of power methods bypassing existing
international legal mechanisms cannot remove the deep socio-economic, inter-ethnic
and other contradictions that underlie conflicts, and can only undermine
the foundations of law and order.
Russia shall seek to achieve a multi-polar system of international
relations that really reflects the diversity of the modem world with its
great variety of interests.
Taking into account mutual interests is the guarantee of effectiveness
and reliability of such a world order. The world order of the XXI century
must be based on mechanisms of collective resolution of key problems, on
the priority of law and broad democratization of international relations.
Russia's interests are directly related to other tendencies as
well, such as:
Globalization of the world economy. Along with additional possibilities
for socio-economic progress, the expansion of human contacts, this tendency
gives rise to new dangers, especially for economically weak states, and
increases the probability of large-scale financial and economic crises.
There is a growing risk of dependence of the economic system and information
environment of the Russian Federation on outside impact;
Intensification of the role of international institutions and
mechanisms in world economics and politics ("Group of 8", the IMF, the
World Bank and others), caused by an objective growth of interdependence
of states, and the need to enhance management of the world financial-economic
system in contemporary conditions;
Development of regional and sub-regional integration in Europe,
the Asia-Pacific region, Africa and Latin America. Integrated associations
are acquiring an ever greater importance in the world economy, and are
becoming a significant factor of regional and sub-regional security and
peacemaking;
Military-political rivalry among regional powers, growth of separatism,
ethnic-national and religious extremism. Integration processes, in particular,
in the Euro-Atlantic region are quite often pursued on a selective and
limited basis. Attempts to belittle the role of a sovereign state as the
fundamental element of international relations generate a threat of arbitrary
interference in internal affairs. The problem of proliferation of the weapons
of mass destruction and means of their delivery is acquiring serious dimensions.
Unregulated or potential regional and local armed conflicts a pose threat
to international peace and security. The growth of international terrorism,
transnational organized crime, as well as illegal trafficking in drugs
and weapons are beginning to exert significant influence on global ad regional
stability.
The threats related to these tendencies are aggravated by the
limited resource support for the foreign policy of the Russian Federation,
making it difficult to uphold its foreign economic interests and narrowing
down the framework of its information and cultural influence abroad.
Yet the Russian Federation has a real potential for ensuring
itself a worthy place in the world. Further strengthening of Russia's statehood,
consolidation of civil society and the rapid transition to stable economic
growth are of decisive importance in this respect.
In the past decade Russia has been able to utilize additional
possibilities of international cooperation that are opening up as a result
of radical transformations in the country; Russia has advanced significantly
along the road of integrating in the system of world economic ties; it
has joined a number of influential international organizations and institutions.
Through its intensive efforts, Russia has managed to strengthen its positions
in a number of principal areas in the world arena.
The Russian Federation is pursueing an independent and constructive
foreign policy. It is based on consistency and predictability, on mutually
advantageous pragmatism. This policy is maximally transparent; it takes
into consideration the legitimate interests of other states and is aimed
at seeking joint decisions.
Russia is a reliable partner in international relations. Its
constructive role in resolving acute international problems has been generally
acknowledged.
A distinguishing feature of Russia's foreign policy is that it
is a balanced one. This has been predetermined by the geopolitical position
of Russia as one of the largest Eurasian powers, requiring an optimal combination
of efforts along all vectors. Such an approach predetermines Russia's responsibility
for maintaining security in the world both on a global and regional level,
and presupposes the development and mutual complementarity of foreign policy
activity both bilaterally and multilaterally.
III. PRIORITIES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN RESOLVING GLOBAL
PROBLEMS
A successful foreign policy of the Russian Federation must be
based on maintaining observance of a reasonable balance between its objectives
and possibilities for attaining these objectives. Concentration of politico-diplomatic,
military, economic, financial and other means on resolving foreign political
tasks must be commensurate with their real significance for Russia's national
interests, while the scope of participation in international affairs must
be adequate to the actual contribution to strengthening the country's positions.
The diversity and complexity of international problems, and the existence
of crisis situations assume a timely evaluation of the priorities of each
of them in the foreign political activity of the Russian Federation. There
is a need for enhancing the efficiency of political, legal, foreign economic
and other instruments for protecting the state sovereignty of Russia and
its national economy in conditions of globalization.
1. Forming a new world order
Russia is interested in a stable system of international relations
based on principles of justice, mutual respect and mutually advantageous
cooperation. Such a system is called upon to ensure reliable security for
each member of the world community in political, military, economic, humanitarian
and other areas.
The United Nations must remain the main center for regulating
international relations in the XXI century. The Russian Federation shall
resolutely oppose attempts to belittle the role of the United Nations and
its Security Council in world affairs.
Intensification of the consolidating role of the United Nations
in the world presupposes:
Strict observance of the fundamental principles in the U.N. Charter,
including the preservation of the status of the permanent members of the
U.N. Security Council;
A rational reform of the United Nations Organization seeking
to develop a mechanism of rapidly reacting to world developments, including
the enhancement of its potential for averting and settling crises and conflicts.
Further enhancing the efficiency of the U.N. Security Council
which bears the main responsibility for maintaining international peace
and security and, giving that body broader representation by including
new permanent members in its composition, first of all, authoritative developing
countries. The reform of the United Nations must be based on the immutable
right of veto by all permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.
Russia attaches great importance to its participation in the
Group of 8 of the most industrially developed states. Regarding the mechanism
of consultations and coordinating positions on the most important problems
of the day as one of the important means of upholding and advancing its
foreign political interests, the Russian Federation intends to build up
its cooperation with partners in this forum.
2. Strengthening international security
Russia calls supports for further decrease of the role of the
power factor in international relations, along with the simultaneous enhancement
of strategic and regional stability. Toward this end, the Russian Federation
shall: unswervingly fulfill the commitments its has taken upon itself in
compliance with treaties and agreements in the spheres of limiting and
reducing armaments, and its participation in negotiating working out and
concluding new accords consistent both with its national interests and
the security interests of other states;
Russia is prepared to consent for a further reduction of its
nuclear potential on the basis of bilateral agreements with the United
States of America, and - in a multilateral format - with the participation
of other nuclear powers on condition that strategic stability in the nuclear
sphere will not be upset. Russia shall seek preservation and observance
of the 1972 Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems
- the cornerstone of strategic stability. The implementation of the plans
of the United States to create a national missile defense system will inevitably
compel the Russian Federation to adopt adequate measures for maintaining
its national security at a proper level;
Russia reaffirms its unswerving course toward participating jointly
with other states in averting the proliferation of nuclear weapons, other
weapons of mass destruction and means of their delivery, as well as relevant
materials and technologies. The Russian Federation is an ardent supporter
of strengthening and developing relevant international regimes, including
the creation of a Global system of control over non-proliferation of missiles
and missile technologies. The Russian Federation to firmly adheres to its
commitments under the Treaty on a comprehensive ban on nuclear tests, and
urges all countries of the world to join it;
Russia attaches special attention to such an aspect of consolidating
strategic stability as ensuring information security;
Russia intends to further promote the strengthening of regional
stability by participating in the processes of reducing and limiting conventional
armed forces, as well as adopting confidence-building measures in the military
sphere;
Russia regards international peacemaking as an effective instrument
for resolving armed conflicts, and calls for the strengthening of its legal
foundation in strict accor-
dance with the principles in the U.N. Charter. Supporting the
measures to build up and modernize the potential of the United Nations'
anti-crisis rapid response, the Russian Federation intends to continue
its active participation in peacekeeping operations conducted both under
the auspices of the United Nations, as well as in specific cases of regional
and sub-regional organizations. The need for and degree of such participation
shall be measured against the national interests and international commitments
of our country. Russia proceeds from the premise that only the U.N. Security
Council has the authority to sanction use of force for the purpose of achieving
peace;
Russia proceeds from the premise that the use of force in violation
of the U.N. Charter is unlawful and poses a threat to the stabilization
of the entire system of international relations. Attempts to introduce
into the international parlance such concepts as "humanitarian intervention"
and "limited sovereignty" in order to justify unilateral power actions
bypassing the U.N. Security Council are not acceptable. Being prepared
for a constructive dialogue on upgrading the legal aspects of employing
force in international relations in conditions of globalization, the Russian
Federation proceeds from the fact that the search for concrete forms of
response on the part of the international community in different acute
situations, including humanitarian crises, must be conducted collectively
on the basis of strict observance of the norms of international law and
the U.N. Charter;
Russia shall participate in activities conducted under the auspices
of the United Nations and other international organizations to eliminate
natural and man-made disasters, other emergency situations, as well as
in rendering humanitarian aid to the suffering countries;
Russia regards as its most important foreign policy task to combat
international terrorism which is capable of destabilizing the situation
not only in individual states, but in entire regions.
The Russian Federation calls for the further measures to intensify
cooperation among states in this area. It is the direct duty of every state
to protect its citizens against terrorist encroachments, to prevent any
activity on its territory aimed at organizing such acts against citizens
and interests of other countries, and not to provide asylum to terrorists;
Russia shall purposefully combat illegal drug trafficking and
the growth of organized crime; it shall collaborate with other states in
a multilateral format, first of all, within the framework of specialized
international agencies, and on a bilateral level.
3. International economic relations
The main priority in the foreign policy of the Russian Federation
in international economic relations is to promote the development of the
national economy, which, in conditions of globalization, is unthinkable
without broad integration of Russia in the system of world economic ties.
In order to achieve these objectives, it is necessary:
To ensure favorable external conditions for forming a market-oriented
economy in our country, and the establishing a renewed foreign economic
specialization of the Russian Federation, one that would guarantee maximum
economic returns on its participation in the international division of
labor;
Russia shall seek to reduce to a minimum the risks relating to
Russia's further integration in the world economy, bearing in mind the
need to ensure the country's economic security;
Russia shall promote the formation of a fair international trade
system with a full-fledged participation of the Russian Federation in international
economic organizations that ensure protection of the national interests
of our country in those organizations.
Russia shall assist the expansion of domestic export and rationalization
of import into the country, as well as Russian entrepreneurship abroad,
uphold its interests in foreign markets and oppose discrimination of domestic
manufacturers and exporters, strict compliance by Russian subjects of the
foreign economic activity with Russian legislation in performing such operations;
Russia shall actively work to attract foreign investments, first
of all, into the real sector and priority spheres of Russia's economy;
Russia shall seek to ensure the preservation and optimal utilization
of Russian property abroad;
Russia shall service its foreign debt in accordance with the
country's real possibilities, and shall strive to achieve maximum recovery
of funds from the credits provided to foreign states;
Russia shall form a comprehensive system of Russian legislation
and international legal and treaty basis in the economic sphere;
Russia must be prepared to utilize all its available economic
levers and resources for upholding its national interests.
Taking into account the growing threat of global disasters of
a natural and man-made nature, the Russian Federation calls for an expansion
of international cooperation to ensure environmental security, including
with the use of state-of-the-art technologies, in the interests of the
entire international community.
4. Human rights and international relations
Committed to the values of a democratic society, including respect
for human rights and freedoms, Russia sees its goals as being the following:
to seek respect for human rights and freedoms the world over
on the basis of respecting the norms of international law;
to protect the rights and interests of Russian citizens and compatriots
abroad on the basis of international law and operative bilateral agreements.
The Russian Federation will seek to obtain adequate guarantees for the
rights and freedoms of compatriots in states where they permanently reside
and to maintain and develop comprehensive ties with them and their organizations;
to develop international cooperation in the humanitarian exchange
area;
to expand participation in international conventions and agreements
in the human rights area;
to continue bringing legislation of the Russian Federation in
conformity with Russia's international obligations.
5. Information support for foreign policy activities
An important area in the foreign policy activities of the Russian
Federation is communicating to the broad sectors of the world public objective
and accurate information about its positions on the main international
problems, foreign policy initiatives and actions by the Russian Federation,
as well as on the accomplishments of Russian culture, science, and intellectual
work. Coming to the fore is the goal of forming a positive perception of
Russia abroad and a friendly attitude to it. An integral element of this
work should be purposeful efforts aimed at explaining to the public at
large outside of
this country the essence of the internal policy of Russia and
of the processes going on inside the country. Emerging as a pressing task
a rapid development in the Russian Federation of its own effective means
of informational influence on the public opinion abroad.
IV. REGIONAL PRIORITIES
A priority area in Russia's foreign policy is ensuring conformity
of multilateral and bilateral cooperation with the member states of the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to national security tasks of
the country.
The emphasis will be made on the development of goodneighborly
relations and strategic partnership with all CIS member states. Practical
relations with each of them should be structured with due regard for reciprocal
openness to cooperation and readiness to take into account in a due manner
the interests of the Russian Federation, including in terms of guarantees
of rights of Russian compatriots.
Proceeding from the concept of different-speed and different-level
integration within the CIS framework, Russia will determine the parameters
and character of its interaction with CIS member states both in the CIS
as a whole and in narrower associations, primarily the Customs Union and
the Collective Security Treaty. A priority task is to strengthen the Union
of Belarus and Russia as the highest, at this stage, form of integration
of two sovereign states.
We attach a priority importance to joint efforts toward settling
conflicts in CIS member states, and to the development of cooperation in
the military-political area and in the sphere of security, particularly
in combating international terrorism and extremism.
Serious emphasis will be made on the development of economic
cooperation, including the creation of a free trade zone and implementation
of programs of joint rational use of natural resources. Specifically, Russia
will work for the elaboration of such a status of the Caspian Sea as would
enable the littoral states to launch mutually advantageous cooperation
in using the region's resources on a fair basis and taking into account
the legitimate interests of each other.
The Russian Federation will make efforts to ensure fulfillment
of mutual obligations on the preservation and augmentation of the joint
cultural heritage in the CIS member states.
Relations with European states is Russia's traditional foreign
policy priority. The main aim of Russian foreign policy in Europe is the
creation of a stable and democratic system of European security and cooperation.
Russia is interested in the further balanced development of the multi-functional
character of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
and will make efforts in this direction.
It is important to fully use the rule-making potential which
continues to be fully valid, that this organization has accumulated after
the adoption in 1975 of the Helsinki Final Act. Russia will strongly oppose
the narrowing down of the OSCE functions, specifically the attempts to
redirect its specialized activities to the post-Soviet space and the Balkans.
Russia will work for making the adapted Treaty on the Conventional
Armed Forces in Europe into an effective means of European security and
for imparting a comprehensive nature to confidence-building measures, including,
specifically, coalition activities and naval activities.
Proceeding from its own requirements to the building of a civic
society, Russia intends to continue its participation in the activities
of the Council of Europe.
Of key importance are relations with the European Union (EU).
The on going processes within the EU are having a growing impact on the
dynamic of the situation in Europe. These are the EU expansion, transition
to a common currency, the institutional reform, and emergence of a joint
foreign policy and a policy in the area of security, as well as a defense
identity. Regarding these processes as an objective component of European
development, Russia will seek due respect for its interests, including
in the sphere of bilateral relations with individual EU member countries.
The Russian Federation views the EU as one of its main political
and economic partners and will strive to develop with it an intensive,
stable and long-term cooperation devoid of expediency fluctuations.
The character of relations with the EU is determined by the framework
of the June 24, 1994 Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation, establishing
partnership between the Russian Federation, on the one hand, and the European
communities and their member states on the other, which is yet to achieve
its full effectiveness. Concrete problems, primarily the problem of an
adequate respect for the interests of the Russian side in the process of
the EU expansion and reform, will be dealt with on the basis of the Strategy
for the Development of Relations between the Russian Federation and the
European Union, approved in 1999. The EU's emerging military-political
dimension should become an object of particular attention.
Realistically assessing the role of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO), Russia proceeds from the importance of cooperation
with it in the interests of maintaining security and stability in the continent
and is open to constructive interaction. The necessary basis for that was
laid in the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security
between the Russian Federation and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
of May 27, 1997. The intensity of cooperation with NATO will depend on
its compliance with key clauses of this document, primarily those concerning
non-use or threat of force, and non-deployment of conventional armed forces
groupings, nuclear weapons and their delivery vehicles in the territories
of the new members.
At the same time, on a number of parameters, NATO's present-day
political and military guidelines do not coincide with security interests
of the Russian Federation and occasionally directly contradict them. This
primarily concerns the provisions of NATO's new strategic concept, which
do not exclude the conduct of use-of-force operations outside of the zone
of application of the Washington Treaty without the sanction of the UN
Security Council.
Substantive and constructive cooperation between Russia and NATO
is only possible if it is based on the foundation of a due respect for
the interests of the sides and an unconditional fulfillment of mutual obligations
assumed.
Interaction with states of Western Europe, primarily with such
influential ones as Britain, Germany, Italy and France, represents an important
resource for Russia's defense of its national interests in European and
world affairs, and for the stabilization and growth of the Russian economy.
A topical task in relations with the states of Central and Eastern
Europe is, as before, the preservation of the existing human, economic,
and cultural ties, the overcoming of the crisis phenomena, and providing
an additional impetus to cooperation in accordance with the new conditions
and the Russian interests.
There are good prospects for the development of the Russian Federation's
relations with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Russia stands for putting
these relation onto the track of goodneighborliness and mutual cooperation.
An indispensable condition here is respect by those states of the Russian
interests, including in the key question of respect for the rights of the
Russian-speaking population.
Russia will give an all-out assistance to the attainment of a
just settlement of the situation in the Balkans, one based on the coordinated
decisions of the world community. It is of fundamental importance to preserve
the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and to
oppose the partition of this State, something that is fraught with the
threat of emergence of a pan-Balkan conflict with unpredictable consequences.
The Russian Federation is prepared to overcome considerable latter-day
difficulties in relations with the U.S., and to preserve the infrastructure
of Russian - American cooperation, which has been created over almost 10
years. Despite the presence of serious, and in a number of cases, fundamental
differences, Russian - American interaction is the necessary condition
for the amelioration of the international situation and achievement of
global strategic stability.
Above all, this concerns problems of disarmament, arms control
and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as prevention
and settlement of the more dangerous regional conflicts. It is only through
an active dialogue with the U.S. that the issues of limitation and reduction
of strategic nuclear weapons may be resolved. It is in our mutual interests
to maintain regular bilateral contacts at all levels, not allowing pauses
in relations and setback in the negotiating processes on the main political,
military and economic matters.
Asia enjoys a steadily growing importance in the context of the
entire foreign policy of the Russian Federation, something which is due
to Russia's direct affinity with this dynamically developing region and
the need for an economic upturn in Siberia and the Far East. The emphasis
will be on the invigoration of Russia's participation in the main integration
structures of the Asia-Pacific Region - the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
forum, the regional forum on security of the Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Shanghai Five (Russia, China, Kazakhstan,
Kirghizia, Tajikistan), in whose creation Russia played an active role.
One of the crucial directions in the Russian foreign policy in
Asia is developing friendly relations with the leading Asian states, primarily
with China and India. The concurrence of the fundamental approaches of
Russia and the PRC to the key issues of world politics is one of the basic
mainstays of regional and global stability. Russia seeks to develop mutually
advantageous cooperation with China in all areas. The main task is, as
before, bringing the scale of economic interaction in conformity with the
level of political relations.
Russia intends to strengthen its traditional partnership with
India, including in the international affairs, and to aid overcome problems
persisting in South Asia and strengthen stability in the region.
Russia views the signing by India and Pakistan of the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and their accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons as an important factor of stability in the Asia-Pacific
Region. It will support the line for the creation of nuclear weapons-free
zones in Asia.
The Russian Federation comes out for a stable development of
relations with Japan and for the attainment of a true goodneighborliness
corresponding to the interests of both countries. Within the framework
of the existing negotiating mechanisms, Russia will continue a search for
a mutually acceptable solution of the formalization of an internationally
recognized border between the two states.
Russian foreign policy is aimed at building up the positive dynamism
of relations with the states of South East Asia.
It is important to develop further relations with Iran.
Improving the overall situation in Asia, which is faced with
growing geopolitical ambitions of a number of states, a mounting arms race,
and preservation of sources of tensions and conflicts, is of fundamental
importance for Russia. Of greatest concern is the situation in the Korean
Peninsula. Efforts will be focused on assuring Russia equitable participation
in the solution of the Korean problem, and on maintaining balanced relations
with both Korean States.
The protracted conflict in Afghanistan creates a real threat
to security of the southern CIS borders and directly affects Russian interests.
Russia, in cooperation with other states concerned, will make consistent
efforts with a view to achieving a lasting and fair political settlement
of the Afghan problem and interdicting the exportation of terrorism and
extremism from that country.
Russia will work to stabilize the situation in the Middle East,
including the Persian Gulf zone and Northern Africa, taking into account
the impact which the situation in the region has on the situation the world
over. Based on its status as a co-sponsor of the peace process, Russia
intends to pursue an active participation in the normalization of the post-crisis
situation in the region. Russia's priority in this context will be restoring
and strengthening its positions, particularly the economic ones, in this
region of the world, so rich and important for our interests.
Viewing the Greater Mediterranean as a hub of such regions as
the Middle East, the Black Sea region, the Caucasus, and the Caspian Sea
basin, Russia intends to steer a purposeful course toward for turning it
into a zone of peace, stability and goodneigh-borliness, something that
will help advance Russian economic interests, including in the matter of
the choice of routes for important energy flows.
Russia will expand interaction with African states and assist
an earliest possible settlement of regional military conflicts in Africa.
It is also necessary to develop a political dialogue with the Organization
of African Unity (OAU) and with sub-regional organizations and to use their
capabilities for enabling Russia to join multilateral economic projects
in the continent.
Russia seeks a higher level of political dialogue and economic
cooperation with countries of Central and South America, relying on a serious
progress achieved in its relations with this region in the 1990's. It will
strive, specifically, to expand interaction with the states of Central
and South America in international organizations, to encourage Russian
science-intensive industrial exports to Latin American countries, and to
develop with them military-technical cooperation.
While defining regional priorities of its foreign policy, the
Russian Federation will take into account the intensity of and trends in
the formation of the main world centers and the degree of preparedness
on the part of their members for the expansion of bilateral interaction
with Russia.
V. THE SHAPING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF FOREIGN POLICY OF THE RUSSIAN
FEDERATION
The President of the Russian Federation, in conformity with his
constitutional powers, shall provide guidance of the country's foreign
policy and as the Head of State shall represent the Russian Federation
in international relations.
The Federation Council and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly
of the Russian Federation, within the framework of their constitutional
powers, shall pursue legislative work to support the foreign policy course
of the Russian Federation and fulfillment of its international obligations.
The Security Council of the Russian Federation shall execute
preparation of decisions of the President of the Russian Federation in
the area of international security and control over their implementation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation shall
provide direct implementation of the foreign policy course approved by
the President of the Russian Federation. The Foreign Ministry of Russia
shall be in charge of coordination of foreign policy activities pursued
by federal bodies of executive power and of control over them in conformity
with Decree by the President of the Russian Federation of March 12, 1996,
#375 "On the Coordinating Role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Russian Federation during the Conduct of Unified Foreign Policy Line of
the Russian Federation.
The Russian Federation's constituent entities shall promote their
international ties in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation,
the Federal Law "On Coordination of International and External Economic
Ties of the Subjects of the Russian Federation" and other legislative acts.
The Foreign Ministry of Russia and other federal bodies of executive power
shall give aid to subjects of the Russian Federation in the course or their
realization of international cooperation, in strict respect for sovereignty
and territorial integrity of the Russian Federation.
During the preparation of decisions on the conduct of the State's
foreign policy course, the federal bodies of executive power shall cooperate,
if necessary, with Russia's non-governmental organizations. A broader involvement
of non-governmental organizations in the sphere of the country's foreign
policy activities is consistent with the task of ensuring maximum support
by the civic society for the state foreign policy and is capable of contributing
to its effective implementation.
Consistent execution of foreign policy creates favorable conditions
for the fulfillment of the historic choice of the peoples of the Russian
Federation in favor of the rule-of-law State, democratic society, and a
socially oriented market economy economy.