Moscow urges UNESCO to contribute to the anti-terrorist struggle

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization might use its intellectual and moral potential to make a contribution to the long-term international anti-terrorist strategy, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov told a Wednesday meeting that had gathered to honor the 10th anniversary of the Russian Commission on UNESCO Affairs.

It is necessary to look, where UNESCO is concerned, for "ways of eradicating the deep-rooted cause of modern threats and challenges," said Ivanov. He reminded the assembly that this international organization had repeatedly encouraged anti-terrorist efforts and stood in support of the global anti-terrorist coalition.

The minister stated that UNESCO was becoming increasingly influential worldwide, and welcomed the United States' intention to re-join the organization they had quit in 1984. The growing authority of the UNESCO accounts for the efficiency of its activity as a whole, he added.

Ivanov also emphasized that cooperation with UNESCO had always been "in the field of Russia's attention." Speaking about the most successful of joint Russia-UNESCO projects, he named the agreement on UNESCO's participation in the effort to restore the educational system in Chechnya.