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Friends, colleagues,

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I am pleased that we are meeting again and, like my colleagues,

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I express my gratitude to the President of South Africa, Mr Ramaphosa,

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for organising our work and for everything South Africa has 

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done during its chairmanship.

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I would like to join in the gratitude addressed 

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to President of Brazil Michel Temer.

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He supported our organisation, and I can add that he also has done 

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a lot to strengthen Russian-Brazilian relations.

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We know and remember that.

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Mr President, we will always be glad to see you in Russia.

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Thanks to efficient cooperation between the BRICS members,

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our strategic partnership has grown stronger and continues to actively 

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develop in the most diverse areas.

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It is important that the BRICS members are improving coordination 

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within international organisations and forums.

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Our meeting today, which is a chance to discuss our positions 

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on the eve of the G20 summit, is a testament to that.

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I support much of what my colleagues have said about the difficult 

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situation in global politics, economy,

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trade and finance. I would also note such risk factors as an increase 

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in global debt, volatility of stock markets and escalating 

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trade disputes.

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In general, we cannot help noticing that unfair competition often takes 

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the place of fair and equitable intergovernmental dialogue.

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The nefarious practice of imposing unilateral sanctions 

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and protectionist measures without regard to the UN Charter,

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WTO rules and other generally accepted legal norms is spreading.

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All of this seriously undermines the atmosphere of cooperation 

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on the global stage and leads to declining business ties and loss 

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of trust between participants of economic relations,

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distorting the very fabric of the global economy.

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The BRICS countries should continue to work together to create a fair 

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and equitable system of international relations.

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Collective action based on mutual respect and consideration 

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of interests is needed in order to overcome the critical challenges 

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facing the international community.

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First of all, this concerns the settlement of numerous regional crises,

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which are fraught with real danger not only for the countries involved,

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but for the rest of the world as well.

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Of particular concern is the situation in the Middle East, namely,

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the Gaza Strip, Yemen, Iraq, Libya,

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Afghanistan and several other countries and regions.

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Unfortunately, the danger posed by international terrorism 

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is not subsiding. Of course, double standards or any compromises are 

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unacceptable when it comes to terrorist groups,

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not to mention making reckless use of them to achieve geopolitical 

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ends, since flirting with terrorists plays into their hands 

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and emboldens them to commit new bloody atrocities.

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Thus, in Syria, where militants continue armed attacks 

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on the government forces, the November 24 attack on residents 

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of the western districts of the city of Aleppo involving the use 

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of toxic chemical agents, presumably chlorine,

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was a blatant violation of the ceasefire.

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Dozens of Syrians were affected,

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including children. Such crimes perpetrated by terrorists should not go 

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unpunished, otherwise they will not stop.

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For a long-term stabilisation of the situation in Syria,

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it is important to promote an actual political settlement process.

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To this end, Russia is working closely with its partners,

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Iran and Turkey, within the Astana format.

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We look forward to the formation and convocation of the constitutional 

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committee in Geneva as soon as possible.

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Other priorities include rebuilding the economy and infrastructure 

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in that country and creating conditions for the return 

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of refugees to their homes.

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I hope that the BRICS countries will join humanitarian aid 

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programmes in that country.

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In order to prevent a new round of escalating tensions around 

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the Iranian nuclear programme, we should do our best to maintain 

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the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

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Progress in resolving the Korean Peninsula crisis is 

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a positive development.

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However, the categorical demands for unilateral concessions from 

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Pyongyang could lead to a disruption of the agreements reached.

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Therefore, it is important that the sanctions against this country 

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should gradually be relieved in response to the disarmament 

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steps taken by North Korea.

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Naturally, one cannot help being alarmed by the state of affairs 

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in non-proliferation and disarmament.

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The possible withdrawal by the United States of its obligations under 

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the INF Treaty and its unclear position on extending the Strategic Arms 

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Treaty pose the risk of an uncontrolled arms race.

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We presume that the BRICS countries will hold a common 

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position on these critical issues.

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This will be an important factor in mobilising the efforts of the world 

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community for the sake of international security and stability.

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Colleagues,

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I would like to note with satisfaction that the BRICS countries have 

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largely coinciding approaches to the key issues on the G20 agenda.

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Our countries have great economic, innovative, and human potential.

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The BRICS countries have already overtaken the G7 in terms of aggregate 

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GDP ($44 trillion) and in purchasing power parity.

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They can play a more significant role in the global financial system,

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push for the continuation of the IMF reform and for greater 

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influence in the IMF.

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A significant contribution to financial stability has been made 

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by the new development bank, which is now supporting 26 projects 

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in BRICS countries with $6.5 billion in financing.

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We also expect the bond and national currencies fund of the BRICS 

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countries to become available in 2019,

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which would allow strengthening financial and investment stability 

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and expanding the interaction of national payment systems.

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We are committed to supporting the groundwork for the process 

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of further developing the World Trade Organisation to stabilise it.

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It is important that trade disputes are settled exclusively through 

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dialogue that all interested countries can join.

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We pay special attention to coordinating the BRICS countries’ positions 

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on issues related to energy and climate change.

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Russia, as a reliable exporter of energy to many countries and regions 

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in the world, intends to continue to actively participate 

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in harmonising global energy markets jointly with other suppliers 

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and consumers of fuel and to provide global energy security.

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We welcome the fact that the Paris Agreement on climate has come into 

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effect and believe it to be a reliable international legal instrument 

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for long-term climate regulation.

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It is critically important to finish drafting the rules to implement 

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it, taking into consideration the views of all stakeholders.

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We regard the sustainable development of agriculture 

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as a key topic on the G20 agenda.

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Russia is a large producer and exporter of agricultural produce,

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contributing significantly to food security.

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Over the last 10 years, we supplied over 650,000

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tonnes of food and humanitarian aid to more than 110 countries.

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We believe it is important that this year agreements on the digital 

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economy and adaptation of the labour market and education systems have 

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been reached within the G20.

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We express our gratitude to our BRICS partners for supporting 

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the Russian idea of consumer rights’ protection in the digital economy 

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and our initiatives to step up coordinated actions at the UN 

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on internet governance and international information security.

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The agenda also includes the important topic of combatting corruption.

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We are ready to work together, including in line with India’s proposal 

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to pursue fugitive economic criminals.

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During discussions at the UN, I am counting on the support of BRICS 

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members for the Russian draft international convention 

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on returning stolen assets.

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Colleagues, in conclusion I would like to wish success to our Brazilian 

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partners next year, during their chairmanship of BRICS.

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We will provide all the necessary assistance.

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Thank you for your attention.