Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 10 – On 10 February Russian diplomats celebrate their professional holiday – the Diplomats’ Day. Established by the Presidential Decree 20 years ago, on 31 October 2002, this holiday contributed to preservation and enrichment of the glorious traditions of the national diplomatic endeavour. It is also symbolic that this year marks the 220th anniversary of the establishment by the Manifest of Russian Emperor Alexander I of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 8 September 1802.

While the history of Russian diplomacy can be traced back to 860, when the Ancient Rus concluded the Agreement on Peace and Love with the Byzantine Empire, the very date of the celebration is related to the establishment of the Ambassadorial Department by then the first Russian Tzar Ivan IV in 1549. Setting up of that institution stemmed from the centralization and increasing power of the Russian State, after the period of feudal disintegration of 11-15 century. Russia grew in influence and carried out an active international policy, with permanent diplomatic missions were established in the neighbouring countries, European monarchies and many others. Due to the successes of the national diplomacy, currently Russia have established diplomatic relations with 193 countries of the world, and has diplomatic missions in 146 of them.

In the years of peace and at tines of hardships there have always been patriotic people in the diplomatic service. Replying to the call of the motherland during the period of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), many of them took up arms and combated to defend their country from the foreign invaders. Guided by its rich experience and traditions, currently the Russian diplomacy remains in the vanguard of protecting the national interests. Furthermore, standing for the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, our country significantly contributes to strengthening the international peace, and together with its foreign partners is addressing to the urgent global and regional challenges. Such an approach enjoys understanding and support from the world community, thereby expanding multifaceted cooperation with the most nations around the globe, including the Kingdom of Cambodia – our well-trusted and reliable partner in the Southeast Asia.

Anatoly Borovik, ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Cambodia
=FRESH NEWS