On Tuesday, November 24, Russian foreign affairs minister Sergei Lavrov met with an official delegation from the European Jewish Congress (EJC) led by its president Viatcheslav Kantor.
The meeting discussed key issues facing the European community today.
Commenting on the versatile cooperation between Russia and EJC, Mr Lavrov said, “We have close ties at various levels and we appreciate our interaction. Next year we are going to hold several joint events. First of all, there will be a series of memorable dates marking 65 years since the end of World War II.”
EJC president Kantor thanked Mr Lavrov for its ongoing, long-standing support of the EJC’s initiatives and projects and expressed hope for further productive cooperation.
“The authority of the Russian Federation has always been of special importance to the European Jewish Congress. For me as a Russian national who for the first time ever took the helm of this influential international organisation, it is essential that the leadership of our country pay close attention to the issues of human rights, fighting anti-Semitism and xenophobia and the threat caused by the Iranian nuclear programme,” Mr Kantor said, commenting on the outcome of talks with Mr Lavrov.
At the meeting Mr Kantor is expected to voice key initiatives and proposals aimed at advancing tolerance and preventing nuclear catastrophe.
EJC leadership will hold a press conference for Russian and Western media on November 26 at 3:00 pm at RIA Novosti news agency.
Background: The EJC Executive Committee led by Mr Kantor met with then-President of Russia Vladimir Putin on October 10, 2007. The two discussed issues of anti-Semitism and xenophobia, as well as tools to strengthen tolerance and mutual respect.
Vladimir Putin commended the EJC’s initiative to design a pan-European action plan to fight extremism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism, saying that the Congress “[g]reatly helps international organisations and bodies in their efforts to promote the ideas of tolerance and mutual understanding.”
