Alimov says Russia intends to develop cooperation with UNESCO

Russia expects cooperation with UNESCO to continue despite its criticism of the organisation’s work protecting journalists. Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Alimov expressed that position to RIA Novosti on October 10.

Alimov said there were many areas for joint work and expressed confidence that cooperation would develop. He said Russia hoped for constructive engagement even as difficulties persisted in the relationship.

His criticism concerned UNESCO and its secretariat’s response to the killing of journalists and attacks on them. The assessment that this work was insufficient represents the Russian diplomat’s position.

Journalist safety and efforts to combat impunity for crimes against media workers are among UNESCO’s areas of activity. Russia’s Foreign Ministry has previously accused international organisations, including UNESCO, of overlooking crimes against Russian journalists that Moscow attributes to Ukrainian authorities. Those accusations are the ministry’s stated position.