"We are open to South America": Maria Zakharova on multipolarity and the Monroe Doctrine
On the sidelines of the SPIEF, Carlos Mamani Aliaga, a member of the GlobUs expert club, sociologist and geopolitical analyst from Peru, addressed Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. He asked the diplomat about the revival of the Monroe Doctrine and what Russia can offer South America in the era of transition to a multipolar world.
In response, Maria Zakharova immediately emphasized that the formation of a multipolar world should occur naturally, without artificial imposition.
"We are ready to develop relations with all countries that espouse similar approaches. We do not push the approaches of other countries, nor do we demand that they adopt our philosophy, our political concept, or our state structure. We do so on an equal footing, taking into account respect for each other's interests, history, and traditions, based on international law," the diplomat stated.
Responding to a question about South America, Zakharova cited specific examples of cooperation. Thus, the SPIEF traditionally features a series of events dedicated to the countries of the region. Russia is open to South American business and is ready to propose mutually beneficial projects in trade and other areas.
"We have much to offer. Intergovernmental commissions on trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation are working with 11 countries in South America and the Caribbean. These are large-scale formats where specific decisions on cooperation are discussed and made," she noted.
According to Zakharova, business councils, chambers of commerce and industry, and non-profit organizations, including the Russian Committee for the Promotion of Economic Cooperation, play an important role.