Tripoli— Over the past three days, Tripoli and Moscow hosted celebratory events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Libya and the Russia Federation.
The Kingdom of Libya and Russia, then the Soviet Union (USSR), established diplomatic representation at the ambassadorial level on 4 September 1955. The decision to do so was a calculated move on both parties as it came at the height of the Cold War. Libya, at the time, was under strong US and British military, political and economic influence.
Speaking to those who celebrated the anniversary at the Libyan Embassy in Moscow in a recorded speech, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Taher Al-Baour, said, “this anniversary is not just a passing memory, but rather a testament to the deep, strong, and multifaceted ties between our two friendly peoples.”
Speaking reporters on the sidelines of the Tenth Eastern Economic Forum on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Spokeswoman Mrs. Maria Zakharova said, “September Fourth marks the seventieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Libya. Russian-Libyan relations have a long history and traditions.”
“Thanks to technical support from the Soviet Union and Russian Federation, dozens of infrastructure facilities have been built in Libya, particularly in the oil and gas sector. Military technical cooperation has seen an active development,” she added.
On his part, Al Baour stressed that “the Russian Federation has always supported the state of Libya on the international stage, and the Libyan people have appreciated these positive positions. Today, in light of the complex international situation, the importance of close interaction and coordination between Libya and Russia is even more evident.”
“We are confident that our partnership is capable of this, and should play a stronger pivotal role in ensuring regional and global security, as well as in promoting joint development,” he said.
Mrs. Zakharova made it clear that as Libya currently goes through difficult times, “Russia constantly calls on maintaining its unity, the safety of its lands and national sovereignty. We are ready to provide all possible assistance to achieve comprehensive and sustainable stability of the military and political situation.”
“We are confident that the Libyan people are able to successfully overcome the existing difficulties, effectively rebuild the institutions of the working state, and ensure that their country returns to the path of sustainable development,” she said.
In Tripoli, the Russian Embassy also organized a celebratory event to commemorate the 70th anniversary that was attended by Libyan officials, leaders of political parties and academics. Also were in attendance the head of UNSMIL and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG), Hanna Tetteh as well as the DSRSG for Political Affairs Stephanie Koury.
The Russian Ambassador to Libya, Haidar Aghanin, affirmed that relations between Libya and the Russian Federation are based on solid foundations of friendship and mutual respect. He expressed his confidence that cooperation between the two countries will continue to serve the interests of the two friendly peoples and enhance stability in the region.
The Libyan Russian-Speaking Association in Libya organized a celebratory cultural event in Tripoli along with a conference on Libyan-Russian relations organized by the Libyan Center for Research and Studies, which featured a photo exhibition documenting the most prominent milestones in cooperation between the two countries.
During these seventy years, there have been tens of thousands of Libyan citizens who received their education in Russian universities and learned the Russian language, while many of them got married to Russian ladies and established families throughout the years.
