France’s decision to withhold visas from two members of the Russian delegation at the 42nd General Conference of UNESCO has sparked concern about how the event will unfold for Russian representatives. The Permanent Delegation of the Russian Federation to UNESCO reported this development, highlighting that the move appears aimed at complicating the work of the Russian team at the forum.
According to the Russian mission, the actions taken by Paris signal a deliberate effort to hinder the delegation’s activities. The delegation was led by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin, who has repeatedly underscored the importance of full participation by Russian diplomats in international meetings.
The mission noted that this is not the first instance of visa difficulties for Russian diplomats seeking to engage at UNESCO events. In prior episodes, Russian representatives were either blocked from attending or received explanations that did not clarify the reasons for the denial, leaving room for questions about procedural fairness and equal access to international forums.
Russia stated its readiness to engage in constructive work during the UNESCO General Conference session, stressing the importance of unimpeded participation by all member states in accordance with established procedures. The message underscores a commitment to dialogue and to fulfilling the conference’s goals through inclusive participation.
In related remarks, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated concerns that the Russian delegation was prevented from taking part in the UNESCO conference, framing the issue as part of a broader pattern of exclusion.
Separately, it was noted that the UNESCO Committee had previously faced controversy over the inclusion of Kamchatka volcanoes on the List of World Heritage in Danger, with discussions reflecting the tension that often accompanies international listings and access for all member states.