H.E. Mrs Irada Zeynalova
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Mauritius
Mauritius became independent from the British Empire on March 12, 1968. It was an arduous and long way for the island whose geographical location in the middle of the Indian Ocean had always defined its destiny. Colonists ranging from the Portuguese and Dutch to the French and English tried to turn Mauritius into a regional manufacturing and maritime hub, a centre of sugar cane production and a key airbase that could be used in wartime. Consequently, this small island has always been a part of a big strategic game.
The independence acquired in 1968 gave the island an opportunity to become for the first time in its history equal among equals within the UN system.
During the last 58 years Mauritius has been consistently and pragmatically turning into a regional centre of education, textile, tourism and finance. And all this time Mauritius has been fighting for justice claiming that decolonisation is to be finished. That is why it has been continuously negotiating Chagos deal with previous masters who made this archipelago the very condition for Mauritian sovereignty and independence. Masters who made Chagossians leave Diego Garcia – the biggest island of this archipelago – for the sake of building their military base there.
The Soviet Union and Russia as its successor have always been supporting Mauritius. Since the very beginning we have been providing medical assistance and education and building a fledgling Mauritian nation together. We supported Mauritius in the UN General Assembly vote on Chagos because we strongly oppose colonialism and fully believe that sovereignty of all African nations is our priority as a founding member of the United Nations.
Russia believes justice and respect for human rights to be the essential part of modern civilisation. Russia fully supports Mauritian ambition to become a digital and infrastructural hub and a bridge between Africa and Asia. We supported Mauritius back in 1968 and we are ready to do it now.
Liberty and independence provide great opportunities in a multipolar world where the voice of Africa and every other continent matters in this new rapidly changing world order.
We congratulate the people of Mauritius on the National Day and wish them happiness and prosperity!
