Madagascar's Foreign Minister conducted an official visit to Russia last week. During her meeting with her Russian counterpart, the focus was on multilateralism. A handshake between Alice N'Diaye and Sergueï Lavrov took place in Moscow on Friday.

Matters of common interest at both multilateral and bilateral levels were discussed. According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, this is what was discussed between Madagascar's chief diplomat, Alice N'Diaye, and her Russian counterpart, Sergueï Lavrov, during their meeting on Friday in Moscow, Russia.

The meeting took place during Minister N'Diaye's official visit to Russia. Among the subjects of common interest discussed between the two officials were diplomacy and geopolitics, with multilateralism as the angle of exchange. "The meeting between the two ministers also highlighted convergences of views on multilateralism based on the objective application of international law and the principle of non-interference," reported the statement published by the Foreign Ministry.

Madagascar's diplomatic headquarters added that "the exchanges highlighted the dynamism of relations between Madagascar and the Russian Federation, which fully aligns with the multi-vector diplomacy advocated by Madagascar." This approach aims to "diversify and consolidate" the country's international partnerships in a spirit of openness, balance and mutual benefit, explains the ministry.

Also reporting on the content of exchanges between Alice N'Diaye and Sergueï Lavrov, the Russian embassy in Madagascar speaks of a convergence of views between the two ministers on "the emergence of a multipolar world order." According to the Russian representation: "In examining the main issues of international and regional current affairs, the two ministers noted the convergence of their principled positions in favor of the emergence of a multipolar world order, based on the principles of justice and sovereign equality in international relations."

Difference in terminology: At first glance, while the Malagasy side speaks of an approach in international cooperation with the terms "multilateralism" and "multi-vector diplomacy," the Russian side discusses geopolitical issues with the expression "multipolar world order." This difference in terminology is also noted when the statements from Madagascar's Foreign Ministry and the Russian embassy address the role of the United Nations in global governance.

"On the multilateral level, the two parties conducted frank and constructive exchanges on the positions of the two countries, and reaffirmed their common commitment to multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations in global governance," reports Madagascar's diplomatic headquarters. The Russian embassy indicates, for its part, that "the two parties expressed their common interest in strengthening their cooperation within the UN as well as in other multilateral forums."

In Sergueï Lavrov's opening statement during his meeting with Alice N'Diaye, published by the Russian diplomatic representation, it is indicated that the Moscow meeting was an opportunity to continue strengthening the coordination of the two countries on the international stage. Beyond bilateral exchanges, Russia also wants to strengthen the ranks of its "allies" to reverse the trend within international bodies. For example, on votes concerning resolutions about the war in Ukraine at the United Nations.

"Our meeting today offers us an excellent opportunity to examine the complementary efforts that should be undertaken to achieve, on the bilateral front, rapid and substantial results, while continuing to strengthen our coordination on the international stage," is stated in Sergueï Lavrov's opening statement, published by the Russian embassy.