"Our foreign policy concept requires concentration of efforts on ensuring safe, most favorable conditions for Russia’s economic development, increase of people’s welfare, protection of compatriots and businesses abroad," he said, speaking before college graduates admitted to diplomatic service, TASS reported.
"We experience, without exaggeration, a pivotal moment, or, rather, a pivotal era, and it will be a lengthy period. In these circumstances, it is important to defend not only the economic and social interests of the country and the people, but also the sense of national pride, honor and protection of historic heritage," he added.
Lavrov added that, in modern circumstances, diplomats must not only improve their professionalism and perfect their skills and erudition, but also have a civic position.
"Russian Foreign Ministry employees have also been known for their patriotism and their sense of pride for the country. This is not just a figure of speech, it’s a statement of a fact," he said.