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Kosovo

Lavrov Criticizes Attempts To 'Politicize' UNESCO

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UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova (left) meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as part of the 38th session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris on November 6.
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova (left) meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as part of the 38th session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris on November 6.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has criticized attempts to "politicize" the activities of the UN' cultural agency, UNESCO.

Lavrov was speaking to journalists on November 6 ahead of his address at UNESCO's General Conference in Paris.

"It is important to avoid the politicization of UNESCO's activities the way we are witnessing now through attempts to accept Kosovo into the ranks of this organization," he said.

UNESCO's executive board voted last month to recommend Kosovo as a full member state, despite fierce opposition from Serbia, which doesn't recognize its former province's independence.

Kosovo's membership bid will be put to a final vote at the UNESCO's General Conference on November 9.

PHOTO GALLERY: UNESCO Sites In Kosovo

Ancient Sites In Kosovo, UNESCO's Likely Next Member

An excavation site at the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Ulpiana, near Pristina, the capital of Kosovo
1/22 An excavation site at the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Ulpiana, near Pristina, the capital of Kosovo
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
Roman walls in Ulpiana
2/22 Roman walls in Ulpiana
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The Prizren medieval fortress, one of Kosovo's UNESCO-recognized sites, was once the seat of the Serbian Empire.
3/22 The Prizren medieval fortress, one of Kosovo's UNESCO-recognized sites, was once the seat of the Serbian Empire.
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The Prizren medieval fortress
4/22 The Prizren medieval fortress
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The minaret of the Hadum Mosque in the western town of Gjakova. The mosque was built in 1598 under the Ottoman Empire and was partly destroyed in Kosovo's 1998-99 war between Serb forces and ethnic Albanian guerrillas.
5/22 The minaret of the Hadum Mosque in the western town of Gjakova. The mosque was built in 1598 under the Ottoman Empire and was partly destroyed in Kosovo's 1998-99 war between Serb forces and ethnic Albanian guerrillas.
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The dome of the Hadum Mosque
6/22 The dome of the Hadum Mosque
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
A Serbian Orthodox monastery in Gracanica, Kosovo. Located on the ruins of a 6th century basilica, the monastery was built by Serbian King Stefan Milutin in the early 14th century.
7/22 A Serbian Orthodox monastery in Gracanica, Kosovo. Located on the ruins of a 6th century basilica, the monastery was built by Serbian King Stefan Milutin in the early 14th century.
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The Serbian Orthodox monastery in Gracanica
8/22 The Serbian Orthodox monastery in Gracanica
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The Sultan Mehmet Fatih Grand Mosque in Pristina was built in 1460–1461 during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, also known as al-Fatih, or The Conqueror.
9/22 The Sultan Mehmet Fatih Grand Mosque in Pristina was built in 1460–1461 during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, also known as al-Fatih, or The Conqueror.
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The interior of the Sultan Mehmet Fatih Grand Mosque
10/22 The interior of the Sultan Mehmet Fatih Grand Mosque
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
Saint Ndou Catholic Church in Pristina
11/22 Saint Ndou Catholic Church in Pristina
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
Saint Ndou Catholic Church
12/22 Saint Ndou Catholic Church
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The 17th century Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren
13/22 The 17th century Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren
14/22 The Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
Mehmet Pasha Hamam in Prizren
15/22 Mehmet Pasha Hamam in Prizren
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The buildings of the League of Prizren, an Albanian political organization founded on January 5, 1877
16/22 The buildings of the League of Prizren, an Albanian political organization founded on January 5, 1877
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The Orthodox Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor in Prizren
17/22 The Orthodox Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor in Prizren
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The Old Stone Bridge in Prizren
18/22 The Old Stone Bridge in Prizren
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The Orthodox Church of Saint George Runovic in Prizren
19/22 The Orthodox Church of Saint George Runovic in Prizren
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
The Orthodox Church of Saint George Runovic
20/22 The Orthodox Church of Saint George Runovic
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
Visoki Dečani monastery south of the town of Peć. The structure is the largest medieval church in the Balkans.
21/22 Visoki Dečani monastery south of the town of Peć. The structure is the largest medieval church in the Balkans.
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
 The Serbian Orthodox monastery in the town of Peć
22/22  The Serbian Orthodox monastery in the town of Peć
The UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has voted to recommend Kosovo as a full member. The majority of members overruled objections from Serbia, which doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. The country's inclusion in UNESCO will be put to a final vote by all UN member states on November 9. Here are some of the diverse cultural and historical sites in Kosovo that already enjoy UNESCO recognition or other protected status.
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Lavrov also expressed hope on November 6 that UNESCO will send experts to Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan to assess the destruction of cultural sites "as soon as" the security situation allows.

With reporting by Interfax and TASS
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