Chizhov noted the role of diplomacy in defending Russian interests

Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the European Union Vladimir ChizhovBRUSSELS, Feb 10Diplomacy has always played a crucial role in defining, defending and realizing Russia's national interests, Vladimir Chizhov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the European Union, told reporters on the occasion of the Day of the Diplomatic Worker of the Russian Federation. celebrated this date. I believe that over these twenty years it has established itself not just as one of the professional holidays, but also at the state level. For diplomacy as a foreign policy tool of the state at all times — in good and bad, in peaceful and even military, as , for example, during the Great Patriotic War, played a crucial role in determining, defending and realizing the national interests of our country, no matter how it is called,» he said.Day of the Diplomatic Worker in the Russian Federation «We traditionally celebrated the Day of the Diplomat in Brussels, held receptions for colleagues, partners, friends from the EU Foreign Service. By the way, it seems to me that they really liked to take part in ceremonial events on this occasion as representatives of a relatively recently created department «, which does not yet have its deeply rooted traditions. We also celebrated purely informally, already purely by our team — sincerely, with a twinkle,» Chizhov said. He added that the pandemic imposes «certain restrictions, so there will be no major events this year.» Let's hope that we will be able to celebrate the 21st anniversary in full,» the permanent representative said. The professional holiday of Russian diplomats has been celebrated since 2002. The date was not chosen by chance: February 10, 1549 is the first documentary mention of the foreign policy department in Russia — the Ambassadorial Order. Although a separate department appeared in Russia only in the middle of the 16th century, the country began to build interaction with its neighbors much earlier. Since the 9th century, Russia has been featured as a participant in international relations in the region, and Byzantium was one of the key counterparts at that time. It was with her that the first treaty-legal act of Russia with a foreign state was concluded — the Treaty «On Peace and Love» of 860. In the second half of the 17th century, the first permanent representations of Russia abroad appeared. The name «ministry» was first applied to the Russian foreign policy department in 1802 after the reform of state authorities and the creation of the cabinet of ministers. Count Alexander Vorontsov became the first Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the Soviet period, the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs was formed to solve foreign policy problems, but in 1946 the ministry was returned, which remained in post-Soviet Russia. >The State Duma explained why Russia stood at the center of international diplomacy