Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev delivers a speech during the International Labour Organization (ILO)'s annual International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, June 11, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)

 
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday condemned "illegitimate sanctions, protectionism and trade wars" while addressing the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Medvedev was addressing the ILO's annual International Labour Conference (ILC) that runs from June 10-21, marking the 100th anniversary of the organization in Geneva.

"We live in a globalized world, and global regulation of labor relations need some equal principles," said the prime minister.

"There is such a thing as illegitimate sanctions, protectionism and trade wars, and other artificial barriers that negatively affect, among other things, the labor market and economies of countries in general," he said without referring to any nation by name.

"The behavior of some countries in the trade and economic field is becoming aggressive. It is bordering on arbitrariness," and "under threat is the world order that had been constructed over decades."

Medvedev issued a reminder that the United Nations building in Geneva used to house the defunct League of Nations, and he said its "dismal end is a reminder that the architecture of international relations is very fragile, and we need to support it by all means possible."

He said Russia stands for the principle of openness, respect for national interests and international cooperation.

"Russian has always been against these new Berlin Walls," said the prime minister, noting that nations need to respond to social changes and new changes because failing to respond leads to upheaval and conflict.

He said the "universal labor guarantee is a fundamental right...although the task is very ambitious," and all countries need to have universal labor guarantees.

"Our shared task is to make labor in the 21st century a factor of development," said Medvedev.