Lavrov Criticizes Attempts To 'Politicize' UNESCO

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

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.

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