Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has presented a report at the Federation Council. He discussed the role of Russia in European security and relations with Syria and Iran. The Russia-NATO Council will have a ministerial meeting at the end of the year.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen wanted to improve ties with Russia at a meeting in New York on September 26. Russia and the US cannot reach a consensus on European missile security in Europe. Lavrov says that the US refuses to take any obligations.
He confirmed that Moscow was ready to continue dialogue on European missile defenses basing on the principles of equality and respect of the international law. The minister believes that NATO ruins balance of weapons while demanding Moscow to follow the CFE Treaty. Russia halted its part in the treaty in 2007.
Lavrov added that NATO partners demanded Russia to recognize Georgian sovereignty as it had been in 2008. He also pointed out the unclear NATO drills.
The foreign minister said that Russia was expecting proposals on visits of the UN and LAS representative for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi to Russia.
Lavrov insists that Turkey and Syria should start a dialogue after the incident of early October.
Concerning Iran, Lavrov noted that using force against Tehran would ruin the negotiation process. He urged side to focus on the 5+1 format of talks.
