BONN/Germany/, February 17. /TASS/. Moscow expects that Russia and Italy will continue developing pragmatic relations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the meeting with his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meeting in Bonn.
"I’m glad to have a chance to personally congratulate you on the assumption of office as the foreign minister," Lavrov said at the first meeting with Alfano since the politician was appointed as Italy’s top diplomat.
"I’m sure that your experience and knowledge will ensure continuity in our relations that we appreciate and that are important for us even during the current difficult time," he said.
"Pragmatism advances our relations. We believe that this should continue in the future," Lavrov stressed.