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KERCH STRAIT PROVOCATION

Russia not against EU’s initiatives on maintaining stability in Black Sea, says Lavrov

"We only ask to respect the structures that already exist in various regions," Russian Foreign Minister said

MUNICH, February 16. /TASS/. Moscow has no issue with the initiatives of the European Union (EU) on maintaining stability in the Black Sea, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, adding though that Brussels should respect regional structures.

"As for security concerns in the Black Sea, the European Union has many regional initiatives regarding the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea, Central Asia, and we have no issue with them. We only ask to respect the structures that already exist in various regions," he said.

According to Lavrov, the Black Sea littoral countries have set up two mechanisms - the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and Turkey’s initiative Black Sea Harmony. "The Turkish initiative is focused on sea forces of littoral countries. I believe everyone should respect it. We welcome the European Union to join the organization as an observer," he added.

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