MOSCOW, November 3. /TASS/. It is taking European countries too long to decide who is best suited to engage in dialogue with Russia, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Vesti news service.

"As for the Europeans, it is taking them too long to decide who has the right to speak with us. They have to ask for permission first and consult with one another," he said.

Peskov added that Europe would apparently continue the complicated process of selecting officials to hold talks with Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference following the Russia-Africa Summit that Moscow welcomed any steps toward restoring full-fledged relations with European countries. "We welcome any steps - I have always said that - aimed at restoring full-fledged, multifaceted relations with European countries, whether with all of them collectively through the EU or on a bilateral basis. It’s up to them to choose; we have no preference," Putin said, commenting on his phone call with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.