MOSCOW, October 26. /TASS/. Russia is interested in developing cooperation with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, including at the organization’s summit in Baku in 2016, Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday after the meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser.

"The issues of migration were discussed in detail, particularly through the prism of the current situation with migrants in Europe," the foreign ministry said. "The role that the Alliance of Civilizations could play in resolving this crisis was emphasized," the ministry added.

Lavrov expressed support to Al-Nasser’s policy of developing the Alliance of Civilizations and positively assessed strengthening ties between this structure and UN. " Russia’s interest was confirmed in further cooperation with this inter-civilizational initiative under the auspices of UN," the foreign ministry added.

Russia will strengthen cooperation with United Nations Alliance of Civilizations to counter fuelling conflicts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "The importance of your activities has grown considerably in the conditions when inter-religious strife is being fuelled in different parts of the world, when religious and civilizational factors are being used as an instrument of unscrupulous policy," he noted.

"Russia stood at the origins of this structure and actively participated in its creation. Over the 10 years of Alliance of Civilizations’ existence, Russia has made possible contributions to the work of the Alliance and to achievement of high aims that were put in front of it by UN General Assembly," he stressed.

Lavrov also noted that he had worked with Al-Nasser in the United Nations for a long time. "I am glad that your great experience is in demand by the international community," he added.

"We visited Moscow as a representative of UN General Assembly. Now you have come as a head of a very important international structure that is tasked with preventing inter-cultural, inter-civilizational and religious split," the foreign minister stressed.

Lavrov also expressed confidence that Al-Nasser’s visit "will allow to strengthen the basis of cooperation between Russia and the Alliance." "You have several important meetings planned with Russian officials, non-governmental organizations and educational institutions. I am confident that this will be helpful," he concluded.