MOSCOW, March 22. /TASS/. Russia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are interested in bringing the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries to a new level, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference on Wednesday following talks with DRC Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Leonard She Okitundu.

According to Russia’s top diplomat, the talks were held in a benevolent manner. "We discussed a wide array of issues related to our bilateral relations and the international agenda," he said. "We have traditionally friendly ties based on the principles of equality and mutual respect."

"We noted the good state of the political dialogue, including regular consultations between the two countries' Foreign Ministries," Lavrov noted. "We pointed to willingness to deepen inter-parliamentary ties, noted the need to intensify work on improving the legal framework. A number of projects and agreements are under consideration by the parties, and we will accelerate this process."

"We focused on the objective of taking our trade, economic and especially investment relations to a new level, including by promoting direct contacts between the two countries’ businesspeople," the minister said.

Moscow is ready to assist the Democratic Republic of the Congo in solving conflicts and problems that the country has been facing, Lavrov said. 

The Russian top diplomat pointed to long relations between Russia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "We are interested in developing ties in all spheres," Lavrov added.

"It is important to us to know about the efforts that the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo make to normalize the situation, particularly taking into consideration the ongoing conflicts in the eastern part of the country," the Russian foreign minister said. "Only yesterday you were in New York, where the United Nations Security Council was reviewing these issues, so we would like to hear what you think about it."

"We know that your country is willing to assist its neighbor states in solving conflicts and problems that they have been facing. We are also ready to help," Lavrov added.