MOSCOW, January 21. /ITAR-TASS/. Any reasoning about emergence of some systemic problems in Russia-EU partnership is far-fetched, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a major news conference reviewing the results of 2013 on Tuesday.
“Russia will consistently seek to fix a trend towards formation of acceptable approaches ensuring equal and indivisible security of all countries,” he said. “This is our key priority applicable to the situation in the Euro-Atlantic Region.”
“We cannot allow decisions of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Russia-NATO Council calling for the creation of a common space of peace, security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic Region to remain on paper,” Lavrov said. “No country should ensure its security at expense of others.”
“Landmark dates to be observed this year are the 100th anniversary of WWI and the 70th anniversary of the beginning of WWII remind us what catastrophic consequences the belief in personal exceptionality brings about,” the diplomat said.
“Russia has consistently been working towards enhancing strategic partnership with the European Union,” he said. “In the long-term the creation of a common economic and humanitarian space from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean meets our common interests. Any reasoning about emergence of some systemic problems in partnership between Russia and the European Union seem far-fetched.
Joint steps to visa-free regime fulfilled
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also stated that the program of ‘joint steps’ to cancel the visa regime with the European Union is fulfilled.
“Negotiated package of blocks has earlier been prepared for transition to visa-free regime. According to our estimates, they are fulfilled, criteria set in them are attained,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lavrov noted EU attempts to link these steps with other agreements not related with them, particularly in human rights, hamper transition to next stage of talks.