MOSCOW, June 02. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia and Mauritania have emphasized the need to search for ways to solve major international issues by dialogue.
“Our cooperation in global issues and conflict resolution is based on common approaches. It is necessary to respect the international law and the people’s right to determine their own destiny, to avoid unilateral actions that violate international law and to find solutions to any problems by dialogue with the participation of all parties,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks with Mauritania’s counterpart Ahmed Ould Teguedi on Monday.
“We discussed our views on the efforts aimed at settling the crisis in Syria, achieving progress in the Middle East settlement, primarily on the Palestinian-Israeli track, and resolving the conflict in the Sahara-Sahel region,” he said.
Contacts between Russia and Mauritania have become rather intensive, Lavrov said.
Russia and Mauritania will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on July 12.
“In the post-Soviet times, the dialogue was passive. In recent years, we have succeeded in improving it,” Lavrov said.
“In 2010, (Teguedi's) predecessor visited Moscow after the countries continued the dialogue at the level of deputy ministers. We have several promising projects that will allow us to promote relations,” he said.
“Historical relations unite us. Our positions practically coincide on all problems, particularly on the Middle East,” Lavrov said.
Russia’s top diplomat said the African Union plays a leading role in determining ways for Africa’s development.
“We support the efforts by our African friends as Mauritania is chairman of the African Union,” Lavrov stressed.