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RIA Novosti
Moscow concerned by NATO course at deterring Russia and is waiting for a specific response of the Alliance to their initiative on the resumption of cooperation with the Alliance, said the Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
“We have repeatedly said that slam the door we’re not going. Problems during goodwill on all sides in our relations with the West is not. In order to reverse the current negative trend, it is necessary to abandon the perverse logic to achieve the result, to impose parochial arrangement, and interactions without regard to the interests of the partner. We expect from the NATO-specific response to our initiative on the resumption of cooperation,” Lavrov said in Athens at the ceremony conferring on him the degree of honorary doctor of the University of Piraeus.
As the Minister said, “of particular concern is taken for NATO’s policy of containment of Russia, which undermines strategic stability on the European continent”. “Our borders is moving military infrastructure, are moved equipment and troops, increase the number and scope of the exercise, do not stop the construction of a missile defense system. It is sad that NATO goes from professional dialogue with Russia”, — said the Minister.
“Our Western partners, which were in euphoria after the cold war, prevailed infamous line to refuse equal dialogue, to capture the geopolitical space, otherwise it will not say on the division of peoples into “their” and “foreign”. The culmination of this course was supported by the United States and a number of European countries anti-constitutional coup in Ukraine”,- he said.
“Unfortunately, a serious obstacle to the further consolidation of our relations is not initiated by us downturn in relations between Russia and the European Union. Often we hear, both at the political and expert level, allegations that Moscow is to blame for the current tensions on the continent.
He noted that in the same line with the strategic review of relations with Russia, which were announced at the European Council meeting on 20-21 October. Lavrov reminded that Russia has consistently expressed the readiness of rapprochement with the EU on a wide range of issues, from the introduction of a visa-free regime before the formation of this durable energy Alliance.
“We’ve made specific proposals that were designed to make our partnership truly strategic, that would serve mutual interests. Unfortunately, in this direction, nothing to boast,” — said Lavrov.