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Russia to West: Keep out of our backyard
Press
TV
Thursday, Dec 11, 2008
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the EU is Moscow's
strategic partner but warns Brussels against meddling in its backyard.
"The EU is Russia's closest neighbor and partner both in
politics and economy," Lavrov said at a meeting with foreign
businessmen on Wednesday.
He said bilateral relations between Brussels and Moscow "are
acquiring a new quality, and we have every reason to describe
them today as strategic partnership."
Lavrov expressed satisfaction at the level of the Russia-EU relations,
recalling the dispute over the country's military measure against
Georgia as further evidence which showed once again that "Russia
and EU need each other."
(ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW)
"There are many important problems, which just cannot be
settled without our participation. At the same time, we regard
our strategic partnership with EU not as a result, but as a basis
for a further development of cooperation," he said.
The Russian minister, however, urged the United States and other
Western countries to avoid 'behind-the-scenes meddling' in Moscow's
backyard.
He said Moscow understands that the US and European Union have
interests in the region, but the West must not protect those interests
at the expense of Russia.
Lavrov reiterated Russia's opposition to US missile defense plans
but expressed hope for constructive relations with the incoming
US administration.
The US and Russia are at odds over a number of issues including
Washington's plans to deploy 10 missile interceptors in Poland
and a radar system in the Czech Republic, which Moscow deems as
a threat to its sovereignty.
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