Russian News Online: Lavrov: Moscow, imposing countermeasures against the EU, made it fair

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Lavrov: Moscow, imposing countermeasures against the EU, made it fair – TASS

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. Moscow, imposing countermeasures against the EU, made all to be honest. This was stated by Minister of foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov in interview to the Austrian magazine Profil.

“We imposed sanctions as a countermeasure of one very simple thing, he said. European sanctions limit the possibility for our banks to get loans to Finance agriculture, which would mean that the farmers from the EU to the Russian market would benefit from conditions of unfair competition.” “We had to make it fair. That’s all,” – said the Minister.

In his words, Moscow has initiated sanctions, and it is not to remove them.

To the objection of Russian countermeasures Lavrov replied rhetorically: “do You want to remain under European sanctions, but withdrew our?”.

the OSCE is a key platform for dialogue in Europe

the Organization for security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should remain the most important platform for discussing key European issues such as the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and cyber threats, the Minister said.

“the Main challenge for the coming year – restoration of the OSCE confidence and opportunities for equal dialogue and collective decision-making in the area of security, he said. – We are convinced that the Organization should continue to act as a major platform for discussion of approaches to all key issues on the European agenda.”

“we understand that this position is shared by our Austrian colleagues, – continued the head of the foreign Ministry. – Among the OSCE priorities must remain the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and cyber threats. No less important are important at this stage as protection of traditional values, the harmonisation of integration processes”.

He stressed that “Russia is interested in active and constructive presidency of Austria in the OSCE.” “We hope that our Austrian partners will show an objective and impartial approach to the development and implementation of the Organization’s agenda with the interests of all States parties,” – said Lavrov.

According to him, this is what was discussed at the meeting held on 18 January in Moscow, the talks with Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurtz, during which the parties discussed interaction in the OSCE. “We note with satisfaction that the Vienna program in 2017, which we have carefully studied, is tight and pragmatic and, importantly, pays equal attention to all dimensions of security”, – said the Minister.

Russia hopes to receive adequate attention of the OSCE to resolve conflicts

According to the Minister, Moscow hopes that during the Austrian presidency of the Organization for security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will be given due attention to resolve conflicts in your space.

“first of all it concerns assisting in the settlement of the internal Ukrainian crisis, – he noted. – Maximum involvement of the OSCE for these purposes, especially in demand today”.

In this regard, the Russian foreign Minister drew attention to the “effective work of the special representative of the Chairman (OSCE), the Austrian diplomat Martin Sajdik in the Contact group, where the dialogue of the conflicting parties – Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk – are addressed and must be addressed practical issues of settlement”. “The important stabilizing role played by the Special monitoring mission of OSCE”, – he stressed.

“we Believe that the OSCE will continue to contribute actively to the negotiation process on the conflict settlement within Transnistria and Nagorno-Karabakh, which is especially important against the background of aggravation of the situation in the region last year – said Lavrov. – I hope to continue in a constructive spirit of Geneva discussions on Transcaucasia”.

the Minister also confirmed the readiness of the Russian side “to provide Austrian colleagues support in successful implementation of these important tasks.”

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