Russian-Chinese relations are at highest level ever — Lavrov

BEIJING, The Russian-Chinese relations are at the highest level ever, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

The negotiations are held ahead of the Russia-India-China ministerial meeting.

Lavrov said the Russia-India-China format retains its importance under the current conditions.

“We are supporting the agenda,” he said. “Our experts have offered a substantial declaration, and I am sure we’ll be able to adopt it today.”

“Our relations are at the highest level ever,” Lavrov said adding he hoped all bilateral issues would be developing.

The Chinese foreign minister called Lavrov his old friend stressing “China’s president pays special attention to cooperation with Russia, he will find time to meet” with the Russian minister. Wang Yi said “over the past year, foreign ministers of our countries applied great efforts to implement the agreements, reached by leaders of our countries.”

Beijing will develop further the strategic contacts and cooperation with Moscow according to the benchmarks outlined at the top level, the Chinese foreign minister said.

Celebration of the 70th anniversary of victory in WWII will give a positive impetus to the entire world, he said.

“We should cope with various ‘crisis spots’, which are emerging one after another, thus observing our international obligations,” the Chinese foreign minister said.

ITAR TASS

Ibrahim Zaaboub