Russian, Kenyan FMs discuss bilateral relations, int'l agenda - Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW. March 16 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi met in Moscow on Monday to discuss bilateral and international agendas, including the situation around Ukraine and events in the Middle East, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The ministers "substantively discussed the state and prospects of further developing the friendly Russian-Kenyan relations. Moscow and Nairobi reaffirmed their resolve to advance political dialogue, expand mutually beneficial ties in trade, economy, education, science, the humanitarian and other areas [and] noted the importance of boosting joint efforts to improve the bilateral legal framework, including signing an agreement to create an Intergovernmental Russian-Kenyan commission on economic cooperation," the statement said.

The ministers also exchanged views on the topic of settling conflicts in Africa, the situation around Ukraine and developments in the Middle East, it said.

On pressing international and regional issues, "Russia and Kenya acknowledged their overlapping principled positions in support of forming a polycentric world order and ensuring the principles of fairness and equality in international affairs," the statement said. "Both sides expressed their interest in further enhancing the two countries' coordination within the UN and other multilateral forums," it said.

The Kenyan minister is in Russia on a working visit.