17 Feb 2017 14:25

Pragmatism should continue driving Russian-Italian relations - Lavrov

BONN. Feb 17 (Interfax) - Moscow values Russian-Italian relations and believes pragmatism should prevail in them, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"I am glad to have an opportunity to personally congratulate you on taking office as foreign minister," Lavrov said during a meeting with his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meeting in Bonn.

"I am confident that your experience and knowledge will help ensure continuity in our relations, which we value and which are important to us even amid the current problems," he said.

"Pragmatism is what drives our relations, and we believe that's how it should be in the future," Lavrov said.