Russia ready to promote contacts with Lebanon in different areas - Lavrov
NEW YORK (UN). Sept 26 (Interfax) - Russia is committed to promoting comprehensive cooperation with Lebanon further, including in trade and the economy, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam on the sidelines of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly.
"Today's meeting gives us a chance to reaffirm our solidarity with Lebanon and our support for its government's efforts, as well as to take a look at how we can develop relations further," Lavrov said.
Russia is "prepared to promote cultural and humanitarian ties [with Lebanon], contacts in education, as well as trade, economic and investment relations," the Russian minister said, adding that these measures would help enhance security both inside Lebanon and along its borders.
"We are ready to cooperate in any form," he said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on its website later that "during the meeting, the Russian side reaffirmed its support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Lebanon, as well as the need to launch a broad national dialogue between all leading political and religious forces of the country within the framework of the law and with the aim of resolving key issues on the Lebanese domestic agenda."
"The sides also confirmed that the approaches of Russia and Lebanon to the problem of combating the terrorism threat in compliance with international law and with due respect for the sovereignty of other states either coincide or are close," the ministry said.
Lavrov and Salam also discussed "some aspects of the further development of Russian-Lebanese trade and economic cooperation and ways to enhance the diverse contractual and legal framework and partnership, including assistance for Beirut's efforts to bolster the potential of Lebanese security structures," the Russian ministry said.