Still possible to normalize Russia-EU relations - diplomat
MOSCOW. Sept 25 (Interfax) - The conditions needed to normalize relations between Russia and the European Union exist today, but Brussels ought to pursue its own independent policies, the director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's department for cooperation with Europe, Ivan Soltanovsky, has said.
"The sanctions have certainly delivered a serious blow to our relations, but, as [Russian] Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said, our relations with the EU have not reached the point of no-return," he told Interfax on the sidelines of the Helsinki+40 international conference, which is taking place in Moscow with the support of the Russian International Affairs Council.
"It means that the conditions to normalize relations exist, but Europe should start to speak with its own voice. However, we do not see this happening today," the diplomat added.
