10 Aug 2013 00:29

Lavrov expects Putin, Obama to start talks on visa-free travel at next summit

WASHINGTON. Aug 10 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expects the Russian and U.S. presidents will start negotiations on visa-free travel at the next summit.

"We expect that the presidents will decide at the next meeting to start negotiations on visa-free travel," Lavrov said at a press conference following negotiations between the Russian and U.S. diplomacy and defense chiefs in Washington on Friday.

Lavrov recalled that President Vladimir Putin proposed last year that the two countries attach more significance to contacts between people and cooperation between the civil societies, including steps toward cancelling visa formalities for short-term visits.