Moscow to retaliate for any unfriendly measure by U.S. – Lavrov

PanARMENIAN.Net - Moscow will continue to retaliate for any unfriendly measures implemented by Washington, but hopes to develop improved relations with the United States and will coordinate its actions in the international arena, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, Jan 23, according to RIA Novosti.

"Of course we will retaliate for unfriendly acts, but at the core of our position is the development of Russian-American links in all fields, including in the international arena," he said at a press conference on Russian Foreign Policy in 2012 in Moscow.

Relations with America retained their key role in maintaining security in the Euro-Atlantic area as a whole and "for support of global stability" in 2012, he said.

"We are interested in constructive dialog, in the development of stable, mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in investment, in economic and trade relations and personal contacts," he said, recalling that last year a revised visa regime came into force between the two states.

He expressed hope that this process would continue, eventually leading to a visa-free regime between Russia and the United States.