"Whatever decision to extend the UN Security Council is to base on all its members' accord. Meanwhile, we see no such consensus. If we attempt to settle the matter through vote, it will split the Organization to the detriment of its legitimacy," warned Mr. Lavrov.
"Russia has taken a flexible stance on the issue. If it is determined to extend Security Council membership, we shall point out many countries who can make strong hopefuls," he went on. The Foreign Minister chose not to specify the latter point.
As an Italian reporter asked him about the prospects to extend the Security Council, he highlighted her country's dynamic activity in UN financial and peacekeeping efforts.
As for global opinions on tentative Council enlargement, the minister remarked:
"The UN Secretary General is drafting a paper on all matters concerning the United Nations, including those related to its Security Council."
Russia and Italy share a hope for "road maps" of the four Russia-EU united environments to be coordinated before Russia-EU summitry, which Moscow will host, May 10.
The negotiators paid special attention to Russian-Italian team efforts on the international scene and stepping up Russian partnership with the European Union, added the minister.
"We also took stock of many aspects of Russia-NATO Council activities, of goals posed to it. The Council is great success to meet them, so it is high time to think how to upgrade Council work."
As for Russian-Japanese relations, Moscow and Tokyo are both dedicated to the cause of all-round promotion of bilateral contacts, with peace treaty talks to go on.
"Preparations are underway for my visit to Tokyo. I hope an understanding on its time will come quite soon," said the Foreign Minister.
"Russia is true to understandings the two countries' leaders have achieved. That approach was clearly seen as Mr. Nobutaki Machimura, Japan's Foreign Minister, recently paid a visit to Moscow," said Mr. Lavrov.
