Asked what worried him most shortly before New Year celebrations, Lavrov told Russia Today, the country's first 24-hour English-language news channel: "I hope that the Russian sailors in Algeria would be released by the end of the year."
The sailors, all crewmembers of the Greek-owned African Pride that was found carrying allegedly stolen oil 31 miles off Nigeria's coast in October 2003, were imprisoned in the country for nearly two years before being released on bail in September. Delays in the case have strained diplomatic relations between Russia and Nigeria. The next court hearing is due December 14.
Speaking about possible problems expected in 2006, Lavrov said: "As for the main concern for 2006, I prefer not to think about it... We have to be ready for anything, but always think about the interests of Russia and of how these interests could be promoted in a way which builds international consensus," he said.
