Britain expects to expand bilateral relations with Russia, including in trade and fight against global challenges, despite the existing differences, British Foreign Secretary William Hague has said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to visit London on February 14-15 at the invitation of the British government. In October last year, Hague paid a one-day visit to Moscow.
Announcing Lavrov's visit, Hague said: "We will continue to build on the discussions we had in Moscow last October on tackling the major global challenges and further deepening our already strong trade relationship."
"As I have said previously, where we have differences we will voice them but this should not prevent us from seeking to work together for our mutual benefit," he said.
Russian-British relations have been strained over a host of issues, including the controversial death of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006 and Russia's pressure on the British Council in 2007-2008.
The issues also include Britain's criticism of Moscow after the Russian-Georgian military conflict in August 2008 and tit-for-tat diplomat expulsions. Russia has also accused Britain of acting as a refuge for fugitive Russian businessmen, including Boris Berezovsky.
The countries currently cooperate on key international issues, but there has been no noticeable progress in the resolution of bilateral disputes.
LONDON, February 5 (RIA Novosti)
