"I hope that today we will map out the key points of our interaction. I believe that it must be deeper and more practical," the Russian Minister said.
He noted that Moscow considers Ukraine to be not only its nearest strategic partner in geopolitical space but also a partner in the strategic vision of Europe's future and of the setup in the world as a whole.
Sergei Lavrov pointed out that the questions, submitted for the talks, "very well fit in with the strategic line designated by the two countries' presidents."
For his part, Konstantin Grishchenko said that he counted on discussing with Sergei Lavrov the global political questions of concern both to Ukraine and Russia. "There are questions which are so acute now that they doubtless worry the public of our two countries - the situation in Iraq, the questions of general international stability and security, and the role of the United Nations," Grishchenko said.
As for bilateral questions, Grishchenko expressed hope that within the next few months the sides would consider a number of themes which are still unresolved in relations between Moscow and Kiev. "We proceed from the idea that there are now all the conditions enabling us not simply to achieve progress but also to attain real results," the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed.
It was earlier reported that the question of delimiting the Azov-Kerch water area which at the end of last year became a genuine territorial problem for a certain time because of the conflict around the Tuzla spit would be considered at the talks.
