Grushko says Russia and EU can overcome differences only through dialogue – Politics
ATHENS, 8 December. / TASS /. Russia and the EU can overcome their differences only through dialogue, NATO must abandon the conflict course in relations with Russia. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Alexander Grushko made this statement in an exclusive interview with a Greek newspaper published on Wednesday “Vima“.
Deputy Minister, that Russia supports the approach of Germany and France, which in the June EU summit proposed to hold a similar Russia-EU summit. “Oddly enough, some EU countries opposed this initiative. We are open for this,” Grushko said.
With regard to relations with NATO, then, according to the Deputy Minister, currently the responsibility lies exclusively with the Alliance, which is at the lowest point in a decade. – Washington and its allies are pursuing a confrontational anti-Russian course, strengthening the military presence at our borders. unmanned aerial vehicles flying along the border with Russia.
Grushko noted that the situation did not deteriorate yesterday. “NATO and Russia have had many opportunities to work together to build a solid security architecture in Europe. The Alliance missed these opportunities. Western countries refused to ratify the Agreement on Adaptation of the CFE Treaty. – said the Deputy Foreign Minister.
NATO must abandon the conflict course
Grushko noted that there have always been disagreements between Russia and NATO, but the parties discussed them. “However, after NATO’s unilateral decision in 2014 to terminate all contacts with the political or military level, the alliance continued to methodically cut off the remaining communication channels,” the deputy minister said. … The number of our diplomatic missions in Brussels was reduced three times: in 2015, in 2018 and in October 2021.
“All of the above clearly shows that the North Atlantic Alliance is not interested in constructive discussion of vital security issues in Europe and our proposals to reduce military-political tensions,” Grushko said. ? First, the alliance must abandon the conflict course in relations with Russia in favor of restoring a trusting dialogue between us. Russia from NATO.
Political dialogue with Greece
Grushko said that the political dialogue between Russia and Greece is going on intensively, the country remains one of the most important partners for Moscow in Europe.
“Greece is one of the important partners of Russia in Europe.
Grushko noted that at present, after the fall due to the spread of COVID-19, there is bilateral trade, tourist flows and business activity. “Russia is a reliable supplier of energy resources, primarily natural gas, to Greek consumers,” he said. “In a difficult market situation, in 2021, the export of natural gas from Russia to Greece increased by 16%.”
“The political dialogue is going on intensively,” Grushko continued. So, this year, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin was present in Athens at the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek Revolution of 1821-1829 against the Ottoman yoke and held talks with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Chairperson of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, who participates in the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament under the auspices of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Chairperson of the Council of Europe. In May, Sochi hosted the fourth meeting in two years between Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov and Nikos Dendias. “Now we are waiting in Russia for the detailed with the Russian leadership-Minister Mitsotakis,” the diplomat added.
The importance of this common holiday is underlined by the holding of the bilateral Year of History under the auspices of the President of the Russian Federation and the Prime Minister of Greece. – Consent of the Deputy Foreign Minister.