Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: “We're not in cohorts with anyone against anybody else.”

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- Mr. Lavrov, the international community is questioning if our foreign policy will change due to Dmitry Medvedev's election as president.

- At a recent meeting with U.S. President George Bush in Sochi, President Putin once again stressed that Mr. Medvedev has played a direct role in the development of our foreign policy over the past 8 years. And I think this suggests a complete continuation of our current line of policy. Mr. Medvedev and I worked together in Russia's Security Council. I can say with assurance that he has a solid understanding of the situation and sees perspectives for developing our foreign policy within the framework of the course that has been established in recent years.

- But we have information that the Foreign Ministry has begun to develop a new foreign policy doctrine...

- No, there is really no such need. All principle directions for developing Russia's foreign policy were included in our conceptual model in 2000. This is pragmatism supporting our national interests and strongly asserting them without engaging in confrontations. And also diversity – a willingness to cooperate with everyone who is ready to do so on the basis of equality, mutual gain and a joint consideration of interests. An entirely different story is that we take into account changes on the international stage, and introduce factual clarity.

«NATO is rushing to mark its territory»

- What actually transpired at the Russia-NATO Summit in Bucharest? Many foreign politicians say Moscow made an ultimatum that Ukraine and Georgia must not be included in the bloc.

- No threats were made on our behalf. And the majority of participants at the Summit believed President Putin's speech at the closed conference to be clear, honest and open. Indeed, the president devoted much time to issues concerning NATO expansion. He explained why it will not add security, but rather create new, complicated problems, taking Ukraine and Georgia as examples. He stated that one-third of Ukraine's population are ethnic Russians, and we have a shared, centuries-old history and culture. President Putin demonstrated the history of Georgia's development taking into account the relationships that have existed for centuries between Georgians, Abkhazians, Ossetians and Russians. This was a revelation for many of our Western partners.

- But NATO members noted in their official report that Ukraine and Georgia will sooner or later become members of the alliance...

- On the eve of the Summit, our colleagues assured us assiduously – the membership issue will be decided by the peoples of these countries. But the Ukrainians weren't asked – neither were the Ossetians and Abkhazians. Thus, their official report strictly contradicts what the NATO members just stated themselves.

- Why do you think NATO is moving so stubbornly eastwards?

- Either this is an attempt to form some sort of new global union with a Western nucleus, which aims to play a role almost similar to the UN. Or (and most likely) this is being done with the absurd aim to assimilate a block territory: first marking the territory and then considering it as its own. But territories aren't heterogeneous. Creating new problems is not in anyone's interest.

- Maybe we should make an advance ourselves and recognize Abkhazia or South Ossetia?

- As before, we're convinced that international law should not be put to the test. We don't believe in acting according to the principles of “Every law has a loophole,” as was the case with Kosovo. Our support of Abkhazia and South Ossetia will be objective. We have to ensure that the people there (and the majority are Russian citizens) live accordingly, aren't subjected to provocation, and are able to freely communicate with Russia.

- Another issue on everyone's mind is the U.S. anti-missile shield in Europe...

- It's important that the U.S. finally recognized our concerns in Bucharest and Sochi about the establishment of a third anti-missile shield site in the Czech Republic and Poland. We think our anxiety can be relieved simply – just don't put the anti-missile shield in Europe. But as our partners do not agree, Russia must be convinced that the system is not directed against us. The U.S. understands this and has offered us measures to ensure transparency and trust. We have counter proposals, as well as questions about a row of U.S. ideas. If we reach an agreement, then our concerns may be partially relieved. I say “may be” because I do not know what result we will ultimately reach. The dialogue will continue.

- What was the main result of the meeting in Sochi. Have our positions become closer or more distant to those of the U.S.?

- We can hardly expect complete likeness of mind among large nations with global interests. But the greater the responsibility of the leaders, the harder they must try to see what unites their countries and look past their inescapable differences. They must not allow these differences to define the general course of their mutual relations. And I think the passing of the “Declaration on a Strategic Framework of Russian-U.S. relations” is a significant achievement. It does not smooth over current problems, but is aimed at further increasing all-round cooperation in areas where we have already reached an agreement and for creating new joint initiatives. This is more than anything else combating international terrorism, strengthening regimes fighting the distribution of weapons of mass destruction, developing secure nuclear energy, and much more.

“Our security is guaranteed 100 percent”

- But there is the impression that the international community is always pressuring Russia. NATO is expanding, new bases and the anti-missile shield are being established along Russian borders... And we're calling on our partners to behave accordingly. Maybe we should answer them more harshly?

- I do not think we are only using rhetoric. We take exceptionally practical measures that allow us to ensure our security 100 percent.

- Why shouldn't we answer NATO's expansion by increasing the membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)?

- In principle, concrete forms of participation in the SCO for countries with an observer status are currently under discussion – India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan. They will be offered the opportunity in their current status to join the SCO's industrial activities in the spheres of economy, energy and banking cooperation.

- There is another option – signing a military pact with China...

- Neither Russia nor China are aiming to conclude a military pact. We have an overall interest in supporting stability and security in the region that touches our borders, as do our strategic partners. Our approaches fully coincide regarding the necessity to use first and foremost political and diplomatic methods that increase the potential of SCO countries. And in all our documents the idea is conferred that we are not in cohorts against anyone.

“We will simplify visa procedures”

- Mr. Lavrov, an agreement was signed during your recent meeting in Israel regarding the removal of the visa regime with the country. When will it come into force?

- After it is ratified by Israel's parliament. We will be ready to synchronize our domestic procedures for the agreement to come into effect with the Israelis.

- And what about visas with EU countries?

- An agreement for lessening the visa procedures has come into effect. We do have disagreements though with individual EU countries regarding the implementation of the agreement. Some embassies of EU nations ask those seeking visas to meet additional requirements that are not envisaged in the agreement. We directed this question to the European Commission and appropriate nations. The second problem is our colleagues have started to open so-called visa centers, which has led to an increase in the cost of processing visas. In addition to the 35 euro foreseen by the agreement, they also require applicants to pay a service charge. It's that sort of importunate service... We said they should accept payments for additional services (quick processing, a comfortable waiting area, home delivery, etc.), but they should not make levy the opportunity to process a Schengen visa for those who want to process their visa according to the conditions envisaged by the agreement. They assured us they would fix the situation.

- Our readers occasionally complain about poor treatment at Russian embassies abroad. Does the Foreign Ministry have a method for controlling such instances?

- Unfortunately such situations do occur. Sometimes they are simply callous employees who do not have an elementary feeling of duty. I recommend that you immediately complain to their bosses – consuls, ambassadors and the Foreign Ministry. We take care of all these situations. I am reported about each and every episode.

- Not long ago, KP wrote that a Russian citizen was imprisoned in Madagascar for catching butterflies. And our embassy intervened only after one month...

- Often we actually learn about such incidents in the press, as no one notifies us about the situations. Today over 6 million Russian citizens go abroad annually. And the number is increasing. But the number of crimes is also increasing. It is not possible to keep track of everyone... You brought up the incident in Madagascar. This is just an example of how important it is to know local laws. Our citizen was catching wildlife in a national park, which is why he faced two years in prison. As a result of our help he was released, and rather quickly. Our sailors are often arrested abroad who are hired by unprincipled ship-owners who break local laws and international regulations. Regardless, of course, we have to rescue them and we will try to do so. But it is impossible to just hurdle over local laws.

“The anti-missile shield agreement was signed with Rice on a menu”

- You have had to speak with numerous foreign colleagues while serving as minister. Is there anyone you would like to highlight?

- I have a very good relationship with the foreign ministers of Germany, Spain, France, China, Egypt, Brazil, India and many other countries – with the former head of the British Foreign Office Jack Straw. Traditionally, I work in close cooperation with my U.S. colleagues – first with Colin Powell and now with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. We do not speak in equivoques and euphemisms. When we are agreeing upon approaches to various problems, we speak openly. And on many occasions we are able to find a common tongue.

- Is it true that at the official lunch in Sochi you wrote the entire formula for the anti-missile shield with Condoleezza Rice right on the menu?

- Yes, and we had to. There was nothing else around to write on.

- Can you say how many countries you have been to?

- I have a map in my office that my predecessor Igor Ivanov began sticking flags into – I have continued his tradition, but I am not keeping count.

- There probably are not many empty spots?

- Well there are still the exotic places like Bhutan and Brunei...

- And would you like to take a trip to Sri Lanka where you started your political career as an intern?

- Of course I would – to look at the house where I lived... But a minster is not a private person. The visit has to have some basis. We are developing a range of agreements with Sri Lanka.

- It is a well-known fact you are an inveterate raftsman. Do you still have time to hit some wild rivers?

- How else! Honestly, though, I was not able to last summer, unfortunately. The time frame for holding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum was moved. I hope this year everything will go smoothly.

- When you are rafting, do you talk to your friends about politics?

- I try to relax on vacation.

- Do you follow the football championship? You are a big fan of Spartak.

- They lost to Dynamo in a dramatic match in the last tour. I was very anxious.

- Now you can cheer for Zenit.

- I really enjoy following Zenit. The first match with Bayer was wonderful. But more than anything I was cheering for Russia.

- Do you still find time to hit the field yourself?

- I try. I made four goals the last time around.

- Who did you beat?

- Our opponents. We have funny teams – there are deputies and ministers... Once in May 1992 a game was held between the Russian state and Moscow state. Yury Luzhkov was the captain of the Moscow team, and Boris Yeltsin headed the Russian team. I was playing for the “national” team. Many years have passed. I worked in New York, where we also played quite a bit of football – our state against the UN Secretariat. I remember once I was given a big book, “How a Man Can Stay Young.” I looked at the photo and I could not believe my eyes. It was Luzhkov and I running after the ball. I did not even know that such a photo existed. I searched very hard for the author. Now the photo is in my office.

KP's Dossier

Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov was born in 1950. He studied at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Soviet Foreign Ministry. Lavrov began his diplomatic career in 1972 in the Soviet Embassy in Sri Landka, where he worked for four years. He worked at the Permanent Soviet Mission at the UN from 1981 to 1988, where he earned the rank of senior adviser.

After returning to Moscow, Lavrov became the deputy head of the Department of International Economic Relations of the Foreign Ministry, and then director of the Department of International Organizations and Global Problems of the Foreign Ministry.

In 1992, Lavrov was appointed deputy foreign minister, and two years later returned to the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation at the UN.

From 2004, Lavrov served as Russia's foreign minister. He is a permanent member of the Security Council.

Lavrov speaks English, French and Sinhalese. He is married and has a daughter.

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