Russian-German Ties Key to European Stability: MinisterRussia regards its partnership with Germany as a most important factor in European stability, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said in Russia's second biggest city of St. Petersburg after a Tuesday meeting with his German counterpart Joschka Fischer."It can be said today without exaggeration that the Russian- German partnership is turning into a major factor in the stability of Europe," the Itar-tass quoted Ivanov as saying. The Minister said Russia and Germany "could do and are doing much" in interests of European security and cooperation, citing the progress of Russia-EU strategic partnership. Not only in Europe, he said, Russia and Germany also shared many common positions on key international problems. According to Ivanov, the two gave much attention to the Balkan situation during their meeting, stressing their common goal of creating a stability and security zone in the region. "We must not allow the region becoming a hotbed of militant extremism and terrorism for entire Europe," he said. The two also discussed a wide range of international issues, including the problems of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM), the NATO-Russian relations and the Mideast situation. |
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