Although some issues of Russian-British relations remain unsettled, the two states are intensifying their dialogue, RF Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at his meeting with his British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband. Minister Lavrov expressed hope or further political contacts with Great Britain, which will enable the sides to progress in all directions and create conditions for settling the rest issues.

Minister Lavrov stated Russia and Great Britain are cooperating in a number of key international affairs, which “really require combined efforts of all the states that can contribute to the solution.”

David Miliband shared Minister Lavrov’s opinion on the prospects for developing bilateral relations. He pointed out that both the nations can jointly respond to the global challenges facing both nations.

The Vesti news program reported that on the threshold of his visit to Moscow Secretary David Miliband stated that he did not expect the visit to settle the fundamental differences between the two nations. He stated his intention to discuss the global foreign policy problems with Minister Sergey Lavrov. In his interview with The Financial Times David Miliband expressed hope for a thorough discussion of not only bilateral relations, but also issues related to Afghanistan, Iran and Near East.

David Miliband’s visit is the first visit paid to Moscow by the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

At a press briefing today Georgian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nino Kalandadze stated that David Miliband is expected to address the issue of Georgia’s admission to NATO. According to her, before visiting Moscow he made a statement in support of Georgia, pointing out that the EU member-states, particularly Great Britain, will support Georgia in its integration into the European Union and NATO.