Taking part in our negotiations were Justice Minister Chaika and Interior Minister Gryzlov. Their agencies are also actively cooperating with the Council of Europe.

We discussed prospects for the Council of Europe. Russia is interested in further broadening cooperation with the Council of Europe, increasing its influence and creating a single legal space in Europe. We will actively interact in this field.

We paid particular attention to the fight against international terrorism. It is necessary to eradicate this evil so that it should no longer pose a threat to the peoples living in the space that comprises the member states of the Council of Europe. We have a clear idea of the task facing us although it is an extremely complicated task.

We discussed some other issues, including interaction between the Council of Europe and some other European regional organizations so as to make our cooperation more effective and to build the European architecture together.

We are satisfied with the way our bilateral relations are developing, especially after the meeting of the presidents of Russia and Lithuania. The agreements reached during the Lithuanian President's visit to our country will be implemented in the interests of developing goodneighborly relations between our countries.

I would like to express appreciation to my colleague, Mr. Valionis, for a very constructive, frank and trusting conversation on all the issues. We are sure that the chairmanship of Lithuania in the Council of Europe will be a success and will contribute to the authority and role of the Council of Europe in European affairs.

Question: What is Russia's position with regard to issues concerning the Kaliningrad region, considering that Lithuania will join the EU and maybe NATO?

Foreign Minister Ivanov: Mr. Valionis has arrived in Moscow with a large delegation of the Council of Europe. Therefore most attention at the talks was paid to interaction with the Council of Europe. But, of course, the problem of Kaliningrad was discussed.

We are engaging in a dialogue with the European Union. The position of Russia is well known. It is necessary to solve questions connected with the life support of the Kaliningrad region, the visa regime, energy supplies, fishing and so on. All these issues should be solved in advance through negotiations taking into account all the circumstances. They were discussed at the top level during meetings between the European Union and Russia. Appropriate bilateral structures are continuing to work.

We believe this issue affects not only Russia and the European Union. Lithuania and Poland should take part in these negotiations too. These countries have a common border with the Kaliningrad region and the resolution of these issues affects their interests too. The European Union so far has preferred to conduct these negotiations in the Russia-European Union format.

Unfortunately, so far I cannot say that there has been tangible progress. We have a discussion, we are stating the problems that exist and the readiness of corresponding EU institutions to engage in a dialogue. But we are interested to see a more active and more constructive dialogue, and we will raise this question in our contacts with the European Union in the short term.

Question: When will the treaty on the state border between Russia and Lithuania be ratified?

Foreign Minister Ivanov: The issue was raised during negotiations today. The treaty has been submitted to the State Duma for ratification. The document is being considered. We briefed our Lithuanian colleagues on how the discussion is proceeding. I will be able to give you a more specific answer after the State Duma has made the decision.


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