Lavrov claims situation in Middle East requires Russia’s attention

The situation in the Middle East and in the Asia Pacific Region requires Russia’s permanent attention, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. Opening the talks with his Australian counterpart Bob Carr on Tuesday, Lavrov said, “We praise an opportunity to hold consultations on bilateral relations and international issues. We seek to develop cooperation and work out promising projects.” Recently Russian President Vladimir Putin has had a telephone conversation with the Australian premier to focus on a wide range of issues. Carr has arrived in Russia to take part in the G20 summit to be held in St Petersburg on September 5-6. “We continue contacts at the ministerial level and hold consultations on vital issues.” “We hope that we’ll be able to coordinate the efforts ahead of the APEC and East Asia summits,” the Russian minister said, adding that Australia was preparing for presiding in the G20 in 2014. Carr said Russia played an important role in the Asia Pacific Region. Australia praises Russia’s initiatives on trans-border security and the environmental protection, he said, adding that he would like to discuss cooperation within the U.N. Security Council.