Russia would like for relations between Moscow and Berlin to be more constructive and aims to overcome accumulated problems with all new members of the German government, Sergey Lavrov said opening talks with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday.
"Certainly, we would like to see a more constructive state of the Russian-German relations, we aim to overcome the accumulated problems with all members of the new government and are invariably interested in good relations with Germany on the principles of mutual respect, equality, and the consideration of mutual interests," he said.
The Russian top diplomat also noted that he appreciated the opportunity to conduct the talks only several weeks after Germany’s new government was formed and started work.
"I am very grateful to you for the January 10 letter to me in a positive tonality. I would like to particularly stress your statement on the centuries-old and historical links between the people of Russia and Germany as well as on the joint responsibility for the successful development of bilateral relations. I am absolutely of the same mind. I hope that today we will work precisely in this spirit," the Russian foreign minister emphasized.
Berlin sees no alternative to stable relations with Moscow, and the new German government is ready to work on maintaining them, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.
"During my visit, I would like to emphasize how important relations with the Russian Federation are for the new federal government and for me personally. There is no alternative to stable relations between Moscow and Berlin. I would like to continue working on this task, and here I speak on behalf of the entire new federal government," she said during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
"It is important for me that today we can calmly discuss a whole range of bilateral and international topics, and devote enough time to them. These are topics where we can improve our relations together, and those where our friendship is experiencing difficulties these days," the German top diplomat added.
Baerbock also spotlighted the "deep historical dimension" of German-Russian relations.
"Therefore, today, during my first visit to Moscow, it will be important for me to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The historical depth and the historical pain between our countries are also a task, an assignment for politics in the present and for future generations. This is a mission and a task for reconciliation between nations and peoples," she said.
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