ANKARA - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday that Russia was in close contact with Turkey on increasing the efficiency of vessel course in Straits.
Lavrov attended 31st session of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Foreign Ministers in Istanbul.
In a written statement he made to A.A, Lavrov referred to oil transfer through Straits and said that both exporter and importer countries profited from usage of main oil transfer courses efficiently and appropriately to international law norms.
Lavrov said that Russia was in close contact with Turkey on increasing the efficiency of vessel course in the Straits by taking into consideration the reservations regarding the increase of passage capacity through Straits.
Noting that they held active consultations with Turkish Foreign Ministry and other related officials, Lavrov said that they were carefully following the concerns of Turkish public opinion regarding the high concentration of oil transfer with tankers through Straits.
Lavrov said that Russia did not consider an important increase in oil transfer on Black Sea course soon although export capacity was inefficient.
In a written statement he made to A.A, Lavrov said financial and economic aid to Turkish Cypriots should be made on condition that international mechanisms are established that will not violate UN resolutions in this respect.
Giving information about approach of Russia to the solution of Cyprus question, Lavrov said Russia was ready for cooperation with both Turkish Cypriot side and other states aiming to find a comprehensive and fair solution in Cyprus within the framework of related UN resolutions and good will mission of the UN Secretary General.
Lavrov said they wanted searches for compromise to be made by taking into consideration the legal interests and concerns of Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides in Cyprus.
Lavrov had met with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas within the framework of OIC meeting.
Lavrov said Russia attributed importance to the improvement of friendly relations with Turkey based on mutual interest, and noted that Russia considered Turkey as an important partner and neighbor in regional and international relations.
Lavrov said bilateral relations gradually improved on various fields, stating that they wanted to increase bilateral relations to multilateral and constructive partnership level.
(AY) 19.06.2004