Moscow, United Nations, 26 September - Russian and Hungarian Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov and Peter Szijjarto met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. Lavrov also met, for example, with Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár.
"On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Russian-Hungarian negotiations are underway," Zacharova wrote on Telegram
According to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the parties "exchanged views on key aspects of the work of the UN and on pressing international issues, including the situation around Ukraine".
"They synchronised the monitoring of a wide range of practical issues of bilateral cooperation with an emphasis on the implementation of the agreements reached during the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Moscow on 5 July," the statement said.
Energy cooperation
Lavrov and Blanár held talks on practical aspects of energy cooperation.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the two diplomats had a "constructive meeting" to discuss "practical aspects of bilateral relations and energy cooperation, as well as pressing issues on the international agenda," the ministry said.
"At the request of the Russian side, I also met today with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. We discussed Slovak interests in the field of energy security as a priority. This concerns nuclear fuel, available oil and gas. It is in Slovakia's interest to maintain the existing corridors for their transit, although we are working to diversify them. I have also reiterated Slovakia's consistent position on the conflict in Ukraine, stressing the violation of international law and the need to find a peaceful solution. This is the only way to achieve a just and sustainable peace, which should be guaranteed by other powers. Instead of escalation, we need to return to dialogue and diplomatic solutions based on the principles of the UN Charter, which are the only way to end the violence and the suffering of civilians on both sides," by Blanár on his Facebook page.
More talks on the sidelines of the UN
Earlier, Lavrov met with other diplomats and representatives of international organizations, including the secretary-general of the Arab League, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly Ahmed Aboul Gheit. They discussed ways to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Russian Foreign Ministry press service said.
Lavrov and Aboul Gheit also "reaffirmed the importance of maintaining close contacts between Russia and the Arab League for resolving crises in the Middle East and North Africa and for strengthening security and stability in the region". The parties addressed pressing issues on the regional agenda, paying particular attention to recent developments in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
This issue was also raised during Lavrov's meeting with the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini. Both sides "reaffirmed the need for an urgent and comprehensive ceasefire, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which would serve as an important precondition for ensuring sustained and safe humanitarian access to those in need, facilitating the release of hostages and restoring the peace process on an internationally recognised basis, which includes a two-state solution".
During a meeting with the Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla both diplomats "stressed their mutual commitment to maintaining an intensive political dialogue between Moscow and Havana and to expanding cooperation in priority areas, including trade". They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation within the UN and other global platforms for dialogue. Both sides called for an end to the trade, economic and financial blockade of Cuba and for its removal from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Lavrov also met with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil Pinto. Both sides "reaffirm their commitment to building a truly multipolar world" and called on other countries to "not use unilateral coercive measures as a tool for interfering in the affairs of sovereign countries".
"The ministers noted the dynamic development of bilateral relations in line with their strategic partnership and agreed on measures to strengthen all aspects of it."
In addition, Russia's top diplomat discussed various issues, including Ukraine, with the Secretary of State of the Holy See Pietro Parolin. He also met with the Foreign Minister of Nicaragua Waldrack Ludwing Jaentschke Whitaker.
It was the last bilateral meeting of the top Russian diplomat on his first day at the UN.
The interviews were closed to the media.
Lavrov's visit to New York
Lavrov arrived in New York to take part in high-level events during the week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. He is scheduled to address the General Assembly on 28 September. In the following days, he will attend some high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings, including events at the OSCB, BRICS, G20 and the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter.
TASS/ gnews - RoZ_07
PHOTO - Facebook Juraj Blanár
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