"We, in our capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are interested in cooperation both with the Russian and foreign parliamentarians, and, being a member of the OSCE, pay immense attention to the role parliamentary relations can play in the work of the executive structures," the Russian Foreign Minister said.
For his part, the head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly noted the necessity of cooperation with Russia in the sphere of ensuring security of Europe, and expressed hope for fruitful work at the Sofia meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers.
Mr. Hastings also said that he had held a meeting with State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov at which cooperation to strengthen security in Europe had been discussed.
The president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly stressed the necessity of cooperation of Russia and the U.S. in the sphere of the fight against terrorism.
It is necessary for us to work together to reduce the threat of terrorism which is equally topical for the U.S. and Russia, Mr. Hastings said.
