"We expect Slovakia to join in the creation of four common Russia-EU spaces and the enhancement of cooperation with NATO to face new threats and challenges," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said. "We are planning to exchange opinions on the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans and the Commonwealth of Independent States."
Kamynin said commodity turnover between the countries had boomed recently, reaching $3.9 billion in 2005.
He added that interaction between Moscow and Bratislava in the United Nations Security Council, where Slovakia is currently a non-permanent member, would also be considered.
Tuesday, minister Sergei Lavrov will lay a wreath at the memorial to Soviet soldiers on Slavin Hill and to the monument on Hviezdoslav Square. On Wednesday, Lavrov will meet with Slovakian President Ivan Gasparovic, Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda and Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan.
After Bratislava, Ivanov will leave for Berlin Wednesday afternoon.
