Moscow Supports Macron's Intention To Improve Russia-France Relations - Lavrov

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th October, 2018) Moscow supports the desire of French President Emmanuel Macron and his team to improve relations between Russia and France, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"The intentions expressed by the current French leadership [on improving relations] deserve support in regard to cooperation with Russia ... We see that [French] President [Emmanuel] Macron, his team are interested in developing dialogue with us. We are completely open to cooperation," Lavrov said in an interview with RT France, Paris Match and Figaro.

The minister stressed, though, that at the same time Paris continues to throw accusations against Moscow and the Russian media outlets, including Sputnik, RIA Novosti and RT France, which have been practically denied access to the Elysee Palace and other French government bodies.

Lavrov regretted that Moscow and Paris had not yet restored the work of the intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary commissions.

"Unfortunately, the more formal intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary structures are not as active as the general public of the two countries. We still cannot resume the work of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation. It is headed by the heads of Russian and French governments," the minister said.

He noted that this commission had not met for a long time, although its substructure at the level of economy ministers, which is preparing the commission's meeting, had already resumed contacts.

"It would be correct if the large parliamentary commission resumed its activities - French President Macron has repeatedly expressed interest in this," the minister added.

Lavrov also noted the success of the "Trianon Dialogue," as part of which Russian and French representatives of civil society, scholars, and political scientists met.