UK Foreign Secretary visits Russia to improve relationships

UK Foreign Secretary visits Russia to improve relationships

2010-10-14 04:13:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- UK Foreign Secretary William Hague on Wednesday visited Russia for the first time since he took office in order to improve bilateral relationships with the European giant.

Hague met with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in order to seek closer economic and security relations. However, Hague said that the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, a British spy, is still a big problem but should not represent an obstacle for improving ties.

The former London spy was poisoned with the radioactive substance polonium-210 in 2006. UK authorities revealed that former KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi was suspected of Litvinenko's murder and filed an extradition request in 2007 which has been denied by Russia.

"It's not going to be set aside, it's not going to be put behind us; it is something that we will have to continue to discuss with Russia, so it's not a problem that can be ignored. But I think while we discuss that with Russia there are other things that we can be doing," the Foreign Secretary declared.

The United Kingdom considers Russia as an important partner for the country. During the visit, Hague and the Russian leaders discussed topics of bilateral interest such as Iran's nuclear program and the Middle East process.

The Russian-British meetings will also cover trade and investment, counter narcotics, global economic issues and the strengthening of economic and cultural links between the two nations. The visit was seen as a small step towards establishing new and stronger ties between both nations.

"Where we do differ, I shall say so plainly and clearly, while exploring the scope to address those differences. The door is open to better relations between Britain and Russia; we shall see if a door opens in return," Hague added.

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