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MOSCOW, September 1 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday called NATO's permanent plans in favour of enlarging to the east and closely advancing to the Russian borders "absolutely provocative".
"We are consistent in pursuing our strategic initiative put forth by the Russian president - to create an economic, humanitarian and security space from Lisbon to Vladivostok," Lavrov said at a meeting with MGIMO students and professors.
"These are many issues related to confrontation between different parts of Europe and different parts of Eurasia, and NATO's provocative plans in favour of eastward expansion and the Alliance's military presence close to the Russian borders," he said.
"The common security space and equal and indivisible when everybody feels comfortable - NATO, the CSTO members, and those not intend to join any alliances, the so-called neutral countries, in compliance with their laws. These are Ukraine and Moldova," Lavrov said.
"When everybody feels comfortable it may be easy to solve many problems that lead to bloody clashes today. This is unreal in Europe of the 21st century. Unfortunately, it happens," he said.
"It is necessary to give up attempts to admit privileges for the Alliance members. It is necessary to stop saying security can be ensured only inside the Alliance and if you are not a member, we'll run risks and tests. This is out-of-date logic. Unfortunately, our partners cannot overcome it," Lavrov said.
"We call on them to look at the situation reasonably and honestly, over the Cold War stereotypes and show political will in order to stop accusations and start searching for agreement and balance of interests," he said.
"These are many issues related to confrontation between different parts of Europe and different parts of Eurasia, and NATO's provocative plans in favour of eastward expansion and the Alliance's military presence close to the Russian borders," he said.
"The common security space and equal and indivisible when everybody feels comfortable - NATO, the CSTO members, and those not intend to join any alliances, the so-called neutral countries, in compliance with their laws. These are Ukraine and Moldova," Lavrov said.
"When everybody feels comfortable it may be easy to solve many problems that lead to bloody clashes today. This is unreal in Europe of the 21st century. Unfortunately, it happens," he said.
"It is necessary to give up attempts to admit privileges for the Alliance members. It is necessary to stop saying security can be ensured only inside the Alliance and if you are not a member, we'll run risks and tests. This is out-of-date logic. Unfortunately, our partners cannot overcome it," Lavrov said.
"We call on them to look at the situation reasonably and honestly, over the Cold War stereotypes and show political will in order to stop accusations and start searching for agreement and balance of interests," he said.
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