Danish ambassador to Russia calls on to concentrate on developing Russian-Danish relations

Danish ambassador to Moscow Lars Vissing asserts that the decision not to extradite Zakayev to Russia and release him was made on the basis of the respective Danish laws and international law. This is reflected in a statement of the head of the diplomatic mission, which is now available at RIA Novosti.

According to the ambassador, now that Zakayev's case has been already considered by competent Danish authorities it's high time to move forward and concentrate on developing bilateral relations.

Moreover, the ambassador asserts that the close dialogue wanted by both sides in this case took place - the respective Danish and Russian authorities cooperated very closely.

The head of the diplomatic mission expressed an opinion that Moscow and Copenhagen have common interests in maintaining and further developing bilateral relation.

Meanwhile, Moscow had a negative reaction to Copenhagen's refusal to extradite Zakayev. Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov stated the other day that the Danish decision not to extradite Zakayev to Russia and release him from custody was politically coloured.

Russian-Danish relations deteriorated sharply following Copenhagen's hosting the so-called World Chechen Congress right after the acts of terror in the Theatre Centre in Dubrovka, Moscow on October 23rd. Due to the Danish stance with regard to this congress President Vladimir Putin of Russia cancelled his visit to Copenhagen and the Russia-EU summit was transferred to Brussels.