Russian Foreign Minister: Europe Can Contribute to Creating Just World

Europe, with its large historic experience, can make an invaluable contribution to creating a just world, said Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, while speaking at the European Conference in Athens on Thursday.

A just world can ensure the security of all states in the face of global threats and challenges, he believes.

Europe has the most advanced system of multilateral inter-state interaction, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and strict compliance with the international law, he pointed out.

"The future of Europe, its role in the world affairs depends on how successful we are in achieving our common strategic task, the creation of united Europe without division lines," Ivanov emphasised. "Russia believes the way to achieve these objectives lies in creating common zones in economy, security legislation and humanitarian sphere on the continent," the Russian Minister pointed out. Only this will allow the citizens of all European countries to exercise their "European identity" in reality, he said. He recalled that that was the aim of President Putin's initiative of prospective introduction of visa-free regime between Russia and the EU.