Russia Needs No Mediators to Solve Bilateral Issues

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov believes that Moscow does not need mediators to solve bilateral issues.

"I am sure that Moscow, Washington and Bucharest are all willing to boost direct relations, there is no need for any mediators today," said the minister, while commenting, at journalists' request, on U.S. President George Bush's statement that Romania could be a bridge between Russia and the West.

Ivanov added that "if Romania is ready to assist in the solution of any problems, Moscow will only welcome this." Romanian Foreign Minister Adrian Nastase joked in turn: "Maybe, it will be difficult to construct a bridge, but we should probably discuss construction of a highway between Moscow and Bucharest."