Interfax's Interview

 Spain and Russia mark the 30th anniversary of renewed diplomatic relations in 2007.
 " I would be glad to note that a great contribution has been made to the development of warm mutual relations and cooperation," Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said in an interview with Interfax.
 "The political contacts between our countries have become more frequent both at a high level, such as Vladimir Putin's visit in 2006, and at a ministerial level. Governmental meetings also occur regularly: after last year's visit to Russia of the Chairman of the Senate of Spain, a return visit to Spain by the State Duma speaker is expected in 2007," Moratinos said.
 Both countries' foreign ministers meet every six months to strengthen bilateral relations and to agree on important international issues, he said.
 "After my visit to Moscow in December 2006, I will receive Mr. Sergei Lavrov at our Foreign Ministry in Madrid on April 18," Moratinos said.
 The fight against terrorism is "one of the most fruitful areas of cooperation between Russia and Spain, both bilaterally and in cooperation with the United Nations," he said.
 "Our countries help one another because they understand the high sensitivity of this problem which concerns all countries and which can only be tackled efficiently through cooperation between the entire international community," he said.
 Spain and Russia "are defending the principle of a multi-polar world and its strengthening in order to resolve serious problems such as global climate change, illegal immigration and all types of illicit trade," he said.
 With globalization, "what happens in one part of the world affects everybody. This proves the need to renew the idea of a multi-polar world. This trend was started anew at the UN summits of Heads of State and Government in 2005.
 "We all need to support our political aspirations in order to strengthen the multi-polar world by persevering with the ongoing UN structural reform and to make all necessary means available to efficiently fulfill its tasks," he said.
 The role the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) plays in the world should be strengthened, Miguel Angel Moratinos said.
 "Spain has taken the OSCE presidency in order to strengthen the organization as a forum for a dialogue and cooperation and to activate all opportunities the organization has to act as a tool in countering pressing problems and tasks," he said.
 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Spain this week, where he plans to discuss OSCE issues.
 The priorities of the Spanish presidency include "combating terrorism and soil degradation and the need for rational use of water resources. The priority in the human sector is to promote active participation in pluralistic societies," he said.
 The OSCE can assist in finding solutions to conflicts in the former Soviet Union, he said.
 "We believe that the OSCE offers the possibility of assisting dialogue between conflicting parties. Spain is would like to see these conflicts resolved and respects the principles of territorial and sovereign integrity," he said.
 "As new OSCE president, Spain assumes Russia's role of a mediator in negotiations, by establishing close contacts with the main parties and participants in the settlement of these conflicts," he said.
 A decision on the final status of Kosovo should be found that satisfies all parties involved. "The international community must assume responsibility and approve a United National Security Council resolution which provides for an international legal basis for the status of Kosovo," he said.
 Spanish Foreign Minister said that he hopes that positions on the deployment of the U.S. antimissile defense system in Europe will be clarified at the NATO-Russia Council consultations due to take place in Brussels on April 19.
 "The meeting will be dedicated exclusively to this subject.  I am certain that it will clarify the positions," he said
 "The United States, Europe and Russia are holding intensive negotiations on this matter in various formats and at various levels, during which they exchange information, voice their doubts and try to reach consensus," he said.
 "It should also be emphasized that AMD systems normally pursue defensive, not offensive, goals. Interceptor missiles contain no charge and are only intended to destroy missiles beyond the atmosphere," Moratinos said.

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