Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks in a joint interview with the Chinese, Japanese and Mongolian media in Moscow, Russia, April 12, 2016. Relations between Russia and China are at an all-time high, Lavrov said Tuesday. (Xinhua/Dai Tianfang)
Any disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved through dialogue and attempts to internationalize the issue must be stopped, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday.
"We believe that all countries involved in the disputes should follow the principles of non-use of force, and continue seeking mutually acceptable political and diplomatic solutions," Lavrov said here in a joint interview with Chinese, Japanese and Mongolian media.
He urged external players to stop interfering in the negotiations among those involved.
"I am convinced that they (attempts to internationalize the issue) are completely counterproductive," said Lavrov. "Only negotiations, which China and the ASEAN are pursuing can bring the desired result, namely, mutually acceptable agreements."
The Russian top diplomat added that his country actively supports a political solution to the South China Sea issue between China and nations in Southeast Asia.
