Lavrov says Russia ready for NATO talks

HELSINKI, Finland, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday his country is fully prepared to resume positive relations with NATO.

Following an Organization for Security and Cooperation meeting in Helsinki, Finland, Lavrov said Russia is interested in resuming relations as long as the international organization recognizes mutual interests, RIA Novosti said.

"We are ready to resume relations," Lavrov said.

Lavrov also said Russia remains opposed to NATO expansion through the proposed membership of countries such as Georgia and Ukraine.

The foreign minister's call for Russia-NATO Council cooperation echoed a statement offered Wednesday by Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's envoy to NATO.

RIA Novosti reported Rogozin said Russia was willing to move beyond its conflict with NATO over Russia's confrontation with Georgia in August and resume positive relations.