Russian Regnum news agency reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s press service, this conversation was initiated by NATO.
During the conversation the parties discussed the issue of deployment in Turkey (Turkish-Syrian border) Patriot systems. Rasmussen informed Lavrov about the Turkish application on this issue. Lavrov confirmed the Russian side’s concern regarding the potential expansion plans in the region.
Lavrov suggested Rasmussen to establish a direct line of communication between Ankara and Damascus to exclude the incidents. During the telephone conversation they also discussed preparations for Russia-NATO Council session on December 4 in Brussels.