Madrid & Moscow vow to strengthen ties

Spain and Russia have agreed to build greater financial links between the two countries. It follows talks in Moscow between Spain's Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

In addition to business ties, the two ministers also discussed cultural co-operation and security worries affecting Europe. 

As well as running Spain's foreign policy, Miguel Angel Moratinos is also chairman of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).  The body has been investigating the row between Russia and Georgia over a missile which crashed into Georgian territory earlier this month.  Both Tsiblisi and Moscow are blaming each other over the incident. 

Georgia is seeking to bring the issue in front of the UN Security Council but Russia has blocked a vote on the dispute.

After his two day visit to Russia, Moratinos is travelling to Georgia next week on a pre-planned visit. 

A special OSCE envoy has travelled to both Moscow and Tsiblisi and is to present his assessment of the missile dispute in front of the Organisation’s Public Council. 

Speaking about the role of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia expects a lot from the Madrid Ministerial Council in November.

The OSCE is also ready to monitor Russian State Duma elections in December.