Russia backs Switzerland's participation in G20

Moscow supported Switzerland's participation in the Group of Twenty (G20), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday. "From our part, there will be the most constructive approach to that," Lavrov told reporters following his talks with Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter. During their meeting, Burkhalter expressed Switzerland's hope to join the international group especially during Russia's rotating presidency next year, Lavrov said. Moscow was interested in deep dialogue with Swiss partners within the G20 framework over issues such as the currency and financial system reforms and the international community's joint efforts against corruption, Lavrov said. "We all win if we'll unite our efforts on these and other problems," Lavrov added. According to the G20 procedure, the chair country should convene a consulting meeting with all members after receiving a request for participation from a certain country. New applications for a membership in the G20 is approved by consensus, Lavrov added. Meanwhile, the senior Russian diplomat highly praised Switzerland's efforts as an intermediator Between Russia and Georgia, saying the country "fulfilled its obligations flawlessly." "When our citizens get into troubles in Georgia, our Swiss colleagues take measures to solve all problems," Lavrov said.