ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 19, 2004 Friday

Russia interested in removing terrorism from Caucasus

By Igor Shamshin

BRATISLAVA

Russia is interested in the removal of elements of terrorism and
extremism from the Caucasus. It is closely watching the regional
developments and taking an active part in them. Russia wants the
Black Sea region and Transcaucasia to be a zone of prosperity,
Russian delegation head and Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Chizhov
said at an international conference “Development of Europe: New
Horizons” in Bratislava on Friday.

The positive example of regional associations, such as the Vyshegrad
Group and the Vilnius Ten, should be used in the development of the
Caucasian region, he said. The mechanism of interaction between
Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan has proven to be efficient.

The problem of international terrorism is global, Chizhov said. The
recent terrorist acts in the Moscow metro and Madrid have much in
common, both of them are targeted against democracy and humanity, he
said. The whole world must unite to combat terrorism. Russia and
Caucasian nations are cooperating in the anti-terrorist fight, the
diplomat said.