Obama, Lavrov discuss Libya, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia's WTO bid

WASHINGTON, July 14 (Itar-Tass) - U.S. President Barack Obama and
Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov discussed on Wednesday the
situation in Libya, Syria and Yemen, the Palestinian-Israeli peace
process, the settlement of the conflict around Nagorno Karabakh, Russia's
WTO entry and other issues, a statement of the White House's press
secretary said.
"The President thanked the Foreign Minister for his efforts to
complete a new bilateral agreement on visa liberalization as well as a new
agreement on adoptions, both of which will touch many lives in Russia and
the United States," the statement said.
Barack Obama expressed support for Russia's efforts to mediate a
political solution in Libya. The president stressed that the USA was ready
"to support negotiations that lead to a democratic transition in Libya as
long as Qadhafi steps aside".
Lavrov and Obama discussed the situation in Sudan and in South Sudan,
the nuclear problem of Iran, the role of the international community in
preventing new violence in Syria and Yemen, and next steps on Middle East
Peace in the wake of the Quartet meetings earlier in the week.
Besides, the president expressed gratitude to the Russian foreign
minister for his efforts towards the settlement in the mostly Armenian
populated Azerbaijani enclave of Nagorno Karabakh and "underscored the
U.S. commitment to achieve a framework agreement," the statement said.
As for bilateral relations, Barack Obama and Sergei Lavrov discussed
possibilities for cooperation on missile defence in Europe, Russia's WTO
entry, democracy and human rights in Russia.
The U.S. president "reaffirmed his strong support for Russia's efforts
to complete its WTO accession process this year, and discussed the
necessity of granting Russia Permanent Normalized Trade Relations," the
statement emphasized.