Moscow wants to see comprehensive developments in its relations with London, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during the meeting with his British counterpart William Hague on Wednesday.
"We want to see comprehensive developments in Russian - UK relations. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev specifically mentioned it in his message to David Cameron on May 12 [congratulating the newly elected British Prime Minister]," Lavrov said.
Hague's 24-hour visit to Russia, which began on Tuesday, is his first as British Foreign Secretary. The diplomat took office as part of a coalition government in May.
Prior to his visit, Hague acknowledged that relations between Britain and Russia had been strained in recent years.
"Where we do differ, I shall say so plainly and clearly, while exploring the scope to address those differences. The door is open to better relations between Britain and Russia; we shall see if a door opens in return," he said.
Among the issues that have caused tensions between the tow countries are the controversial death of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006, Russia's pressure on the British Council and Britain's criticism of Moscow following the Russian-Georgian military conflict in August 2008.
Russia has also accused Britain acting as a refuge for fugitive Russian businessmen, including Boris Berezovsky and the ex-head of Russia's largest mobile retailer Evgeny Chichvarkin.
MOSCOW, October 13 (RIA Novosti)
