Asked if Russia would use the right of veto in the Security Council if independence for Kosovo was to be proposed as a solution to the province's status, Lavrov did not give a straight answer.
We would not be able to support a solution that would be imposed by one side. We would not allow the Security Council to approve an imposed solution, the Russian foreign minister said, adding that his country would only support a negotiated settlement reached by Pristina, Belgrade and minority representatives in Kosovo.
Lavrov, who currently presides over the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, submitted a report on the Committee's work over the past three months at a plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly.
During the Russian presidency, the Committee focused on strengthening mechanisms for the protection of human rights, the dissemination of knowledge of human rights, the protection of the rights of national minorities, and improving the efficiency of the European Court of Human Rights.
Lavrov also cited efforts in combating terrorism, social issues such as family protection, and democratic development in cooperation with non-governmental organisations, underlining the importance of tolerance and dialogue between different cultures and religions.