国际英语新闻：Russia-U.S. relations improved under Obama: Lavrov

MOSCOW, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Monday said U.S. President Barack Obama had helped the two countries rid their relations of artificial barriers, noting both countries had achieved lots in the last two years.

The minister told a press conference after meeting with his visiting German counterpart Guido Westerwelle that Russia-U.S. relations were "cleansed of artificial ideology coating, which put brakes on the potential of our cooperation under the previous administration."

In April 2009, Medvedev and Obama hold their face-to-face meeting in London, both pledged to "reset" their strained relations.

"Countries like Russia and the U.S. have huge potential to develop the closest cooperation for the good of their countries and people. Such potential began to be used much more actively after Obama's election," Lavrov was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.

Lavrov appreciated the achievements in Russia-U.S. relations in last two years, especially the agreements on the new strategic arms reduction treaty (new START) which the minister called "a breakthrough document."

"Secondly, Presidents Medvedev and Obama have created a presidential commission on the development of Russia-U.S. relations," Lavrov said, noting that the commission is actively working currently.

The minister was optimistic about the upcoming APEC summit which both countries president were scheduled to attend, saying the two countries would hold talks during the sidelines of the summit and "set tasks to further improve our relations."

Lavrov also reiterated Russia will not send troops to Afghanistan under any circumstances.

He said Russia provided nothing in recent joint anti-drug cooperation with the United States in Afghanistan but information support.