Interstate relations between Lithuania and Russia must be brought to a qualitatively new level, Igor Levitin Russian Transport Minister, co-chairman of Russo-Lithuanian intergovernmental commission said today in an interview with ITAR-TASS. Mr. Levitin is visiting the country to participate in the events celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Lithuanian independence.

"Economic cooperation between Russia and Lithuania ... goes on and on regardless of the political conjuncture", PRIME-TASS quoted Igor Levitin as saying.

However, the political component in the bilateral relations in recent years has eased.

"To build the relations without trust and constructive contacts at the highest level is quite difficult", Mr. Levitin said. He believes there are signs that bilateral relations could improve to make contacts at the highest level closer and friendlier. "The leaders of Russia and Lithuania have established businesslike co-operation, they are exchanging views on what problems need to be resolved first, on how we can be helpful to each other", Igor Levitin said.