Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on participants of an informal meeting of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) not to hinder the process of visa regime liberalization.

"Among the commitments that have long been approved by all states of the OSCE and undeservedly forgotten, there are obligations on freedom of movement, there are commitments on the liberalization of visa regimes and the expansion in contacts between people," he said.

Lavrov has said several times that Russia is ready to scrap its visa regime, especially with the EU, if other states are willing to follow suit.

Lavrov also discussed the necessity of reforming the OSCE.

"The member states have recognized the need for significant changes in European politics, the need to change the way we all use the OSCE and the need to go back to why the OSCE was set up in the first place," he said.

ALMATY, July 17 (RIA Novosti)