Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's Meeting With Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev of the Russian Republic

The President met with Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev today. Today's Oval Office visit follows a series of meetings held yesterday between the Foreign Minister and Secretaries Baker, Cheney, and Mosbacher and the congressional leadership.

Today's meeting was very useful and provided the Foreign Minister and the President an opportunity to exchange views on developments in the Russian Republic.

The President stressed our continued interest in building strong political and economic ties to Russia and assisting the Republic in establishing a viable and flourishing market economy.

Following the Oval Office meeting, General Scowcroft held a brief follow-on meeting with the Foreign Minister in the National Security Adviser's office.