Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed on Tuesday gratitude to Malta for its cooperation in resolving the case of the Arctic Sea ship, which went missing in the Atlantic this summer.
"The problem was successfully resolved, and our productive and friendly cooperation contributed to this," Lavrov told a news conference after a meeting with his Maltese counterpart Tonio Borg.
The Arctic Sea cargo vessel disappeared in the Atlantic on July 24 while carrying a $2 million shipment of timber from Finland to Algeria. It was intercepted by the Russian Navy off West Africa on August 17, when eight alleged hijackers were arrested.
The ship's disappearance, which triggered a major international search effort, raised suspicions that it was carrying a "secret cargo" of drugs or weapons. Russian authorities have denied the rumors, saying the vessel was hijacked by criminals who demanded a ransom.
The freighter was handed over to Maltese authorities in late October. The ship was given permission to enter the port following a thorough inspection by Maltese officials.
In early November, four sailors, who had remained on board the Arctic Sea, returned to their home base in northern Russia.
The Arctic Sea, sailing under a new 14-member crew, left the Maltese port for Algeria on November 11, to resume its route interrupted by hijackers.
MOSCOW, November 24 (RIA Novosti)
