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Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union

Submitted on 2014-03-14 01:00:00

Russia – EU Expert Consultations on the EU Enlargement and the Western Balkans

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On March 14, 2014 regular Russia – EU expert-level consultations on the Western Balkans (COWEB) and the EU Enlargement (COELA) were held in Brussels within the framework of the Russia – EU Political Dialogue.

Mr Andrey MASLOV, Director of the 4th European Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, led the Russian delegation. The EU Side was headed by Mr Jonas JONSSON, Head of Division, Western Balkans, European External Action Service (EEAS), and Mr Christos SOFIANOPOULOS, Chair of the COELA Capitals Working Party, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hellenic Republic.

The meetings provided a good opportunity for a thorough and constructive discussion on the current Balkans agenda. A detailed exchange of views also took place in the context of the European perspective of candidates and potential candidates for EU membership.

Next round of the consultations is scheduled for the second half of 2014.