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Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union

Submitted on 2019-07-16 09:53:30

Russian Foreign Minister meets Ambassadors of EU Member States and the Head of EU Delegation to Russia

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On 15 July 2019 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov held a meeting with heads of diplomatic missions of EU Member States and the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Russian Federation in Moscow.

They had a detailed discussion of the current situation and prospects of development of Russia – EU relations that are not getting better. Sergey Lavrov stressed that the Russian side remains committed to restoring full-fledged dialogue and interaction with the European Union on an equal and mutually beneficial basis. In this context it was emphasised that unilateral restrictions hindering development of the bilateral trade and economic ties are counterproductive as well as other steps fraught with erosion of the international law system and emergence of new dividing lines in Europe.

Topical international issues were considered focusing on prospects to normalise the situation around the JCPOA as well as settlement of the internal Ukrainian crisis. Sergey Lavrov called upon the EU to be proactive in facilitating Kiev’s full and unconditional compliance with the Minsk Agreements as well as honouring its obligations to respect national minorities rights. The Minister also shared his views on the situation in North Africa, around Libya.