Russian, Italian FMs to discuss situation in Syria, Ukraine, fight against terrorism on March 27
MOSCOW. March 25 (Interfax) - The situation in Syria and Libya, fight against terrorism, and Ukraine will become subjects of a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano, who will arrive on a working visit to Russia on March 27, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Key international issues, including the situation in Syria, Libya and Ukraine, countering international terrorism, cooperation with Italy in the UN Security Council, as well as relations between Russia and the European Union, are on the agenda of the upcoming negotiations," the ministry said on its website.
The ministers will also consider the state and prospects of Russian-Italian ties in the political, economic, and scientific and technological sectors. "A particular emphasis will be placed on intensification of successfully developing cooperation in the sectors of culture, education and contacts through civil societies," the ministry said.
During the visit to Moscow, Alfano, as a co-chair of the Russian-Italian council for economic, industrial, and monetary and financial cooperation, will also hold negotiations with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "The sides are expected to discuss the implementation of decisions adopted at the 15th meeting of the Economic Council in Rome on October 5, 2016, including measures to overcome negative trends in trade between two countries, as the goods turnover in 2016 decreased by 35.4% in comparison with 2015," the ministry said.
The ministry "attaches a great importance to development of a dialogue and maintaining the high level of cooperation with Italy, one of Russia's leading political and economic partners in Western Europe," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Both sides intend to give an additional impetus to mutually beneficial economic cooperation by means of promoting cross investments and support to important joint projects using mechanisms and programs existing in both countries," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Alfano will pay a visit to Moscow for the first time as a foreign minister following formation of the new Italian government in December 2016.