Russia, Eu to Discuss Summit Preparations, Caucasian Security - Diplomat

iStockAnalyst. (Source: Daily News Bulletin; Moscow - English)MOSCOW. Oct 27 (Interfax) - The Russia-EU Permanent Partnership Council will convene in St. Petersburg on October 28 to discuss the current state of Russia-EU relations and prospects for further negotiations on a new fundamental treaty, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Interfax.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will take part in the meeting, he said.

"Obviously, they will concentrate on preparations for the Russia- EU summit due in Nice this November," Grushko said.

"The ministers will discuss the current state of Russia-EU relations, the possibility of resuming negotiations on a new fundamental treaty, possible joint actions under the circumstances of the world financial crisis and pressing international issues," he said.

Security in the Caucasus will also be on the agenda, Grushko said. "Russia believes that the European Union, which has vowed to guarantee security under the Medvedev-Sarkozy accord, will do its best to prevent destabilization in Georgian security areas adjoining South Ossetia and Abkhazia where EU monitors have been deployed," he said.

The foreign ministers of Northern Dimension countries will meet in St. Petersburg on the same day. Apart from Russia and the European Union, the group involves Iceland and Norway.

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