High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini met with the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, today in the margins of the 25^th OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan.

Against the backdrop of recent confrontation in the Azov Sea, the High Representative conveyed her concerns in the discussion with Minister Lavrov, in line with the Declaration issued on behalf of the EU on the escalation of tensions.

Mogherini and Lavrov also exchanged views on the importance of Russia’s continued participation in the Council of Europe. They discussed the future of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, and the High Representative stressed that the Treaty is key to European and global security and that it is in all our interests that the Treaty is preserved and fully implemented.

They also spoke on Syria. Mogherini stressed the importance of maintaining momentum to meet the commitment to a constitutional committee meeting before the end of the year, in line with the Istanbul Declaration. 

They also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans and the ongoing work to preserve the JCOPA – the Iran nuclear deal.

High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini and Minister Lavrov agreed to remain in contact on these issues in the coming weeks.