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Lavrov to visit Italy on November 22-23

Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov will visit Italy on November 22-23, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says

MOSCOW, November 15. /TASS/. Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov will visit Italy on November 22-23, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.

"On November 22-23, the Russian foreign minister will make a working visit to Italy. His agenda includes talks with his Italian counterpart Enzo Moavero Milanesi and a brief meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte," she said. "Lavrov is also expected to address an international conference dubbed Rome MED - Mediterranean Dialogues and hold a number of bilateral meetings on the event’s sidelines," Zakharova added.

According to her, the Russian and Italian foreign ministers will "hold a thorough exchange of views on a wide range of bilateral issues, taking into consideration the outcome of the Italian prime minister’s visit to Moscow on October 23-24."

"Much attention is expected to be paid to global issues, including European security, crises in Libya and Syria, the implementation of the Minsk Agreements and the situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program," Zakharova said. "There are plans to touch upon the agenda of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Ways to boost cultural and humanitarian cooperation will also be discussed," the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman noted.

She pointed out that "Italy is one of Russia’s most important political and economic partners in western Europe." "Despite unfavorable external developments, Russian-Italian ties remain stable, intensive high-level political dialogue goes on, cooperation continues between lawmakers, judicial authorities and universities, as well as between the two countries’ regions," Zakharova noted.