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EU’s Josep Borrell to visit Russia soon ahead of discussion on ties with Moscow

The parties are expected to look extensively into problems and prospects in relations between Russia and the EU

BRUSSELS, January 25./TASS/. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on Monday that he would visit Moscow in the first week of February ahead of a discussion on relations with Russia by the European Council in March.

"I informed the Council about my intention of visiting Moscow" at the invitation of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the top EU diplomat told a news conference on Monday after a session of the Council of the European Union in Brussels, saying that the visit "is going to take place in the first week of February".

"It is good before the European Union Council discusses strategically" this relationship, "to discuss with our Russian counterpart," he said. According to Borrell, he intends to focus in Rusisa on "all relevant issues".

He also said that the session had looked into the situation around the arrest of Alexey Navalny in Moscow. He said the European Union had called on Russia "for the release of Mr Navalny and those detained" at the unsanctioned rallies held on January 23.

Earlier on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Lavrov would hold talks with Josep Borrell in Moscow on February 5. The parties are expected to delve extensively into the problems and prospects that Russian-EU relations face. They are also scheduled to exchange opinions on key global issues, which include the situation in the Western Balkans, the Middle East and North Africa, as well as in the Commonwealth of Independent States. The talks will also focus on the opportunities for putting into practice the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to settle the situation around Iran’s nuclear program, Nagorno-Karabakh’s further stabilization, security issues in Europe and other topics of mutual interest, the Foreign Ministry said.

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