Outlook For Deeper Russia-EU Partnership Discussed At Russia-Sweden Consultations

Prospects of deepening Russia-European Union partnership was in focus at Russian-Swedish consultations, now over in Moscow. On Thursday the Press and Information Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that in these consultations first deputy foreign ministers Alexander Avdeyev of Russia and Hans Dahlgren of Sweden took part. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the sides discussed the strengthening of European security, cooperation in the Baltic region, as well as promotion of the Balkan settlement. The consultations also noted the community of the principled approaches of Russia and Sweden to opposing terrorism: in order to "neutralise this global challenge consolidated efforts of the international community are required along with the attraction of the capabilities of all authoritative international organisations, above all the United Nations". The sides considered also topical aspects of Russian-Swedish interaction, such as the development of political dialogue and improvement of the contractual law base of bilateral relations. Other items under discussion were plans for opening a general consulate and cultural-information center of Sweden in Kaliningrad and St.Petersburg.