Lavrov in Brussels for meetings with Ashton, EU FMs

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov is scheduled to arrive in Brussels on Monday for a brief visit with the Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU) and a separate meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, The Voice of Russia reported. During the upcoming talks and meetings the sides are expected to devote special attention to matters aimed at preparing a Russia-EU summit, scheduled for the end of January next and at promoting visa-free arrangements for people's travel, and to energy cooperation. An official at Russia's Foreign Ministry pointed out that participants in the talks would also exchange views on the Iran issue and the situation concerning Syria. "The sides will discuss the situation in Ukraine as well," the Ministry official added.