PRESS RELEASE

On November 2, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Alexander Grushko held in Moscow consultations with Diego Lopez Garrido, Secretary of State for the European Union in the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting was held as part of the preparations for Spain's upcoming Presidency of the EU in the first half of 2010.

The sides exchanged views on the prospects for the further expansion of Russian-Spanish cooperation, and substantively reviewed the full range of Russia-EU ties. Lopez Garrido set out Madrid's approaches to the content of the upcoming Presidency, identifying its priorities, among which engagement with our country occupies an important place. Grushko acquainted the Secretary of State with our vision of the key themes of the relationship – the implementation of the roadmaps for the four common spaces, progressing toward a visa-free regime, energy security and joint action for crisis settlement. It was pointed that we are impressed by the disposition of the Spanish leadership to contribute significantly to the development of Russia-EU relations during its Presidency.

Grushko and Lopez Garrido arranged to continue bilateral contacts during the Presidency period.

November 2, 2009