Sharjah 24 – KUNA: European Union High Representative Josep Borrell Saturday concluded his controversial visit to Moscow Saturday arguing that it is important to hold direct exchanges with Russia.
"Diplomatic channels need to remain open, not only to de-escalate crises or incidents, but to hold direct exchanges, deliver firm and frank messages, all the more so when relations are far from satisfactory," he said in statement at the end of his 2-trip to Moscow this evening.
Borrell said he will brief the EU Foreign Ministers on 22 February on the outcome of his visit to Russia, the first by a top EU official since 2017.
He said they had a wide-ranging discussion on EU-Russia relations and the global geopolitical landscape with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The statement noted that the two sides also discussed cooperation within the Iran nuclear deal, and the Middle East Peace Process, among other issues.
He reiterated the EU's strong condemnation of the recent sentencing of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
Meanwhile, Borrell's visit to Moscow has come under severe criticism by political groups in the European Parliament and by the media.
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