Haavisto, Lavrov to discuss Navalny, EU-Russia ties on Feb 15

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit St Petersburg on 15 February and have a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

The foreign ministers will discuss the situation of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, EU-Russia relations, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, Belarus, Ukraine, as well as arms control, said the foreign ministry in a press release on Thursday.

They will also discuss regional cooperation in areas such as environmental protection and nuclear safety and preparations for the upcoming Russian chairmanship of the Arctic Council, and the upcoming Finnish chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council.

Their discussions will also touch on bilateral issues.

During his visit, Haavisto will meet representatives of civil society organisations, too.