Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a working visit to Egypt, Uganda, Ethiopia and the Republic of Congo from July 24 to 28, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.
"There will be a working visit [of Sergey Lavrov] to Egypt, Uganda, Ethiopia and the Republic of Congo from July 24 to 28," Zakharova said.
"Certainly, when the schedule of these trips is approved, we will publish additional information on this matter," Zakharova noted.
Visit to Tashkent
On July 28-29, the minister will take part in a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in Tashkent.
"On July 28-29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in a meeting of foreign ministers of SCO member states in Tashkent," she said. - "The foreign ministers will give priority to the content of the upcoming meeting of the SCO heads of state scheduled for September 15-16 in Samarkand."
Zakharova added that during the meeting "there will be an exchange of views on pressing issues on the international and regional agenda." "A number of bilateral meetings are also planned with the head of the Russian foreign service," the diplomat noted.
Russia-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting
Lavrov will take part in a meeting of foreign ministers of the Russia - Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) format in Cambodia on August 4-5.
"ASEAN is one of our most important strategic partners, so we pay increased attention to the events along the Ten," she said. - "We focus our efforts on strengthening the existing security and cooperation architecture in the Asia-Pacific [Asia-Pacific] region, on maintaining the central role of the Association in Asia-Pacific affairs."
Zakharova added that the Russian side "expects a frank and interested conversation with the foreign ministers of the ASEAN Ten on the entire set of dialogue partnerships in light of the decisions of last year's Russia-ASEAN summit." "The emphasis will be on concrete and mutually beneficial steps in the security, trade and economic and social spheres. Much attention will be paid to combating terrorism, transnational crime, post-pandemic recovery, digitalization of the economy, public health, the interim results of the ongoing ASEAN-Russia Year of Science and Technology Cooperation," the diplomat pointed out.
The Russian foreign ministry official also pointed out that the meeting will focus on further expansion of ASEAN ties with the EEU and the SCO. "During the exchange of views on topical international and regional issues we intend to draw attention to the risks of worsening of the military and political situation in the Asia-Pacific region and NATO plans to consolidate in the Asian region on the basis of the narrow bloc structures created by the United States and its allies," she stressed.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS