Russian and Iranian diplomats hold meeting; Russia and US discuss developments in Middle East; Russia begins weapons shipments to Iraq; Russia welcomes Syria’s decision to join OPCW; Russia’s defence minister concludes his visit to Brazil and Peru; Visa
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    • (OCTOBER 14-20)

    According to reports, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has met with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi on the sidelines of the talks between Iran and the sextet of international mediators (five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany). 1

    Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in his meeting, with U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul held in Moscow on October 19, has discussed Iran’s nuclear programme and chemical disarmament in Syria. They also discussed bilateral issues. 2

    The advisor of the Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Musawi has said that Russia has begun shipping military hardware to Iraq. A US$ 4.2 billion contract was signed in 2012 for the supply of 40 Mi-35 and Mi-28 attack helicopters. 3

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich has said that Russia ‘lauds’ Syria’s joining of the Organization of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Convention on Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has come into effect from October 14. 4

    In other developments, according to reports, Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Brazil and Peru during October 14-17. Russia is negotiating the sale of Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and gun ground-based system with Brazil and establishment of a comprehensive military-technical cooperation. 5

    An agreement on visa-free mutual trips for citizens of Russia and Bosnia and Herzegovina has come into force on October 20, 2013. Under the new agreement, the two countries’ citizens can stay on each other’s territory for 30 days within every 60 days from the date of the first entry. 6

    Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a meeting, held in Brussels on 15 October, with his Belgium counterpart Didier Reynders, has discussed a range of issues. These include visa regime, international developments and economic ties. 7

    Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his Ukrainian counterpart Nikolai Azarov on October 15, held the 10th meeting of the Committee on Economic Cooperation of the Russian-Ukrainian Interstate Commission. Some key issues discussed during the meeting included trade, investment, transportation, aerospace industry, nuclear energy, natural gas, agriculture and Ukraine’s EU Association Agreement. 8

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