EU foreign policy chief in Russia to meet with Putin

MOSCOW - European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana arrived Monday in Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials, his spokeswoman said.
Solana is to hold talks with Russian security council chief Igor Ivanov late Monday before traveling to the Black Sea city of Sotchi Tuesday to meet Putin.
He will then return to Moscow where he will see Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The visit follows on the heels of a meeting Friday in Luxembourg between Lavrov and Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency.
After that meeting the Europeans and Russians expressed confidence that they could strike a broad cooperation agreement at a summit in Moscow next month.
The EU hopes to reach agreement at the summit in four key areas including economy, security, justice and culture.

04/04/2005 16:27 GMT