Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and Ambassador at Large Vadim Lukov take part in G8 Political Directors’ meeting in London

A series of G8 events chaired by the UK took place in London on 14-16 January.
Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Ryabkov took part in a meeting of the G8 Political Directors. The British side outlined the priorities of the G8 meeting in 2013 and presented the agenda of various G8 events. The senior foreign policy officials of the G8 capitals addressed urgent issues on the international and regional agendas, ways of responding to new challenges and threats, interaction between the G8 and African states, as well as information security and prevention of sexual violence in armed conflicts.
On the initiative of the French side, the G8 Political Directors adopted a joint statement on the situation in Mali.
Also, the Political Directors held a meeting with the Foreign Policy Sous-Sherpas of the G8. From the Russian side, it was also attended by Russia’s Ambassador at Large Vadim Lukov. The officials exchanged opinions on further agenda of the Deauville partnership, possible developments in Somalia and a number of other topics.
During his stay in London, Sergey Ryabkov held a separate meeting with the US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman to discuss urgent questions on the Russia-US political agenda.