Russia’s Top Diplomat to Hold Talks with Key Partners

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly where Iran will be represented as member of the SCO for the first time.

."From September 20-21, Sergey Lavrov will take part in an extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of the SCO member states as well as in a traditional informal ministerial meeting within the conference on interaction and confidence-building measures in Asia," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing.

The diplomat added that Iran would participate in the meeting as a full member of the SCO for the first time after joining the organization in July.

Meeting Chinese Counterpart

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Russia on September 18 and hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

"On September 18, talks between Russian Foreign Minister and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be held in Moscow. A wide spectrum of issues of interest of the bilateral relations is expected to be discussed, including contacts on the highest and high levels," Zakharova told a briefing.

The diplomat added that the ministers would also discuss strengthening cooperation in the international arena, joint work in international organizations and the Ukrainian crisis.

Strengthening Ties with Myanmar

Myanmar's foreign minister, Than Swe, will also pay a working visit to Russia from September 13-15 and will hold a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on September 14, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

"From September 13-15, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Myanmar will visit Russia and Moscow directly. This will be a working visit," Zakharova told reporters, adding that "his negotiations with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, are scheduled for September 14."

The sides are expected to discuss the state and prospects for promoting the entire range of bilateral relations, including political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, interaction in the field of defense, security, humanitarian contacts, the diplomat said, adding that current issues of the regional and international agenda will also be considered.

On UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York Plans

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov plans to hold about 20 bilateral meetings within the framework of the upcoming UN high-level week in New York, including with UN chief Antonio Guterres, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday. UN General Assembly high-level week will start on September 18.