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On 1 September, during the working lunch in the informal meeting in Newport (United Kingdom) EU foreign ministers discussed EU and Iran relations, negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and also further EU-Russia cooperation.

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis remarked on the latter issue during the informal discussion.

“Though the EU and Russia are strategic partners we notice the increasing gap in our understanding of common values,” A.Valionis said.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister expressed the opinion, that when maintaining relations with Russia the European Union should firmly follow the values policy and speak with a single voice.

A. Valionis also brought to notice that the EU should make more efforts to ensure that Russian society has more trust in the European Union and better knowledge of not only separate countries but also the EU as a whole.

“We should seek Russian people to gain better understanding of EU’s international role in striving for stability, democracy and common welfare,” the Head of Lithuanian diplomacy stated.

The Minister invited to involve more actively in the EU neighbourhood policy, support governments and civil societies striving for democratic changes.

In the first day’s working session EU foreign ministers centred on the EU enlargement and Turkey's accession negotiations issues.