06/12/2018 (Agence Europe) – The High Representative of the EU, Federica Mogherini, expressed "her concerns” to Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov about the escalation of tensions in the Sea of Azov on Thursday 6 December during a bilateral meeting in the margins of the OSCE Ministerial in Milan (see EUROPE 12151). In parallel, she met with the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Pavlo Klimkin. With Mr Lavrov, Ms. Mogherini also discussed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. This treaty is "essential for European and global security”, she said, adding that it was in everyone's interest that it be "preserved and fully implemented”. Syria, the Western Balkans and the Iranian nuclear agreement were also discussed, issues on which Ms Mogherini and Mr Lavrov will remain "in contact [...] in the coming weeks", the European External Action Service announced in its statement. (CG)