25/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - Ashton-Lavrov meeting. During her meeting with Russia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov on 24 September, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton underlined the EU's concern at the customs measures taken by Russia against certain partners (see EUROPE 10904). She said that these measures are opposed to the principles to which Russia has signed up, “like the right of each country's free choice to define and conduct its relations with other states in line with international law”. They also discussed bilateral relations between the EU and Russia - including the issue of visas, relations with the Eastern partners, their cooperation on the Middle East peace process, Syria (see other article), and the Iranian nuclear issue. (CG/transl.fl)