Italian and Russian foreign ministers meet to outline plans for Libyan security ahead of elections
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrives in Italy today for talks with his Italian counterpart, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, on the conflict in Libya and plans for elections.
The dialogue between the two comes as Rome and Moscow seek stronger economic and strategic ties and regional influence. Italy has sought to challenge the EU’s position on Libya by arguing that a focus on migration control will not do enough to ensure a stable post-revolutionary country. Russia and Italy are expected to discuss the possibility of supporting different political groups in divided Libya. To this extent, Rome is highlighting the general ambivalence that some EU nations feels towards Libya, even though they played a role in the 2011 uprising that has had a disastrous aftermath.
The talks between Lavrov and Milanesi signal that Russian-Italian relations have managed to endure despite difficult geopolitical externalities. Joint efforts with Russia highlight Rome’s resolve to seek dialogue with and support from countries further afield. On Libya, expect strategic and political ties between the two countries to increase through greater high-level political cooperation and international support for areas of mutual interest.
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