MOSCOW, October 30 (AVN) - Secretary of the Russian presidential Security Council Sergei Ivanov left for London on Monday, a spokesman for the council administration told the Military News Agency.
Ivanov was invited to London by the British government, the spokesman said. He is planning to meet MPs, government ministers and the Foreign Office administration to discuss a wide spectrum of issues related to Russian-British interaction in various aspects, including in the sphere of security.
In particular, the Russian and British parties will discuss bilateral co-operation in strengthening strategic stability, non-proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction and their transportation means, as well as Russia's interaction with NATO and the European Union. Regional problems, including situation in trouble spots, will be high on the agenda too, the spokesman noted.
Before his departure for London, Ivanov said the Russian-British partnership should be based on joint counteraction to risks and threats of the 21st century. Among them are proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their transportation means, hawkish nationalism, religious intolerance, separatism, terrorism, and organised crime, he said.
Ivanov's London talks will be an important stage of preparations for British Prime Minister Tony Blair's forthcoming visit to Russia.
The Security Council secretary is expected to stay in Great Britain until Thursday.