FOREIGN MINISTRY NOTE – 4th meeting of the Italy-Russian Federation Working Group on combating global challenges

Today in Moscow, Ambassador Ettore Francesco Sequi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, together with Gen. Oleg Syromolotov, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, jointly chaired the 4th meeting of the Italy-Russian Federation Working Group on combating global challenges. Also taking part were representatives of various Italian administrations including the Ministries of the Interior and Justice, the Carabinieri, the Guardia di Finanza, and the National Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Directorate. During the meeting the two delegations discussed the most relevant and topical issues in the field of security. Particular attention was given to the impact of the pandemic on general law enforcement, terrorist threats  (including countering the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters), combating forms of radicalisation and terrorist propaganda on the internet, countering the financing of terrorism, cooperation on countering drug trafficking, and strengthening cooperation in the fight against organised crime and trafficking. As the outcomes of today’s meeting demonstrate, these challenges cut across different areas and in order to be adequately addressed, require increasing cooperation between states.