The sides reaffirmed the importance of deepening their foreign policy dialogue.

(Kazan, January 27, Tatar-inform). Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov and Minister for Europe at the British Foreign Office David Lidington discussed relations between their countries and key international topics at consultations in London on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on its web site, reports Interfax.

The sides reaffirmed the importance of deepening their foreign policy dialogue, including in light of preparations for British Foreign Secretary William Hague's visit to Moscow in the first half of 2012, the ministry said.

"In this context, the sides held a detailed exchange of opinions on important international issues, among them cooperation in the Russia-EU and Russia-NATO formats, as well as European security," it said.

Titov and Lidington also discussed Russian-British relations and the implementation of agreements reached during British Prime Minister David Cameron's visit to Moscow in September 2011, it said.

"They noted the accelerating pace of the political dialogue, the step-by-step development of trade, economic and investment cooperation, as well as bilateral ties in the spheres of culture, science and education. Tasks were also discussed aimed at further expanding the contractual framework, forging closer ties between ministries and agencies, as well as promoting business contacts, including within the mechanisms of the Russian-British Intergovernmental Committee for Trade and Investment," the ministry said.

Titov, for his part, spoke about the importance of a stage-by-stage process intended to simplify Russian-British visa rules.

"Other topics on the meeting's agenda included the situation in the Balkans, the Middle East, North Africa and Afghanistan, as well as a number of other regional issues," the ministry said.