Rome, 18 July 2001 (RFE/RL) -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov had a working breakfast today before attending a meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations. Details of the talks were not immediately available, but U.S. officials said yesterday the two men are likely to touch on U.S. plans to build a missile defense shield against attacks from states such as Iraq or North Korea.
The foreign ministers' talks are also expected to include arms control issues and ways of resolving regional crises, such as in Macedonia and the Middle East.
Powell is likely to raise U.S.-British proposals to revamp UN sanctions against Baghdad, imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.
Powell and Ivanov are expected to issue a joint statement after their talks.
The two men will join the foreign ministers from Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, and Canada this afternoon to begin two days of discussions to prepare for the summit of G-7 leaders in Genoa, Italy, beginning on 20 July.
The foreign ministers' talks are also expected to include arms control issues and ways of resolving regional crises, such as in Macedonia and the Middle East.
Powell is likely to raise U.S.-British proposals to revamp UN sanctions against Baghdad, imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.
Powell and Ivanov are expected to issue a joint statement after their talks.
The two men will join the foreign ministers from Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, and Canada this afternoon to begin two days of discussions to prepare for the summit of G-7 leaders in Genoa, Italy, beginning on 20 July.