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Miliband in Russia to hold talks Miliband in Russia to hold talks
(about 2 hours later)
David Miliband has arrived in Moscow for the first visit to Russia in five years by a British foreign secretary. David Miliband is in talks in Moscow on the first visit to Russia in five years by a British foreign secretary.
Relations between the UK and the Kremlin reached a low after the murder in London of Russian emigre Alexander Litvinenko in November 2006.Relations between the UK and the Kremlin reached a low after the murder in London of Russian emigre Alexander Litvinenko in November 2006.
Mr Miliband says Britain still does not always "see eye to eye" with Russia but acknowledges it is a world power and an important trading partner.Mr Miliband says Britain still does not always "see eye to eye" with Russia but acknowledges it is a world power and an important trading partner.
Official talks are expected to focus on Iran, the Middle East and Afghanistan.Official talks are expected to focus on Iran, the Middle East and Afghanistan.
The last British foreign secretary to visit Russia was Jack Straw in 2004. The last British foreign secretary to visit Russia was Jack Straw in 2004. But Prime Minister Gordon Brown has spoken frequently with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev at international summits.
And Mr Miliband has held regular talks elsewhere with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, who he is meeting for dinner during his visit.
Writing on his blog, Mr Miliband said: "We don't always see eye to eye with Russia but we share the same global challenges and it is important that we work on them together.
ANALYSIS Bridget Kendall, BBC diplomatic correspondent Not since July 2004 has a British Foreign Secretary been to Moscow - an extraordinarily long time, given the volume of trade between the two countries and the global problems they are both concerned about.ANALYSIS Bridget Kendall, BBC diplomatic correspondent Not since July 2004 has a British Foreign Secretary been to Moscow - an extraordinarily long time, given the volume of trade between the two countries and the global problems they are both concerned about.
But relations were plunged into a freeze following the tit for tat diplomatic expulsions that followed the Litvenenko murder.But relations were plunged into a freeze following the tit for tat diplomatic expulsions that followed the Litvenenko murder.
On the eve of Mr Miliband's arrival in Moscow the Russian ambassador to London was still blaming Britain for an "anachronistic" attitude and "artificial barriers" which stood in the way of improved relations.On the eve of Mr Miliband's arrival in Moscow the Russian ambassador to London was still blaming Britain for an "anachronistic" attitude and "artificial barriers" which stood in the way of improved relations.
Both countries agree they need to work together. But neither side seem to think they'll find a way past their deep seated disagreements.Both countries agree they need to work together. But neither side seem to think they'll find a way past their deep seated disagreements.
But Prime Minister Gordon Brown has spoken frequently with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev at international summits.
And Mr Miliband has held regular talks elsewhere with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, who he will meet for dinner later.
Writing on his blog, Mr Miliband said: "We don't always see eye to eye with Russia but we share the same global challenges and it is important that we work on them together.
"The wealth of people-to-people contacts and the dynamic business links which have grown between Britain and Russia over the last 20 years make political engagement all the more important.""The wealth of people-to-people contacts and the dynamic business links which have grown between Britain and Russia over the last 20 years make political engagement all the more important."
The Foreign Office said Mr Miliband would meet a range of politicians, business leaders and representatives of civil society before returning home on Tuesday.The Foreign Office said Mr Miliband would meet a range of politicians, business leaders and representatives of civil society before returning home on Tuesday.
A spokeswoman said: "Russia matters greatly to finding ways to address the major global challenges which we face."A spokeswoman said: "Russia matters greatly to finding ways to address the major global challenges which we face."
She added: "Where we disagree we state our positions frankly.... We want a stable, long term relationship with Russia. The foreign secretary is going to Russia to take that agenda forward."She added: "Where we disagree we state our positions frankly.... We want a stable, long term relationship with Russia. The foreign secretary is going to Russia to take that agenda forward."
According to BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall, a senior diplomat has indicated the main focus of the talks will be on issues where Russia's collaboration is needed internationally - over Afghanistan, and over the question of Iran's nuclear programme.
The aim, said the diplomat, was to be clearer about Russia's position over Iran, and whether if current negotiations with Iran failed, Russia would be prepared to adopt a tougher position.
MPs' letterMPs' letter
Relations between Britain and Russia took a turn for the worse after former Russian security agent Mr Litvinenko was poisoned.Relations between Britain and Russia took a turn for the worse after former Russian security agent Mr Litvinenko was poisoned.
Moscow refused UK requests to extradite chief suspect Andrei Lugovoi and several tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions took place as the row rumbled on.Moscow refused UK requests to extradite chief suspect Andrei Lugovoi and several tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions took place as the row rumbled on.
Relations worsened further when Moscow ordered the closure of British Council offices due to alleged tax irregularities.Relations worsened further when Moscow ordered the closure of British Council offices due to alleged tax irregularities.
It is clear that the UK must raise concerns regarding Russia's lack of respect for human rights, property rights and rule of law Letter from MPs
There have also been tensions over spying claims and a struggle over BP's interests in Russia.There have also been tensions over spying claims and a struggle over BP's interests in Russia.
Meanwhile, a group of MPs has urged Mr Miliband to raise human rights issues with Mr Lavrov.Meanwhile, a group of MPs has urged Mr Miliband to raise human rights issues with Mr Lavrov.
A letter signed by the likes of Labour's Tom Watson, Tory Julie Kirkbride and Liberal Democrat Julia Goldsworthy, highlights concerns over the fraud trial of former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, which his supporters claim is politically motivated. A letter signed by MPs including Labour's Tom Watson, Tory Julie Kirkbride and Liberal Democrat Julia Goldsworthy, highlights concerns over the fraud trial of former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, which his supporters claim is politically motivated.
"It is clear that the UK must raise concerns regarding Russia's lack of respect for human rights, property rights and rule of law; and challenge the use of national energy providers as an aggressive foreign policy tool which isolates Russia from the rest of the international community," they say."It is clear that the UK must raise concerns regarding Russia's lack of respect for human rights, property rights and rule of law; and challenge the use of national energy providers as an aggressive foreign policy tool which isolates Russia from the rest of the international community," they say.
Human rights
The Foreign Office said Mr Miliband would not be attending Mr Khodorkovsky's trial.The Foreign Office said Mr Miliband would not be attending Mr Khodorkovsky's trial.
"Whilst the legal processes in every country are a matter for that country, we always make clear the importance of human rights, the rule of law and judicial processes that are seen to be fair and transparent," a spokesperson said."Whilst the legal processes in every country are a matter for that country, we always make clear the importance of human rights, the rule of law and judicial processes that are seen to be fair and transparent," a spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that the UK had an "annual bilateral dialogue with Russia to discuss human rights as well as the opportunity to raise concerns through the EU/Russia human rights talks".The spokesperson added that the UK had an "annual bilateral dialogue with Russia to discuss human rights as well as the opportunity to raise concerns through the EU/Russia human rights talks".
Mr Miliband's visit comes as Downing Street plays down a story in the Sunday Times which says Gordon Brown is backing him to be the EU foreign affairs chief.Mr Miliband's visit comes as Downing Street plays down a story in the Sunday Times which says Gordon Brown is backing him to be the EU foreign affairs chief.
A source said David Miliband has made it clear that he was not a candidate and not available.A source said David Miliband has made it clear that he was not a candidate and not available.