On August 11, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a telephone conversation with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton to discuss ways to combat forest fires, Russia-EU collaboration and formation of Russia-EU committee on foreign policy and security, which will address problems in the Middle East and post-soviet area.

“Today, I called Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to express the EU's solidarity with Russia in the wake of the recent forest fires and expressed my condolences, in particular to the family and friends of those who have died as a result of this terrible event. I am extremely pleased that many member states are assisting Russia at this time and I would like to commend my colleague, Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva and her services for their efforts in this regard. Minister Lavrov also expressed his gratitude to Commissioner Georgieva during our phone call. I reiterated the EU's offer of support, both now and into the future", an official Press Statement of the EU informed.