Finnish FM to focus on RF-EU relations on Moscow visit.

HELSINKI, March 9 (Itar-Tass) - Relations between Russia and the
European Union following the Treaty of Lisbon's entering into force, as
well as the state of and prospects for Russo-Finnish contacts will be the
central subjects of discussion during a one-day visit to Moscow by Finnish
Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb on Tuesday.

An official at the Finnish Foreign Ministry press center told
Itar-Tass that during the upcoming visit Stubb would hold talks with his
Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
The two Ministers are also to discuss a number of international
problems of current concern, including the situation in Afghanistan and
Iran, and prospects for the Middle East peace process. Stubb and Lavrov
are expected to devote attention to matters concerning the activities of
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
According to the information of the Foreign Ministry press center,
while in Moscow Stubb is planning to meet with representatives of
non-governmental organizations and media people.

.Poland PM sets out on four-day tour of Caucasus Tue.

WARSAW, March 9 (Itar-Tass) - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on
Tuesday begins a four-day tour of the Caucasus to pay official visits to
Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia.
The Eastern Partnership programme, the political situation in the
Caucasus, and energy policy will be at the center of attention, said a
communique circulated here on Monday night by the information center of
the Polish government.
Azerbaijan will be the first leg of Donald Tusk's tour. Over there,
the Polish Prime Minister will hold talks with Azerbaijani President
Ilkham Aliyev and other leaders of the republic.
On Thursday, Donald Tusk is to arrive in Tbilisi for a meeting with
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashhvili. Tusk will attend a seminar
dealing with the implementation of a programme for assistance to the
Georgian local administration on the part of the Polisih Ministry for
Regional Development.
On Friday, Tusk is to visit Yerevan for talks with the leadership of
Armenia.

.Ardzinba funeral ceremony to be held in Sukhum Tue.

SUKHUM, March 9 (Itar-Tass) - The funeral ceremony for Vladislav
Ardzinba, the First President of the Republic of Abkhazia, is to be held
here on Tuesday. The ceremony will continue until 15:00, Moscow time. The
State commission for funeral arrangements is headed by President of the
Republic Sergei Bagapsh.
According to the will, Ardzinba is to be buried in his native village
of Eshera, Sukhum District.
Vladislav Ardzinba died in at the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow
on March 4 at the age of 64 after a long serious illness.
March 7, 8 and 9 have been declared to be days of mourning in
Abkhazia. State flags fly at half-mast; all festive events have been
cancelled, just as entertainment programmes on television and radio.
Sombre music has been broadcast throughout all these days. Documentary
films have been shown to depict the life and activities of the First
President of Abkhazia, who took the helm of the country at the time of
trouble.
Ardzinba was the leader of Abkhazia since 1991. In 1994, he was
elected the First President of the Republic and headed it until 2005.
-0-pop