Ministerial meetings within the EU – Russia Permanent Partnership Council are held twice a year, usually before EU – Russia summits. The last meeting was held in November 2007 in Brussels. The ministers agreed on future priority tasks. Close cooperation between the EU and Russia in the field of justice and home affairs contributes to strengthening of the strategic partnership between the EU and Russia. The main topics discussed at such meetings are visa facilitation and border cooperation, cooperation in combating terrorism and organised crime, and judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters.