FOLLOWING his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, the Tanaiste, Mr Spring led the 15 EU foreign ministers in discussions on European security, trade and the development of democracy in Russia with that country's foreign minister, Mr Yevgeny Primakov.
He also asked Mr Primakov to send President Yeltsin his "best wishes" in regard to his serious health problems.
The discussions on security centred on Russia's wish to see the Organisation for Security and Co operation having a more enhanced role in European security, a wish shared by the Irish Government. The two sides discussed preparations for the OSCE summit in Lisbon in December, on a new "security model" in Europe.
Russia has strong objections to the proposal that former Warsaw Pact countries should join NATO. It believes this may simply redraw the Cold War dividing line in Europe, this time along Russia's western border.
The OSCE of which western and eastern European states including Russia are members, is a more appropriate body to have an overall role in European security, Russia believes.
"We are working towards developing a common understanding of the European security architecture," said Mr Spring afterwards. The meeting had taken place "in a spirit of co operation ... in the new, enhanced relationship developing between the EU and Russia".
EU leaders have been encouraged by Russia's apparent willingness to remain involved in Ifor, the international military force in Bosnia, and in the NATO sponsored Partnership for Peace programme.
Uncertainty over Russia's future orientation has grown, however, due to the concerns over President Yeltsin's health and over who might succeed him.
The discussions also covered the implementation of the EU "action plan" to support the development of democracy and a market economy in Russia. This includes the promotion of regional co operation between Russia and its neighbours, the development of trade and humanitarian aid.
On Tuesday night Mr Spring also met the Iranian foreign minister, Mr Ali Akbar Velati, as part of the "critical dialogue" which the EU has with that country. Talks covered human rights, international terrorism and the Middle East peace process, which he discussed with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Mr Amr Moussa.
. In Bergen, Norway, 16 defence ministers of NATO countries moved closer yesterday to a commitment to keep thousands of troops in Bosnia next year after the Implementation Force (Ifor) mandate runs out on December 20th.
"We must decide on force aims before we can even discuss its size," a senior alliance diplomat said. NATO sources said that although the US Defence Secretary, Mr William Perry, did not explicitly say US troops would be in the force, there was broad agreement that it would include the same countries as Ifor.
The US now has 15,000 troops serving in the 52,000 strong Ifor force, which was sent in last December to police the Dayton peace accords. Britain and France, the other main contributors, would not remain without a US ground presence.