EU, Russia discuss strategic relations

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-07-2009 09:00

European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, and nine commissioners have held strategic talks with Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, and Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, in Moscow. The talks set out the direction for EU-Russia relations over the coming years.

European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, and  nine commissioners have held strategic talks with Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, and Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, in Moscow.

Barroso's delegation of EU commissioners includes the energy, trade and foreign policy chiefs. They hope to put relations with Russia back on track in their first high-level talks since a crisis over gas supplies with Ukraine.

Both sides say it's vital to avoid a repeat of that situation, as the issue of energy security tops the agenda.

Russia rejects EU pleas to join the Energy charter, a treaty intended to boost the rule of law in energy matters.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says new legal mechanisms are needed to prevent a recurrence.

He says the current Energy Charter would fail to stop a dispute like the one between Russia and Ukraine.

Barroso welcomed Medvedev's role in resolving the dispute.

He says the EU is ready to discuss Russia's proposal for an international energy security agreement, and is keen to develop negotiations in a positive and constructive way.

Barroso also met with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to discuss energy security and bilateral economic relations.

He says Moscow is willing to compromise over the issue, but it should be done on the basis of equality.

Editor:Liu Fang