EU-top met Rusland in Den Haag (en)

On 25 November, the EU will host the 14th EU-Russia Summit in The Hague. This is the first meeting of the new Commission with Russian leaders. The Summit will welcome the extension of the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) to the ten new EU Member States, as well as Russia's recent decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. The Summit will discuss the way forward in light of the progress made towards the creation of the four `common spaces': a common economic space (with specific reference to environment and energy); a space of freedom, security and justice; a space of cooperation in the field of external security; as well as a space of research and education, including culture. The EU will be represented by the President of the European Council, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and by European Commission President José Manuel Durao Barroso. Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana will also participate. The Russian delegation will be led by President Vladimir Putin.

On the eve of the Summit, President Barroso said "I am delighted to be able to meet my Russian counterpart so early in my mandate. EU and Russia can do a lot together. I look forward to building a strong relationship, both to tackle shared problems, and to seize the opportunities of deeper co operation. Our relationship with Russia is one of the EU's key strategic partnerships. To promote our shared economic, political and security interests, we need a balanced and comprehensive agenda to guide us in the coming years. I am looking forward to working with my Russian colleagues to achieve this".

Negotiations on a package of Road Maps for the creation of the four common spaces are ongoing and will continue right up to the Summit itself. These Road Maps will set the agenda for co-operation between the EU and Russia for the medium-term. (Memo: EU/Russia: The four "common spaces")

Summit leaders will welcome the new reality of relations between the enlarged EU and Russia, noting in particular the positive effect of enlargement on economic relations. The EU will note as well the importance of addressing the unique situation of Kaliningrad in the broad context of the socio-economic development of the region and underscore the need to avoid creating economic or social dividing lines between Kaliningrad and neighbouring EU countries.

At the Summit, the European Union will call on Russia to sign and ratify the outstanding border agreements with Estonia and Latvia. The EU will advocate a political settlement for the conflict in Chechnya, which will respect Russia's territorial integrity and which will address human rights concerns.

The Commission will recall its willingness to provide funds for reconstruction and rehabilitation in the northern Caucasus, as soon as the security situation permits. A first step would be to undertake a needs assessment mission to the region, which the EU will call on Russia to facilitate.

The EU will also propose that the EU and Russia establish regular consultations on human rights.

In addition, the EU and Russia will agree in principle to establish a European Studies Institute in Moscow.

The Summit will also discuss a number of current regional and international issues: developments in the Middle East, including Iraq and Iran, Moldova, the south Caucasus and Belarus.

For further information on the four common spaces:
EU/Russia: The four "common spaces":
MEMO/04/268

Further information on the EU's relations with Russia

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/russia/intro/index.htm