Zestiende EU-Rusland top in Londen (en)
(04/10/05)
8799/05 (Presse 110)
The leaders of the EU and Russia met today in London for the sixteenth EU-Russia summit. The meeting focused on the practical implementation of the Road Maps for the Four Common Spaces, as agreed at the previous EU/Russia summit on 10 May 2005.
The leaders welcomed the ongoing work on the Common Economic Space (CES) which has the overall objective of bringing down barriers to trade and investment and promoting reforms and competitiveness, based on the principles of non-discrimination, transparency and good governance. The leaders noted the importance of WTO accession as a factor in establishing these core principles in Russia. The leaders focused especially on closer EU-Russian co-operation in the energy sphere. They noted ongoing work under the EU-Russia Energy dialogue, and welcomed in particular the results of the first meeting of the Permanent Partnership Council of Energy Ministers which agreed specific projects for taking work forward in the spheres of energy efficiency, energy infrastructure, investments and trade-related energy issues.
The leaders also paid close attention to the related area of climate change. They welcomed close and growing co-operation between the EU, its member states and Russia on climate change, including work to ensure the best possible conditions for the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. They further agreed on the importance of an active dialogue on how to continue international cooperation on climate change after the end of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012.
The leaders noted the outcome of the Industrialists' Round table held on the eve of the summit. They also noted the wide range of areas where progress has been made on implementing the Common Economic Space since May 2005.
In the Common Space of Freedom, Security and Justice the leaders welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission, which will open the way for easier travel and contacts across the European continent, while creating conditions for effectively fighting illegal migration. The leaders looked forward to the agreements being initialled at the Justice and Home Affairs Permanent Partnership Council on 13 October 2005. The leaders also noted work which is ongoing under this space to tackle common challenges for both the EU and Russia, including the fight against terrorism, drugs and organised crime, and the need to improve border management and migration controls. The leaders also noted the results of the second round of EU-Russia human Rights consultations held in Brussels on 8 September, and looked forward to further regular rounds of consultations in the future.
In the Common Space on External Security, the EU briefed Russia on latest EU plans for the border assistance mission in Moldova and expressed concerns about the situation in Belarus and in Uzbekistan, following the continued Uzbek refusal to allow an inquiry about the massacre in Andijan. The leaders welcomed the positively developing dialogue and co-operation on terrorism and crisis management.
The leaders took note of progress in the Common Space on Research, Education and Culture, in particular the new impetus given to the Science and Technology Agreement. The leaders of the EU and Russia also briefly discussed the future of EU/Russia relations after the expiry of the first period of validity of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) in 2007.
The leaders of the EU and Russia addressed in a constructive spirit internal developments in the EU and Russia, including the situation in Chechnya and the forthcoming elections there. They welcomed the European Commission's decision to provide €20 million for assistance to socio-economic recovery in the North Caucasus as a further sign of EU willingness to cooperate in the region.
They also discussed a wide range of international issues of strategic importance, including Iran, the Balkans and the Middle East Peace Process.
The sixteenth EU/Russia summit was hosted by Rt. Hon. Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, in his capacity as President of the European Council, assisted by the Secretary-General/High Representative, Dr. Javier SOLANA i, and the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jose Manuel BARROSO i. The President of the European Commission was accompanied by Mrs. Benita FERRERO-WALDNER, Commissioner for External Relations, and Mr. Peter MANDELSON, Commissioner for Trade.
The Russian Federation was represented by Mr. Vladimir PUTIN, President of the Russian Federation, accompanied by Mr. Sergey LAVROV, Foreign Minister, Mr. German GREF, Minister for Economic Development and Trade, Mr. Viktor KHRISTENKO, Minister for Energy and Industry, Mr Igor LEVITIN, Minister of Transport, as well as Mr Viktor Ivanov, Assistant to the President, and Mr. Sergey YASTRZHEMBSKIY, Special Representative for development of relations with the European Union.