The
next European Union–Russia Summit will take place on 3 and 4 June in St
Petersburg. The EU will be represented by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the
European Council, and by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European
Commission. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy, and Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger will
also take part. Russia will be represented by President Vladimir Putin,
accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and several other Russian
ministers.
President Barroso said: "Russia
is not only the EU largest neighbour - it is also a strategic partner with
which we are building a solid and mutually beneficial relationship. Important
progress was achieved in recent years in key areas of our cooperation. The
election of a new President and the beginning of a new government offers us the
opportunity to consolidate this progress, but also to look strategically into
the future. The EU believes that the best basis for a closer Partnership is an
ambitious and comprehensive bilateral New Agreement. This should become the new
centrepiece of our relations and a solid basis for cooperation in the years to
come. It must include substantial provisions on trade and investment, including
energy. Equally, the summit should confirm the high importance of the
Partnership for Modernisation, which is under full implementation now."
"The summit will be an important occasion to run through the broad
range of issues that today make up the EU-Russia relationship, such as
modernisation, visa and mobility, and trade. The main aim should be to confirm
the past years results in the EU-Russia partnership and set the course for the
coming years. The EU sees a lot of untapped potential to deepen our strategic
partnership in all areas, which the St Petersburg Summit should explore. There
will also be need to discuss pressing global and international issues, such as
measures to deal with the economic and financial crisis and international
issues, such as Syria and Iran," said
President Van Rompuy ahead of the meeting.
The Summit in St Petersburg will start with
an informal dinner on 3 June and continue with a plenary session on the morning
of 4 June, followed by a working lunch and a press conference. Leaders are
expected to exchange views on global economic developments and the situation in
the Eurozone, and regional and international issues, including developments in
Syria, the Middle East and Iran.
Leaders are also expected to focus on
bilateral relations, including the need to reinvigorate the negotiations on the
New Agreement. The Summit will
also look forward to the ratification of Russia’s WTO accession, and reconfirm
that all related commitments will be implemented. The leaders will also discuss
energy cooperation. The leaders will
also take note of the intensive work going on regarding the implementation of
the Common Steps towards visa-free travel and discuss visa and mobility issues
in general. The situation regarding human rights and the rule of
law in Russia is expected to be raised.
