05-27-2008, 12:00 AM
EU Foreign Ministers approve partnership talks with Russia
Brussels (AP): European Union Foreign Ministers approved much delayed plans on Monday to begin talks with Russia aimed at forging a new ``strategic partnership.''
Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, whose country holds the EU presidency, said all 27 EU nations had now given the green light to start negotiations at summit talks with Russia's new President Dmitry Medvedev in June.
Rupel hoped that Russian and European negotiators could agree on a far-reaching pact to widen economic and political ties in a year's time. A new agreement, outlining closer cooperation, would replace a decade-old deal with Moscow.
``We are not in front of some quick fix, but indeed the process has started,'' said Rupel. ``We want to work together in many areas.''
Lithuania had blocked a negotiating mandate to take to the summit, demanding Russia first improve its ties with its immediate neighbors, notably with Georgia and Moldova. It dropped its veto last week after its concerns were included in the mandate for the negotiations.
Efforts to begin talks last year also faltered over a now-resolved trade dispute between Poland and Russia over meat exports.
The delays irked Moscow. Medvedev's trip to China last week, his first trip abroad as Russia's new president, was seen as a slap to Russia's western neighbors.
But Rupel played down Medvedev's symbolic choice of China instead of European countries.
``China is a very important country and I think that the president has all the reasons to travel there,'' Rupel said, adding that EU and Russian officials meet regularly.
Most EU nations are eager to get closer ties with Moscow back on track, notably to secure more stable oil and gas supplies amid rising energy prices and supply concerns.
The EU also wants to persuade Moscow to open its vast energy sector to investors from Western Europe and seeks further cooperation in the fields of criminal investigation, fighting corruption, human trafficking and drugs. The bloc also wants to bolster human rights and democratic reforms.
Brussels (AP): European Union Foreign Ministers approved much delayed plans on Monday to begin talks with Russia aimed at forging a new ``strategic partnership.''
Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, whose country holds the EU presidency, said all 27 EU nations had now given the green light to start negotiations at summit talks with Russia's new President Dmitry Medvedev in June.
Rupel hoped that Russian and European negotiators could agree on a far-reaching pact to widen economic and political ties in a year's time. A new agreement, outlining closer cooperation, would replace a decade-old deal with Moscow.
``We are not in front of some quick fix, but indeed the process has started,'' said Rupel. ``We want to work together in many areas.''
Lithuania had blocked a negotiating mandate to take to the summit, demanding Russia first improve its ties with its immediate neighbors, notably with Georgia and Moldova. It dropped its veto last week after its concerns were included in the mandate for the negotiations.
Efforts to begin talks last year also faltered over a now-resolved trade dispute between Poland and Russia over meat exports.
The delays irked Moscow. Medvedev's trip to China last week, his first trip abroad as Russia's new president, was seen as a slap to Russia's western neighbors.
But Rupel played down Medvedev's symbolic choice of China instead of European countries.
``China is a very important country and I think that the president has all the reasons to travel there,'' Rupel said, adding that EU and Russian officials meet regularly.
Most EU nations are eager to get closer ties with Moscow back on track, notably to secure more stable oil and gas supplies amid rising energy prices and supply concerns.
The EU also wants to persuade Moscow to open its vast energy sector to investors from Western Europe and seeks further cooperation in the fields of criminal investigation, fighting corruption, human trafficking and drugs. The bloc also wants to bolster human rights and democratic reforms.