“EU, Russia should deepen partnership”

The EU-Russia Summit will be an important occasion to deepen our strategic partnership in all areas, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy says. He said that pressing global and international issues, such as measures to deal with the economic and financial crisis and international issues, such as Syria and Iran would also be discussed. “EU, Russia should deepen partnership” "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 modernization, visa and mobility, and trade,” Van Rompuy noted two days ahead of the summit in St. Petersburg. He added that the main aim should be to confirm the past years results in the EU-Russia partnership and set the course for the coming years. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that “Russia is not only the EU largest neighbor - it is also a strategic partner with which we are building a solid and mutually beneficial relationship”. “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,” Barroso stressed. He added that the “EU believes that the best basis for a closer partnership is an ambitious and comprehensive bilateral new agreement”. Aside from Van Rompuy and Barroso, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger will also take part in the summit on June 3-4. Russia will be represented by President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and several other Russian ministers. 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. Herman Van Rompuy (file) Tanjug

“EU, Russia should deepen partnership”

"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 modernization, visa and mobility, and trade,” Van Rompuy noted two days ahead of the summit in St. Petersburg.

He added that the main aim should be to confirm the past years results in the EU-Russia partnership and set the course for the coming years.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that “Russia is not only the EU largest neighbor - it is also a strategic partner with which we are building a solid and mutually beneficial relationship”.

“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,” Barroso stressed.

He added that the “EU believes that the best basis for a closer partnership is an ambitious and comprehensive bilateral new agreement”.

Aside from Van Rompuy and Barroso, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger will also take part in the summit on June 3-4. Russia will be represented by President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and several other Russian ministers.

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.