Russia-EU summit "focuses on Syria"

Russia sees no contradiction between the processes of Euro-Asian integration and development of relations between Russia and the European Union.

Izvor: Tanjug

Monday, 04.06.2012.

12:23

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Russia sees no contradiction between the processes of Euro-Asian integration and development of relations between Russia and the European Union. This is according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who spoke during the Russia-EU Summit in St. Petersburg. Russia-EU summit "focuses on Syria" Putin said that Russia was interested in a strong EU. "We see no problem between our integration processes in the Euro-Asian space and development of our relations with the EU. Moreover, we are ready to work merging these integration processes," the president said at the opening of he two-day summit. Putin recalled that his country realizes some 50 percent of trade with the European Union, and stressed: "We are interested in a strong EU." One of the main topics of the summit is the situation in Syria, on which the two powers have different opinions. European officials believe that Russia's role is crucial for resolving the crisis, while the U.S. is offering Moscow a plan to send international observers to Syria, of which a majority would be Russians. Both Russia and the EU are still hoping that UN envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan for ending the violence in Syri would succeed. The EU would like Russia to put pressure on Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to end attacks, as envisaged in Annan's plan - but also to step down "and pave the way for political transition". Russia says it does not protect Assad - who, according to reports, is "Moscow's which is the strongest foothold in the Middle East". However, Russia's position is that the Syrian president's departure from power cannot be a prerequisite for political dialogue. Vladimir Putin (R) with EU's Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy (Beta/AP) Tanjug

Russia-EU summit "focuses on Syria"

Putin said that Russia was interested in a strong EU.

"We see no problem between our integration processes in the Euro-Asian space and development of our relations with the EU. Moreover, we are ready to work merging these integration processes," the president said at the opening of he two-day summit.

Putin recalled that his country realizes some 50 percent of trade with the European Union, and stressed: "We are interested in a strong EU."

One of the main topics of the summit is the situation in Syria, on which the two powers have different opinions.

European officials believe that Russia's role is crucial for resolving the crisis, while the U.S. is offering Moscow a plan to send international observers to Syria, of which a majority would be Russians.

Both Russia and the EU are still hoping that UN envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan for ending the violence in Syri would succeed. The EU would like Russia to put pressure on Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to end attacks, as envisaged in Annan's plan - but also to step down "and pave the way for political transition".

Russia says it does not protect Assad - who, according to reports, is "Moscow's which is the strongest foothold in the Middle East". However, Russia's position is that the Syrian president's departure from power cannot be a prerequisite for political dialogue.

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