Brussels, 01/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The EU/Russia summit in Rostov ended on 1 June with the adoption of a joint declaration on the priorities of the new “Partnership for Modernisation” (PfM). The common aim is to “modernise our economies and societies”, states the document approved by the Russian president Dmitri Medvedev, and EU leaders Herman Van Rompuy, José Manuel Barroso and Catherine Ashton. Europeans and Russians, who are “long-standing strategic partners”, undertake to work together in a practical and concrete way “based on democracy and the rule of law, both at the national and international level”. The explicit reference to democracy and rule of law is a small victory for the EU as Moscow would have preferred restricting the scope of the PfM to improving economic competitiveness and the conditions of trade and investment between the two blocs. Addressing the press after the summit, José Manuel Barroso welcomed the fact that this overall approach, covering the economy as well as society, had been endorsed. It is not possible to modernise the economy without also involving civil society, the Commission president explained, saying “the two are linked”. Nonetheless, a very large part of the PfM's priority work as agreed in Rostov is of an economic, trade or regulatory nature: - facilitating investment in the innovative and fast-growing sectors; - promoting small and medium-sized enterprises; - aligning technical standards and norms; - ensuring sustainable protection of intellectual property rights; - promoting a sustainable low-carbon economy; - improving energy efficiency; - improving transport links; - combating climate change; - strengthening cooperation in the field of research and development; - improving the working of the justice system and the fight against corruption; - promoting people to people contacts; - and strengthening dialogue with the civil society, etc. Coordinators on both sides have been entrusted with the task of drawing up an action plan with a view to implementing the first concrete projects. The PfM, which had been suggested by Barroso in November 2009 to support President Medvedev's domestic reform agenda, hopes to be complementary to the two other major tasks underway between the EU and Russia, namely the conclusion of a new partnership agreement and the setting in place of four “common spaces”.
Visas. As foreseen (EUROPE 10148), the leaders agreed to cross a new stage towards the long term objective of doing away with visas. Senior officials on both sides are tasked with identifying all technical and administrative measures (“common steps”) that Russia and the EU must take with a view to abolishing visa requirements, for which the date has not yet been set. The Russian president reiterated Russia's impatience to take the issue forward. The swift abolition of visas “would consolidate our partnership and facilitate the lives of millions and millions of citizens”, Medvedev said. Moscow is ready to abolish visas for European citizens “from tomorrow”. Unfortunately, the situation is “not as easy” in the EU, which is composed of 27 members and where several member states pose a problem, Medvedev told the press, commenting however that such reticence “is linked more to history than to the current situation” on the ground as “waiving visas is not a threat for security”. In order to speed up the process, Medvedev passed a “draft agreement” on to the EU on visa waiver as Russia sees it.
Economic and financial crisis. Russians and Europeans have a “common view” on measures to be taken within the G20 framework on reform and surveillance of international financial markets, Medvedev said. Barroso, also, welcomed the fact that the two parties are in “broad agreement” on the stance to adopt at the G20 summit in Toronto. The EU has called on Moscow not to resort to protectionist measures and to review measures (rise in several customs duties) taken in the wake of the 2008/2009 financial crisis. Medvedev welcomed the “fast and effective” way in which the EU has reacted to the euro crisis. Stability of the European currency is important for Russia which holds 40% of its monetary reserves in the euro currency, he said.
WTO. The EU reiterated its support for Russia's rapid accession to the World Trade Organisation and welcomed the “new momentum” of talks in Geneva. Speaking to the press, Medvedev was not clear about the intentions of his country, which is setting up a customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan. If joint membership among the three is possible, then the three countries will join together. If not, they will do so separately, he said. “We have agreed with our partners in saying that we shall join together if we can, or separately if the state of progress of our negotiations differs, which is the case today”, he added. One thing is certain, Medvedev continued saying that the WTO needs Russia and Russia needs the WTO. He called on the United States to help Russia in its accession of the WTO.
“Talks with the US are not easy. I think it is about time for everyone, including our US partners, to realise that Russia's WTO membership is not a carrot that can be constantly offered to us as a prize for good behaviour”, he said, also criticising the fact that his country is the only G20 member that is not a member of the WTO. “Russia must play a full part in the international integration processes”, he said.
Human rights. Herman Van Rompuy expressed the EU's “great concern” as well as that of the “European public at large” given the difficult situation in which human rights defenders and journalists find themselves in Russia. He also said he was concerned by the “climate of impunity” that reigns in Chechnya and in other parts of the North Caucasus. On the other hand, the EU welcomed certain improvements in the legislative field in Russia, such as ratification of Protocol 14 of the European Convention of Human Rights and the confirmation of the moratorium on the death penalty.
Climate change. Dmitri Medvedev asserted that Russia was willing to move forward in post-Copenhagen talks with, as the goal, the conclusion of a “universal and legally binding agreement” on CO2 emissions reduction.
Protection of classified information. Both parties also signed an agreement on the protection of classified information, on Tuesday. “This will help to set closer cooperation in place in the external security field”, Medvedev said. The agreement sets out the conditions in which classified information may be exchanged.
International issues. A joint declaration was adopted by Sergei Lavrov and Catherine Ashton severely condemning Israel's military intervention against a maritime humanitarian aid convoy bound for Gaza (see related article). The situation in Georgia was also evoked by the EU, which called on Moscow to “abide by its commitments” under the agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008. Iran's nuclear programme (Russia and EU are on the same wavelength and support the new sanctions prepared by the Security Council) and the situation in Afghanistan/Pakistan were also discussed. (H.B./transl.jl)