Brussels, 14/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - At the EU-Russia Summit of 15 December 2011, the two sides are expected to agree on the terms of Russia joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and changes to the visa system, and to iron out differences on the elections in Russia and sanctions against Syria and Iran.
Meeting in Brussels on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning at the twenty-eighth six-monthly EU-Russia Summit, the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission, Herman Van Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, the Russian President, Dmitri Medvedev, and Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, will try to iron out differences following the severe criticism in Europe of vote-rigging in the Russian general elections and big disagreements over Syria and Iran.
Addressing the European Parliament on Wednesday, Ashton said the EU was planning to express concerns about problems in the Russian elections, saying that on 4 December, the Russian people had been very unhappy at corruption and the economic situation in the country, adding, however, that Medvedev and Russian prime minister,Vladmir Putin had taken good note of this. Everyone expects the EU's leaders to impress upon Medvedev that there should be a transparent and proper democratic presidential election in March, but without upsetting a key EU partner and energy supplier, especially since Russia is likely to offer Europe aid through the IMF. Russia holds 40% of its reserves in euros, and may lend the IMF €10 billion.
On the international front, no progress is likely to be forthcoming over sanctions against Syria and Iran, which Russia opposes. Europe says there will be frank talks, however, about the territorial integrity of Georgia following the 2008 conflict.
The Summit is expected to welcome Russia's membership of the WTO, which will be formalised at the eighth ministerial WTO conference on 16 December 2011. Russia's membership was facilitated by an EU-Russia agreement to allow Russia to invest in the EU car industry. The global crisis added extra urgency to the trade talks between the EU and Russia because trade between the two has increased by 27% since January 2011. Some 75% of Russia's exports to the EU is fuel, making Russia the EU's third largest trading partner. Spats about energy pipelines and the giant Russian gas company Gazprom's activity in Europe will also be on the menu. Following promises to protect borders and introduce biometric passports, the EU and Russian leaders are expected to agree to simplify the visa system introduced in 2006. (EH/transl.fl)