Brussels, 22/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The head of the European Commission is calling for increased cooperation between the EU and Russia, despite persisting differences on certain issues, particularly energy.
Commission President José Manuel Barroso said that he was “very satisfied with the positive spirit of our discussions” during the biennial meeting between the European Commission and Russian government on 21-22 March 2013 in Moscow. During a press conference with Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, Barroso declared that their discussions constituted a step forward in the consolidation of their strategic partnership but that “successful cooperation and dialogue do not happen by coincidence. They are the result of joint motivation, continuous consultations, respect for the commitments taken and open-minded solutions”. The European Commission delegation consisted of around 15 commissioners. During the two-day visit, it tackled all the different dossiers involved in bilateral cooperation, including negotiations for the new partnership and cooperation agreement, bilateral trade, energy, transport and mobility.
The Commission and the Russian government focused on the question of the future partnership and co-operation agreement for which negotiations were launched in 2008. This agreement will replace the old 1994 agreement and will govern political cooperation, sectoral dialogue, trade relations and investment between the EU and Russia. Barroso expressed his wish to conclude this agreement by 2014 and therefore celebrate the 20th anniversary of the current cooperation agreement in the best possible way.
On the trade chapter, which has been a source of sharp tension with regard to Russia's non-respect of certain commitments on liberalisation, particularly at the WTO, Barroso was keen to diplomatically call Russia to order: “The European Union is by far Russia's biggest overall trade partner and Russia is European Union's third largest trade partner. In 2012 alone, the total volume of trade between the European Union and Russia reached €336 billion and around 75% of foreign direct investment in Russia is of European origin. In 2010 the European Union's stock of foreign direct investment in Russia amounted to €120 billion, so it is really a very impressive relationship in terms of trade and investment and, in spite of the difficult economic situation, it has been growing and I want to signal this. As you know the European Union has supported Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation. This has represented a major achievement in Russia's efforts to diversify its economy. It can also constitute a potential push in our commercial and investment contacts. But for that to happen it is essential that a full and effective implementation of all commitments taken is made”. He also provided assurances to Russia that he supported its chairmanship of the G20 and explained that “open trade, transparent rules and rejection of protectionism is clearly part of the answer to revive global growth”.
At an energy cooperation level, the president of the Commission was eager to detoxify the current situation regarding their bilateral relations, which have been clouded by Russia's refusal to abide by the rules of the third EU internal market liberalisation package. Barroso said that “we both share an interest in open, transparent and predictable markets. This is an area where there is sometimes tension due to the intensity of our relations but where there is also the will to cooperate”. The Commission and Russian government have been able to overcome their differences and initial the EU/Russia energy cooperation roadmap up to 2050.
In the political field, Barroso emphasised to his Russian hosts the importance of strengthening the rule of law and fundamental freedoms: “Ultimately modernisation only succeeds if it is embraced and developed by the civil society itself. And civil society needs to have the right conditions to flourish and thrive”. On Friday, the commissioner for home affairs, Cecilia Malmström, denounced the harassment of Russian human rights NGOs by the government. On her twitter account she deplored the fact that “while we were meeting the Russian government, the authorities raided the premises of several NGOs” using very vague legal justification for their action. She said that this harassment had to cease so that NGOs could carry out their work freely.
Barroso warned Russia that there could be no progress towards a visa-free movement area without progress in tackling corruption, money laundering, data security and human rights. In an interview with the Russian newspaper, Kommersant, he said: “Today we have moved forward on our upgraded visa facilitation discussions and we are close to reach an agreement. It is important to ensure now the right conditions for its conclusion. We also had a very frank and open discussion about some concerns on this matter”, he confirmed to the press on Friday. (EH/transl.fl)