Brussels, 27/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - European and Russian leaders are meeting in Brussels on Tuesday 28 January for a 32nd EU-Russia summit devoted to a common discussion on the nature and direction of their strategic partnership, and on the future of their economic and political relations. “This summit is an opportunity for a genuine joint reflection on the nature and direction of the EU-Russia strategic partnership. Our common interests are many and they encourage us to work together constructively. We have also had, however, a number of differences which need to be discussed and clarified”, said European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.
“Both Russia and the European Union have much to gain by strengthening our cooperation as strategic partners - but for this to be successful, we need mutual understanding and strategic trust”, said European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. “The feeling is that we can't have a traditional EU-Russia summit”, said a high-level European official, adding that there is a “need to put things clearly” and to have “a frank discussion”.
These discussions will take place in small groups. There will be no hosts of commissioners and advisers, nor an informal dinner before the summit. The meeting, of around three hours, involves a plenary session then a meal, and is to be attended by Van Rompuy, Barroso, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Russia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov, and the main advisers and leaders.
Shadow of Ukraine looming over summit. While Russia's ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, has underlined that the summit will not be a “summit on Ukraine but on EU-Russia relations”, the question of events in Ukraine is nevertheless likely to be discussed. “It's a crucial subject for the two parties”, said an EU diplomat. The discussion could be tense, even if “the two parties have a common interest in the situation calming down” (see other article). The situation in Ukraine is the consequence of Russia's intervention to stop Ukraine signing the EU association agreement, said an EU diplomat - while Chizhov has criticised the European threats of sanctions (see EUROPE 11002). The other Eastern Partnership countries regional economic integration initiatives are also due to be discussed.
Trade matters and issues on energy, visas, WTO obligations, human rights and international commitments - such as the situation in Syria and the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme - are also due to be addressed. Chizhov hopes that the summit will provide useful political impetus for a new bilateral EU-Russia agreement and that it will very soon be possible to announce a 14th round of negotiations.
On Monday 27 January, human rights protesters gathered in front of the European Council building in Brussels to draw attention to the crackdown in Russia against civil society organisations, political campaigners, minority groups and the LGBT community. (CG/transl.fl)