Brussels, 24/08/2000 (Agence Europe) - Russian diplomats in Brussels state they are pleased with the programme of work that the French EU Presidency has drawn up (and which has just been approved as such by the Fifteen) concerning the implementation by the end of the year of the EU common strategy for Russia, for which each EU Presidency must present its own work programme for one term of office. With the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), the common strategy is the main instrument for bilateral relations between the EU and Russia. After the war in Chechnya, the Fifteen had decided during the European Council of Helsinki in December 1999 to review and partially suspend implementation of the common strategy. During the Feira Summit in June, the EU went back on its position as the Heads of State and Government - though restating their concern about events in Chechnya - declared their willingness to develop a "strong partnership" with Moscow and to help the new Russian leadership under the presidency of Vladimir Putin on the road to economic and political reform.
Russian diplomats said they saw the work programme as a positive sign for the development and the strengthening of Russian/EU relations. They noted that the plan of work of the French Presidency is far more "concrete and substantial" than that put forward by the Portuguese Presidency for the first six months of this year. "We consider this as proof that the climate has improved between us", commented Russian diplomats.
The French plan of work covers five main areas:
Plan of work for implementation of common strategy with Ukraine
The programme of work that the French EU Presidency drew up for Ukraine (and which, in the meantime, has also been approved by the Fifteen) for implementation of the common strategy with Ukraine is structured in a similar way to that for Russia, although the actions and measures foreseen are not identical.
Thus, concerning democratisation, the rule of law and support to the public institutions, the EU plans to organise, in Kiev, in the autumn, a seminar on the independence of magistrates and appeal procedure in the justice system. Exchanging views and experiences between European and Ukrainian political decision-makers and aid to the freedom of the press also appear on the agenda. In the area of economic reform, the Commission was entrusted with examining the possibilities of granting technical assistance (within the framework of Tacis) to the Ukraine Anti-Monopolies Committee and to other market regulatory bodies. The Commission will, moreover, provide assistance to the privatisation and restructuring process of Ukrainian industry.
In the field of security and stability in Europe, the EU programme for the next few months is identical to that for Russia. It is above all planned that dialogue should be strengthened in all possible meetings (mainly those under PCA: EU/Ukraine summit to be held on 15 September in Paris, Cooperation Council, Cooperation Committee, technical sub-committees, etc.) on ESDP, disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, future EU enlargement, etc.
Regarding measures envisaged for protection of the environment, nuclear safety and energy, we would point out the EU's commitment to continue giving its support with a view to closure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on 15 December this year (as announced by the Ukrainian authorities). This support "could" also include participation by the Fifteen in the co-funding of work for the completion of two new substitute nuclear plants, Khlemnitsky 2 and Rovno 4.