Paris, 30/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - At the end of the EU/Russia Summit, in Paris on 30 October, Presidents Putin, Chirac and Prodi, as well as High Representative Javier Solana adopted a joint declaration on "strengthening the dialogue on cooperation on political and security issues in Europe", in which they affirm: "Conditions are good: the EU is providing itself with the means to play its full role on the international stage, especially by putting in place a European security and defence policy; the Russian Federation is undertaking internal reforms in view of consolidating a democratic rule of law and the modernisation of its economy (….) We examined means to begin to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the EU and the Russian Federation in the field of security and defence. We expressed our joint will to contribute to international peace and security, in accordance with the Charter for a new Europe and the European Security Charter.
So as to provide the strategic partnership between the EU and the Russian Federation with body, given out common interest in favour of security and stability on the European continent, we decided to undertake the following actions: - introduce, at the appropriate level and in the appropriate formats, specific consultations on security and defence issues; - develop the strategic dialogue on issues, notably regarding security, with implications for the Russian Federation and the EU; - widen the field of regular consultations at expert level on issues of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation; - promote cooperation in operational crisis management. On the basis of the first proposals that will be presented at the European Council of Nice to allow for the contribution of potential partners in the operations, we shall examine the modalities of the contribution of the Russian Federation to EU crisis management operations. In the context of preparing the next EU/Russia Summit, we shall draw up proposals in view of providing our cooperation with a concrete nature. We shall also examine the possibilities for a contribution by the Russian Federation to implementing the civilian crisis management instruments. Implementation of these decisions will have a priority nature between now and the next Summit" (See following pages for other conclusions of the Summit).