Brussels, 06/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - The EU/Russia Cooperation Council, to meet next Tuesday (10 April) in Luxembourg, intervenes at an important time in so far as the two partners have, over recent weeks and months, stepped up their determination to engage in a long-term real "strategic partnership". Just a few weeks away from the EU/Russia Summit, in Moscow on 17 May, the ministerial meeting on Tuesday will allow stock to be taken and dialogue to be consolidated on a certain number of key subjects in the context of the strategic partnership desired, such as enlargement of the EU to the East, nuclear safety or future energy cooperation. We give below an overview of the agenda of the meeting where Russia will be represented by its Deputy Prime Minister Victor Khriestienko.
- Recent developments in Russia and in the EU. It will above all be question of Russia's internal political and economic situation (mainly Chechnya, but also in the region of Northern Caucasus), as well as the impact that EU enlargement could have on Russia (it is known that Moscow has no objections of principle regarding enlargement, but fears negative economic repercussions).
- Economic cooperation. The EU should restate its appeal to Russian authorities so that they take legislative and other measures to accelerate economic reform, improve the investment climate and abolish trade barriers. In this context, the EU will raise several trade conflicts pending (obstacles to imports of alcohol, export restrictions on metals, discrimination of European airline companies when flying over Siberia, Russian embargo against imports of a series of agricultural products following the foot-and-mouth crisis). It will underline that the rapid solution of these trade differences will help Russia become a member of the WTO.
- Energy partnership. Following the initiative by Romano Prodi aimed at strengthening long-term energy cooperation between the EU and Russia, both sides have set a joint working group in place followed by several sub working groups. It is now a question of making a first balance sheet report and setting out clearer guidelines for work in future.
- Environment, nuclear safety, Kaliningrad, northern dimension.
