Brussels, 08/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - Margot Wallström, Environment Commissioner, is taking part in high level talks in Russia, on Thursday and Friday, on strengthening EU-Russia dialogue and cooperation on environmental issues. In Moscow, Ms Wallström hopes discussions will help define the common priorities that should be included in a Communication to be adopted during the autumn. In a press release, Ms Wallström states: "Russia is hugely important to the global and European environment. The EU and Russia face a range of common environmental concerns such as energy/climate change, ozone depletion, loss of biodiversity, nuclear safety, air and water pollution (…). Environmental interaction between the EU and Russia - and the need for cooperation - will grow steadily as the EU enlarges to the east and the economic transformation of central Europe and Russia proceeds".