Brussels, 28/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - Commissioner Chris Patten insisted on the complementary nature of the relationship between Russia and the Union during a European Business Club conference held on Tuesday in Moscow. "If I have to summarise in one word the reasons why the relationship between Russia and the EU is so significant, that word would be 'proximity'", the Commissioner said, adding that "we share culture, history and tradition".
Chris Patten welcomed the new relationship between Russia and NATO, cooperation between the EU and Russia in the fight against terrorism, corruption and illegal immigration. Regarding crisis management cooperation, the Commissioner hopes to tackle at the summit "how we can go further". He also stressed, however, that this cooperation "should not stop at the borders of the former Soviet Union" and that "we expect Russia to work with us to end the 'frozen conflicts' in Moldova and in the South Caucasus". On Union enlargement and the question of Kaliningrad, Mr Patten restated Europe's determination to ensure that the Russian enclave fully benefits from enlargement. Recalling the need to link dialogue between the two parties to the respect of democracy, human rights, freedom of the press, the treatment of religious minorities and access to humanitarian aid in Chechnya, the Commissioner concluded by saying "we need to ensure that when we promise something it can be done".