Brussels, 22/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - A meeting between Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mr Razov and the Director General for External Relations at the Commission, Guy Legras, are to meet in Brussels on Wednesday morning in the presence of representatives of the Directorates General on Enlargement and Justice and Home Affairs. The theme of the meeting, which is organised by the Danish Presidency, will be the problem of civilian and military transit between Kaliningrad and the rest of the Russian territory after Poland and Lithuania's accession to the EU (see EUROPE of 25 April, p.10).
Emma Udwin, Commission spokesperson, said the aim was to discuss the conclusions of the Seville Council which provide for acquis communautaire to be applied while respecting the needs of the inhabitants of Kaliningrad. She went on to say that a study is currently being carried out on the possible solutions that could suit both parties and which will be presented to the European Council in Brussels on 24 and 25 October. This "exchange of opinions" is hailed at Russia's diplomatic mission as a step towards a solution that, it is hoped, will be found by the next EU/Russia summit on 11 November. Furthermore, according to AFP, President Chirac at his informal summit with President Putin in Sotchi on the Black Sea said he considered a visa regime for the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad was "unacceptable". "I consider the visa system imposed on Russians to go from one place on their territory to another on their territory is not acceptable", said Mr Chirac, who felt that the visa could be replaced by an "equivalent" system, though he did not give details. The Russians believe "such an opinion by a leader of one of the largest countries of the Union is a very good thing" in addition to the "proposals of compromise made by Germany and the Netherlands".