Brussels, 23/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, said in Moscow on Friday that it was realistic to envisage Russia's joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by the end of the year. "How can this organisation describe itself as World if Russia is not in it?" said Mr Prodi, stressing that this is a "priority" for the EU in its economic relations with Russia. Various technical problems still stand in the way of membership, but political willingness to address them quickly exists, said Mr Prodi. The Commission President also reported a "very fruitful" meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, which centred around a long list of subjects covering the whole extent of bilateral relations. The extension of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) was discussed at length, and an "almost complete agreement" reached, according to Mr Prodi (with the resolution of the transit of goods to and from the enclave of Kaliningrad, amongst other issues). "We are close to a signature of the protocol" of the PCA, he told the press, adding that "all the issues would be settled" by next Tuesday, when the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council meets for the first time in Luxembourg. As we reported in yesterday's bulletin (p.8), one of the main outstanding problems is treatment of Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic States. The EU is prepared to give "special attention" to this sensitive issue, but it feels it would be neither appropriate nor justifiable to include this in the joint political statement both sides plan to adopt when the protocol on extending the PCA is signed. Respect for minority rights is an issue to be tackled in accordance with the laws of the Member States concerned and with international protocols, said Mr Prodi. He also appealed to the Russian authorities to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. "I sincerely hope that Russia will ratify the Kyoto Protocol soon, because there is no alternative mechanism for combating man-made causes of global climate change", said Mr Prodi.
European Parliament Plenary Session