Brussels, 25/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - The EU/Russia Summit, which took place on Thursday in The Hague, agreed that the adoption of road maps for all of the four common spaces should take place at the next Summit, to be held in Moscow in May 2005. In the meantime, both sides have decided to start the technical implementation of those elements of the spaces on which provisional agreement already exists. "We have made progress on many fronts. Obviously we have not reached agreement on the four spaces, because we went for quality over speed", Jan Peter Balkenende told the press. The partial implementation of the spaces before they have even been formally adopted is an important decision, which will concern the application of the protocol on the extension of the EU/Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (to adapt it to enlargement), the joint implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, the application of the agreement on the extension of trade and investment, joint practices in the field of the fight against terrorism or the creation of an Institute of European Studies in Moscow (which will specialise in economy and European law), explained Mr Balkenende. President Putin told the press that he welcomed the "positive, constructive, substantial and very honest" discussions. The ratification of the protocol on the extension of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol bear witness to the "strategic choice Russia has made in favour of a united Europe, which is stable and prosperous and free from divisions", and the agreement on the finalisation of the road maps for the four common spaces in May 2005 "opens up the best prospects to strengthen our relations with the EU", he underlined.
He considered that negotiations had almost been finished for the dour spaces (economy, research and education), whereas "certain problems" continued in external security and justice/freedom/security). The joint declaration noted that the 26 October meeting between ministers of justice and interior had created a "good basis" for closer cooperation on themes such as facilitating the movement of people, preparation of the abolition (in the long term) of visa obligations, a readmission agreement, border management, the fight against terrorism, organised crime, corruption and illegal immigration. On the "external security" space, the declaration reveals "significant progress" towards strengthened cooperation in crisis management (the text mentions the concept of "common neighbourhood policy" dear to the heart of the EU but so far rejected by Moscow.
President Barroso informed the press that, "it is of paramount interest to cooperate with Russia and today we have proved what we're capable of in several important areas". Barroso also welcomed the fact that Mr Putin had agreed to set up in the context of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, a new socio-economic sub-committee on issues of transit to Kaliningrad and the summit's decision to set up a new body for regular dialogue on human and minority rights where, "we will be able to discuss subjects of concern for both sides, notably protection of Russian speaking minorities in certain countries (Baltic) of the EU".