01/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - Speaking during a meeting with the Socialist Group of the European Parliament in Tallinn, Estonia, Paavo Lipponen, Speaker of the Parliament and leader of the Finnish Social Democrat Party, stressed the “window of opportunity” that has opened for progress in EU/Russia relations since the summit on 10 May in Moscow (EUROPE 8944). “We ought to give President Putin the benefit of the doubt. He wants to lift Russia out of the degradation caused by general inertia (…) A certain degree of centralisation of control is necessary in Russia. But too much centralisation makes a system choke. (…) We must stand by our principles in dealing with Russia (…). But we also need to understand Russia, have patience with it and avoid unnecessary rhetorical confrontation with it”, the former Finnish prime minister added. He went on to stress: “The common foreign and security policy of the EU must not fall victim to referendum malaise (Ed.: on the European Constitution). We must rescue the CFSP and continue strengthening it” and improve relations with the EU's neighbours “from Murmansk to Marrakesh”.