Brussels, 19/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - As part of the General Affairs and External Relations Council (see other article), a meeting will take place on 23 April in Luxembourg between the ministerial level EU Troika and the Russian foreign affairs minister, Sergey Lavrov. Discussions will focus on progress accomplished in the four common areas (economic, freedom, security and justice, external security, research and education). It will also, very importantly, be focusing on the next EU/Russia summit on 18 May in Samara. The two partners will then examine a whole series of international issues: Kosovo, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Central Asia etc. The Commission also indicated that it would be raising the question of human rights, following the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations last week in Moscow and Saint Petersburg (EUROPE 9407). Although it is not on the agenda, the question of the US project of setting up an anti-missile shield on European soil (which Russia opposes) may also be raised, indicated a German diplomat.
With regard to the launch of negotiations with Moscow in view of a strengthened partnership and cooperation agreement, the situation will perhaps become a little clearer after next Saturday's meeting between Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou and the Russian minister for agriculture, Alexi Gordeyev (EUROPE 9409). The German diplomatic source mentioned above, explained that they were expecting this meeting to send out a “positive message” about the problem of Polish meat. The diplomat said that if this is the case, they will possibly be able to adopt a negotiating brief. Technically possible as from Monday, a green light from ministers will depend on how events pan out at the weekend. On Wednesday Mr Gordeyev warned that the discussions could be “difficult” and the situation remained “complicated” in Poland. Although Commissioner Kyprianou was rather optimistic before his visit, José Manuel Barroso pointed out on the same day, following his meeting with Polish prime minister, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, that lifting the embargo would be “the only good decision to take” (EUROPE 9409). On Thursday, a European diplomat close to the dossier explained that if satisfied, Poland would then be able to confirm its willingness to lift its veto. The Commission's negotiating brief, which Coreper approved two weeks ago (EUROPE 9402) could then be added to the Council's agenda for Monday, explained the same source, which also added that Warsaw is continuing to demand a declaration to go with the negotiation brief. This draft, the subject of discussions between the German presidency and Poland, would focus on including the principles of the energy charter in the future partnership agreement. (ab)