Brussels, 24/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - Despite falling-out over several issues (Polish meat, US missile shield, status of Kosovo), Europeans and Russians sought on Monday evening to play down their differences and to reaffirm the importance of cooperation. After the Troika between the EU and Russia, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier acknowledged there were “difficulties” but that, nonetheless, “we are able to work together pragmatically and reach understanding”. Russia remains an “essential” partner for the EU, he said. His Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, came to the same conclusion, considering the EU as a “strategic partner” and giving his assurance that “we have an understanding of each other - and we also have trust”.
But there must be more than mutual confidence to launch into a new partnership and cooperation agreement, although both partners still hope to bring the question of Polish meat exports to Russia out of deadlock by the summit on 18 May. Speaking before the meeting, the high representative for the CFSP, Javier Solana, had hoped the matter would “soon” be resolved (EUROPE 9412) but Moscow's position remains firm, compromising the chances of launching talks in Samara. “I am only cautiously optimistic”, said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, External Relations Commissioner, while the Russian minister for foreign affairs repeated: “We hope that the violations that have been established and documented will be eliminated” as our dialogue unfolds. These are “veterinary problems” which require more consultation but which are “quite common in relations with many other countries”, he added. The two partners were content on Monday to simply sign an update of the current partnership agreement, needed in order to take accession of Bulgaria and Romania on 1 January 2007 into account.
Although the EU supports the efforts being made by Marti Ahtisaari on the future status of Kosovo, Moscow still keeps up the threat of a veto at the United Nations Security Council where the question is to be settled. Given that there is no negotiated solution by Belgrade and Pristina, Russia fears destabilising the Balkans, Mr Lavrov pointed out on Monday. The decision on the status “should rely on the agreement of all and should not create a risk for further destabilisation”, he said, saying it was possible that there would be “no unilateral attempt to impose a decision”.
An inquiry is underway on action taken by the Russian law enforcement forces that violently repressed demonstrators protesting against President Putin on 14-15 April in Moscow and Saint Petersbourg, Mr Lavrov explained, saying: “Freedom is following laws”. The demonstrators, who had “radicals in their ranks” had, he said, been informed of the place where their action could take place.
Last week, Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson had said that the disagreement between the EU and Russia had reached a level “not seen since the Cold War”. This view of things was rejected by Mr Solana who asserted: “I respect Peter Mandelson very much but his appreciation, to my mind, is not correct”. (ab)