Brussels, 21/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - As anticipated, the results of the EU/Russia Summit, held last week in Samara (EUROPE 9428), were somewhat insubstantial: an agreement in principle to step up technical consultations on the problem of the Russian embargo on Polish agricultural products (the Commission has already written, on Monday, to the Russian Agriculture Minister to propose further meetings at expert level), an agreement in principle to finalise work on an early warning system for problems in supplies of Russian hydrocarbons, an agreement in principle to launch dialogue on investments, a convergence of views on the importance of Russia's swift accession to the WTO, a Russian commitment to complete the internal procedure leading to the signature of the agreement on overfly rights over Siberia between now and the autumn. No joint declaration was adopted, or even a press release.
No substantial progress was made on the opening of negotiations on a new partnership agreement, which is still in suspense, due- in part- to the embargo on Polish agricultural products. Speaking to the press, Vladimir Putin went so far as to attack the “economic egotism” of Poland and accused Estonia and Lithuania of “violations against Russian minorities, which are unacceptable and unworthy of Europe”. José Manuel Barroso assured him of the solidarity between all Member States of the Union. “The Polish problem (over the embargo) is a European problem. The Lithuanian problems (interruptions to the Druzhba oil pipeline) and the Estonian problem (Soviet monument in Tallin) are also European problems. It is very important to understand that the EU is based on the principle of solidarity, if you hope to establish close cooperation” with the Union, replied the President of the Commission. Human rights and fundamental liberties in Russia were raised by the EU during the meeting, but also at the press conference, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced her “concerns” at the fact that certain leaders of the Russian opposition (including Garry Kasparov) have been prevented from leaving Moscow to attend an event in Samara. “I hope that they will have the opportunity to express their opinion”, said Ms Merkel. Mr Putin spoke in defence of the “preventative measures” taken by the forces of order, a common practice, he claimed, “in all countries”. (hb)