04/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - At the sixth EU-Russia consultation meeting on human rights, which was held in Brussels on 3 October, the Europeans reiterated their concerns regarding human rights in Russia, particularly concerning the freedom of expression and of assembly and press freedoms, in the run-up to the forthcoming Parliamentary elections (December 2007) and presidential elections (March 2008) in the country. The representatives of the EU also spoke of the fragile state of civil society in Russia, and the delicate position for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) after a new law entered into force, which is extremely restrictive of NGO activities on Russian territory. Women's and minority rights, as well as the human rights situation, in the northern Caucasus were also raised by the EU. At Russia's request, the European delegation has been informed about the situation in certain member countries, particularly on the rights of Russian-speaking minorities in the three Baltic States. The next round of consultations will take place in the first half of 2008. (hb)