Brussels, 29/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is perplexed over the possible implication that the Eastern Partnership will have for his country, wishes for now to believe the reassuring declarations made by his European counterparts, he said, after the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council held in Luxembourg on Tuesday 28 April. “We have heard the declarations from Brussels assuring that this is not an attempt to create a new sphere of influence or a course of action against Russia. We want to believe it, but I cannot conceal that some of the comments under this EU initiative have placed us on our guard”, Lavrov said during a press conference, specifying that the “EU has given its assurance that there is no design behind the initiative likely to be interpreted as being against Russia”.
More generally, the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council meeting on Tuesday allowed stock to be taken of the preparation of the next summit between the two partners, on 21 and 22 May in Khabarovsk. Implementation of the four common areas is progressing under good conditions but “a great deal remains to be done”, said Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, who, among other things, explains the EU's expectations when it comes to human rights, in particular freedom of expression and association. “Problems persist on both sides” when it comes to trade, market access and investment, Lavrov echoed, also welcoming the development in discussion with a view to a new partnership and cooperation agreement.
Finally, the energy question will also be tackled during the next summit, in particular the recent proposals put forward by President Medvedev with a view to international cooperation in the field of energy (transit especially), the two men confirmed. Although the EU27 have not taken a position on theses initiatives, “we find them interesting”, said the EU Council president-in-office, saying he felt it “necessary to engage in dialogue in order to specify certain elements and clarify certain procedures”. A session of the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council devoted to energy will be held on Thursday 30 April in Moscow at the level of energy ministers. (A.B./transl.jl)