First
The first Summit between the enlarged European
Union of 25 Member States and Russia, on 21 May in Moscow, is also the first
high-level meeting following the successful conclusion of negotiations between
the European Commission and Russia on the extension of the EU-Russia
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) to the ten new EU Member States. The
Summit will call for the reinforcement of EU-Russia relations via the creation
of four ‘common spaces’: a common economic space
(with specific reference to environment and energy); a space of freedom,
security and justice, a space of cooperation in the field of external security;
as well as a space of research and education, including culture. The
On 21 May, President Putin will host the first
EU-Russia summit following the historic enlargement of the EU. The EU will be
represented by Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and European Commission
President Romano Prodi, accompanied by External Relations and Trade Commissioners,
Chris Patten and Pascal Lamy. The
The
Discussions
will focus on the creation of the EU-Russia common spaces, as agreed at the St.
Petersburg Summit in June 2003, and on the launch of the EU-Russia Permanent
Partnership Council, which met for the first time on 27 April but which will in
future bring together the EU Troika of Ministers and Russia on all key matters
of mutual interest. Permanent Partnership Councils on Justice and Home Affairs issues
and on environment issues will be scheduled.
Common
economic space
In the context of work to
create the common economic space, the Summit will reconfirm the commitment of
the EU and Russia to pursue economic integration and regulatory convergence, to put in
place the conditions for increased and diversified EU/Russia trade and investment.
The common economic space is also expected to provide a framework for
reinforced cooperation on transport, telecommunications and energy.
The Summit could mark the
conclusion of the EU-Russia bilateral deal for Russia’s entry into the WTO. Both sides will hold a
further meeting on the eve of the EU-Russia summit on 20 May 2004 in Moscow,
with a view to concluding a final package which could then be adopted during
the summit.
The EU will also call for increased cooperation on
environmental matters, including speedy ratification by
Common space on freedom, security and justice
In the context of work to create the common space of
freedom, security and justice, the EU will recall the common values which underpin
EU-Russia relations (democracy, human rights and rule of law). The EU will note
its readiness to support genuine efforts to find a peaceful, lasting settlement
in
Common space on external security
In taking forward work on
the common space of external security, the EU will recall the shared
responsibility of the enlarged EU and Russia for international order based on
effective multilateralism, press for increased cooperation to promote stability
in the EU-Russia common neighbourhood, including in Moldova and Georgia, and
welcome cooperation to combat new threats, including
terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, for which Russia
and the EU share responsibility at both global and regional level.
Common space on research, education and culture
Finally,
in the context of work to create a common space of research and education,
including culture, the EU will call for stepped-up cooperation on science and
technology, education and culture, including Russian participation in EU education
exchange programmes.
Further information on the EU's relations with
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/russia/intro/index.htm