POLITICS
EU AND RUSSIA DISCUSS MUTUAL RELATIONS
The visit has allowed to ease the tension between Russia and Eropean Union to a certain extent.
During the meeting with the EC delegation, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned certain progress in negotiation process saying the dialogue would allow improving the mechanism of RF-EU interaction.
Solution to the issue of cargo transit to Kaliningrad through Lithuanian territory, which had been especially alarming Russia, has become a main positive result of the talks. It was decided to sign a separate agreement on applying All-European customs procedures to transportation of Russian cargo in this direction. In addition, the parties agreed on establishment of common economic, energy, internal and external security, and humanitarian areas.
In the course of the consultations, they also finalized the protocol on trade and economic issues related to EU enlargement, which will to be signed during RF-EU May summit.
Issues concerning simplification of visa regimes, access of Russian companies to EU electricity network and that of European companies to Russian gas market were also in the focus of the negotiations.
Besides, the European Commission has promised to support Russia in joining the World Trade Organization. Mr. Prodi stated in this connection that EC is able to do something at bilateral level even before the summit.
In should be mentioned that Russia-EU dialogue will be continued at the meeting of the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Council to be held on April 27 in Luxemburg.