In an interview with Rossiiskaya Gazeta, Ms Ferrero-Waldner does not dear to predict the time aspect of the talks. A compromise deal will have to be reached whereupon the both parts will have to ratify the agreement. –Such things take time, Ms Waldner says to the newspaper.
In addition to meetings with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin and Foreign Minister Sergeij Lavrov, she will address Members of the Duma and representatives of the European business community, a press release from the commission reads.
Partnership of equals
“Today we have the opportunity to give a new impetus to our strategic partnership with Russia. I am looking forward to working with the new Russian administration to build a new framework for EU Russia relations in line with the growing scope of our co operation together”, the commissioner says in a press release.
“Above all I want to discuss the creation of a true partnership of equals, to pursue our many common interests, including trade, energy and developments in our common neighbourhood, and the global challenges that we need to face together including the world financial situation, international stability, and climate change”, she adds.
The visit to Moscow comes as a preparation for the upcoming EU-Russia summit due 26-28 June in Khanti-Mansiisk, Russia.
Business and energy
In the interview with Rossiiskaya Gazeta, Ms. Waldner underlines that European companies should be more engaged in the modernization and diversification of Russian economy. She also invites Russian companies to invest more in the EU market.
In addition, the commissioner highlights the importance of transparency, inter-dependence and non-discrimination in EU-Russian energy coopertion. She also believes visa regulations and cross-border travel should be facilitated further between the two sides.
It is expected that all the issued mentioned will be high on the agenda in the Khanti-Mansiisk summit, and also constitute key topics in the talks on the new partnership agreement.
Read more about EU policies on Russia at Europa.eu
