While the years with Vladimir Putin were largely characterized by tensions with the EU, Brussels now hopes for progress in a number of fields, among them in energy security, Euractive.com reports.
Statements made by Medvedev gives the EU hopes that the new Russian administration will have a softer and more cooperation-minded approach in European international relations.
The previous EU-Russia partnership agreement originally expired in 2007. After negotiations over a new deal failed to materialize, the parts have decided to prolong the former agreement.
Core parts of the new deal will be the four common spaces decided established in 2005. These are the Common Economic Space, the Common Space of Freedom, Security and Justice, the Common Space on External Security and the Common Space on Research, Education, Culture
Read more about EU-Russia relations at Europa.eu
