Mr. Ferrero-Waldner spoke at a press conference following a meeting of the Russia-EU troika, Interfax reports. The new framework agreement is to replace the bilateral Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
EU and Russian auhtorities last year failed to agree about a new partnership agreement. The former EU-Russian Partnership and Cooperation Agreement was signed in 1997 and expired 31 December 2007.
At the EU-Russia Summit in St. Petersburg May 2003, the EU and Russia agreed to reinforce their co-operation by creating in the long term four ‘common spaces’ in the framework of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. It was decided to create a common economic space; a common space of freedom, security and justice; a space of co-operation in the field of external security; as well as a space of research and education, including cultural aspects.
Read more about EU-Russia relations at Europa.eu
