-Russia is a European country and our close neighbor, Stubb writes in an opinion published in the Moscow Times this week. - The time is ripe to give a new boost to European Union-Russian relations, while continuing open and sincere dialogue based on common interests and values, he adds. The opinion is written together with Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi.
The two foreign minister call on the EU and Russia to take action within field of economy, travel regulations and foreign and security policies. They stress that the ultimate goal is the establishment of a free-trade area, visa-free travel and the development of foreign and security policies based on values and a spirit of mutual respect and confidence.
Finland has relation with Russia as a key foreign policy priority and seeks to play the role as a bridge between Brussels and Moscow. Alexander Stubb, the country’s foreign minister since 2008, has long spoken out for closer EU relations with Russia. The need for facilitated cross-border travel regulations has been one of his main points
Read more: Visa-free travel and free trade in Finnish-Russian relations
In the opinion, Stubb and Martonyi underline that the EU should act faster and more united in Russia relations. They also say that the two sides need “a modern, legally binding basis for the relationship, more efficient working structures and that the EU should start up a “strategic discussion” on EU-Russian relations.
“The most important factor in building a strong EU-Russian relationship is mutual trust and playing by the same rules […]Together, Russia and the EU can do a lot to help make the world a better and safer place”, the two foreign ministers conclude.
