Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 199: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on recent developments in the EU's relations with Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37084/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Russia is a key strategic partner of the European Union, one with which we have a wide-ranging relationship. The EU-Russia relationship is currently governed by a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which expires in December 2007. There are ambitious plans for a new EU-Russia agreement, which is intended to provide a comprehensive framework for future relations.

Regular meetings currently take place at a range of levels, including biannual Summits. President Putin was invited to attend a working dinner held at the informal meeting of the European Heads of State or Government at Lahti on 20 October, which the Taoiseach attended. External energy relations were a key focus of the frank and constructive discussions with President Putin at that meeting. Aspects of the internal situation in Russia, including the murder of Anna Politkovskaya, were raised as were Russia's relations with Georgia and a number of international issues on which the EU and Russia cooperate. It is important that the EU continues to build on the coherent and balanced approach towards Russia which it demonstrated at the Lahti meeting. That meeting has given a political impetus to the overall development of EU-Russia relations.

The next EU-Russia Summit will take place tomorrow (24 November) at which the Russian Federation will be represented by President Putin, accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Summit will be hosted by Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, in his capacity as President of the European Council. It will also be attended by the Secretary-General/High Representative, Dr. Javier Solana, the President of the Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso, and Commissioners Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Peter Mandelson.

A key objective of the forthcoming Summit is to launch negotiations on the new framework Agreement with Russia. As much has changed in the ten years since the current agreement was negotiated, a more comprehensive agreement is required. This needs to take account of the four Common Spaces agreed with Russia in May 2005. These cover the fields of the economy; freedom, security and justice; external security; and research and education, including cultural aspects. The new agreement should also provide for a comprehensive free trade agreement for goods and services. Energy will also be an important sector in the new agreement.