Press Release: EU-Russia Summit (Yekaterinburg, 3-4 June 2013)

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details IP/13/490 (31.05.13)
Publication Date 31/05/2013
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Previews and reports about the European Union-Russian Federation Summit taking place on 3 and 4 June in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

The EU was represented by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission and Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger will also take part. Russia was represented by President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and several other Russian ministers.

Following the conclusions of the two-day meeting, EU and Russian leaders appeared sharply divided over civil liberties in Russia and ways to resolve the Syrian crisis. The meeting also exposed tensions over a new Russian law on airline passenger data law. The two sides failed to agree a visa deal that would make it easier for some 15,000 Russian government employees to travel to EU states.

The European Commission then considered a ban on visa-free travel for Russian officials linked to the alleged murder of Sergei Magnitsky.

Russian officials banned from entering the US on accusations of corruption and conspiracy to murder are frequent visitors in EU cities according the Obeserver from the 10 June 2013. Consequently it is unclear whether the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) want a US-model ban on the 18 officials, on the 18 plus others such as Kluyev, or on up to 60 officials named on a separate list by US senator Ben Cardin.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-490_en.htm
Related Links
European Commission: Rapid: MEMO/13/485: EU-Russia Summit (Yekaterinburg, 3-4 June 2013) http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-485_en.htm
EurActiv, 03.06.13: EU leaders to warn Putin against ‘repressive tendencies’ http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/eu-leaders-warn-putin-repressive-news-528258
European Commission: Rapid: SPEECH/13/502: Statement by President Barroso following the EU-Russia Summit in Yekaterinburg http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-502_en.htm
ESO: Background Information: Fight against illicit drugs: EU signs new agreement with Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-fight-against-illicit-drugs-eu-signs-new-agreement-with-russia/
EurActiv, 05.06.13: ‘Values gap’ on display at EU-Russia summit http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/values-gap-display-eu-russia-sum-news-528311
ESO: Background Information: President Barroso defends unrestricted and unconditional humanitarian access in Syria in summit with Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-president-barroso-defends-unrestricted-and-unconditional-humanitarian-access-in-syria-in-summit-with-russia/
EUObsever, 04.06.13: EU considers visa-ban-lite on Russian officials http://euobserver.com/foreign/120368
EUObsever, 10.06.13: Russian officials: Banned by the US, on holiday in the EU http://euobserver.com/magnitsky/120429
European Council: Press Release, PRES/13/227: EU-Russia Summit (Yekaterinburg, 3-4 June 2013) http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/137353.pdf
European Council: Press Release, PRES/13/239: Remarks by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy following the 31st EU-Russia Summit http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/137386.pdf
European Council: Press Release, PRES/13/258: Opening remarks by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy at the 31st EU-Russia Summit http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/137464.pdf

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