29 May: EU-Russia summit

Date: 01/06/2000

THE EU took a further step towards normalising relations with Moscow by agreeing a joint statement with Russian President Vladimir Putin which emphasised the two sides' common interests.

SPEAKING after a meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Romano Prodi and other senior Union figures, Putin praised the outcome of the summit. “We welcome the continuation of a constructive, comprehensive dialogue with united Europe,” he told a press conference. He added that the EU had stressed the need for greater economic reform in Russia to attract more foreign investment. “We took into consideration the expectations of our partners for the development of Russian legislation and creation of conditions favouring investment,” said Putin.

IN THE joint statement signed by Putin, Guterres, Prodi and Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, both sides emphasised the importance of “progressive development of relations”. They stressed the need for more cooperation in international affairs and work to tackle terrorism, organised crime drugs trafficking and money laundering. Both sides noted that bilateral trade and investment could be increased substantially in the future, and pledged to try to solve outstanding trade disputes using the provisions of the partnership and cooperation agreement. They also agreed to consider ways of improving trade finance and insurance arrangements once Moscow had adopted its new economic policy. The EU stressed the need for Russia to bring its legislation and technical standards more closely into line with the Union's.

IN A discussion on Chechnya, where the Russian military is still involved in skirmishes with pro-independence rebels, the EU delegation urged Russia to grant access to a mission by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to refugees in the area. Putin repeated his pledge to prosecute members of the armed forces involved in human rights abuses. He said “dozens of law suits” had been initiated against Russian servicemen accused of violations.