Memo: EU-Russia relations: Visit of Chris Patten, 17-19 January

EU Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, will be in Moscow from 17-19 January 2001, during which time he will have a series of bi-lateral meetings with his Russian counterparts. These meetings will focus on how to develop the full potential of EU-Russia relations in the context of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) and on the priorities of the TACIS programme for 2001. Other areas for discussion will include the Russian Federation's Strategy for developing relations with the EU, international co-operation with Russia, notably in the Western Balkans, the Middle East and the Caucasus, the impact of EU enlargement notably on Kaliningrad, market access issues, the EU-Russia energy dialogue and Nuclear Safety.