"We believe each of the spaces should be addressed separately. We should exchange opinions on our starting positions, our capabilities of moving forward and highlight what is hindering the movement. The most important thing is to give a political impetus to the process of creating the common spaces," said Mr Yakovenko.
The decision to establish four common spaces - the economic space, the security and justice space, the space of cooperation in the sphere of foreign security, and the space of cooperation in the area of science, education and culture - was adopted at the Russia-EU summit in St Petersburg in May 2003, said Mr Yakovenko.
"Although the EU's bodies will undergo personnel and structural changes this year and Russia is pursuing the administrative reform, both parties are intent on embarking on practical steps to create the common spaces, while they are also resolved to ensure the continuity of ideas and approaches. The parties agree on the basic principles of cooperation in this sphere, i.e. equality, mutually beneficial partnership and respect for each other's interests," said the diplomat.
Moscow hopes an agreement on simpler visa regulations will be even more liberal that the ones with separate EU countries, according to Mr Yakovenko.
The possibility of signing a special visa agreement is a central issue on the Russia-EU agenda, according to Mr Yakovenko.
"Such an agreement is already in effect between Russia and Germany, while Russia and France, and Russia and Italy are drafting such agreements," said the diplomat.
"Russia expects a relevant agreement with the EU will heed positive "bilateral" experience in this sphere and envisage more liberal regulations proceeding from flexible Schengen arrangements and relevant Russian laws," indicated the diplomat.
Such an agreement will come as a step forward in the gradual switch to visa-free travels of Russian and EU residents, according to Mr Yakovenko.
Problems related to Russia's western enclave region of Kaliningrad continue to dominate the Russia-EU agenda. "The parties are yet to launch talks on a special agreement on Russia's cargo transits to and from Kaliningrad," said the Russian foreign ministry official.
"There are other issues of current importance on the agenda. Russia and the EU have to complete the project of a high-speed visa-free train between Kaliningrad and mainland Russia, resolve the problem of electricity supplies to the region, fishery issues and others," said Mr Yakovenko.
Russia is continuing to attract the European community's attention to violations of Russian speakers' rights in the Baltic states, Mr Yakovenko told RIA Novosti.
"Issues related to the observance by the EU of its obligations to ensure Russian speakers' rights in the Baltics and on Kaliningrad transits remain an important aspect of Russia-EU dialogue in the context of the latter's enlargement," said Mr Yakovenko.
The diplomat said the recent period was a severe test of strategic partnership, as the EU enlargement had required strenuous efforts to adjust Russia-EU relations to a new reality. The parties had to address Russia's concerns over ten new countries' accession to the Union.
Russia and the EU have ceaselessly negotiated Russia's concerns over the extension of European rules and standards to the new member-countries, noted the diplomat.
"The parties adopted a joint declaration on the EU enlargement and Russia-EU relations in Luxembourg on April 27, 2004, which was a result of the difficult talks. The statement stipulates arrangements of addressing Russia's concerns. The statement and the protocol, which extended the Russia-EU Partnership and Cooperation Treaty to the ten new members consolidated the foundation of relations between Russia and the EU," said Mr Yakovenko.
