"That's a big challenge, so I cannot make any promises," he remarked to a media audience in The Hague, when asked whether present-day Russia can join guarantors of such security.
"We are pondering the matter, right-but our partners are, possibly, too eager to pose the issue that way. First, one ought to reckon with Russian interests, geostrategical among others. I wouldn't, however, quote ostentatious phrases out of their context," pointed out the Premier.
The European Space Agency, or ECA, intends to build a new cargo spacecraft. Russia does not consider the matter from the viewpoint of space effort competition. "We are generally regarded among space effort leaders. We are joining cutting-edge projects, and cooperating with overseas partners. Our European partners' R&D adds much to what we know in that field," he said after a visit to an ECA centre close to The Hague.
As for Russian imports of Dutch flowers, the controversy will eventually find a peaceful settlement. Mr. Fradkov is positive on the point. "To whip up the conflict runs counter to Dutch interests. The Dutch are really to blame, objectively," he said while commenting to Russian newsmen a ban on Dutch flower imports. "Our Dutch partners acknowledge they have trespassed sanitary standards, and are willing to cure the matter."
The Premier next went over to the Royal Dutch Shell. It is eager to take part in opening up the Stockmann and Sakhalin oilfields. "I met Shell bosses yesterday and this morning. The company said it was interested in several ambitious Russian-based projects, which demand a lot of money and joint work."
However, Mr. Fradkov said his talks had not concerned prospects for more gas-pumping terminals. Be that as it may, the Shell certainly intends to take part in opening up several East Siberian deposits, he said.
Russia is determined to address the Netherlands as current European Union chair on implementing the Russian-EU Kaliningrad transit understanding, whose scope now leaves ample room for progress. The situation of ethnic minorities in the post-Soviet Baltic countries is another issue of concern.
"Tomorrow, I shall meet acting Prime Minister Gerrit Zalm. We shall pose the issue to highlight the necessity to implement April 27 understandings on those themes," said Mikhail Fradkov.
The European Commission has blueprinted speed railway trips from Kaliningrad via Lithuania. A Russian reporter asked the Premier about the extent of present-day project readiness. Mr. Fradkov complained he did not see sufficient mutual understanding.
Tomorrow, on the last day of his routine visit to the Netherlands, he will meet at the negotiation table with its acting Prime Minister. "We don't intend to sign any papers. We shall merely correct our plans for Russian partnership with the Netherlands and the entire European Union, and try to give it another impetus," he said.
