Javier Solana High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union
1. What are Your main expectations on the Summit?
We hope that the Summit can formally launch negotiations for the new Agreement that is to replace the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, and are all working very hard to overcome the last remaining difficulties. The Summit will also assess the progress made in the implementation of the Roadmaps to the Four Spaces, which were adopted in May 2005 in Moscow and have marked the beginning of a qualitatively new phase in the EU-Russia strategic partnership. On energy, the Summit should state our common determination to implement the principles on energy security agreed at the Saint Petersburg G8. Indeed, this way we should enhance the confidence in our energy relations, pending the negotiations on the energy part of the new agreement. The Summit should also seek the early ratification of the visa facilitation and readmission agreements, so that these agreements can enter into force. Finally, in the margins of the Summit, EU and Russian leaders are scheduled to meet up with our colleagues from Iceland and Norway in order to adopt the new policy framework for the Northern Dimension, which is a priority of the Finnish Presidency.
2. In the view of European Union, what should be the key priorities of the new comprehensive agreement between EU and Russia?
The new Agreement with Russia should cover the entire array of areas covered by our partnership, as set out in the Four Roadmaps: from economic relations - including energy and a Free Trade Area - to justice, freedom and security, cooperation in the international sphere and culture and education. The new agreement is of course also an important political signal about the future of our strategic partnership. The details of the new Agreement will of course be clarified throughout the negotiation process. But what I can tell already now is that we have agreed that the new legally binding agreement should provide a durable and comprehensive framework for our relations. Second, this new agreement should also include the perspective of enhanced trade and economic integration, once Russia has joined the WTO. And finally, we agreed that no side will denounce the existing PCA (Partnership and Cooperation Agreement) until the new framework enters into force, so as to avoid a "legal vacuum".
3. How do You appreciate the cooperation between EU and Russia on the international arena?
We very much appreciate the quick development of EU-Russia cooperation on the international scene with Russia, which is a close and important neighbour of the EU. I see Russia as a key partner with which we work together very closely in crucial questions such as the Middle East Peace Process, Iran, the Western Balkans and North Korea, including in international fora. I am particularly grateful for Russia's support in my mediation efforts on Iran.
We are also coordinating closely on the countries that are neighbours both to Russia and the EU, notably on how to solve the conflicts in Moldova and Georgia. We would like to make this cooperation more operational, not least as it is an area that is very close to both the EU and Russia.
