The European Union is looking forward to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's upcoming two-day visit to Brussels, the head of the Delegation of the European Union to Russia said on Friday.
Putin will arrive in Brussels on Wednesday. He is due to have talks with a dozen senior EU officials, including European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
"A substantial positive improvement in our relations has happened since the last meeting of our governments," EU Moscow envoy Fernando Valenzuela said.
The EU diplomat did not rule out that the discussion may touch on sensitive issues, such as the trial of former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky or the investigation into lawyer Sergei Magnitsky's death in pre-trial detention.
On Thursday, the European Parliament criticized Russia's judiciary over its lack of independence and impartiality, and expressed concern over politically motivated trials.
MOSCOW, February 18 (RIA Novosti)
