Д.Медведев.Совместная пресс-конференция.27.06.08.Part 3

Joint Press Conference following the Russia-European Union Summit.Part 3
June 27, 2008
Khanty-Mansiysk

Совместная пресс-конференция с Генеральным секретарём Совета Евросоюза Хавьером Соланой, Председателем Комиссии Европейских сообществ Жозе Мануэлом Дурау-Баррозу и Председателем правительства Словении, Председателем Совета Евросоюза Янезом Яншей по итогам саммита Россия Евросоюз
27 июня 2008 года
Ханты-Мансийск

We have issued a Joint Declaration, in which the two sides guarantee that specific programmes on economic and regional development will smooth out the wrinkles in relations between the European Union and Russia. The European Union welcomes the commitments Russia has made to investing substantial sums in order to implement these projects.

The 1997 Partnership Agreement has admirably performed its intended functions and will still be useful until the new agreement that will form the basis of our relations comes into force.

In the first half of this year we have also taken some big steps to improve cooperation in four different areas. The EU remains Russia's largest trading partner. Since 2000 trade volume has tripled and is now worth about 233 billion [euros]. Russia now ranks third after the United States and China in economic relations with the EU.

The development of our economies is dependent upon global trends. The structural challenges of the global economy require long-term partnership and strategic cooperation. In this sense, the opening of a comprehensive global market should be understood as a strategic framework for development.

We must continue our dialogue on energy and achieve even greater stability in the area of energy security.

Russia and the European Union are strategic partners in the fight against climate change. The possible implications for the Arctic and Central Asia are particularly important in this regard.

Forums such as as the G8 and the G8 plus five invited countries now play a big role in our exchanges, and we shall be devoting our attention to these as well. The success of the upcoming meetings in Japan will also strengthen this process within the United Nations.

The EU and Russia also share responsibility for global security challenges. A good example is cooperation between Russia and the EU in Chad and the Central African Republic. The EU would like to continue to cooperate constructively with Russia in ensuring the stability of democracy in nations that are stuck in frozen conflicts. As Mr President said, we talked about this at the summit and agreed that in these frozen conflicts it is very important that both sides refrain from the use of force and work to ensure that dialogue is not interrupted and that communication remains open.

Among the vast range of issues on which we have expanded and extended the dialogue between the EU and Russia, there are also differences in points of view. It is therefore important that the mechanisms put in place to guarantee open discussion continue to function. This can take place in forums such as the consultations on human rights that recently took place in Ljubljana. The European Union is interested in continuing the dialogue on human rights.

Dear Mr President! The ancestors of Slovenes and Russians spoke the same language. Even today we have many words in common. I would like to thank you both as President of the European Council and on my own behalf for your exceptional hospitality. It has really made us feel being among friends. Thank you.

And thank you for showing us Khanty-Mansiisk, such a beautiful part of Russia and the easternmost point for the EU-Russia summit.

I would like also to mention the friendliness and openness of the local people, who have learned to cope with the difficulties involved in living in this region.

All this inspires us in building our partnership.

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