Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, representing the 27 member states of the European Union, previews today's EU-Russia talks at a press moment together with Russian President Dimitry Medvedev.
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General view and arrival of Swedish Prime Minister and President of the European Council Fredrik Reinfeldt and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
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SOUNDBITE (Swedish) Fredrik Reinfeldt: over the last year, the relationship between us has been characterised by an increasing bilateral trade. Now 400 companies from Sweden and Russia, the volume of investment has grown by 500% over the last years in Stockholm, we can see how the number of Russian tourists is growing. This is one of the manifestations of such a growing exchange. We have agreed that we need sustainable and predictable conditions for Swedish businesses which would consider increasing their investment in Russia. We started discussing climate issues which are high on the agenda in the EU Russia summit.
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SOUNDBITE (Russian) Dmitry Medvedev: I would like to thank Mr Reinfeldt for this invitation which allows me to visit Sweden, it has been a long time since we had the opportunity for such a talk.
As far as our bilateral relation is concerned, over the last years they have been progressing quite well, the volume of our bilateral trade last year was at a very high level, over 8 billion dollars. This is the highest bilateral trade volume we have ever had. Certainly this year it has gone down due to the crisis, but it is the price we have to pay for participating in a global economy.I hope that our bilateral trade will be consolidated, the more so as we have a lot in common, projects on the way, there are companies that are very big, like Ikea and some others, those are very popular brands in Russia. I hope that the work on this track will be continued, and our consumers can get high quality goods."
Swedish Prime Minister and President of the European Council Fredrik Reinfeldt is meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt chairs the summit. Minister for Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson and Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt are attending the summit. The EU is also represented at the summit by President of the Commission José Manuel Barroso and EU High Representative Javier Solana.
Issues to be addressed include climate change, energy, the global economy and follow-up of the G20 summit. Discussions also cover areas in which the EU and Russia maintain ongoing cooperation, including economic and trade issues, regional cooperation and cooperation in the area of justice. Current foreign policy issues are also on the agenda.
Trade barriers for European companies are high on the agenda. The climate issue, the economic crisis and the uncertainty surrounding Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) are important issues to be discussed. Both parties have to continue to coordinate their efforts to meet the economic crisis. In this context, the EU will emphasise the importance of avoiding protectionism. Today, for example, discriminatory road tolls and trade sanctions are hindering European companies.
Russia's position as the EU's most important energy partner is discussed, as well as the importance of putting into place a better early warning system for gas supply reductions, for example. Another issue that will be brought up is the situation in Georgia.
One of the EU's top priorities at the summit is to urge Russia to present pledges on emissions reductions ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
During the debate held in the European Parliament on Wednesday evening, several parliamentarians brought up the Human Rights situation in Russia. Recently the European Parliament awarded the Sacharov Prize for freedom of thought to the Russian human rights organisation Memorial. The Council wants to appeal to Russia to do its best to ensure that Human Rights defenders can carry out their work without fear of violence, harassment or threats.
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Russians, why does it have to be RUSSIANS!! oh no dear god
LoLScroW 3 months ago
The Swedish government is the worlds biggest fraud ever!
obamabinladenbush 2 years ago
casinopoker! You know it´s true you lying whore!
Private my ass you lyuing son of 1000 fathers!
The Swedish government are hte biggest whores and criminals in the world!
obamabinladenbush 2 years ago
@obamabinladenbush
That's the biggest bullshit-story I've ever heard.
These companies do not even belong to the Swedish government, they are private.
Sweden is not involved with wars, but I can agree it sells weapon.
casinopoker 2 years ago
Sempre com esse "jeitão" descontraído!
Lutchenka1 2 years ago
If the translation is already done, it would have been better if it was used as subtitle...
ernobius 2 years ago