Russia and the European Union stressed their unity and steered away from open disputes at a summit in Stockholm on Wednesday as they sought each other's backing on issues of trade and climate change. The EU is keen to enlist Russian support for an ambitious deal on fighting global warming at United Nations talks in Copenhagen in December, while Russia wants the EU's support in joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) as soon as possible.
The summit "confirmed our common objective - a strategic partnership built on trust and transparency," said Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who hosted the summit as the current holder of the EU's rotating presidency.
His guest, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, hailed the talks as "constructive, without any kind of emotions blocking cooperation."
At the summit, EU leaders said that Medvedev had pledged to cut his country's greenhouse gas emissions to 20-25 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020- an improvement of 10 per cent on earlier offers, and one which brings Russia's pledge in line with the EU's own.
The announcement of the goal should make it easier for the EU to demand emissions cuts from other key players, especially the United States and Canada, in Copenhagen, leaders said.
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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EU-Russia Summit: Reinfeldt-Medvedev Preview Talksby EUXTV1,074 views
ROFL!
swiftgw 2 years ago
There were NO weapons of mass destruction in Iraq - just as Dr. Hans Blix said; But, the Republican media machine didn't want us to hear that.
And, there is NO dangerous climate change caused by human carbon dioxide - just as the "independent scientists" are now trying to tell us! But, the Democrat media machine doesn't want us to hear that.
We are made to run from one boogieman to the next, as each political party achieves its own agendas for themselves & their money mates.
BOB CARTER
weallknowitstrue 2 years ago
Reinfeldt and the swedish government is involved in Afghan heroin trade coz turkey pakistan inida and usa are buying swedish weapons with money from heroin and opium trade.
WAKE UP AND SEE THRUE THE FALSE ACTS
obamabinladenbush 2 years ago