Д.Медведев.Совместная пресс-конференция.27.06.08.Part 2

Joint Press Conference following the Russia-European Union Summit.Part 2
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

During our discussions we also exchanged views on current international affairs, in particular issues concerning European security and the frozen conflicts.

Russia and the European Union share the same basic approaches to security issues. Our approach is based on our commitment to international law, the use of political methods rather than force to resolve international conflicts, and strengthening multilateralism in conflict settlement negotiations and a collective approach in world politics.

Russia and the European Union have abundant experience in foreign policy cooperation and we are ready to take further practical steps to strengthen stability and security in Europe and in the world as a whole.

In conclusion, I would like to thank my colleagues once again for their genuinely businesslike and very constructive approach to all the problems we discussed. A spirit of warmth, sincerity and partnership prevailed at our talks and this is very important for the future.

I am confident that the meeting in Khanty-Mansiyskwill become an important milestone in the ongoing development of relations between Russia and the European Union. This summits results open up new horizons for developing our partnership in all different areas.

Thank you.

DMITRY MEDVEDEV: I would now like to call on the President of the European Council Janez Jansa.

SLOVENIAN PRIME MINISTER AND PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL JANEZ JANSA: Thank you, dear Mr President.

As President Medvedev has already said, the twenty-first summit between the EU and Russia was conducted in a very friendly atmosphere.

The outcome of the summit in Khanty-Mansiisk is summarised in the joint statement we issued. Ten years have passed since the first summit meeting between the European Union and Russia. We have now confirmed the start of talks on a new agreement between the EU and Russia, which marks a new beginning for our partnership.

In the past two days the words "new" and "first time" have been used very often, because we are faced with new challenges and looking for new answers to them. This summit in Khanty-Mansiisk is the first time that the Russian side has been led by President Medvedev, and the first time that, as the first Slavic country to join the European Union, Slovenia has been at the head of the EU Council.

Both sides have reasserted their eagerness to reach a new agreement. While we still need to conduct talks to coordinate our views, our initial positions on the desirability of such an agreement remain unchanged. We need a streamlined, more ambitious foundation for relations between the EU and Russia, one that is consistent with the scope and diversity of the cooperation that we have achieved over the last decade. During this decade, a great deal has changed. Even a cursory look at the figures on trade between the EU and the Russian Federation will show just how much our relations have advanced.

The new agreement also means extending our strategic partnership. I mentioned in the discussions today that the EU is faced with global challenges, and a great deal depends on our extending relations with Russia, which is after all our largest neighbour. And we are pleased that the Russian side is equally interested in such relations. As we heard from President Medvedev, relations with the European Union are an essential part of Russia's strategy for 21st century. And this will have consequences not only for our relationship on our continent but also on the global stage.

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