Question: What results do you expect from the Samara summit?
As always there is much to talk about between us and it will certainly be a rich and interesting discussion. We will of course assess progress in the implementation of the Roadmaps to the Four Spaces, which were adopted in May 2005 in Moscow and have marked the beginning of a qualitatively new phase in the EU-Russia strategic partnership. We will be looking at energy and how to strengthen our cooperation, including developing an energy early warning mechanism and the need for synergies between energy policy goals and actions to address climate change. We will also discuss the need for a positive investment climate and Russia's accession to the WTO where there are still some outstanding issues on which progress is needed. We will welcome the conclusion by Russia and the EU of the ratification procedures of the visa facilitation and readmission agreements and look forward to their simultaneous entry into force on 1 June 2007. Finally, I expect we will address the internal situation in Russia and the EU, as well as practical cooperation in our neighbourhood, in particular how we can co-operate to resolve frozen conflicts.
Question: Are you satisfied with EU-Russia relations?
Russia is the European Union's biggest and most important neighbour. The European Union and Russia are developing into real strategic partners, and in this respect the state of our relations is good. We have established a mature relationship between equal partners. However, recent developments have overshadowed the generally good progress across the four Common Spaces. As in any close relationship with any international partner, there are problems which arise and need to be addressed. We had hoped to be able to launch negotiations on a new EU-Russia Agreement at the Summit, but regrettably this will not be possible, as we still need to overcome the problem of the Russian ban on imports of meat and plant products from Poland. The recent events surrounding Estonia have not gone unnoticed, nor have the continuing problems surrounding the interruption of oil supplies to Lithuania via the Druzhba pipeline. However, we can and do address such problems openly with our Russian partners. On the foreign policy side, I see Russia as a key partner with which we work together very closely on crucial questions such as the Middle East Peace Process, Iran, the Western Balkans and North Korea. We meet very often in the different international formats where we both are members.
Question: Do you believe there are tensions in EU-Russia relations? If so, what can be done to ease them off?
I would not say that our relations have become tense. As in any relationship, there are issues on which we have different opinions and approaches. However, our relationship has reached such a level of maturity that we can address problems in an open and constructive manner.
