BRUSSELS, May 7 (RIA Novosti) - The Council of the European Union expects that a deeper partnership will be established with Russia following the inauguration of the new President, Dmitry Medvedev, on Wednesday, a spokesman said.

The spokesman urged "joint solutions" to problems, pointing out that Russia and the EU held similar positions on the bulk of international issues.

The official also expressed hope that the EU would soon issue a mandate for the start of negotiations on a new partnership and cooperation agreement with Russia.

Lithuania blocked a mandate on a new EU-Russia treaty, when foreign ministers from the 27-member bloc discussed the issue in Luxembourg on April 24. Vilnius demanded the talks address its concerns over Russian energy supplies and Moscow's policy on Georgia and Moldova.

Russia, which supplies over a quarter of Europe's natural gas, has repeatedly dismissed accusations it is using energy as a political tool and insists it is a reliable supplier.

Poland, which had until recently blocked talks on a new Partnership and Cooperation deal over Moscow's embargo on Polish meat, said in late April it was ready to lift its objections to negotiations.

Last year, Russia and the EU extended the old Partnership and Cooperation agreement for a further year. The sides hope to reach a new deal by the end of 2008.