Russia and the EU held the first round of talks on a new wide-ranging deal to replace the 1997 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which expired in December 2007. The talks were delayed over disputes between Russia and EU members Poland and Lithuania.
"We are optimistic about the talks... I believe the first round of talks was constructive," said Vladimir Chizhov, who leads the Russian delegation at the negotiations.
Eneko Landaburu, the European Commission's director general for external relations, who heads the EU delegation, said the agenda of talks included political dialogue, trade, energy, security, research and culture.
Europe wants to open up access to Russian energy resources. Russia, the EU's key supplier of oil and gas, will press for more access to European markets and for visa-free travel for its citizens.
Both Chizhov and Landaburu declined to say when an agreement could be signed. The 1997 accord will remain in force until replaced by a new one.
The next round will take place in September.
