After 18 months of opposition, the 27 European Union member states finally agreed to launch strategic partnership talks with Russia, a move that green lights negotiations for a new cooperation accord between the nations. The deal, which had been delayed because of objections from former Soviet satellite states, comes ahead of an EU-Russia summit to be held June 26-27 in Siberia. The EU agreement, which came Wednesday, May 21, gives the go-ahead for talks that address the bloc's relationship to Russia as well as discussions on energy and political issues. Talks were delayed beginning in November 2006, when Poland vetoed the mandate's adoption after Moscow banned imports of fresh meat and other food products from Warsaw. The objections were lifted when Russia removed their embargo earlier this year.
The deal, which had been delayed because of objections from former Soviet satellite states, comes ahead of an EU-Russia summit to be held June 26-27 in Siberia. The EU agreement, which came Wednesday, May 21, gives the go-ahead for talks that address the bloc's relationship to Russia as well as discussions on energy and political issues.
Talks were delayed beginning in November 2006, when Poland vetoed the mandate's adoption after Moscow banned imports of fresh meat and other food products from Warsaw. The objections were lifted when Russia removed their embargo earlier this year.
The European Union and Russia are set to open long-delayed talks on a new "Partnership and Co-operation" pact in June, as 27 EU ambassadors agreed Wednesday (21 May) on a common position for the negotiations. The negotiation process became hostage over the past few weeks to several demands tabled by Lithuania, described as "vital" for the entire union. Vilnius now says that all its concerns were taken into account, but the country's foreign minister, Petras Vaitekunas, has at the same time warned that Wednesday's deal is not the end of the story. "Afterwards, there will be difficult talks with Russia, and after the agreement with Russia on the treaty is in place, there will be a long process of implementation of the treaty. This is the first step in the long road," Mr Vaitekunas said.
