News: Russia & EU

RIA Novosti. 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.

International Herald Tribune. STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Swedish Trade Minister Ewa Bjorling urged Moscow Wednesday to stop increasing tariffs on wood exports to avoid delays to Russia joining the World Trade Organization.

Environmental-Expert.com. Source: European Commission, Energy & Transport DG
Published May 5, 2008

New Europe. NEW EUROPE, The European Weekly

Author: Igor Yurgens of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepeneurs 5 May 2008 - Issue : 780

New Europe. Lithuania blocks EU-Russia deal over refinery, frozen conflicts

Commenting on the results of a meeting of the Russia-EU Permanent Partnership Council on April 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for continuity in the Russia- European Union relations.

Kommersant. Another breakdown of EU-Russia talks

Yesterday’s session of the Russia-EU Council in Luxemburg turned out complete failure. The European Commission was supposed to receive a mandate to begin talks about a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Russia. But Lithuania vetoed the start of negotiations requiring that the EU oblige Russia to supply oil to the Mazheykyaysky oil refinery, resolve frozen conflicts, and pay damages to the victims of deportation from the Baltic states. For all that, Brussels assured Kommersant that it’ll try to make Lithuania change its mind within the two months left before the Russia-EU summit in Khanty-Mansiysk.
Four declarations

Russia Today. According to officials from both sides, Russia and the European Union may soon start negotiations on a new partnership and co-operation agreement. The issue is due to be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to attend.

RIA Novosti. THE HAGUE, April 29 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov and his Dutch counterpart, Jan Peter Balkenende, signed Tuesday a program for bilateral cooperation in 2008-2010.

Russia Today. The European Union has failed to reach agreement on re-starting talks on a new partnership and co-operation agreement with Russia after Lithuania blocked the talks. The Baltic state is demanding assurances on energy security and other Russian policies.

EurActive.com. A new basic treaty between the EU and Russia may be given the green light at a 29 April General Affairs and External Relations Council in Luxembourg. Only one of the 27 EU countries - Lithuania - has expressed reservations ahead of the meeting.