Both Russia and the European Union have much to gain by strengthening our cooperation as strategic partners – but for this to be successful, we need mutual understanding and strategic trust, said President Barroso.
The 32nd EU-Russia summit take place on 28 January in Brussels. The EU be represented by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, will also take part. Russia be represented by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The summit will consist of a meeting among principals and key advisors in a format conducive to in-depth political discussion, followed by a working lunch in the same format.
President Barroso said: “Both Russia and the European Union have much to gain by strengthening our cooperation as strategic partners – but for this to be successful, we need mutual understanding and strategic trust. This is what we will try to consolidate at our next Summit, by an open discussion on our common interests, as well as on our differences and the best ways to overcome them. An honest, forward-looking dialogue about the future of our economic and political relations is critically important for the benefit of our people and for a democratic, prosperous and stable continent.”
“This summit is an opportunity for a genuine joint reflection on the nature and direction of the EU-Russia strategic partnership. Our common interests are many and they encourage us to work together constructively. We have also had however a number of differences which need to be discussed and clarified. At this moment, we must focus on our common neighbourhood, regional integration processes, trade questions and international commitments” said President Van Rompuy ahead of the meeting.
Remarks by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy following the 32nd EU-Russia Summit
Statement by President Barroso following the EU-Russia Summit
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