EU/Russia summit

Gas and security at EU-Russia talks

Article published on the 2009-05-21 Latest update 2009-05-21 12:32 TU

(L-R) EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev, and Czech President Vaclav Klaus meet in Khabarovsk
(Photo: Reuters/RIA Novosty/Kremlin)

Security and energy are set to top the agenda at a two-day meeting of leaders from the European Union and Russia which began Thursday in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk.

The talks are aimed at mending ties between the two sides after a series of crises. Russia's relations with the European Union, its largest trading partner, have been severely tested over the past few months.

First came Russia's August war with Georgia and the recognition of two Georgian breakaway regions as independent - a move strongly disapproved of by the EU.

Then, in January, there was the gas crisis with Ukraine when Russia cut off supplies for two weeks, which had a knock-on effect on several European countries.

Brussels is also waiting for Russia to make a move on issues which are blocking its bid to join the World Trade Organisation. These include taxes on European airlines flying over Siberia and taxes on wood.

Ahead of the meeting, EU commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said "regular and frank political dialogue should prevail at all times, no matter how difficult the issues".

Few are expecting anything positive to come from the meeting given the current disastrous state of relations. The choice of Khabarovsk, which is close to the Chinese border, is being interpreted as a signal from Russia that its ties with the Asia-Pacific region are growing.