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EU-Russia to reset ties at summit | EU-Russia to reset ties at summit |
(about 4 hours later) | |
European Union leaders are due to discuss key issues such as trade and energy with their Russian counterparts at a summit in Stockholm. | European Union leaders are due to discuss key issues such as trade and energy with their Russian counterparts at a summit in Stockholm. |
Moscow and Brussels are still rebuilding relations after falling out over last year's Georgia-Russia war. | Moscow and Brussels are still rebuilding relations after falling out over last year's Georgia-Russia war. |
The EU will also seek assurances there will be no repeat of last winter's disruption of gas exports to the West. | The EU will also seek assurances there will be no repeat of last winter's disruption of gas exports to the West. |
And Brussels wants to know if Russia is still interested in joining the World Trade Organization. | And Brussels wants to know if Russia is still interested in joining the World Trade Organization. |
The EU, which represents 500 million people, is Moscow's biggest trading partner and depends heavily on Russian gas. Moscow, meanwhile, is seeking more foreign investment. | The EU, which represents 500 million people, is Moscow's biggest trading partner and depends heavily on Russian gas. Moscow, meanwhile, is seeking more foreign investment. |
Mutual dependence | Mutual dependence |
The BBC's Dominic Hughes in Brussels says Russia's brief but violent war with Georgia still casts a shadow over relations with the EU, particularly those newer members from the old communist bloc. | The BBC's Dominic Hughes in Brussels says Russia's brief but violent war with Georgia still casts a shadow over relations with the EU, particularly those newer members from the old communist bloc. |
There is a level of mutual dependence - we depend on them for energy supplies and we are energy consumers for them Alexander Stubb href="/1/hi/world/europe/8364725.stm">EU seeks Russian energy boost | |
But our correspondent says political reality means both sides have to move on. | But our correspondent says political reality means both sides have to move on. |
He adds that underlying the summit is a move towards a new EU strategic partnership with Russia, essentially giving the relationship an upgrade. | He adds that underlying the summit is a move towards a new EU strategic partnership with Russia, essentially giving the relationship an upgrade. |
Wednesday's talks are taking place in Stockholm because Sweden holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency. | Wednesday's talks are taking place in Stockholm because Sweden holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency. |
On Monday, Moscow and Brussels agreed to notify each other in advance of any problems affecting energy supplies, and to work together to fix them. | On Monday, Moscow and Brussels agreed to notify each other in advance of any problems affecting energy supplies, and to work together to fix them. |
A quarter of the gas consumed in the EU comes from Russia, most of it transported via Ukraine, which has often had fuel disputes with Moscow. | A quarter of the gas consumed in the EU comes from Russia, most of it transported via Ukraine, which has often had fuel disputes with Moscow. |
In January, Russia cut off gas supplies to more than a dozen European countries for two weeks, amid a row with Kiev. | In January, Russia cut off gas supplies to more than a dozen European countries for two weeks, amid a row with Kiev. |
Earlier this week, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said the EU needed to work closely with Russia. | Earlier this week, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said the EU needed to work closely with Russia. |
"There is a level of mutual dependence - we depend on them for energy supplies and we are energy consumers for them," he said. | "There is a level of mutual dependence - we depend on them for energy supplies and we are energy consumers for them," he said. |
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev - who has arrived for Wednesday's summit - is said to have pleased EU officials with recent comments on modernising his country's economy. | Russian President Dmitry Medvedev - who has arrived for Wednesday's summit - is said to have pleased EU officials with recent comments on modernising his country's economy. |
Other issues expected on the summit agenda include global warming, security and Iran's nuclear programme. | Other issues expected on the summit agenda include global warming, security and Iran's nuclear programme. |