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EU-Russian talks end in acrimony | EU-Russian talks end in acrimony |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The leaders of the European Union and Russia have traded sharp criticism over human rights, at a summit that exposed the divisions between the two sides. | The leaders of the European Union and Russia have traded sharp criticism over human rights, at a summit that exposed the divisions between the two sides. |
German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed alarm at the detention of activists intending to protest against the Russian government. | |
Vladimir Putin retorted that Estonia's ethnic Russians were being persecuted. | Vladimir Putin retorted that Estonia's ethnic Russians were being persecuted. |
Correspondents said the exchanges just illustrated the souring mood between the EU and its eastern neighbour. | Correspondents said the exchanges just illustrated the souring mood between the EU and its eastern neighbour. |
There are a number of prickly issues between the two, including trade, energy supplies and Kosovo. | There are a number of prickly issues between the two, including trade, energy supplies and Kosovo. |
In a break with previous practice, no joint declaration was prepared before the summit at Volzhsky Utyos government resort, near the Russian city of Samara. | In a break with previous practice, no joint declaration was prepared before the summit at Volzhsky Utyos government resort, near the Russian city of Samara. |
The Polish problem is a European problem. The Lithuanian and Estonian problems are also EU problems Jose Manuel BarrosoEuropean Commission chief Sticky issues for summit Summit's Volga River venue Send us your comments | The Polish problem is a European problem. The Lithuanian and Estonian problems are also EU problems Jose Manuel BarrosoEuropean Commission chief Sticky issues for summit Summit's Volga River venue Send us your comments |
If the atmosphere at the post-summit news conference was anything to go by, the relationship has reached a new low, says the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Moscow. | If the atmosphere at the post-summit news conference was anything to go by, the relationship has reached a new low, says the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Moscow. |
President Putin turned the tables on the EU, accusing members Estonia and Latvia of violating the human rights of their Russian minority. | President Putin turned the tables on the EU, accusing members Estonia and Latvia of violating the human rights of their Russian minority. |
"We believe this is unacceptable and unworthy of Europe," he said. | "We believe this is unacceptable and unworthy of Europe," he said. |
It follows Estonia's removal last month of a World War II monument to Red Army soldiers, which led to riots and the death of one ethnic Russian. | It follows Estonia's removal last month of a World War II monument to Red Army soldiers, which led to riots and the death of one ethnic Russian. |
Opposition detained | Opposition detained |
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso warned Russia that any action taken against an individual EU state would be considered action against the whole bloc. | European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso warned Russia that any action taken against an individual EU state would be considered action against the whole bloc. |
"It is very important if you want to have close co-operation to understand that the EU is based on principles of solidarity," he said. | "It is very important if you want to have close co-operation to understand that the EU is based on principles of solidarity," he said. |
Mrs Merkel, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, then stepped in, complaining that opposition activists had been prevented from travelling to the summit venue to take part in a protest. | Mrs Merkel, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, then stepped in, complaining that opposition activists had been prevented from travelling to the summit venue to take part in a protest. |
"I'm concerned about some people having problems in travelling here," Mrs Merkel said. | "I'm concerned about some people having problems in travelling here," Mrs Merkel said. |
"I hope they will be given an opportunity to express their opinion." | "I hope they will be given an opportunity to express their opinion." |
They (Estonian police) didn't just disperse demonstrators. They killed one demonstrator. We demand that the criminals be brought to account Vladimir PutinRussian President | They (Estonian police) didn't just disperse demonstrators. They killed one demonstrator. We demand that the criminals be brought to account Vladimir PutinRussian President |
A number of leading anti-Putin activists, including the former chess champion Garry Kasparov, had passports confiscated and were detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport. | A number of leading anti-Putin activists, including the former chess champion Garry Kasparov, had passports confiscated and were detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport. |
The authorities said they had false travel documents. | The authorities said they had false travel documents. |
Several foreign journalists were also reportedly prevented from travelling. | Several foreign journalists were also reportedly prevented from travelling. |
'Sacred principles' | 'Sacred principles' |
Nevertheless, some protesters - estimated variously between 100 and 500 - gathered at a square in Samara and marched, chanting slogans like "Russia without Putin!" | Nevertheless, some protesters - estimated variously between 100 and 500 - gathered at a square in Samara and marched, chanting slogans like "Russia without Putin!" |
"I don't agree with what's happening in Russia today. I want another Russia, a free one," said Natalya Sorochan, 27. | "I don't agree with what's happening in Russia today. I want another Russia, a free one," said Natalya Sorochan, 27. |
A perceived increase in Russian authoritarianism is one of the thorns in the side of EU-Russian relations, correspondents say. | A perceived increase in Russian authoritarianism is one of the thorns in the side of EU-Russian relations, correspondents say. |
Mr Barroso said the EU's "sacred principles" included "democracy, freedom of the press, freedom of association, freedom of demonstration". | Mr Barroso said the EU's "sacred principles" included "democracy, freedom of the press, freedom of association, freedom of demonstration". |
Another testing issue is Russia's ban on meat imports from Poland over apparent food safety issues. | Another testing issue is Russia's ban on meat imports from Poland over apparent food safety issues. |
Poland rejects the ban, and says it will veto any new strategic partnership between the EU and Russia, until it is lifted. | Poland rejects the ban, and says it will veto any new strategic partnership between the EU and Russia, until it is lifted. |
Also souring relations are the cutting of Russian oil supplies to Lithuania in a separate row, and the future of Kosovo. | Also souring relations are the cutting of Russian oil supplies to Lithuania in a separate row, and the future of Kosovo. |
EU leaders have recently expressed alarm about Russian threats to veto a UN Security Council resolution proposing Kosovo's de facto independence from Serbia. | EU leaders have recently expressed alarm about Russian threats to veto a UN Security Council resolution proposing Kosovo's de facto independence from Serbia. |