EU-Russia welcome 'new page' in relationship[fr][de] 

"Today we have opened a new page," said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, speaking after his first summit with the EU. 

European leaders welcomed the "friendly atmosphere" of the meeting, which contrasted with the tense atmosphere surrounding the two previous summits with Vladimir Putin. There, disputes over energy, Russia's human rights situation and Moscow's ban on imports of meat from Poland had prevented the launch of talks on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EurActiv 29/10/07). 

"I saw someone with whom I believe we can work in a good spirit, someone who is open and relaxed," European Commission President José Manuel Barroso told a press conference after the meeting. He added: "I particularly welcome President Medvedev's recent comments about strengthening the rule of law and working together as responsible members of the international community." 

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner agreed: "I think he is from a new generation, and I think he sees Russia already back as a global player," she said, adding that the new president "is very serious about cooperating more closely with the European Union". 

But tensions between the sides remained, with a trade row erupting between Russia and Finland over a heavy increase in export duties on raw timber. The tariffs have been preventing the EU country's large processing industries from importing wood and Helsinki said it was considering taxing Russian goods crossing its territory in retaliation. But EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson played down the issue, saying: "This idea was only floated yesterday […] It is far too early for any of us to take any view on it."

The two sides also diverged as regards the form that the new partnership agreement should take, with Medvedev voicing support for a document that is "short, without too many details," while the EU wants a more detailed text, with precise wording on energy and security issues in particular. "The new agreement should be inextricably linked with Russia's advancement in democratic standards, rule of law, and human rights. In economy it should incorporate – among others – the principles of the Energy Charter Treaty and its Transit Protocol," said liberal Polish MEP Janusz Onyszkiewicz, Parliament's rapporteur on the EU-Russia agreement.

The first round of negotiations will take place in Brussels on 4 July.

As usual, energy issues were also on the agenda, with Medvedev warning the EU not to politicise German-Russian plans for a Baltic Sea gas-pipeline. The Nord Stream project has come under attack from central and eastern European countries, which fear Russia might use the pipeline, which bypasses their territories, to impose higher energy prices on them. But Medvedev said "this is a commercially beneficial, rather than political, project," adding that he would "try to come to terms with the states that have been asking questions about it". 

Barroso said the EU would give its backing to the pipeline provided that it meets environmental protection standards – a key requirement from countries bordering the Baltic Sea, such as Sweden.