Estonia urges Barroso to set clear Russia policy

During his visit to Estonia, incoming Commission
President Barroso has discussed the EU’s Russia
policy.

The EU’s Russia policy featured high
on the agenda of a meeting in Tallinn between Estonian
Prime Minister Juhan Parts and visiting Jose Manuel
Barroso, the incoming Commission president. Parts
reiterated his country’s opinion that the EU has a
“very clear responsibility” to support the
democratic processes in Russia, and that for this end
the Union “should act as a Union”. Parts has
been urging the EU to establish clear common policies
toward Russia. 

B arroso said that indeed both the EU and
Russia were interested in establishing a “solid
strategic partnership”. However, Barroso also said
that Moscow must accept certain conditions in this
context. “We need accordance and co-ordinated policy
within the EU [toward Russia]”, Barroso said, adding
that “we have to establish that relationship in
respect to [Moscow’s accepting] the fundamental
principles of democracy, human rights and rule of
law”. Barroso said that the issue of the EU’s
partnership with Russia will be discussed at the
EU-Russia summit in November 2004.

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