EU backs mandate for Russia talks

EU backs mandate for Russia talks

By Andrew Bounds in Maribor and Nikki Tait in Brussels

Published: May 26 2008 13:37 | Last updated: May 26 2008 20:01

Russia should loosen its grip on its oil and gas pipelines and give European Union investors more protection in return for a new trade and co-operation agreement with its most important commercial partner, according to documents seen by the Financial Times.

EU foreign ministers on Monday approved a negotiating mandate for a new partnership agreement with Russia. It could cover broad areas such as trade and security as well as key sectoral issues, including energy.

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EU to seek new pact with Russia
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow - file picture

The European Union has given the go-ahead for the start of talks with Russia on a new partnership agreement, following about 18 months of delays.

The bloc's foreign ministers approved a mandate for the talks at their meeting in Brussels.

The new partnership agreement would cover political and economic ties, including energy and trade.

The breakthrough came after objections were dropped by former communist members of the EU, including Lithuania.

Lithuania was the last member state blocking the talks, but gave way after being assured that its grievances over Russian energy supplies and tensions between Russia and Georgia would be addressed.

Poland had previously blocked the talks, demanding that Russia lift an embargo on its meat exports.

The EU hopes formally to launch the talks at an EU-Russia summit in Siberia next month.

Strained relations

While the EU is hoping to make a fresh start with Russia under its new President, Dmitry Medvedev, the talks are likely to be long and difficult, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.

Although trade between Russia and EU states has boomed in recent years, the political relationship has become increasingly strained.

The talks are likely to address issues such as security of energy supplies and human rights.

"Negotiations will certainly not be easy. They will be complex negotiations. I don't want to speculate at this moment, but I think they will take quite some time," said the EU's External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.