Russian Foreign Minister and three EU leaders to discuss concept of European economic zone

In the course of the negotiations scheduled to take place on Thursday in Moscow Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and three EU leaders will consider the concept of establishing a single European economic zone, Russia's dialogue with the European Union over energy issues, Russia's prospective accession to the World Trade Organization as well as a number of other trade and economic issues, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko has informed RIA Novosti.

"Particular attention," he pointed out, "will be paid to the consequences of the EU enlargement and the need to dismiss Russia's concerns in this respect as soon as possible." Moscow believes that "the issue of finding a joint solution of tackling the essential problems of the Kaliningrad region in view of the EU enlargement" should be placed high on the agenda.

The priorities in this field include keeping the freedom of transit within the framework of transport communication with the rest of Russia, easy shipment of goods, energy supply and fishing. "Tackling these problems will be a priority for further development of Russia's relations with the European Union," Yakovenko pointed out.

Besides, the sides will discuss this situation in the world's hot spots, including the settlement of the Middle East and Balkan conflicts, the crises in Iraq and Afghanistan, including prospects on cooperation and recovery of Afghanistan's infrastructure and economy.