RF Foreign Minister discusses preparation for the upcoming Russia-EU summit in Copenhagen with three high-level EU representatives

The RF Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and the three high-level representatives of the EU are discussing the preparation for the Russia-EU summit starting November 11 in Copenhagen.

During the opening for the talks, which are held with extended participation of the delegations, Igor Ivanov stated that "today's meeting is an important step toward the preparation of the upcoming summit", the 10th in a row. He said that "from summit to summit, the relationship between Russia and the EU is growing and strengthening steadily." The RF Foreign Minister pointed out that Moscow is pleased with such development of the relations between Russia and the EU, not the least because those relations are one of the priorities of the Russian foreign policy.

Igor Ivanov suggested that the participants of today's talks should concentrate on the issues related to the preparation of the upcoming summit in Copenhagen and also exchange the views on the urgent international problems, "taking into consideration the widening cooperation between Russia and the UN in the international arena." UN High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, member of the European Commission Chris Patten, Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller and Greek Foreign Minister Yeoryios Papandreou participate in the talks.

The high-ranking UN representatives expressed hopes that today's talks would give a new impetus to the development of the relations between Russia and the EU.