Russia And European Union Begin Regular Round Of Steel Talks

Another round of Russia-EU talks on steel trade began on Wednesday in Brussels, a source in the European Commission said. Agreement to begin the second round of talks was reached during negotiations on November 6 in Moscow, the source said. The negotiations are conducted by the joint subcommittee on trade and industry, acting under the agreement on partnership and cooperation between Russia and the EU. The main negotiating point will be reconciliation of a legal framework for steel trade, as the current agreement on steel signed in 1997 between Russia and the European Steel and Coal Community expires on December 31 of this year. Under discussion are two options - extending the current agreement and concluding a new one. Russia's final position, as is noted in the Russian Economic Development and Trade Ministry, will be defined with an eye to proposals made by leading Russian metals enterprises which export their products to EU countries.