Romano Prodi: Summit another step forward for EU-Russia partnership

The Russia-EU summit in St. Petersburg on May 31 raises the question of 'relations between Russia and the EU,' said the EU in Russia's press office on May 29. The question is divided into two parts, one connected with the progress and problems of cooperation, and the other with perspectives for the future.

Moreover, it is expected that all spectres of the relationship between the EU and Russia will be touched on including political dialogue, economic cooperation, the responsibility of the EU and Russia for the ecology, cooperation in the area of justice and internal affairs. The EU in Russia said that the EU and Russia 'will use this meeting to give more strategic direction to their relations with the goal of creating a number of mutual spaces for external security, justice, internal affairs, economics, science, culture and a wider use of potential for partnership and cooperation.'

'I am confident that the meeting on a higher level will add yet another step forward for our partnership with the Russian Federation, and strengthen progress reached in the past,' said EU President Romano Prodi.

The Russia-EU summit opens in the palace of congresses in Strelna on May 31. Fifteen EU leaders and ten EU candidate-member leaders will take part.