EU-Russia to Reset Ties at Stockholm Summit
World | November 18, 2009, Wednesday
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) shake hands with Swedish Minister for Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson upon arrival at Stockholm Arlanda airport late 17 November 2009, to attend an EU-Russia summit in Stockholm on 18 November. Photo by EPA/BGNES
European Union leaders are due to discuss key issues such as trade and energy with their Russian counterparts at a summit in Stockholm.
Moscow and Brussels are still rebuilding relations after falling out over last year's Georgia-Russia war.
The EU will also seek assurances there will be no repeat of last winter's disruption of gas exports to the West.
And Brussels wants to know if Russia is still interested in joining the World Trade Organization.
The EU, which represents 500 million people, is Moscow's biggest trading partner and depends heavily on Russian gas. Moscow, meanwhile, is seeking more foreign investment.
Wednesday's talks are taking place in Stockholm because Sweden holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency.
On Monday, Moscow and Brussels agreed to notify each other in advance of any problems affecting energy supplies, and to work together to fix them.
A quarter of the gas consumed in the EU comes from Russia, most of it transported via Ukraine, which has often had fuel disputes with Moscow.
In January, Russia cut off gas supplies to more than a dozen European countries for two weeks, amid a row with Kiev.
Other issues expected on the summit agenda include global warming, security and Iran's nuclear programme.
Tags: Moscow, Brussels, Stockholm, World Trade Organization
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