EU-Russia Stockholm Summit Succeeds in Building Trust, Cooperation

Bulgaria in EU | November 18, 2009, Wednesday

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L), Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (C) and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso (L) speak during the EU-Russia summit in Stockholm, Sweden on November 18. Photo by BGNES

EU and Russian leaders have been meeting Wednesday in Stockholm, Sweden, at a summit aimed at improving the relations between the two powers.

Russia’s President Medvedev announced as the one-day summit closed that they have reached agreement on all outstanding issues concerning energy co-operation.

"We spoke of the development of big economic projects including energy co-operation, and the development of energy safety.”

“Once again I drew the attention of our partners to the energy initiative, which was proposed by Russia in addition to existing energy agreements, including the Energy Charter,” Medvedev said.

" I intend that we continue our exchange of opinions in order to develop a quality international basis for future energy co-operation. What is more, we have lately reached very good results in the approval of the big energy projects."

The President pointed out that he envisages agreement on the "North Stream" project and that permission will be given by Denmark, Sweden, and Finland for its construction on the floor of the Baltic Sea, and also the South Stream project.

Russia's brief but violent war with Georgia in 2009 had cast a shadow over relations with the EU, but both sides have acknowledged that political reality means they have to move on.

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.