Chizhov urges boosting Russia-EU ties

Briefing reporters ahead of the November 18 Stockholm summit in Moscow on Tuesday, Russia’s EU envoy Vladimir Chizhov rejected the idea that Moscow’s relations with the European Union needed a reset.

The so-called diplomatic reset of relations between Moscow and Washington was initiated by the Obama administration earlier this year in what was then endorsed by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. For his part, Chizhov said that he saw no sense for a total reset of Moscow-EU relations, which he stressed needed just a little more resetting.

The Russian diplomat piled praise on what he described as burgeoning bridge-building between Moscow and Brussels.

"Some pundits point to a chill in bilateral ties – allegations that Chizhov contends hold absolutely no water. Suffice it to mention the two’s persistent push for a visa-free travel regime, Chizhov says, citing a previously clinched deal on simplifying visa rules between Russia and the EU. The 2006 agreement should add significantly to scrapping the visa regime at the end of the day – a huge task that Chizhov admits has yet to be resolved by both sides. In any case, this reflects the two’s clear-cut intent to continue to cultivate ties", Chizhov goes on to say.

Separately, Chizhov touted efforts to strike a new Russia-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which he explained will embrace a wide range of issues of mutual interest.

Tackling the global economic meltdown and climate change will notably remain on the two’s radar , Chizhov pointed out , specifically pitching bilateral energy cooperation which he said should help prevent a repeat of last year’s gas transit crisis in Ukraine.

"The past 35 years have significantly seen Russia fully comply with its international energy supply obligations, Chizhov said, warning of potential disruptions of Russian gas deliveries to Europe next year. The finger of blame is pointed at Kiev which Chizhov complained continues to capitalize on the gas pricing issue on the eve of a presidential election campaign in Ukraine".

In other remarks, Chizhov praised Russia and the EU for focusing on an array of most pressing global issues, not least Iran’s nuclear program and the Mideast settlement. Both topics will be high on the agenda of the Russia-EU summit in Stockholm, Chizhov said, also citing a Moscow-endorsed new European security treaty.

Svetlana Kalmykova