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Russia was represented by President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, other Cabinet members, members of the Presidential Executive Office and presidential aides during the talks in Moscow. The European Union delegation was led by Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern (Ireland held the presidency of the EU during those six months) and the head of the European Commission, Romano Prodi.

The summit discussed the issue of forming four common spaces (economic, justice, external security, culture) agreed upon in principle during the St Petersburg Russia-EU summit in May 2003.

Among the issues discussed were the ratification of the documents spreading the Russia-EU agreements to the 10 new members of the European Union signed in Luxembourg on April 27, the problems of protecting the Russian-speaking populations in Eastern Europe and prospects for the development of the Kaliningrad Region.

An exchange of opinions took place on Iraq, the fight against terrorism and the situation in the Middle East.

During the summit President Putin instructed Prime Minister Fradkov to coordinate the work of Russian ministries and agencies with the EU.

From the results of the talks, Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref and EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy signed a protocol on the European Union’s support of the Russian bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

After the Moscow summit, President Putin, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and President of the European Commission Romano Prodi made statements to the press and answered journalists’ questions.