Official website of the President of Russia

Moscow

May 29, 2002

We, the leaders of Russia and the EU, examined our bilateral cooperation in a comprehensive way, as well as a wide range of international problems. We underlined the importance of a strategic partnership between Russia and the EU, based on our full adherence to the UN Charter, obligations and commitments undertaken within the framework of the Council of Europe and the OSCE as well as on common values and mutual trust. We expressed strong determination to produce concrete results in our cooperation. For that purpose, we agreed to reinforce the positive tendencies which characterise our relations.

We reaffirmed our intention to continue making an effective use of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), as well as of the Russian Medium-term Strategy for Development of Relations with the European Union and the EU Common Strategy on Russia, in order to contribute to security and stability in Europe, develop trade and investment and strengthen a society based on respect for democratic principles and human rights. The defence of freedom of expression and the fight against xenophobia and discrimination on ethnic, religious or any other grounds, are fundamental elements for preserving these principles.

We intend to increase joint efforts to meet successfully common challenges, especially international terrorism, including access to weapons of mass destruction, as well as drug production and trafficking, illegal migration and other manifestations of organised crime, if necessary by establishing new mechanisms. In this context, we welcomed the meeting of our Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs on 25 April 2002 in Luxembourg. We agree that tackling all these issues, which are vital for our common security, is a priority for both Russia and the EU.

We confirmed our commitment to develop further the Russia-EU political dialogue. Russia and the European Union will make efforts to render their cooperation in the sphere of foreign and security policy even more result oriented and operational. To this end, we have adopted a separate declaration on further practical steps in developing political dialogue and cooperation on crisis management and security matters (Annex 1).

Aiming at a dynamic development of economic cooperation between Russia and the EU, we welcome:

the progress report of the High Level Group on Common European Economic Space (CEES);

the progress report on the energy dialogue which is annexed to our separate statement on this issue (Annex 2);

the new dispute settlement mechanism which will allow a more effective use of PCA conciliatory procedures to resolve trade disputes.

We consider that early accession of Russia to the WTO will further integrate Russia into the world economy and deepen economic ties between Russia and the EU, thereby facilitating the establishment of the CEES.

Recognizing the achievements of the Russian Federation towards the establishment of market relations in its economy, the EU declared its intention to modify its legislation to grant Russia full market economy status.

The Russian Federation confirmed its intention to complete reforms, aiming in particular at the gradual elimination of restrictions to trade and other steps aimed at liberalization of its energy markets, and the gradual implementation of market principles in its energy policies, including with respect to pricing.

The pending EU enlargement will open new prospects for our relations but at the same time will possibly create new problems, including in the sphere of trade, economic cooperation and human contacts. We agree to discuss more actively the essence of the Russian concerns in the framework of the PCA.

Taking into account the legal and practical consequences of EU enlargement, Russia and the EU agreed to continue joint work with a view to reaching mutually acceptable solutions for the Kaliningrad region. This will be of key importance for the development of a strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the European Union and for strengthening the atmosphere of good-neighbourliness and mutual understanding.

We noted that the environmental aspects of the Russia-EU relations are taking concrete shape in particular in the Northern Dimension framework. We therefore aim at having the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership Fund operational as soon as possible. We will make every necessary effort to ensure that the Kyoto Protocol becomes a real tool for solving the problems of global warming as soon as possible. We also confirm our readiness to cooperate closely in preparing the World Conference on climate change to be held in Russia in 2003.

We confirm that the Russia-EC Science and Technology Agreement of 10 May 2001 has laid solid foundations for long-term cooperation in this field. We are encouraged by the drawing up of an action plan, structuring our Science and Technology dialogue and convinced that its implementation will contribute to the establishment of integrated scientific networks, and the development of joint research projects and therefore promote our international cooperation in the 6th Research and Development Framework Programme of the EU, to be launched in 2003. In that regard, we underline the important complementary role of related instruments to further enhance our science and technology cooperation, in particular International Association for the Promotion of Cooperation with Scientists from the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (“INTAS“) for basic sciences and International Science and Technology Centre (“ISTC“) for proliferation prevention and integration of scientists from the military sector into civilian research.

We express our satisfaction with the deepening of long-term partnership in the field of space research between Russia and the European Union, as well as between Rosaviakosmos and the European Space Agency. In this context, we look forward to the signing of a new Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the European Space Agency on Cooperation and Partnership in Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes. We also encouraged experts on both sides to intensify their dialogue on issues of cooperation in development and operation of next generation space vehicles, global satellite navigation (GALILEO and Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System (“GLONASS“)) and monitoring systems (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (“GMES“)).

In the discussion on international affairs we emphasised the key importance of implementing and further strengthening non-proliferation regimes and of solving the problems of arms control and disarmament. We reaffirm our determination to deepen our dialogue and cooperation in this sphere, including the ongoing important EU contribution to existing relevant disarmament programmes in Russia. We will strengthen dialogue and cooperation on global security and stability. The EU welcomes the recent Treaty between the Russian Federation and the USA on Strategic Offensive Reductions.

The parties noted with satisfaction the creation of the new Russia-NATO Council which is a major positive step in strengthening comprehensive security in the Euro-Atlantic area.

We confirm our readiness to strengthen the central role of the UN in world affairs. We also stress the role of the OSCE, in accordance with adopted decisions and commitments, as a comprehensive regional organisation for consultations, decision-making and cooperation in the OSCE area. We are in agreement that full realisation of the OSCE potential in security, economic and environmental, and human dimensions, would allow for more effective action against new challenges to global and European security, including the fight against international terrorism.

Other international issues of common interest for Russia and the EU were also discussed. We confirmed a high degree of understanding during our discussion on regional problems, in particular on the situation in the Middle East on which we adopted a separate joint statement (Annex 3).

The parties had an extensive exchange of views on stabilising the situation in the Balkans. They agreed that it is essential to implement the UN Security Council Resolutions pertaining to the region and to ensure strict adherence to them, including respect for territorial integrity of the states in the region, by all parties concerned. It is also of vital importance to continue to implement the Ohrid Framework Agreement in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as well as the General Framework Agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We recalled the significance of the 14 March Agreement for the restructuring of relations between Serbia and Montenegro.

We are determined to promote efforts on the post-conflict rehabilitation in Afghanistan, possibly including joint projects, with the UN playing the central coordination role. We continue to support strongly the Bonn Agreement, and look forward to the success of the planned Loya Jirga. We call upon all Afghan parties to cooperate fully in this process.

We discussed with deep concern the recent deterioration of Indo-Pakistani relations, in the aftermath of the last terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and the military incidents at the border, as well as the missile tests carried out by Pakistan. We have adopted a Joint Statement on the development in Indo-Pakistani relations (Annex 4).

Russia and the EU will cooperate to resolve regional conflicts, including the Transdniestria issue in Moldova.

In conclusion, we agree that the Moscow summit is an important milestone in the development and strengthening of the strategic partnership between Russia and the European Union in the XXI century.