Official website of the President of Russia

The fourteenth EU-Russia Summit took place in The Hague on 25 November 2004.

The EU delegation was led by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Jan Pete rBalkenende, in his capacity as President of the European Council assisted by the High Representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, Mr Javier Solana, and by the President of the European Commission, Mr Jose Manuel Durao Barroso.

The Russian delegation was led by the President of the Russian Federation, Mr Vladimir Putin.

The leaders of the EU and Russia underlined the importance both sides attach to their strategic partnership and their intention to further intensify their cooperation in Europe and beyond. The leaders paid special attention to the progress made on the creation of the four Common Spaces agreed at the St. Petersburg Summit in May 2003 and looked forward to the early conclusion of negotiations on outstanding issues, in parallel with the implementation of elements on which both sides agree. Realization of this comprehensive and ambitious initiative reflects the strategic nature of the partnership between the EU and Russia based on common values and shared interests.

The leaders of the EU and Russia welcomed the extension of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to the new EU Member States. They reviewed the steps taken to address the impact of EU enlargement on EU/Russia relations and stressed their firm commitment to actively continue this work to fulfill the ”Joint Statement on EU Enlargement and EU-Russia Relations“ of 27 April 2004.

On the Common Economic Space, the leaders welcomed the efforts made to put in place the conditions for increased and intensified trade and investment between the EU and Russia.

They took note of a progress report on the energy dialogue as well as of the results of the EU-Russia Industrialists Round Table, which took place on 10 November 2004 in The Hague.

The leaders of the EU and Russia particularly welcomed that the Kyoto protocol will enter into force in February 2005, following ratification by Russia, and noted that this will provide a solid basis for strengthened bilateral and international cooperation on climate change.

On the Common Space of Freedom, Security and Justice, the leaders of the EU and Russia welcomed the meeting of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs in Luxemburg on 26 October 2004 and stressed that a good basis has been created for closer cooperation on issues such as facilitation of movement of persons, progress towards the agreed long-term goal of visa-free travel, readmission, border management, migration and combating terrorism, organized crime, corruption and trafficking in human beings. Judicial cooperation will also be promoted in this Common Space.

On the Common Space of External Security, the leaders of the EU and Russia noted broad convergence of views on disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and significant progress in the discussions on closer cooperation in crisis management. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and dialogue on global and regional issues, including in the context of international and regional organisations such as the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe. The leaders underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation and dialogue in the fight against terrorism and welcomed the results of recent meetings as important steps to more intensive practical cooperation in this field.

The leaders of the EU and Russia welcomed the broad understanding reached on the Common Space of Research and Education, including Cultural Aspects. Strengthened cooperation in this Common Space will enable both sides to further capitalize on our common European cultural heritage, contribute to our competitiveness in a knowledge-based economy and offer a platform for more intensive contacts between civil societies in the EU and Russia. The leaders particularly welcomed agreement in principle on the foundation of a European Training Institute/College in Moscow.

The leaders of the EU and Russia addressed in a constructive spirit internal developments in the EU and Russia.

They also discussed a wide range of international issues.