The four-year old energy dialogue between the European Union (EU) and Russia has yielded positive results, said a report issued here on Monday by the EU executive European Commission (EC).

Launched at the EU-Russia summit in 2000, this dialogue has provided a framework for the resolution of a number of potential energy problems between the two sides and has made a significant contribution to strengthening the security of energy supply to the EU, according to the report.

"In four years, this dialogue has developed into a true partnership which today offers wider prospects to go beyond the narrow questions of energy products and extends to problems related to transport and the environmental impact of the energy sector," EC Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs said in this report.

The dialogue has also opened the way to European investment in the Russian energy market and provided a forum for tackling difficulties faced by Russian companies when trying to enter the single market.

Differences between the two parties regarding the territoriality clauses in supply contracts, and restrictions on the import of gas and petrol were dealt with in this framework.

Current negotiations regarding linking Galileo and Glonass, the two navigating system owned separately by the EU and Russia, will also strengthen the security of transport infrastructure.

Negotiations are also continuing with a view to reaching an agreement on trade in nuclear materials.

As the largest producer of fossil fuels and uranium, Russia is an important partner for the EU and the energy dialogue is designed to ensure the best possible co-operation between the two parties at political, administrative and industrial level, the report says.

Source: Xinhua