EU-Russia summit focuses on trade, energy

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and European Union (EU) leaders are meeting in London on Tuesday for discussion about trade promotion and energy cooperation.

During the EU-Russia summit at the British government's Lancaster House, Putin will hold talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair, President of the EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

EU and Russia are also eager to boost cooperation in fighting terrorism, drug-trafficking and organized crimes.

Blair, who is the rotating president of the EU, will also hold bilateral talks with Putin on Wednesday.

According to the Sky news, Blair will urge Putin to devote greater efforts to global warming when Russia takes over the G8 presidency from Britain in January.

Putin is also believed to demand that the EU free up visa regulations for Russian citizens.

The EU is now Russia's largest trading partner with over half of the country's exports going to the 25-member bloc. Meanwhile, Russia supplies more than 30 percent of the EU's oil and gas needs.

Source: Xinhua