The current holder of the EU presidency Slovenia voiced concern on Thursday over Russia's demand on the British Council to close two regional offices in Russia.
"The EU is very concerned at Russia's continued demand to close the regional offices of the British Council in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg," a statement from the presidency said.
"The EU deeply regrets in particular the harassment of British Council staff, as well as the administrative and other measures announced by the Russian authorities," the statement said, deeming these actions contrary to the spirit of the cultural cooperation Russia agreed to pursue at the first EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council on Culture on Oct. 25, 2007, in Lisbon.
The presidency underlined the important role the British Council and other cultural institutes of EU countries play in fostering cooperation between Russia and the EU, noting that cultural institutes form an essential element for the mutual knowledge of peoples and cultures, and should be strongly supported.
"They are also key to developing EU-Russia cultural relations under the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement," the statement added.
The EU urged Russia to "allow the British Council to operate freely and effectively in Russia and to take no further actions that might hinder its activities."
Russia in December ordered the closure of regional offices of the British Council outside of Moscow since Jan. 1, 2008, citing illegal status and tax problems, an allegation rejected by the British side. The two British Council offices reopened after New Year holidays.
Source: Xinhua
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