The European Union (EU) is hoping to launch talks on a new wide-ranging partnership agreement with Russia by June, the EU presidency Slovenia said on Friday.
"We all endorse the idea of an negotiating mandate to be finalized and adopted as soon as possible. We hope this will be possible in April, so we can start with negotiations under the Slovenian presidency," which expires in June, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel told reporters after a meeting with his EU colleagues.
Months ahead of a crucial summit with Russia, EU foreign ministers kicked off a two-day informal meeting here Friday, with much of their first-day discussions focused on the tricky relations with Moscow.
Whether to start the long-delayed negotiations with Russia on anew partnership agreement was one of the most prominent issues. The new agreement will replace the old trade deal and cover wide-ranging issues from trade to energy, human rights and political cooperation.
However, the start of the negotiations was effectively blocked by Poland and Lithuania since 2006 because Russia imposed a two-year ban on Polish meat supplies and cut off oil supplies to a Lithuanian refinery which was sold to a Polish company rather than a Russian rival.
The Polish government has recently softened its position after Russia agreed to lift its ban, but Rupel acknowledged Lithuania's concern remained to be discussed.
"There have been some difficulties with some Polish comments and Lithuanian comments," Rupel said, adding he was positive that a solution could be found soon.
"I think we are approaching the end of the debate, so we can move to a mandate in April," he said.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article