The latest actions of the European Union bring into question the strategic nature of its relations with Russia. The Foreign Ministry said this in a statement on Tuesday, timed for the 20th anniversary of signing the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Russia and the EU.
The anniversary "comes at a challenging stage in relations between Russia and the European Union, whose actions cast doubt on the strategic nature of our partnership,” the ministry’s statement said.
The EU’s refusal to continue working on a new framework agreement with Russia aimed to replace the current document was “regrettable”, it said.
“Preparation of the document designed to strengthen mutually beneficial ties in the interests of citizens and business circles of Russia and EU member states, has been stopped, contrary to the European people’s strategic interests,” the ministry said.
Diplomats noted that the agreement had laid solid foundations for mutually beneficial partnership across a range of issues and had brought bilateral relations to an entirely new level. The document had provided a legal framework to regulate trade and investment ties before Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“Political dialogue between Russia and the EU, established while developing the agreement, has turned into a useful tool for open exchange of views and co-ordination of approaches to major international and regional problems,” the ministry said.
“We assume that the agreement remains a fundamental document for relations between Russia and the European Union,” it added. “Principles of partnership and co-operation enshrined in the agreement still serve as a beacon for relations between the Russian Federation and the European Union, also in the context of resolving the Ukrainian crisis.
http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/737499
24/6/14
--
-
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
No comments :
Post a Comment
Only News