EU-Russia Summit (St Petersburg, 3-4 June 2012)

Brussels, 1 June 2012 – The next European Union–Russia Summit will take place on 3 and 4 June in St Petersburg. The EU will be represented by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger will also take part. Russia will be represented by President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and several other Russian ministers.

President Barroso said: "Russia is not only the EU largest neighbour - it is also a strategic partner with which we are building a solid and mutually beneficial relationship. Important progress was achieved in recent years in key areas of our cooperation. The election of a new President and the beginning of a new government offers us the opportunity to consolidate this progress, but also to look strategically into the future. The EU believes that the best basis for a closer Partnership is an ambitious and comprehensive bilateral New Agreement. This should become the new centrepiece of our relations and a solid basis for cooperation in the years to come. It must include substantial provisions on trade and investment, including energy. Equally, the summit should confirm the high importance of the Partnership for Modernisation, which is under full implementation now."

"The summit will be an important occasion to run through the broad range of issues that today make up the EU-Russia relationship, such as modernisation, visa and mobility, and trade. The main aim should be to confirm the past years results in the EU-Russia partnership and set the course for the coming years. The EU sees a lot of untapped potential to deepen our strategic partnership in all areas, which the St Petersburg Summit should explore. There will also be need to discuss pressing global and international issues, such as measures to deal with the economic and financial crisis and international issues, such as Syria and Iran," said President Van Rompuy ahead of the meeting.

The Summit in St Petersburg will start with an informal dinner on 3 June and continue with a plenary session on the morning of 4 June, followed by a working lunch and a press conference. Leaders are expected to exchange views on global economic developments and the situation in the Eurozone, and regional and international issues, including developments in Syria, the Middle East and Iran.

Leaders are also expected to focus on bilateral relations, including the need to reinvigorate the negotiations on the New Agreement. The Summit will also look forward to the ratification of Russia’s WTO accession, and reconfirm that all related commitments will be implemented. The leaders will also discuss energy cooperation. The leaders will also take note of the intensive work going on regarding the implementation of the Common Steps towards visa-free travel and discuss visa and mobility issues in general. The situation regarding human rights and the rule of law in Russia is expected to be raised.