By KUNA,
BRUSSELS : The President of the European Commission (EC), Jose Manuel Barroso, accompanied by nine EU Commissioner will visit Moscow Friday to meet the Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and other members of the Russian government.
The current global economic crisis, the international climate change negotiations and security of energy supplies are to be the focus of the talks between the two sides.
“I look forward to discussing how we can work together to build-up trust and make the EU-Russia relationship a more reliable partnership at all levels, ” said Barosso in press statements here today.
EU-Russia ties are currently marred due to last year’s Georgia-Russia war and the recent gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine which led to serious gas crisis in Europe.
On her part, EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner said Russia is a crucial partner for the EU in international matters from climate change to the Middle East and Afghanistan.
“Alongside these important topics we need also to maintain our channels of communication on issues where we do not agree, and notably our differing views on the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia,” she added. Similar meetings between the EC and Russia took place in 2004 in Moscow and in 2005 in Brussels. (end) nk.tg KUNA 051442 Feb 09NNNN