EU leaders highlight unity over energy policy
European Union (EU) and Russian leaders downplayed their differences Friday and vowed to strengthen their energy cooperation which both sides feel is crucial to their economies. Speaking after having informal talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a dinner in the southern Finnish town of Lahti, EU leaders stressed the importance of Russia in the EU's external relations and expressed a strong desire to deepen energy ties with the giant neighbor.
The 25-nation bloc is keen to develop "a close and legally-binding partnership" with Russia which is long-term and mutually balanced, Finnish Prime Minister Vanhanen said. But the EU also made clear that Russia needs to change its behavior in certain areas to help build up mutual trust, which is essential to the further enhancing of relations.
Transparency, rule of law, reciprocity, as well as non-discrimination and market opening, are among the issues that EU leaders raised with Putin. Putin, for his part, stressed that Russia is just as dependent on the EU as the EU is dependent on Russia. He said Russia is committed to a stronger relationship with the EU.
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