Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he is satisfied with the results of the Russia-EU summit, Itar-Tass reported.
Medvedev appeared to be pleased by the fact that Russia-EU summits were no longer as strained as before and had acquired the quality of routine work, which is normal for this long-standing European institution.
Speaking at a press conference devoted to the results of the Russia-EU summit, Medvedev said: "I am pleased by the fact that Russia-EU summits were no longer as strained as before and had acquired the quality of routine work, which is normal for this long-standing European institution."
"It is a special summit," the Russian president said. He recalled that it coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, which "divided the peoples of Europe, primarily the people of Germany".
"Over the 10 years the world changed cardinally. Similar summits can surprise nobody. On the contrary, in reality it is our routine work, but the work is not less than important," he said.
According to the Russian leader, he "is rather pleased with the work of the summit". "We will be able to discuss a wide range of issues, which had been at the Russia-EU summits. All was done in a constructive atmosphere without any emotions and additional problems that sometimes facilitated or run counter the goals of such meetings," Medvedev said.
He thanked the Swedish prime minister for "your contribution made by Sweden to holding the summit and bilateral talks".
The Russian president outlined key issues raised at the summit. First of all, he named economic problems. "Of course, economic components are very important for our relations. We spoke about the implementation of four spaces what is traditional topics of our talks and our cooperation," Medvedev said.
On the visa problem, the Russian president said, "We agreed that in an unbiased manner, the existing system of issuing visas prevents normal exchanges between businessmen and between ordinary people. It simply creates problems for visits to our countries. I believe that we should continue working on this both related to ordinary visas and long-term visas."
"We discussed the work on a Russia-EU basic agreement. All is not bad in this aspect. Since the summit in Khanty-Mansiisk where we gave a start to this activity we have held six sessions. The document is being coordinated on points and on chapters. I hope that we will coordinate the final text of the agreement very soon. Of course, it is necessary to reach certain compromises. The current summit proved that all sides involving in the process are ready to reach such compromises," he noted.
Focusing on discussions on key economic projects, Medvedev said: "We also riveted attention to energy cooperation, the development of energy security and ensuring energy security in Europe." "In this aspect we also reached understanding because without accord on these issues it is impossible to make life in Europe normal, but of course, energy security will be linked to what normative instruments will be used," the Russian president said.
According to Medvedev, he "urged our partners to discuss Russia's energy initiative, which was supplemented to the existing energy documents, including the Energy Charter". "I'd like to say we should continue exchanging views on this issue in order to work out a qualitative base, a qualitative global base, for energy cooperation in the future. Moreover, recently we have achieved rather good results in promoting key energy projects, including North Stream and South Stream," he added.
On international problems, the Russian leader said: "Certainly, we discussed Iran's nuclear programme and the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan." "On these issues, in my view, we fruitfully cooperated with the EU and the United States of America. That is why we have no disagreements." "We also discussed Transcaucasia. I say sincerely our positions do not coincide. We should recognise it openly. The prime minister told you about it. I only add that the disagreements remain. But there is no reason for dramatising the situation. On the contrary, it is necessary to bring closer the positions and it is necessary to search for ways to stabilise the rather difficult situation in Transcaucasia," Medvedev explained.
In his words, "there are good ways and examples of cooperation. In particular, we discussed the process between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. This is an example proving that we can cooperation or we would cooperate if last year Georgia attacked South Ossetia."
On the accession to the WTO, Medvedev said Russia would use the shortest way possible to join the WTO.
He said the form of accession was less important.
"What is important for us is the speed: whichever way is the shortest, we will use that way. If it turns out to be the way of concerted but individual accession, we will choose that way," Medvedev said.
