- In May 10 countries will join the EU and will get the opportunity to export goods to Russia with lower tariffs. The EU is planning to implement sanctions against Russia if it tries to prevent markets from the EU export. Does it mean that there are problems in relations between Russia and the EU?
- I do not think that the EU is planning to implement sanctions against Russia due to disagreements over extending trade partnership agreements to new EU members. The EU enlargement in Russia's interests. There was a meeting of ministers yesterday in Brussels and decisions were taken that, in my view, will make a significant difference and will allow a firmer and better developed partnership to be created between Russia and the EU. We believe that together we can build more concrete relations. There is no talk of action being taken against Russia. We see this as a genuine partnership. The EU was expanding from 15 to 25 members and that there are certainly some questions which arise for Russia from this enlargement. We are discussing them. We are sure that, at the end of the day, an enlarged EU will become a single market for Russian exports. This is in Russia's interests. We are convinced that in the next few weeks all remaining questions will be discussed and resolved. And we are convinced that we can put substance on these relations, which is in mutual interests.
- Do you think that EU enlargement is in Russia's interests?
- Enlargement is very definitely in Russia's interests. Russia has certain traditions in its trade ties with a number of these countries and there will be a period of adjustment for this system. However, Russia will now have a single market representing over 400m people. Russia will be able to export its goods to this market and it is a historic opportunity for us to establish cooperation between the enlarged EU and Russia.
- According to some experts, Russia could endure losses of as much as 300m euros from enlargement.
- There are different figures and intensive discussions are taking place at the moment between [Russian Economic Development and Trade] Minister [German] Gref and the European Commission. There are areas where difficulties genuinely may arise but the overall balance is clearly in Russia's interests. EU is convinced that over the coming weeks these discussions will allow us to resolve the issues that have been raised by Russia.
There will be a meeting in Dublin between [Russian Foreign] Minister [Igor] Ivanov and EU troika and the issue of enlargement will be discussed. There are two entirely separate issues here: first, the legal formality linked to Russia ratifying agreements that exist between Russia and the EU; and second, what answers the EU can provide Russia over the issues that concern it. There are no new conditions. Clearly the enlargement is going to raise certain questions in regard to trade between Russia and some of the new countries. But there are no new conditions and the EU is convinced that with enlargement we can build a partnership between all 25 countries and Russia.
- You are always speaking about developing partnership with Russia. What do you mean by that?
- Russia and the EU are fundamental to peace and stability in wider Europe. Without partnership with Russia, we would not be able to guarantee this stability. Partnership means agreement on common objectives and should be based on common values. The EU had completed an internal review of its relations with Russia and can now move forward and put real substance on all of the four core areas of this partnership. These were economic cooperation, including energy; justice, including visas and freedom of movement; foreign policy; culture and education. We will have a summit here in Moscow in May between President Putin and the Irish Prime Minister [Bertie Ahern], representing the EU. We want this to produce a real concrete result for the future development of the relationship.
- But yesterday decision [about joining of 10 countries] is apprehended as confrontation, not a dialog with Russia.
- I would like to make it absolutely clear that yesterday in Brussels there was a statement by ministers, which I have in front of me here, which is absolutely open and which emphasizes that we are a genuine partnership. It points out, however, that all partners need a cornerstone, they need a foundation. The cornerstone of the relationship between the EU and Russia is a legal text called the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. We want to have a situation where Russia ratifies an extension of this agreement to all new member states. Sanctions had been talked about in the press but there is no reference in the Brussels document about sanctions against Russia. We need a legal foundation for our continued relationship with Russia. If we didn't have one, there would be a genuine problem for us. We want to avoid that situation. It would be wrong to talk about yesterday as a warning or about any sanctions.
- By the way, Russia makes some demands of the EU. For example, joining the WTO with the support of the EU and traveling without visas.
- Russia wants to join the WTO and the EU wants Russia to join the WTO. It is in both our interests, but there are certain big questions that we have to agree on first. The main issue relates to energy, to prices on energy supplies, but progress is being made and we continue to believe that an agreement on WTO entry can be reached by the end of 2004. The visa question is very important. The EU was working to reach agreement between its member states in order to create a common position for negotiations with Russia to ensure flexibility in visa arrangements. We hope that that can be taken forward in the next few months.