19 May 2004 13:20
Russian MP says it`s time to start talking about joining the EU
Moscow, 19 May: "The time is already coming" for discussion on Russia joining the EU. Konstantin Kosachev,
the chairman of the [State] Duma Committee on International Affairs, has said this today.
"Nobody is talking about a specific timeframe, but if this question remains unresolved, a time may arrive when
there will not be equality in our relations," he noted.
"The problem lies in the fact that the European Union has still not determined what kind of strategic relations
it wants to build with Russia, and the same can also be observed on the Russian side."
"The declaration signed in Luxembourg on 27 April was an unprecedented occurrence," the parliamentarian
continued. "It shows that the EU regards Russia as a promising strategic partner."
In Kosachev's words, Russia "will constantly monitor the political and economic fulfilment of the agreement
on partnership with the European Union".
[ITAR-TASS news agency] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
