The EU-Troika Foreign Ministers’ meeting with Russia was held in Vienna today. Participating in the meeting were Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, her Russian homologue Sergei Lavrov, the EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and the Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja. The subject of the talks was the current status of relations between the EU and Russia and important international topics, such as Iran and the Middle East peace process.
“Russia and the EU are bound by a close and rich web of relations. Our intensive exchange of views on current foreign policy issues reflects this closeness and variety. Russia does not just play a special role in international relations; as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and as the current President of the G8 it has a special level of responsibility”, said Plassnik after the meeting.
On the nuclear question in Iran, both sides called upon Teheran not to take any more unilateral action during this decisive phase. “The European Union very much regrets the resumption of uranium enrichment activities in Natanz and emphatically calls upon Iran to reverse this action. Russia is playing an important and constructive role in this matter. We fully support the proposal that a solution be found through Russian-Iranian cooperation on Russian soil. Iran is called upon to adhere to its international obligations and to once again take measures to rebuild confidence”, explained Plassnik. The position of the European Union to find a diplomatic solution to the disagreement on nuclear policy with Iran is unchanged.
“On the Middle East peace process, the EU and Russia are also working together from a common basis in the framework of the Middle East Quartet. Our line towards Hamas is clear: renunciation of the use of violence, recognition of the right of Israel to exist and adherence to the existing agreements and obligations”, the Foreign Minister emphasised. There is no reason to doubt that Russia will be consistent on these principles in its announced contacts with Hamas.
The Foreign Minister explained that consultations on human rights are an important component of relations between the EU and Russia. “Part of open dialogue among friends is that questions are addressed on which we are not necessarily of the same opinion. This includes the situation in Chechnya and the situation of non-governmental organisations in Russia. The new Russian legislation on non-governmental organisations is a cause for concern in the EU. We will closely monitor the implementation of this law”, said Plassnik.
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