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Ferrero-Waldner: Europe wants Russia and Georgia to normalize relations as soon as possible and to restart settling conflicts
The European Union expects Russia to lift its sanctions against Georgia as early as possible, EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.
She urged both sides to tone down their rhetoric and to refrain from moves that might escalate tensions.
In an interview with Interfax ahead of the informal Russia-EU summit in Lahti, Finland, due to take place on Friday, she expressed hope for a speedy lifting of sanctions.
The EU hopes that both sides will eventually return to the important task of finding solutions to the frozen conflicts, Ferrero-Waldner said, adding that the current deadlock in Russian-Georgian relations was hampering the peace process.
Russia remains an important factor in conflict settlement in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, she added.
The European Union appreciates Russia's position on North Korea and urges Iran to meet international demands or face a UN response, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.
The EU favors a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear problem, but if Iran continues to ignore international demands to stop its uranium enrichment program, the EU will have no choice but act through the Untied Nations, she said.
Speaking about North Korea's nuclear test, she reiterated the EU's support for UN sanctions against Pyongyang and praised Russia's constructive stance on the issue.
European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policies Benita Ferrero-Waldner has said she hopes an agreement on visa and readmission regulations between the European Union and Russia will take effect by the end of 2006.
"These twin agreements were signed in May at our Summit in Sochi. They will enter into force as soon as both sides have completed their respective procedures. I hope that the ratification procedures will be concluded by the end of the year," Ferrero-Waldner said.
Commenting on the European Union's upcoming enlargement to include Bulgaria and Romania, she said, "if Russia has concerns, of course we want to know about them."
"As we grow, we become more attractive as a trading partner and client for Russia's energy exports," Ferrero-Waldner said.
The Gazprom (RTS: GAZP) decision to send some gas from the Shtokman deposit to Europe is proof of the importance of energy dialogue between the European Union and Russia, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, told Interfax.
"We should remember that the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue highlighted the Shtokman project from the outset as a project of "common interest" as the gas was foreseen to be directed to the EU via the new Nord Stream pipeline. It was only afterwards that the emphasis shifted for Russia towards other markets," she said.
"Naturally we welcome the refocus back to the European market as this demonstrates the continuing vitality of our Energy Dialogue," she said.
In answer to a question whether the EC is interested in establishing a free trade zone with Russia, Ferrero-Waldner said: "Both sides are interested in a comprehensive and deep relationship on trade and economic integration - but for this to be possible we need Russia to complete its accession to the WTO."
"We are already exploring the possibilities with our Russian colleagues, and hope that this can be one of the major elements of a new Partnership and Co-operation Agreement that we will start negotiating shortly," she said.
Talks on this issue could start at the next official Russia-EU summit at the end of November in Helsinki, she said.
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