Interfax's Interview

Mr. Solana, how would you describe current relations between the European Union and Moscow? Would you agree with the view that they experience a cooling, and that they are deteriorating every year?

Russia is the European Union's biggest and most important neighbour. The European Union and Russia are developing into real strategic partners, and so I can only disagree with the claim that our relations have been be deteriorating over the years. We have established a mature relationship between equal partners, as shown by the adoption of the Four Common Spaces in May 2005. Of course, there are some problems, as in any close relationship with any international partner. But we can and do address such problems openly and constructively with Moscow. On the foreign policy side, I see Russia as a key partner with which we work together very closely on crucial questions such as the Middle East Peace Process, Iran, the Western Balkans and North Korea, including in international fora. 
 
Some political scientists say that Moscow and Brussels will engage in a real standoff over energy this year. Will the European Union agree to sign with Russia a new document that would set the rights of all participants in the energy chain, or would it insist that Russia ratify the Transit Protocol to the existing Energy Charter Treaty?

We are aware that Russia has repeatedly indicated that it does not intend to ratify the Energy Charter Treaty or sign the Transit Protocol. We welcome however the fact that Russia has accepted the principles of the Energy Charter Treaty, as indicated by President Putin at the informal meeting of Heads of State and Government in Lahti on 20 October last year. This will play a key role in the new Agreement which we will start negotiating soon with Russia. Our objective is a mutually beneficial EU-Russia energy partnership which is reciprocal, transparent and non-discriminatory, and which respects the principles of the Energy Charter Treaty.

Russia will probably have to convince the European Union that it remains a reliable oil and gas supplier whatever the odds. Will you say what is required from Russia in this case and does the EU mean that following the energy dispute between Russia and Ukraine, then between Russia and Belarus, Brussels will not tolerate another such case?

Energy is an important component of the partnership between the European Union and Russia. We are mutually interdependent in this sector, and this will remain the case. Russia is and will remain the EU's foremost external energy supplier, currently accounting for over 25% of gas and oil consumed in the EU. As for the EU, it is set to remain Russia's most important energy buyer and foreign investor. We regret that disputes between Russia and its neighbours were carried out at the expense of EU Member States, but are convinced that Russia will do its best to avoid a repetition of such a scenario in the future. The EU and Russia have a strong mutual interest in jointly exploring ways to put our energy relations on even firmer footing.

The European Union is involved in the settlement of the so called Polish meat problem. Will one be able to resolve it in order to move to the discussion of a new strategic agreement before the next EU-Russia summit?

Considerable progress has already been made in the past weeks in the search for a solution to the Polish meat problem. This is a European problem, not a bilateral one between Poland and Russia. The competence for veterinary and phytosanitary checks is at the European level and it is normal that the European Commission is actively involved in discussions with the Russian side. I am convinced that the issue will be solved in the upcoming weeks, and that we can then launch negotiations for the new EU-Russia Agreement before the summer.

Would you agree that the European Union is far from speaking to Russia in the same language? Would you agree that it is in the interests of the "Old West" to put pressure on East European countries so that they adopt a West European view of the partnership with Russia?

Every EU Member State has of course bilateral relations with Russia, which are marked by individual interests and an individual history. It would however be wrong to assume that the Eastern European countries look differently towards Russia than the "old" Member States, which, experience has shown, is certainly not the case. It would be even more wrong to assume that one block of countries puts pressure on another block to make them adopt "their" view on the relationship with Russia. In the context of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, we always act with the consent of every single Member State. This is an inherent part of what the EU is about in the area of foreign relations.
 
In your opinion, how badly Russia's image suffered in the view of Europeans after Litvinenko's poisoning?

It is true that the recent assassinations of Mr Litvinenko, journalist Anna Politkovskaya or first Deputy Chair of the Central Bank Kozlov have attracted much attention and comments in the EU. The fact that these shocking events have not been elucidated of course contributes to the speculations. I hope therefore that these cases will be solved and that those responsible will be brought to justice.

When will it be possible to expect agreements on simplified visa procedures and readmission to come into effect, something that everybody expected in late 2006? Is there a prospect to widen the shortlist of categories of people

We are currently working to put in place a visa facilitation regime between the EU and Russia. This regime should enter into force rather soon, given that Russia has recently settled some bilateral issues with France, Spain and Portugal. This will then allow the EU to ratify the Agreement that was signed at the EU-Russia Summit in May last year. In the meantime, the EU and Russia are pursuing discussions on intensifying the dialogue aimed at examining the conditions for mutual visa-free travel regime, but this will be done as a long term perspective.
 
Mr. Solana, how do you see the future status of Kosovo? And what do you think about the Russian position?

Mr Ahtisaari has presented on Friday his proposal to the parties in Belgrade and Pristina, in view of a final round of talks with the two sides. I think it is important that both sides engage with Mr Ahtisaari, who has the support of the EU and whose proposals are a good basis for a solution. Agreement at this stage appears unlikely, and Mr Ahtisaari is expected to present his proposals to the Security Council. Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council, of course has a special responsibility to find a solution to the Kosovo status issue, which is one of the key challenges in Europe this year. 
 
What is your opinion about how to solve the Iranian nuclear program? Do you think the situation is rather stable now there?

The way of solving the Iranian nuclear issue is through negotiations. The international community has set out a number of times the conditions for such negotiations, namely the temporary suspension of sensitive activities in Iran in order to re-establish confidence.
I hope that the unanimous adoption of UNSCR 1737 makes the Iranians understand that there is a wide concern about the real nature of their nuclear programme and that they have to decide to cooperate with us in order to dispel these concerns. As to the to the civilian nuclear programme we have said - and I restate this now- that they have the right to it and that we are ready to support it.

Can you see the progress in the relationships of Russia and Georgia?

We are following the development of Russia-Georgian relations very closely. Some improvement has been noted lately, notably when Moscow sent back the Russian Ambassador to Tbilisi, and we warmly welcome such developments. It is in everybody's interest that Russia and Georgia should have normal, friendly relations. 
 
What does Mr.Solana expect in general from the meeting in Moscow, 5th of February with Mr.Lavrov, Mr.Steinmeier and Ms.Ferrero-Waldner? (just his expectations and view on the agenda of this meeting)

Russia is the international partner with which the EU has the most intense political dialogue: we have more meetings with Russia than with any other third country, even the USA. I expect that the Foreign Ministers' troika on 5 February will be a business-like and friendly meeting, where we will address the state of play of EU-Russia relations, our cooperation in the Common Space of External Security, as well as regional and international issues.

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