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EU and Russia launched a «Partnership for Modernisation»
Meeting at Rostov-on-Don for their 25th Summit on May 31-June 1, 2010, the European Union and Russia launched a Partnership for Modernisation.
Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine
With this initiative the European Union and Russia stressed their commitment to working together “to address common challenges with a balanced and result-oriented approach, based on democracy and the rule of law”, says the Joint Statement adopted at the summit 
.
As commented by the Commission President Jos? Manuel Barroso, the document is a “shared modernisation agenda to advance our economies and bring our citizens closer together”.
The Partnership will build on results achieved so far in the context of the four European Union - Russia Common Spaces; the sectoral dialogues will be a key implementation instrument for the initiative.
The European Union and Russia “have a common interest in enhancing bilateral trade and investment opportunities”, the Joint statement says, stressing the importance of “Russia’s early WTO accession”.
Priority areas of the Partnership for Modernisation will include: expanding opportunities for investment in key sectors driving growth and innovation, enhancing and deepening bilateral trade and economic relations, and promoting small and medium sized enterprises; promoting alignment of technical regulations and standards, as well as a high level of enforcement of intellectual property rights; improving transport; promoting a sustainable low-carbon economy and energy efficiency, as well as international negotiations on fighting climate change; enhancing co-operation in innovation, research and development, and space; ensuring balanced development by addressing the regional and social consequences of economic restructuring; ensuring the effective functioning of the judiciary and strengthening the fight against corruption; promoting people-to-people links; and enhancing dialogue with civil society to foster participation of individuals and business.
This list of areas for cooperation is not exhaustive, the Joint statement says, adding that other areas for cooperation can be added as appropriate. The European Union and Russia will encourage implementation of specific projects within the framework of the Partnership for Modernisation.
At the summit the leaders also discussed progress to date and the way ahead in the EU-Russia visa dialogue. “The EU and Russia reiterated their commitment to the long-term objective of visa free travel between the EU and Russia, based on a step-by-step approach focused on substance and practical progress. Work will now begin on preparing a list of common steps for a visa-free travel regime’, says the Commission’s press release.
At the same time, in his remarks at the summit, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy shared the EU concern with the “situation for human rights defenders and journalists in Russia”. “Another matter of concern - which I noted was shared by President Medvedev - is the climate of impunity, in particular in Chechnya and other areas of the North Caucasus”, he added.
Read more:
Joint statement on the Partnership for Modernisation
Press release of the European Commission
Report by the Spanish EU Presidency
Summary of remarks by the European Council President Herman Van Rompuy
