Quotes

«The local and regional public finance reform should be considered as an urgent priority, a 'sine qua non' condition in the process of decentralisation and strengthening of local and regional authorities in the EaP countries. We need to make our voice heard by the Heads of State and highlight the added value of having a territorial dimension in the various policies covered by the Eastern partnership. Our input must not only cover cross-border cooperation but also other fields, starting from the strengthening of grass-root democracy, decentralisation and direct involvement in those policies that contribute to growth and job creation at local level».

“The value of close EU-Russia cooperation is clear to all - our regular exchanges are a sign of this...We share a continent and many common interests, which is why we want to develop this strategic partnership further”.

The adoption of this [treason] law follows a number of legislative and judicial developments in the Russian Federation over the few past months. Taken together, these developments would limit the space for civil society development, and increase the scope for intimidation.

“Although recent developments concentrated our political attention to the South, we certainly cannot afford to forget about the Union's Eastern neighbourhood… We need to make sure that this partnership… gains new momentum and focuses on strategic issues as well, such as democracy, good governance, and progress in some of the unresolved conflicts.”

“We should also use the positive momentum to walk the home stretch of Russia's WTO accession and make substantial headway on the New Agreement between the EU and Russia, including on trade, investment and energy matters."

“In spite of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s highly positive comments last year, the state of human rights is still deeply worrying, especially in the North Caucasian area.”

“We took stock of progress in the negotiations for a new and comprehensive EU-Russia Agreement. I fully agree with the IRT (Industrialists Round Table) recommendations for the EU-Russia Summit: substantive provisions on trade and investment are key. We need solid and clear rules for the further development of our trade and economic relations.”

"The major task of WWF in this programme is to work with forest businesses and introduce concrete FLEG activities into the work of the leading Russian forest industry businesses and their partners”

“The continuous dialogue with Russia over the last years has led to constructive commitments on both sides. We have a deeper understanding of mutual expectations. We now need to move-up a gear in developing our EU-Russia bilateral relations. We have a new framework: the Partnership for Modernisation - a good tool for establishing a joint programme to strengthen the judiciary and the fight against corruption, for strengthening our dialogue with civil society and reaching out to citizens' concerns."

“The EU-Russia Partnership for Modernisation… is a shared modernisation agenda to advance our economies and bring our citizens closer together. This ambitious venture will also contribute to the global recovery and stronger international economic governance.”

“Building relationships with the Eastern Partners has to be a two way street. They want freer trade and easier travel. The EU wants to encourage reform…We are asking a lot, and we have to be willing to give in return. This is not philanthropy. It is 21^st century European foreign policy. Drawing on the EU's unique range of instruments, we are seeking to achieve a new, innovative style of partnership with countries which are still emerging from a communist past.  If we remain ambitious both in what we offer and what we seek, I am convinced that the Eastern Partnership will bring dividends of stability and prosperity to European citizens for generations to come.”

“Russia too has come up with new ideas, like its ambitious (though not yet fully precise) proposal to launch negotiations for a new international energy agreement. We are willing to discuss new ideas and look forward to hearing more details. Our one concern is to preserve what has been achieved so far through the Energy Charter Treaty. “

“In the short term we should look for workable, practical ways to ensure that there is no repetition of this winter's events. That means more-robust early warning mechanisms and dispute resolution arrangements. When problems arise the gas must still flow, even as solutions are sought.”

“The gas crisis in January made it perfectly clear to the Europeans just how important it is to continue doing all we can to improve energy security in the EU. The Strategic Energy Review clearly indicates in which direction the efforts of the Member States should be directed in the years to come in order to secure long-term energy supplies. I am glad that the Member States today supported this strategy,” said

“The continuing financial and economic crises as well as new security and energy challenges we face underline our inter-dependence. It is urgent to get this relationship to work to our best advantage, acknowledging our differences but also our values and common international commitments. I hope that together we can identify ways to strengthen the effectiveness of the EU-Russia partnership.”