Eurasia Press & News
European Union and Russia Tuesday discussed their strategic partnership and touched upon global issues like Iran, Syria and Ukraine during their 32nd summit in Brussels.
Speaking at a press conference after their meeting this afternoon, both Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said they held “frank, open and constructive talks.”
The issues covered included cooperation in the economic and energy sectors, fight against terrorism and piracy, and EU’s growing relations with Eastern European countries known as the Eastern Partnership.
“Our cooperation with Russia on global questions spans a wide range. We work together effectively on issues like Afghanistan, the Middle East Peace Process and anti-piracy off the Horn of Africa,” said Van Rompuy.
“We are willing to deepen and strengthen this cooperation to our mutual benefit. The latest very significant developments regarding Syria and Iran offer new possibilities to further develop our joint action,” he noted.
He stated that the EU is closely following the developments in Ukraine and strongly condemns violence.
“We call for restraint. Those responsible have to be held to account. The present stalemate must be rapidly overcome through a genuine dialogue between the authorities, the opposition and civil society,” said Van Rompuy.
