Putin faces EU concerns

Goran Persson and Vladimir Putin facing tough talks

Talks between a European Union delegation and Russia have got underway in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin stressing the importance of Russia's relationship with Europe.

[There are] common civilisational roots, trade, economic and cultural links that have existed for many centuries

President Putin

"The institution of interactions between Russia and the EU has repeatedly shown its efficacy," he said.

"At their roots lie common civilisational roots, as well as trade, economic and cultural links between European countries and Russia that have existed for many centuries," he said at the opening of the one-day summit.

Despite these warm words Mr Putin faces a tough programme, with the EU demanding answers on human rights in the breakaway republic of Chechnya, nuclear and environmental safety, and the freedom of the media.

But Russia has its own agenda - it is keen to push its economic interests as well as the future of the Kaliningrad enclave following EU expansion into Poland and Lithuania.

Economic co-operation

The EU delegation consists of the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, and the Secretary-General for Common, Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, as well as the Swedish Prime Minister, Goran Persson, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency.

The EU is pressing Russia on the situation in Chechnya

Mr Solana said earlier the meetings would "focus on matters of economic co-operation that are important for the entire world community," with the EU keen to encourage Mr Putin's economic reforms.

They are concentrating particularly on the energy sector, hoping to increase the flow of Russian energy into Europe while EU countries up their investment in technology in Russia.

Tough questions

The sticking point in the negotiations is expected to be Chechnya.

The EU delegation will underline the need for a rapid political settlement and for the transparent investigation of alleged human rights abuses by Russian soldiers.

Fighting there has dragged on for 20 months now, leaving thousands of Russian soldiers dead and tens of thousands of Chechen civilians homeless.

Mr Putin will also not be pleased by questions over the freedom of the media in Russia following the takeover or closure of several independent media outlets here.

Mr Putin's top foreign policy aide Sergei Prikhodko warned that while constructive criticism would be taken on board, "if we hear political slogans that have nothing to do with real life and practice, we will consider them as such".