Peers urge strong EU/Russia ties

Mr Medvedev succeeded Vladimir Putin as president

The EU should keep developing strong ties with Russia despite "serious questions" about its commitment to democracy, says a committee of peers.

Despite a "difficult phase" in the relationship, both sides are bound by "an inescapable common interest".

They said the new president's election gave a chance to "take stock" to see if the relationship could be improved.

But the committee said the EU should speak out if Russia "falls short" on issues like enforcing the rule of law.

New president Dmitry Medvedev has said he expects his period in office to be a "direct continuation" of that of his predecessor, Vladimir Putin - now the Russian prime minister.

Litvinenko row

The start of talks on a strategic partnership pact between Russia and the EU has been blocked for two years because of political disputes between EU member states and their neighbour.

British relations with Moscow have also soured over rows about the British Council and Russia's refusal to allow the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi as a suspect in the murder of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.

If Russia falls short of the standards it has accepted under the Council of Europe and the OSCE in the area of democracy and human rights, criticism by the EU may at times be necessary Lords EU committee report

In its report, the House of Lords European Union Committee acknowledged relations were "going through a difficult phase" but said the change of presidency offered a chance to "take stock and consider whether this deterioration can and should be reversed".

It recognised existing concerns - saying: "Serious questions remain about the commitment of the Russian authorities to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, especially in politically sensitive cases."

It added that it was important the EU "stands shoulder to shoulder" with its member states when they come into conflict with Russia on international issues.

'Unsentimental approach'

It suggested the British Council row was part of a "wider political strategy by Russia to pressurise the UK and the EU into giving way on other unrelated issues".

The report recommended the EU adopt a "long term perspective" and deal with Russia "at all levels and in all policy areas using a hard-headed and unsentimental approach".

But it says "if Russia falls short of the standards it has accepted under the Council of Europe and the OSCE in the area of democracy and human rights, criticism by the EU may at times be necessary".

Committee spokesman Lord Roper said: "The relationship between Russia and the EU is currently undergoing significant changes.

"Russia is increasingly confident and economically powerful and the forms of diplomacy and negotiations that have been in place since the fall of the Soviet Union are clearly now outdated."

He added: "It is important that while the EU's relationship with Russia will change the EU states should maintain pressure on Russia to more fully embrace democracy and implement a more effective rule of law."