EU and Russia agree visa deal

[Cold Warrior]

EU and Russia agree visa deal
By Simon Freeman

Europe has today agreed to Russian demands to ease restrictions at its eastern borders, in an historic move which could ultimately lead to visa-free travel between the two..


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[align=right]EU ministers have previously argued against loosening restrictions along the former superpower's borders but today, at a trade summit with President Putin in London, acceded to the long-standing request.[/align]
Tony Blair, who holds the six-month rotating EU presidency, said that the measure would give a "practical grounding" to a relationship which he believed would "grow and prosper and strengthen" in coming years.

As part of the deal, Russia had agreed to readmit people who illegally emigrated to the European Union. The EU, in turn, promised to facilitate visas for Russian visitors

"We believe that these arrangements are a stage that would help us approach a visa-free regime," Mr Putin said.

Europe's relationship with Russia, which has vast and under-exploited oil and gas reserves, has taken on a new dimension, verging on a dependency, after the growing instability in the world energy markets.

Russia, meanwhile, has become increasingly concerned about the extent to which former Soviet republics - notably Ukraine - are turning toward the West.

At a press conference after the summit, Mr Blair said that progress had been made on a wide range of delicate issues - including human rights and foreign policy - which threaten to undermine the strengthening links.

He dismissed suggestions that the EU's dependence on Russian energy meant it was less keen to apply pressure over sensitive issues such as human rights abuses in Chechnya.

The Prime Minister said that Europe was trying to "make sure that we secure our energy supplies for the future -- but I think that's sensible.

"Personally, we discuss very frankly issues between us, whether it's to do with human rights or democracy, or for example we discussed the issue of Chechnya earlier today," he said.

"I don't think the relationship is one of dependence, either on the Russian side or the European side. But what it is, is a recognition of a very strong set of mutual interests today".

He emphasised that that the common threat of organised crime, people-trafficking, drugs and terrorism demanded that the EU and Russia's relationship is moved to a "new level".

"In this sphere, the work and co-operation which we are achieving with Russia is immensely important for our own security and our peace and security here in Europe," he said


Once again it has become very obvious to me and my European partners just how important for our own economic future and security our relationship with Russia is."



Mr Putin said that the visa deal would eliminate "dividing lines" and give "a new fabric, a new quality" to the relationship.



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While stressing that Russia had always been a "reliable partner" of Europe in the supply of energy, he underlined the growing dependence of the EU on Russian oil and gas.[/align]
Russia provides about half of the EU's natural gas and a third of its oil. It possesses 27 per cent of the world's known gas reserves, as well as huge oil fields and is seen as providing the key to Europe's escalating energy needs.

"Russia has constantly been augmenting her supply of oil, helping the world economy, including Europe, by constraining prices," he said.

"Without the contribution of Russia to the energy effort, prices would have been much higher."

Peter Mandelson, the EU Trade Commissioner, said before the summit that trade and investment relations between Russia and the EU were strengthening "all the time", adding: "Our job is to make those relations as easy as possible, to remove unnecessary barriers".

Mr Blair will hold a private meeting with Mr Putin tomorrow. One of the main items on their agenda is likely to be cooperation in anti-terrorism policies.

Although London and Moscow are talking up co-operation in this area, the Kremlin remains infuriated by its failure to extradite Akhmed Zakayev, a leading Chechen separatist representative given political asylum in Britain.

Amnesty International called on the European Union ahead of the summit not to ignore what it said was continued "torture, abduction and secret detention of civilians."

The human rights organisation called on Mr Putin "to make a clear statement to the EU and give public assurances that his government will take immediate action to halt abuses and ensure effective investigations."

EU leaders say that they will discuss plans for providing some 20 million euros in aid for social and economic cooperation in the troubled North Caucasus region around Chechnya

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-1810216,00.html

[Ste]

I have an article to translate (or rather Naida has...) regarding an accord twixt UK and Russia making visa application process easier for Russians wishing to visit this Royal throne of Kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this other Eden, demi-paradise, this fortress built by nature for herself.

Against infection and the hand of war, this happy breed of men, this little world, this precious stone set in the silver sea, which serves it in the office of a wall.

Or as a moat defensive to a house, against the envy of less happier lands; This blessed plot, this earth, this realm.....

This multi-cultural, multi-faith bollocks, politically correct UK…

Anyway, seems , as I thought, so few Rus-UK visas are denied (2%) the authorities are making it more automatic and setting up external 'agencies' to arrange them. So plenty of scope for bribes, then.

Don't ask me for the link because I've been to the pub and I can't find it.

It's Russian and has lots of v's and g's and l's in it.

Ste and Heineken

[MandM]

Well, these are very good news. (Obviously, not Ste being drunk!)

BTW, Ste, do you write poetry or do you only feel inspired with a little help of 5 pints of Heineken? I can't believe that a true Englishman can possibly drink that p***! What's wrong with good old Guinness or London Pride?

[Ste]

Well, these are very good news. (Obviously, not Ste being drunk!)

BTW, Ste,do you write poetry or do you only feel inspired with a little help of 5 pints of Heineken? I can't believe that a true Englishman can possibly drink that p***! What's wrong with good old Guinness or London Pride?

That was Shakespeare, not poetry!!

And there is also Baltika Number Eight to consider and why u cannot get it in Tescos!

Ste, eating anything in fridge now.....

[MandM]

Mmmm, Baltika ... that delicious drink with a colour of sunshine and a taste of honey, served cold, that crunches your thirst on a hot summer day!

THAT is poetry, not Shakespeare

[Cold Warrior]

I read somewhere that there are over 100,000 Russians in London, including Abramovich and gang buying every luxury property in sight. Ste get off the booze, ManU hasn't done so badly.

[Ste]

[user=22]Cold Warrior[/user] wrote:

I read somewhere that there are over 100,000 Russians in London, including Abramovich and gang buying every luxury property in sight. Ste get off the booze, ManU hasn't done so badly.

Man U!! - How dare you!! I hate the Red and White Shite!! I am proud to support my home town team, the mighty Bolton Wanderers, 4th in Premiership...

MandM, I had two bottles of Baltika No.8 on the train from Moscow to Chelyabinsk and I was out of it. Only little ones too. I saw 2ltr bottles of it in Chel!

Ste

[acrzybear]

Hey ste

is that the latest photo of the New Orleans stadium?