The European Union is finally ready to start negotiations on a new comprehensive cooperation agreement with Russia. France, a close political and economic partner of Moscow’s, is first in line among member states to steer the EU-Russia talks towards a happy conclusion. Paris is optimistic about the outcome of its six-month EU chairmanship. “During the French Presidency we would like to move forward and why not even conclude the strategic partnership agreement between Russia and the EU,” French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said after talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, who visited France at the beginning of June.

It seems that Moscow is more than ever ready to engage in negotiations with the EU, following a few years of mounting tension and distrust. It openly says that France, which has always been Moscow’s closest friend in the EU, would play an important role in the new stage of relations with the 27-member bloc. “As we have always regarded dialogue with France as a significant factor in rapprochement between Russia and the EU, special attention will be paid to issues of Russia-EU cooperation during the period of France’s Presidency,” the Russian government said in a statement issued ahead of Putin’s visit to Paris.

FAVOURABLE CIRCUMSTANCES

The EU is fairly optimistic about the forthcoming talks, although it admits that they might be tough. The positive approach in Brussels and other capitals is directly linked to Dmitry Medvedev, who since 7 May has been Russia’s president. “It is not a coincidence that the mandate for talks with Russia was approved after Mr Medvedev took over office,” an EU diplomat told Europolitics.

The EU has been encouraged by many of Putin’s successor’s statements, including his inauguration speech, in which he underlined the importance of the rule of law, democracy, the need to diversify the economy, fight corruption and reduce the role of the state. The EU hopes that Medvedev, a 42-year-old former professor, will take a more conciliatory approach in foreign relations and human rights – areas where on many occasions in the past clashes occurred between Brussels and Moscow. On the other hand, there is growing pressure among member states and the energy lobby for EU-Russia energy cooperation to have legal status. Governments and companies are seeking greater energy security following numerous cases of disruptions of oil or gas deliveries from Russia in recent years. They insist therefore that the new agreement includes a legally binding energy chapter based on principles of transparency, reciprocal dependence and non-discrimination.

BONE OF CONTENTION

Energy and human rights will be the toughest issues for the EU and Russia to find common ground. France is aware of this, but says it wants to achieve progress in negotiations by the time of the EU-Russia summit, on 14 November, to be chaired by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. “We want to achieve concrete results before the summit in November, especially in terms of negotiations on energy cooperation,” says a French diplomat. He expressed doubt, however, that the entire talks could be concluded during the French Presidency. “We would be happy, but it is rather impossible,” he said, adding that at least one year is required to hammer out such a wide-reaching agreement with Russia. “Two years, including one year for the ratification process, is not a bad result,” the diplomat concluded.

KEY OUTSTANDING ISSUES

Paris wants also to achieve progress on other concrete issues, such as a visa-free dialogue, agreement on Russia’s participation in crisis management operations carried out in the framework of the ESDP and successful conclusion of Moscow’s membership negotiations with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Russia is insisting that some tangible results are achieved in the coming months in its dialogue with the EU on the visa-free regime, which was launched in April. Paris pledges to step up efforts on the EU side, but dismisses suggestions that the talks could be concluded before the end of the French Presidency.

France also admits that Moscow has been insisting on the EU signing a framework agreement on its participation in ESDP crisis management operations. “We want to make progress in this area,” a French diplomat said. He admitted, however, that despite some recent progress on the use of Russian air transport for EUFOR Chad-RCA, major difficulties still remain. The basis for future cooperation is a bone of contention. Russia is insisting on cooperation “on an equal footing,” shared decision making and joint operations, based on the model of its arrangements with NATO, the NATO-Russia Council. The EU does not, however, have any integrated political-military structures as NATO does. Therefore, beyond the use of Russian air transport, nothing concrete has been achieved to date on possible joint operations.

Paris will try to break Russia’s stalemate in talks with the WTO. “It is necessary for Russia to enter the WTO as soon as possible and we support it,” Fillon said after talks with Putin. Russia’s hopes of joining the WTO this year are, however, in jeopardy due to its recent decision to increase duties on timber exports, which the EU says is in violation of an earlier bilateral entry deal, and to deteriorating relations with Georgia. In retaliation for Russia’s aggressive policy towards the breakaway republic of Abkhazia, Tbilisi has suspended negotiations with Moscow. “I’m not optimistic about Russia’s chances of joining the WTO this year,” says a French diplomat. Moscow’s successful conclusion of WTO talks is directly linked to negotiations with the EU on the free trade area. “The free trade part [of the new partnership agreement] will only start once Russia is a WTO member,” the EU’s External Relations Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said after talks with key Russian officials in Moscow at the beginning of June.