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But these attempts at conciliation have failed see below

Europe and the Russia must expand and rebalance their relations. The leaders of twenty-five and Vladimir Putin continually repeating. "When I look at the future of our relations, I do not see areas that are not open to strategic cooperation based on values and common goals", yet explained the Russian President earlier in the week. To the last moment, the Finland, who chairs the Union, sought to save the Summit, which takes place today in Helsinki. She has tried to convince the Poland to accept that Vladimir Putin, Matti Vanhanen, the Finnish Prime Minister, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the Commission, is solemnly launched the negotiations for the conclusion of a new partnership agreement, especially material energy, more ambitious than the current, which expires in a year. Negotiations in the European context, to allow to return to the essential terms of the Energy Charter, signed ten years ago by European countries and the Russia, but never ratified by Moscow (which was then dismissed an additional protocol on transit which it considered contrary to its interests).

"Useless steps so far."

But these attempts at conciliation have failed (see below). Moscow does not want to lift its embargo on Polish meat that are not addressed its objections on health issues related to the accession of the Bulgaria and the Romania, while Warsaw is not simply a vague support from the European Union (EU). "Our Summit is not unnecessary so far", felt, however, yesterday, a European negotiator. Participants should, indeed, find that they have everything to gain by closer ties, particularly in energy matters. For Europe, it is thus secure supplies which already represent a third of its energy imports and for the Russia, to enable its investors to compete in European strategic groups. Four components should also seal this cooperation, evoking the mutual benefits to expect investment, infrastructure, trade and energy efficiency.

Beyond that, both parties should agree on a roadmap to achieve the four spaces that they agreed to build together last spring. In economic matters first, Russians and Europeans should prepare the creation, in the term, a zone of free trade after accession, scheduled for 2007, the Russia world of the Trade Organization (WTO). In the meantime, they should extend their cooperation to new areas: from agriculture to fishing, through the technology space.

Facilitate obtaining visas

In the field, more sensitive, security and justice, they should commit to mutually facilitate obtaining visas for their citizens, after representatives of twenty-five were no doubt repeated, quietly to not upset their hosts, their fears with respect to the rights of man and of democracy in Chechnya in particular. On the international stage, then, the Helsinki Summit will endeavour to reconcile the points of view of Europe and the Russia on the Iranian dossier, the Middle East, North Korea and the Balkans. Officially, the situation in the former Soviet republics is not listed in the order of the day. But chance of the calendar, Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili, is also in Helsinki today to speak with the head of the Finnish diplomacy. Finally, new projects should illustrate the will shared two partners to strengthen their ties in research, education and culture, Institute of European studies from be opened in Moscow, which will host also a major exhibition of contemporary artists of the Union in early 2007.