Schwarzenberg in Moscow for talks between Russia, EU

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg and other EU representatives have held talks with Russian officials to discuss ways of improving relations. The foreign minister travelled to Moscow after meeting with Hillary Rodham Clinton in the US a day earlier, where the future of US missile defence was discussed. Mr Schwarzenberg stressed that the EU and Russia needed to make progress on a new strategic partnership agreement during the Czech EU presidency. The EU agreed to resume talks on the agreement after suspending them over Russia's war with Georgia. EU-Russia relations were also tested this January by Russia’s cutting off of natural gas supplies to Europe.

Author: Jan Velinger