Taking into account Spain's Presidency in the European Union, which has begun, as has already been said, the focus of our talks and conversations was questions of development of cooperation between Russia and the European Union. On the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin I handed over to the head of Spain's government a personal message devoted just to the problem of Russian relations with the European Union. The Russian side highly appreciates the fact that Spain treats the strengthening of the European Union's strategic partnership with Russia as one of the important priorities of its Presidency. The Russian side is also committed just to such an approach. We regard relations with the European Union as one of the important priorities in our foreign policy and will continue an active dialogue on the full range of questions.

Today's talks enabled us comprehensively to discuss the current state of affairs, as well as prospects for relations with the European Union, both in the field of political dialogue within the framework of the common foreign and security policy of the European Union, and with respect to other aspects of cooperation. We paid a lot of attention to examining the progress in the implementation of the agreements reached at the previous Russia-EU summits, in particular, at the summit that took place in Brussels. Important decisions were taken on a whole series of areas. It is important that we had a continuity here and in solving new tasks, at the same time went on fulfilling the agreements that had been adopted at the previous meeting. As was already stated, specific areas of work to move forward our partnership were defined, and practical undertakings outlined. Nor did we pass over any open questions in need of solution, including those relating to the area of trade, economic and investment cooperation, as well as to ensuring the functioning of the Kaliningrad Region in the light of the EU's upcoming enlargement.

We were unanimous with our partners that we should keep up the political will and desire to accommodate each other, to see that Russia's strategic partnership with the European Union gets materialized in practical actions. We have the political will, which has been repeatedly declared at the highest level. This political will also was declared by the Spanish leadership. It is important that it should be transformed into concrete actions, including in the field of economic cooperation, in the areas of combating international terrorism and creating a single European security space, as well as in questions of coordination in dealing with concrete problems of the fight against organized crime.

The examination of questions of bilateral relations also bore a substantive character. We fully agree with the Spanish assessment that these relations are going through a special moment. We are marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Over this period of time, which historically is really not that long, we have traveled a very considerable road. Today we have an established constant, vigorous and constructive political dialogue, and our cooperation is developing in various fields of science and culture, in the trade area. We believe that excellent opportunities exist now for building up our bilateral cooperation further still. We attach great importance to the upcoming, May visit of the President of the Spanish Government, Mr. Jose Maria Aznar, to Moscow. During this visit questions will be solved involving our relationship with the European Union, and a meeting at the highest level will be held. Talks between the prime ministers of our countries will take place simultaneously. So that we will be able to discuss a full range of our bilateral relations and the relationship between Russia and the European Union.

In conclusion I would like to say that we are marking the 25th anniversary in a worthy manner, approaching this date with very good results. It is our task now not only to preserve all of the positive achievements, but also to build on them in the interests of our peoples and our two countries, in the interests of European and international stability. And the conversations and talks that we had today, have once again borne out the fact that we are open for the closest cooperation for the long term.

Question: Please comment on the situation in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Ivanov: As to the Middle East situation, of course it evokes a deep concern in us. And not only in Russia, but also in our European partners, in Washington and in all those who understand where this conflict may lead. I think that, perhaps, we had never so closely cooperated in the Middle East before. An operative Four have emerged there, consisting of the representatives of Russia and the United States and the European Union and the UN. One can say that we are acting with one united front. Yet, regrettably, no big successes have been achieved in the Middle East so far and not because some one of us is less or more active. I cannot say that someone is not doing what could be done. We are really constantly in contact with both the leadership of Israel and the leadership of the Palestinian Autonomy, we are appealing, on the one hand, for putting an end to extremists' terrorist actions, and on the other - for being restrained as regards the use of force, and so on. We are convinced that this is an essential precondition for the resumption of political dialogue. It is our common platform.

Regrettably, we so far have not managed to achieve success, although we see no other way and will continue to coordinate our actions. There are clear-cut agreements with both the United States and the European Union that it is necessary to act concertedly, to actively call upon both parties to give up violence and to establish a political dialogue. I repeat that the situation is very complicated, but apart from active work we have no other offer to make. This work will continue. Our ambassador at large for the Middle East, Andrei Vdovin, is leaving for the region tomorrow. I know that Mr. Marshal is there at present. Today I talked with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who said his special representative will also be in the region soon, and we will continue our efforts.

Question: Igor Sergeyevich, you have said you today had a telephone conversation with Colin Powell. Did you touch only on the Middle East theme, or were some other questions also touched on during your talk? There has been a report in the US press that Powell has spoken for meeting with you as soon as possible.

Foreign Minister Ivanov: We converse with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, if not each day, then every other day and discuss the various current regional events. He has just visited South Asia. Therefore we exchanged views on his trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, on the efforts that are being made both in relation to Afghanistan, and with respect to resolving the conflict situation between India and Pakistan, on the situation in the Middle East and on current affairs. The specific date of our meeting has not yet been fixed, but, I repeat, a constant dialogue is being conducted.


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