The Future of EU-Russia Relations

In the autumn of 2007 the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) between Russia and the EU is due expire. Should the PCA be renewed, modified or is it preferable to draw up a new agreement? What effect will the growing concern about the current political climate in Russia (the murder of the journalist Anna Politskaja, the tensions with Georgia) have on the negotiations and how important are the upcoming Russian presidential elections in 2008? The German EU-Presidency (January-July 2007) has to prepare the territory for the reshaping of EU-Russia relations and considers it a priority. On the eve of the EU-Russia Summit, two experts from Russia will explain the expectations from a Russian point of view. Will the EU and Russia be able to develop a long-term model for their relationship and what should it look like?<p> <p>Speakers:<br> - Nadezhda <b>Arbatova</B>, Research Programmes Director of the “Russia in the United Europe Committee”<br> - Timofei <b>Bordachev</b>, Research Programmes Director of the Council on Foreign and Defence Policy and Deputy-Editor-in-Chief of “Russia in Global Affairs” <p> Chair:<br> Claude <b>Weinber</b>, Director EU Regional Office Heinrich Böll Foundation