(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-28 15:46

In response to the US plan to deploy the controversial missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic, Russia on December 12 suspended the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, sparking concern in Europe.

On the future status of Kosovo, a breakaway Serb province that has been under UN administration since 1999, most EU nations intend to support its unilateral declaration of independence, which is opposed by Moscow.

The EU decided at its December 14 summit in Brussels to send a police and civilian mission to Kosovo to help a local government gradually take over rule from the UN special mission.

The move has met with strong opposition from Russia, which sides with Serbia, opposing independence of the province where ethnic Albanians account for 90 percent of the population.

Russia fears that one-sided independence would trigger a "chain reaction" in the Balkans. Serbia and Russia instead offer broad autonomy within Serbia.

To break the stalemate, Moscow has proposed further negotiations on the future of Kosovo after the December 10 deadline set by the West expired, with mediation by the EU, Russia and the United States.

But the proposal has been rejected by the West, which insists that international efforts on the issue have ended.

The two sides also differ on the Iranian nuclear issue.

The EU is using a "double track" approach: if talks fail, further sanctions should be put in place to press Tehran to halt uranium enrichment.

Russia, however, opposes any new sanctions against Iran, which insists on its right to nuclear program for civilian use.

Ties between London and Moscow have deteriorated following a tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats.

EU, CHINA MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS DESPITE DIFFERENCES

The EU and China maintained good relations in 2007 despite differences over trade and market access.

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