WORLD> Europe
Russia, EU launch talks on new strategic relation
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-27 19:56

KHANTY-MANSIYSK, Russia  -- Russia and the European Union (EU) launched talks on new strategic relationships on Friday.

"Today, we officially announce the start of the full-scale talks on a new agreement," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told a news conference after the Russia-EU summit in Khanty-Mansiysk.

Medvedev said that Russia and the EU are united in basic approaches in security issues.

Prime Minister Janez Jansa of Slovenia, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said Russia and EU are ready for steps in maintaining stability.