Letter from President Barroso to President Putin

EU News 179/2014

Brussels, 17 April 2014
STATEMENT/14/132

The following letter was sent today by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin:

"Mr President,

Referring to your letter of 10th April to several Member States of the European Union and third countries, I have been mandated by the Council of the European Union, following consultations with the 28 Member States, to reply to this letter on behalf of the European Union and of all 28 Member States.

The European Union agrees on your proposal for consultations with the Russian Federation and Ukraine with regard to security of gas supply and transit. We believe that this approach allows for the most useful process with the Russian Federation and other third parties, as these matters concern Member States' matters as well as the operation of the European Union's single market and touch upon a shared competence of the European Union.

As you point out, the European Union and the Russian Federation are Ukraine 's main trading partners. Let me reiterate that the need to ensure the long-term political and economic stability of Ukraine is therefore a key interest of the European Union and of the Russian Federation as you stated in your letter. Therefore it is our common interest to quickly engage in talks which will include Ukraine.

Source and additional information:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-132_en.htm?locale=en

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