President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy hosted the 30th EU and Russia bilateral summit, which took place in Brussels on Friday. The agenda addressed a wide range of bilateral issues, covering political and economic matters and strategic perspectives for the EU-Russia relationship. Van Rompuy said that the 30th EU-Russia Summit is a real tribute to the important nature of partnership. It demonstrates the priority which all sides attach to this strategic relationship.

EU to support priorities of Russia's G20 presidency Photo: Internet

 Leaders discussed work done on the new EU-Russia agreement; trade issues following Russia's WTO accession in August 2012; energy cooperation; visa issues and mobility; aviation; crisis management and civil protection cooperation as well as human rights and the rule of law. They also looked at Russia's G20 presidency as well as regional and international issues, with particular attention given to the situation in Syria, the Middle East and North Africa and the Iranian nuclear program.