European Union chief Jean-Claude Juncker urges Russian president Vladimir Putin to 're-establish' security cooperation
The EU has been increasingly concerned with a more assertive Russia in the past few years, especially after Moscow annexed Ukraine in 2014, triggering the first in a series of European sanctions.
Published: 20th March 2018 05:52 PM | Last Updated: 20th March 2018 05:52 PM | A+A A-
Russia President Vladimir Putin | AP
BRUSSELS: EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker on Tuesday urged Vladimir Putin to help "re-establish" continental security cooperation following his re-election, amid mounting concern over the poisoning of an ex-spy in Britain.
"I have always argued that positive relations between the European Union and Russian Federation are crucial to security of our continent," Juncker said in a congratulatory letter to the Russian president.
"Our common objective should be to re-establish a cooperative pan-European security order," said the letter released by Juncker's spokesman.
Juncker added: "I hope that you will use your fourth term in office to pursue this goal. I will always be a partner in this endeavour."
His congratulatory missive came a day after EU foreign ministers on Monday offered Britain "unqualified solidarity" in a dispute with Russia.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said her government believes that Russia was behind the March 4 poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal in the English city of Salisbury.
"The European Union takes extremely seriously the UK government's assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation is responsible," the EU foreign ministers's statement said.
The Kremlin has denied the charge, demanding London either come up with proof of Russia's involvement or apologise.
EU sources say some states, including Greece, have been reluctant to put pressure on Moscow over the incident.
The nerve agent attack is expected to be discussed at an EU summit in Brussels starting on Thursday.
The EU has been increasingly concerned with a more assertive Russia in the past few years, especially after Moscow annexed Ukraine in 2014, triggering the first in a series of European sanctions.
