Russia and EU want to take relations to more intense level

RUSSIA and the European Union should take their relations to a new and more intense level, Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair said following talks with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Putin, in London for discussions with Mr Blair whose country holds the six-monthly rotating EU presidency and other leaders of the bloc, was also effusive yesterday.

"The results of the London summit have reaffirmed that we are consistently strengthening our partnership. We are adding new substance and new quality to it," the Russian leader said.