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.

Putin held talks earlier Tuesday with Blair, along with EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

Blair hailed the meeting as "good and constructive" and said: "We want to try to take the relationship between Europe and Russia to a new and more intense level..."

The discussions covered "important realities" such as economy and trade, notably energy, as well as tackling crime and terrorism and the issue of human rights.

He added: "One thing for sure... whether it is in respect of Iran, or the Middle East peace process or any aspects of countries surrounding the Russian Federation, the need for us to have that close working relationship is very clear indeed."

Though, the Kremlin remains infuriated by Britain's failure to extradite Akhmed Zakayev, a leading Chechen separatist representative given political asylum. The Russian foreign ministry last week complained about "anti-Russian activities by a series of 'new political emigres'." Britain says Russia has provided the courts with insufficient proof of

Zakayev's alleged crimes and failed to show that he would face fair justice.