Vladimir Chizhov said that the renewal of Russia-EU summits will make sense only if the European Union revises its policy in regards to Moscow.
BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – The renewal of Russia-EU summits will make sense only if the European Union revises its policy in regards to Moscow, Russia's Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov told Radio Sputnik in an interview.
"We do not need summits for the sake of summits. [To renew summits], the European Union should revise its policy as for Russia. I am sure that it will happen, but I do not know when. We have patience," Chizhov said.
The Russian diplomat added that the renewal would take place as soon as the 28-nation bloc would find the political will to revise its strategy on Russia."Until this time we would continue to maintain regular contacts at various levels apart from a political one. That's why we do not have summits, we do not have meetings of ministers now. However we continue to work," the official added.
The European Union and Russia are not only the partners, but also the neighbors with a wide range of ties and a common history and culture, Chizhov added.
According to Russia's Permanent Mission to the European Union, Moscow and Brussels held a total of 32 Russia-EU summits, with the latest one in the Belgian capital on January 28, 2014. According to the European Commission, amid the escalation of the crisis in Ukraine, Brussels has canceled the next EU-Russia summit.
.jpg/250px-ElbeDay1945_(NARA_ww2-121).jpg)
