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Top EU delegation in Moscow talks Top EU delegation in Moscow talks
(about 6 hours later)
A high-powered EU delegation is visiting Moscow amid continuing strains over Russian gas supplies and last August's Georgia conflict. Russia and the EU are holding their first high-level talks since relations were strained over the interruptions to Russian gas supplies last month.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is being accompanied by nine EU commissioners. They are meeting senior Russian government leaders. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is leading a team of nine commissioners in the discussions.
Last month, most of Russia's gas supplies to Europe were cut for almost two weeks in a price row with Ukraine. Going into the talks in Moscow, Mr Barroso spoke of the need for "positive interdependence" in EU-Russia ties.
Russia's short war with Georgia last August also soured links with the EU. Russia's plan to build military bases in two breakaway regions of Georgia is also expected to be high on the agenda.
On Thursday, the Czech Republic, holder of the EU presidency, said it was "seriously concerned" by the moves in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, over which Russia and Georgia went to war last August.
"The EU would consider the implementation of such plans to be a serious violation of the principle of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said.
'Many issues'
At the start of the talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Barroso told reporters that negotiations on a new framework agreement were under way and that the EU was "very interested in developing these negotiations in a positive and constructive way".
The recent gas crisis has shown that things are not all right here Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
He said the nine commissioners represented "the many issues we need to discuss so that we can deepen our relationship".
Mr Barroso said the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute was one of the issues and reiterated his disappointment at the incident.
"It is important now to create conditions for this kind of crisis not to happen again. We believe energy security is a very important sphere of interest for Russia and the European Union."
"And this positive interdependence is more important now than ever because we are facing a very serious global financial crisis," he said.
Mr Medvedev said there needed to be a "fully-fledged international legal system" to prevent a recurrence.
"The recent gas crisis has shown things are not all right," he said.
'Test'
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says the gas row has shaken EU countries' faith in both Russia and Ukraine as energy partners.The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says the gas row has shaken EU countries' faith in both Russia and Ukraine as energy partners.
A commission spokesman told the BBC that the meetings on Friday with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and members of his cabinet were a test - to see if the political relationship can move forward. A commission spokesman told the BBC that the meetings with Mr Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and members of his cabinet were a test - to see if the political relationship can move forward.
The EU does not have a lasting guarantee of Russian gas supplies
He stressed that reliability and predictability were key for a proper partnership.He stressed that reliability and predictability were key for a proper partnership.
Last month, Mr Barroso told the European Parliament that the dispute between Ukraine and Russia over gas prices was "most unacceptable and incredible".Last month, Mr Barroso told the European Parliament that the dispute between Ukraine and Russia over gas prices was "most unacceptable and incredible".
Hundreds of thousands of people went without heating in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe after Moscow stopped gas exports routed through Ukraine. Russia cut gas supplies to Ukraine on New Year's Day, saying it would pump only enough for customers further down the pipeline. But then Moscow accused Ukraine of siphoning off gas intended for third countries.
Bulgaria, one of the hardest hit countries and a historical ally of Russia, had to close schools and other public buildings. Ukraine denied the claim, but the flow of Russian gas ceased completely on 7 January, leaving many European countries with major shortages.
Hundreds of thousands of people went without heating in Eastern and South-Eastern. Bulgaria, one of the hardest hit countries and a historical ally of Russia, had to close schools and public buildings.
Gas flows were resumed on 12 January after Russia and Ukraine finally agreed prices at which Ukraine would buy gas, and ship it to Europe.