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Putin & EU leaders agree on solution for Chechnya

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October 31, 2000 

PARIS (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and European leaders agreed Monday on the urgent need to find a political solution in Chechnya, where rebels have been fighting Russian soldiers, but made clear that Russian sovereignty must not be compromised.

In a joint declaration, the two sides said they "agreed on the need and the urgency of finding a political solution (to the Chechnya issue), in the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Russia.

The pronouncement was part of a joint statement at the close of a summit between Putin and European Union leaders.

Among other things, Putin and and the EU leaders were searching for ways the Europeans can tap into Russia's vast energy reserves and set the stage for stronger cooperation in general.

The summit also dealt with Russia's concerns about Europe's emerging security and defense policy and agreed to strengthen cooperation.

Long-term energy security has become a hot topic in Europe with oil prices soaring and following weeks of giant protests against high gas prices in many European nations earlier this fall.

Europe is increasingly interested in securing sources of natural gas and oil beyond OPEC and is looking to Russia as a potential partner. Russia, which wants foreign investment to develop its energy infrastructure, has been courting Europe.

Deputy Premier Viktor Khristenko, the senior Russian official on EU matters, said Russia hoped that Monday's summit would launch a high-level energy dialogue concerning "the energy security of Europe in the 21st century" that would lead to concrete deals about future pipelines and other energy projects.

That grand scheme is a major focus of Monday's talks between Putin, French President Jacques Chirac in his role as head of the rotating EU presidency, European Commission President Romano Prodi and other EU officials.

In addition to energy issues, Khristenko said Putin were to discuss the enlargement of the 15-member European Union and the economic and political impact on Russia, economic and financial cooperation, as well as scientific and technical links.

The explosive situation in the Middle East, the Balkans, NATO expansion as well as strategic issues were also expected to be discussed.

Speaking to journalists in Moscow before his departure, Putin said Russia welcomed the expansion of the European Union, but opposes NATO growth in Eastern Europe as long as the Western military alliance doesn't want Russia as a member.

"The idea of a greater Europe seems quite attractive to me, a Europe in which there should be no hegemonism of any kind," Putin said in remarks shown on Russia's state-run RTR television.

Since the loss of its superpower status with the 1991 Soviet disintegration, Russia has sought to boost economic and political ties with Europe and Asia to try to counterbalance U.S. global dominance.

Russia's relations with Europe have been soured by criticism of Russia's war against Chechen separatists and Russia's anger over last year's NATO bombing of Yugoslavia to break the Kosovo crisis.

A least one demonstration sponsored by a group of noted French intellectuals opposed to Russia's intervention in Chechnya was planned.