Putin and Blair hail ‘new level’ of Russia-EU ties

Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair bids farewell Russia's President Vladimir Putin after their meeting at No.10 Downing Street in London yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

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

"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.

At a joint press conference afterwards with Putin and Barroso, Blair hailed the meeting as "good and constructive".

"We want to try to take the relationship between Europe and Russia to a new and more intense level...," Blair said.

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, Blair said.

In particular, Blair hailed growing trade ties with Russia, saying: "This is a relationship which can only grow and prosper and strengthen."

Blair 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".

"It was a good and constructive meeting that we held today and as I say, it has... become very obvious to me and I think my European colleagues just how important today, for our own economic future and our own security, this relationship between Russia and Europe is."