President Medvedev visits Poland for Russia-Polish talks aimed at normalization in the relationship; President Medvedev hopeful of clearing up all of the difficulties between Russia and Poland; Russia-EU Summit held in Brussels;
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    • Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Poland on Monday which is a sign of improvement in the long-troubled relationship between nations.1 Russia and Poland have decided to establish normal relations by putting aside their history of differences which was mired in mutual distrust and conflict. Welcoming the Russian President, Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski noted that there is a “the need to normalise our relations, and we have all the conditions for doing this today, as we just discussed in our one-on-one meeting.”2 It was agreed upon that normalization in the relationship can be achieved through mutual consultation and with full attention and consideration for each other. There is also need to intensify economic cooperation especially on bilateral trade and also to carry out joint projects in the future. Both the leaders also discussed such as European security issues and opportunities for Russia’s cooperation with the EU and NATO as well as supervision of humanitarian cooperation, in particular stepping up youth exchanges, cooperation in economic, energy, and transport sectors. Both the leaders oversaw the signing of several agreements, including a declaration on cooperation in economic modernisation, intergovernmental agreements on sea transport and cooperation in protecting the Baltic Sea from pollution by oil and other harmful substances, and a protocol of intent on establishing centres for dialogue and harmony in Russia and Poland.3 Agreements related to postal and electronic communications as well as on cooperation between the two countries’ prosecutor generals’ offices were also signed two countries.4 Reports noted that Katyn massacre case also featured in the talks between the two sides. It would be worth noting that Soviet secret police NKVD had allegedly carried out Katyn massacre of more than 20,000 Polish nationals in April–May 1940.

    However, President Medvedev reassured that this cooperation will continue and will help to clear up all of the difficulties in the two countries’ relations.5 In the Russian-Polish Public Forum, President Medvedev presented the Order of Friendship to the Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda, for his outstanding contribution to the development of cultural ties between Russia and Poland.6

    In another significant development, the 26th EU-Russia Summit was held in Brussels on December 7. This summit follows from the previous summit held on May 31 – June 1, 2010 at Rostov-on-Don in Russia. President Dmitry Medvedev headed the Russian delegation, and the European Union was represented by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.

    During the Summit, official announcement was made on the completion of talks between EU and Russia on the latter joining the WTO. Russia has taken a significant step in its bid to join the World Trade Organization with the signing of a ‘milestone’7 agreement with the European Union. A memorandum of understanding was signed by Russian Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina and EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. The memorandum of understanding removes one of the last major obstacles in Moscow's nearly two-decade long effort to join the world trade body. Earlier this year, Russia achieved the backing of the United States for its bid. After this, the EU had remained only major block which opposed to Russia’s bid to become a member of WTO.

    However, in other developments during the Russia-EU Summit, one of the key discussions was on easing the visa regime for short trips by Russian citizens to the European Union. In this regard, milestones were set for the subsequent integrated work in this area, which includes taking into account the draft agreement on abolishing visa requirements for Russian and EU citizens, which was handed to the EU at the summit in Rostov-on-Don.8 President Medvedev utilised the occasion to relay the measures taken to improve the financial and economic climate and encourage investment. Discussions were held on a broad range of issues such as global economic situation and ways to overcome the effects of the global economic crisis, on the implementation of decisions made at the G20 summit to reform the global financial system, on Euro-Atlantic security including in the context of results of Russia-NATO Council meeting in Lisbon and decisions made at the OSCE summit in Astana.9

    In other developments in the region, reports noted that Russia and Kazakhstan have come up with a joint plan of action for the next two years that will give a boost to the strategic relationship between the two countries based on ‘friendship, good neighbourhood partnership and mutual benefit.’ The agreement was signed in Moscow by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Kazakh President Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev10. This was in fact the tenth meeting between the two heads of states in this year.

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