EU-Russia summit to discuss Syria, Iran

The European Union (EU) and Russia will hold their 32nd summit in Brussels on 28 January to take stock of their strategic relations and discuss international issues like Iran's nuclear programme and developments in Syria, Russian Ambassador in Brussels Vladimir Chizhov said. He told a news conference here this evening the one-day summit will touch upon all aspects of the cooperation between Russia and the EU, including negotiations on a New Basic Agreement, energy dialogue, fighting against terrorism. Chizhov, however, stressed that Ukraine is not on the agenda. "This summit is about EU-Russia relations not about Ukraine. We are not planning to take decisions on Ukraine," he said. The Russian ambassador clarified that there are no "stark differences in basic approaches" between the EU and Russia on Syria. "We are all in favour of putting an end to hostilities, of reaching a political solution, a solution that should be worked out and owned by the Syrians with international support," he said. "What we may disagree are on certain tactical elements," Chizhov added. EU and Russia hold two summits every year.