(10 May 2005) SHOTLIST
1. Exterior Kremlin
2. Putin and EU leaders walk into room
3. Negotiating table
4. Delegates taking their seats
5. Start of negotiations
6. Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg
7. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
"From the experience of the past decades we have come to realise even more the significance of the agreement on a reliable partnership with the European Union and the constant dialogue that we have been carrying out on various issues, including those of pan-European security. I'm convinced we can and should do everything necessary to jointly oppose common threats."
8. EU delegation
9. Negotiations
STORYLINE
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia and the European Union should work together to "jointly oppose common threats" in Europe.
Putin spoke as he met EU leaders for the opening of an EU-Russian summit in the Kremlin.
Putin and EU leaders are expected to unveil a broad partnership accord that aims to draw a line under a year of tension since the EU expanded further into Russia's traditional sphere of influence, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The cooperation agreement, which aims to deepen ties, especially in the economic sphere, is the centrepiece of the Kremlin summit which was taking place the day after major World War II victory celebrations in Moscow.
Those taking part in the meeting included the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Juncker, who holds the EU's rotating presidency, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, and EU foreign policy and security chief Javier Solana.
Putin told EU leaders at the start of the summit that the accord should improve ties between the European Union and its giant eastern neighbour.
The accord encompasses security, economic and humanitarian issues and aims to enhance cooperation in transport, energy and regional conflict resolution as well as harmonise legal standards and promote trade and investment.
Russia conducts more than half its trade with the 25-member EU but the two sides have had rocky relations over the past year.
The session is the first since a stormy summit last year in the Netherlands, when Russia accused the EU of fomenting street protests in Ukraine that brought the pro-Western opposition to power, and partnership negotiations fell apart.
Another cause of tension was last year's admission to the EU of ten new members, eight of them from the former Soviet bloc.
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