To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the German Presidency on the Druzhba pipeline; what assessment she has made of the implications of the situation for EU-Russian relations; and if she will make a statement. (138522)

EU Foreign Ministers considered various aspects of the relationship between the EU and Russia, including supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on 14 May as part of their preparations for EU/Russia Summit in Samara on 17-18 May.

Member states did not agree at the GAERC that talks on a successor to the current EU-Russia Partnership and Co-operation Agreement could begin at the Summit. We believe it would be better if talks started sooner rather than later. But the substance of the negotiations is far more important than when they begin.