Russian-EU summit starts in W. Russian city

It was attended by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

The summits are held twice a year: one in Russia, the other in the EU member state that holds the bloc's rotating presidency.

Partnership for modernization, transition to a visa-free regime, energy cooperation and Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization will be discussed at the summit, according to Russian media reports.

The two sides are also expected to discuss the current world issues, like Libya crisis, and Moscow's recent ban on EU vegetable imports.

According to the summit organizers, "on the decision of the leaders," the whole meeting would be held behind closed doors.

Russian presidential aid Sergei Prikhodko said that a joint statement might be adopted after the meeting; Kazinform cites Xinhua.

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