Russia, EU to implement joint modernization program

Russia and the European Union will soon start implementing the
"Partnership for Modernization" program, Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev said at the opening ceremony of the 25th Russia-EU session,
ITAR-TASS reports. The chairman of the Council of Europe, Herman Van
Rompay, and the chairman of the European Commission will also take
part in the session.
"During the Stockholm meeting we discussed the idea of partnership for
modernization and decided that this will become a motto of our
relations for the next years. Today we will announce the
implementation of this strategy. I hope this will give a substantial
impetus to our relations," Medvedev said.
 Medvedev also noted that the meeting will see a discussion of
cooperation between Russia and European Union and global issues such
as the Iranian nuclear program, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the
settlement of conflicts in the Middle East.