I would like to share my views on relations between Russia and the European Union ahead of Friday’s summit in Helsinki, primarily their strategic aspects.

Russia is a natural member of the “European family” in spirit, history and culture. Though it is not striving to join the EU, when I consider the future of our relations I do not see any areas that are not open to equal, strategic co-operation based on common objectives and values. When speaking of common values, we should also respect the historical diversity of European civilisation. It would be useless and wrong to try to force artificial “standards” on each other.