EU Slams Russia Human Rights Record at Stockholm Summit

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and EU Commission President Jos? Manuel Barroso pose for media at the summit between the European Union and Russia at Grand Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden, 18 November 2009. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Sweden's prime minister has expressed disquiet about Russia's human rights situation after an EU-Russia summit in Stockholm.

Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, said: "We exchanged views on human rights, the rule of law in Russia and democracy.

"This is an increasing cause for concern," he added.

Moscow and Brussels are still rebuilding relations after falling out over last year's Georgia-Russia war, the BBC reported.

EU leaders were also due to discuss key issues such as trade and energy with their Russian counterparts.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was quoted as saying that Russia hoped to complete a new economic co-operation pact with the EU soon.

"We are now agreeing the points of the document and I hope we will soon come to finalising the text of this document."

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