Italian Foreign Minister
Federica Mogherini, who is set to become the European Union's
high representative for foreign affairs, said Monday that the
bloc needed to review its relations with Russia over the next
five years.
EU-Russian relations have been strained by Moscow's
annexation of Crimea earlier this year and its support for
pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
"In the next five years we'll have to review our relations
with Russia," Mogherini told her confirmation hearing at the
European Parliament's foreign affairs committee.
"At the moment Russia is not a partner (of the EU), but a
strategic country and a neighbour, above all of Ukraine".
Before Mogherini's nomination some Eastern European
countries reportedly had doubts about whether she would be tough
enough on Russia.
When asked how she would deal with the Russian bear,
Mogherini said that "it depends on the bear's attitude".
"A mix of behaviours, both assertive and diplomatic, are
needed," she added.
She said that press and religious freedom, gender equality
and human rights would be priorities for the EU's foreign police
under her.
She also said that, to be able to have the EU speaking
with a single voice on foreign affairs, it is necessary to have
a "sense of responsibility and belonging from the member
states".
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