The EU is evolving: post Lisbon will give a single efficient interface for Russia, whilst at the same time allowing the important underlying bilateral relationships to continue. Russia needs a few things from Europe, namely: A stable civilised peaceful neigbour and an economic market to trade with. Amazingly Europe wants the same from Russia, so we are all on common ground. The EU has done its primary job of holding the balkanised Europe together, I wish it well on its continuation of this role. For in Russia we just need the outside interface to be correct, what is inside is a matter for European citizens themselves. Building relationships takes time, also the EU is changing and moving into a new dimension, so it will take longer than expected to get to stable positions to negotiate from. It is inevitable given the state of trasition, that concepts now are high level, fluffy and without substance. But we are moving in the right direction in terms of Russia EU relations, so we can be positive.