ST.PETERSBURG, June 16. /TASS/. Russia, the European Union and Turkey could create a common integration space, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday at the St.Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
"There are three founding members on the continent - Russia, the European Union and Turkey. We could build a common space accommodating 800 million people. There would be three components there: politics at the highest level , security and economic cooperation," he said.
According to Sarkozy, this space could be later joined by other countries.
"Therefore, we will find a new framework to express political agreement or disagreement, the way it is done in the 21st century," he added.
Cold War not in interests of Russia, Europe
Europe and Russia should work hand in hand to avoid a new Cold War, Nicolas Sarkozy added.
The French politician said the current relations between Europe and Russia are not what they should be. "These relations have never been that cold."
"I believe that Europe needs to work hand in hand with Russia. I would not like a new Cold War. The Cold War is neither in our interests nor in the interests of the Europeans," Sarkozy said.
Sarkozy also said he is ready to struggle so that there is no new Cold War between Russia and Europe.