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‘Let’s invest in reaching a better understanding’: Top EU diplomat stresses energy ties

According to EU High Representative Josep Borrell, there should be a balance between sanctions against Russia and an "engagement in selective areas"

EU High Representative Josep Borrell Julien Warnand, Pool Photo via AP

EU High Representative Josep Borrell

© Julien Warnand, Pool Photo via AP

BRUSSELS, May 25. /TASS/. The European Union and Russia depend on each other in the energy sphere and confidence-based relations should be built in this regard, EU High Representative Josep Borrell said on Monday at the Annual German Ambassadors’ Conference 2020.

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"We should remember that in energy there is mutual dependency, which I don’t have to remember you of, in Germany. We need to buy gas, but they need to sell. So let’s invest in reaching a better understanding among us where each of us comes from and how we can build trust to move forward together," Borrell said.

"We need to have a selective engagement with Russia on the issues that matter to us. This is not contradictory with being firm. We need a smart balance between firmness and sanctions with Russia with a careful attempt at engagement in selective areas," he noted.

At the same time, EU member states "also need a frank discussion on how to handle Russia that feels emboldened to challenge important common European security interests," Borrell added.

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