Implementation of the common strategy with Russia

The Council took note of the Presidency's work plan regarding the implementation of the EU's Common Strategy on Russia, elaborated under the responsibility of the Presidency. The Presidency aims to give special priority to a reinforced political and economic dialogue, the strengthening of civil society, the fight against organised crime, the environment, disarmament and non-proliferation as well as support for Russia's efforts to meet the requirements for WTO membership. The European Union's relations with Russia will also be further developed in the context of the Northern Dimension. In line with the conclusions of the European Council in Feira in June 2000, the Presidency will pay particular attention to the implementation of the Northern Dimension Action plan as regards i.a. the environment and nuclear safety, the fight against international crime, and the situation of Kaliningrad. A Foreign Ministers' Conference on the Northern Dimension will be held on 9 April 2001, in Luxembourg. In this context, the Presidency also underlined the continuing concerns of the EU with the situation in Chechnya in particular the humanitarian conditions of the refugees and the population as a whole. �