The European Union and Russia have agreed to increase their co-operation in the areas of science and cutting-edge technology, during a summit that sought common ground for the next G20 meeting, but which also issued a joint statement condemning the attack on the humanitarian flotilla near Gaza.

The European Union and Russian Federation agreed on the scope and priorities of their new Partnership for Modernisation at a summit held on 31 May and 1 June in Rostov-on-Don.

This 25th summit with Russia was hosted by President Dmitri Medvedev. The European Union was represented by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso. High Representative Catherine Ashton and Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht also participated.

The Partnership for Modernisation is a shared agenda to help bring about reform in the field of the economy and society, with due respect for democracy and the rule of law. Its priority areas include for instance the alignment of technical standards, the promotion of  a sustainable low-carbon economy and dialogue with civil society.

The parties also signed an agreement on the protection of classified information, which will facilitate cooperation in a wide variety of areas, such as justice and crisis management.

With regard to the long-term goal of visa-free travel, both parties remain committed to making concrete progress, based on a step-by-step approach.

The summit issued a joint condemnation of the attack on the Gaza flotilla.

The joint statement by the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and the EU foreign affairs chief, Catherine Ashton, said that "the Russian Federation and the European Union regret the deaths that occurred during the Israeli military operation against the flotilla that was heading to Gaza".

In the document, Moscow and Brussels "call for an exhaustive and impartial investigation of the facts and circumstances in which they occurred" and ask for the way to be opened for humanitarian aid, goods and people to and from Gaza.

Russia is the EU’s third biggest trade partner, with Russian supplies of oil and gas making up a large percentage of Russia’s exports to Europe. The Ongoing cooperation is based on 4 specific policy areas. These “common spaces”, cover economic issues & the environment; Freedom, Security & Justice; External Security; and Research & Education, including cultural aspects. As a major strategic partner, Russia is the only country with which the Union holds two summits every year.