BERLIN, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- The European Union's top foreign policy officials are on a tour through Eastern Europe to discuss with leaders the region's most pressing issues.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, representing the 27-member European Union now that Germany holds the body's presidency, on Monday met with his Russian counterpart in Moscow to discuss, among other things, the future status of the Serbian province of Kosovo and stalled negotiations in the EU-Russia partnership agreement.
Steinmeier was accompanied by EU Foreign Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Minister for Foreign Affairs Javier Solana and Portugal's Foreign Minister Luis Amado, as Portugal heads the next EU presidency beginning in July.
Russia has so far backed Serbia, which is against an independent Kosovo. Russia fears an independent Kosovo will spark independence movements in Russian provinces. The EU has previously said it would support Kosovo's bid for independence.
The final decision on Kosovo's future status is to be made by the United Nations Security Council, of which Russia is a key member with veto rights.
Another key topic of the talks is the EU-Russian partnership agreement focused on energy security -- talks which were put on hold recently after Poland vetoed the plan because of a trade dispute with Moscow.
