ELDR believes the new agreement should not only strengthen the so-called ‘Common Spaces’ of economics; freedom, security and justice; external security; and research education and culture, but should also focus on promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law and free speech.

Commenting ahead of the opening of negotiations for a new agreement, Annemie Neyts, ELDR Party President, stated “while securing the EU’s energy relationship with Russia is clearly important for the Union, we must not let the current situation of high energy prices and concerns over security of supplies detract from the vital issue of addressing the democratic deficit that we have witnessed emerging in Russia. Any new agreement must be based on shared common values of respect for the rule of law and fundamental human rights.”

The PCA expired on 1 December 2007, but talks on a new agreement were delayed over Russia's ban on Polish agricultural products. While negotiations for a new deal are concluded the existing Agreement will remain in place.

The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR Party) brings together 55 political parties with common liberal, democratic and reform ideals and is the forum for member parties to develop a co-ordinated policy. In 2007 the European Liberal Democrat political family achieved many successes in the various elections around the EU member states, bringing the total number of liberal democrat voters to 30 million Europe-wide. Five EU prime ministers, one third of the members of the European Commission, 100 MEPs in the ALDE Group of the European Parliament and ministers in more than 20 governments in Europe belong to the liberal family