EU Plans to Expand Cooperation With Russia in Science, Culture – EU Envoy

The European Union plans to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the sphere of science, culture, education and the arts, Vygaudas Usackas, the head of the EU delegation to Russia, said Wednesday.

NOVOSIBIRSK (Sputnik) — The EU envoy pointed out that the bloc spends almost 28 million euros ($31 million) to allow 3,500 Russian students to attend EU universities for periods ranging from three to nine months.

"Of course, because we believe in the power of human relations in the sphere of education, science, research and culture," Usackas said at a press conference in Russia's Novosibirsk, when asked whether Brussels was planning to expand cooperation with Moscow in the fields of science and student exchange.

According to Usackas, these efforts are the best example that the European Union “has always advocated respectful relations in these areas.”

Relations between Russia and the European Union member states deteriorated in 2014, when Brussels joined Washington in accusing Moscow of fueling the Ukrainian crisis and imposed several rounds of sanctions. However, Russia-EU cooperation in some spheres, including culture and education, has remained at a high level.