Article: Russia, European Union Sign Historic Pact

Hailing a transformation in relations between former enemies, the leaders of Russia and the European Union today signed a historic partnership designed to accelerate Moscow's political and economic integration with the West.

The agreement, which consumed two years of negotiations, promises a quantum leap in political, economic and trade relations between Russia and Western Europe. Although it stops short of offering EU membership to Russia, it establishes a framework to create a free-trade zone after 1998 and sets out common standards of respect for human rights and democracy.

"It is the most important agreement that Russia has ever signed with the West," said Jacques Delors, the ...

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