Khabarovsk, Russia/Moscow  – While negotiators failed to reach an agreement on an energy pact between Russia and the European Union at a summit between the two powers in Russia’s Far East, the meeting helped to bridge gaps, Czech President Vaclav Klaus said Friday.

“This meeting has strengthened mutual trust, which is important,” said Klaus, whose country now holds the rotating EU presidency.

Relations had soured when Moscow cut off gas supplies to Europe in a standoff with Ukraine and in relation to the conflict in Georgia.

Little progress was made on energy issues as the EU asked Russia and Ukraine to take all necessary efforts to prevent a recurrence of January’s gas standoff.

Russian President Dimitry Medvedev reiterated calls for a new energy charter, saying he hoped the EU leaders would consider Russia’s ideas regarding a new legal basis for dealing with oil and gas.

At a press conference broadcast live on Russian state television, Medvedev expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the two-day meeting, which is to end Friday.

He said there was “no doubt” about the strategic character of relations between Russia and the EU.

At the summit, Russia pressed for its rapid admittance into the World Trade Organization.

Russia invited the EU leaders to Khabarovsk near the border with China and six time zones east of Moscow to appreciate the country’s vastness and the distances over which Russia’s oil and gas were being transported. (dpa)