Russian President Vladimir Putin will host European Union (EU) leaders today in the Black Sea resort of Sochi for a summit that is expected to focus on implementation of joint projects to forge closer ties.

The EU will be represented by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU commissioner for external affairs, said on the eve of the summit that the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Russia needed to be updated to include the four common spaces -- economy; freedom, security and justice; external security; and science and culture -- agreed at the Moscow summit last year.

The EU is Russia's largest trading partner with over half of the country's exports going to the 25-member bloc.

With Russia supplying more than 30 percent of the EU's oil and gas needs, energy is likely to be a central issue when officials meet in Sochi.

"Energy is a fundamental element in the partnership between Russia and the EU -- for both partners," Ferrero-Waldner said.

At the summit, Russia and the EU are also expected to sign an agreement on easing visa rules for the two sides and an agreement on readmission.

The visa agreement would facilitate the issuing of visas of up to 90 days for some Russian and EU citizens, including students, civil servants, culture workers and journalists.

The agreement on readmission is meant to establish effective procedures for the identification, return and transit of persons who enter Russia or the EU illegally or overstay the limits of their visas.

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2006)