Leaders of Russia and the European Union today started official talks at their 25th Summit at Russia's southern city of Rostov-on-Don. On the agenda are Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, the partnership for modernization as an initiative to deepen bilateral strategic cooperation, lifting of visa regimes, a replacement pact for comprehensive Russia-EU partnership, as well as international issues such as Iran, climate change and the financial crisis. The Summit, themed "Facing the Future", brought together Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, European Council President Herman van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Vice President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, and Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht.