It seeks to promote closer ties between the EU and Russia, to develop ideas about the future of the relationship, and to ensure that both sides adhere to international standards concerning the key elements of a civil society such as democracy, human rights and an independent judiciary.
It uses dialogue, debate and study to help both partners to adjust to new challenges and opportunities, to identify their common interests and to minimise actual or potential misunderstandings.
Heidi Hautala, a Finnish MP (Green Party) and former MEP until 2003 with a particular interest in EU and Russian affairs.
Since its launch in May 2006, the EU-Russia Centre has established an advisory board of leading experts from a number of disciplines and countries ranging from Foreign Affairs to International Law.
The EU-Russia Centre has a lively and informative website that regularly publishes articles by commentators such as George Bovt, Russian independent journalist and political observer, regular contributor to The Moscow Times and gazeta.ru, Dr Fraser Cameron, Centre Director, Olena Prystayko.