European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will lead a delegation to Moscow next week for talks with Russian officials on the economic crisis and the recent gas supply shutdown, a spokesman said Thursday.
Barroso will hold talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin while his energy, economic affairs, external relations and trade commissioners will meet separately with Russian ministers after the delegation arrives on Feb. 6.
There will then be a broader joint meeting of the Russian government with the European Union commissioners, said commission spokesman Amadeu Altafaj.
Talks "will center on bilateral relations, notably on negotiations for a new E.U.-Russia accord, on the economic and financial crisis and with a view to the upcoming Group of 20 meeting in London.
"They will also certainly address the energy and climate change issues," he added.
European countries have vowed to avoid a repeat of the crisis that saw crucial gas supplies cut off for 15 days this month due to a row between Russia and transit nation Ukraine.
Last month the E.U. resumed key partnership talks with Moscow, aimed at boosting economic and diplomatic ties three months after they were frozen in the wake of Russia's military foray into Georgia.