(KHANTY MANSIYSK) - European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed on Friday promises by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to uphold the rule of law, saying it would help a dialogue on human rights.

Medvedev's "emphasis on the need to improve respect for the rule of law will help us to have a constructive dialogue on issues related to human rights," Barroso said at an EU-Russian summit in Siberia.

Previous meetings between Russia and the EU under Medvedev's predecessor, Vladimir Putin, were notable for some sharp exchanges on the issue of human rights abuses in Russia.

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.