Riga  - Russia hopes for "equal partnership" with the European Union, Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Igov Shuvalov said Wednesday.

"Don't be afraid of Russia," Shuvalov told a gathering of businessmen from 11 Baltic Sea countries gathered for a two-day business forum in the Latvian capital, Riga.

"There's a large degree of distrust (among the EU states): that's the message I hear from our businessmen," Shuvalov, who represents Russia at the summit of the heads of government of the Baltic Sea States that is taking place in Riga later Wednesday.

That distrust largely felt in the three Baltic states and eastern European countries that joined the European Union in 2004, who have been fearful of the resurgent Russia.

Moscow wants to improve its strained relationship with the 27- nation block. Moscow wants a deal that would give Russian goods access to the EU's internal market, visa-free travel for its citizens, and cooperation in areas like science, technology and education.

On the other hand, the EU, which imports a quarter of its gas from Russia, wants a stable energy supply.

Negotiations on the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which covers energy, trade and political ties, are expected to start in June after an 18-month deadlock caused by disagreements between Russia and eastern EU members.

The eastern EU members like Lithuania fear Russia's economic foothold in the region will help the former overlord to advance its political goals in the region. (dpa)