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pageConference notes IRRI-KIIB
Panel chaired by Ambassador Pierre
Champenois, SPF Foreign Affairs, OSCE Presidency
" The
Russian Security Policy in the Euro-Asian area"
Mr. Carl Hallergärd,
Directorate General for External and Politico-Military Affairs, Council of the
EU.
Brussels, May 11, 2005
Summary; this is not an official record of proceedings and specific remarks are not necessarily attributable.
"Mr Carl Hallergård, Russia desk at the General Secretairat of the Council of the EU and Russia adviser to High Representative Solana, emphasised the shared responsibility of the EU and Russia for stability and security on the European continent. He welcomed the recent agreement, in the roadmap of the EU-Russia Common Space of External Security, on the principles for the co-operation in the EU's and Russia's common neighbourhood, i.e. the region located between the EU and Russia (Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, South Caucasus). These principles were that the countries in this region were sovereign and should make their own decisions, that there was no need to choose between close relations between the EU and Russia, and that neither the EU nor Russia wanted to compete for influence in this region. While "old habits die hard" sometimes, this agreement was a welcome basis for co-operation in this region.
Mr Hallergård said that the EU saw a particular added value in EU-Russia co-operation when it came to solving the so-called frozen conflicts (notably in Moldova and the South Caucasus). Both hade much to gain and were in a good position to help the countries concerned. The EU's view was that Russia played a crucial role in the settlement processes. The EU had no intention to replace Russia in this role, but felt that EU-Russia co-operation could be the catalyst required to finally reach settlements, after a long period of unsuccessful efforts. The EU had no intention to upset existing negotiating formats, except if the parties wanted and agreed for the EU to become involved. In this respect, he welcomed the very important and active role played by the OSCE under the current Belgian Chairmanship. Dialogue with Russia played an important role. The appointment by the EU of Special Representatives for this region (especially for South Caucasus and for Moldova) had allowed the EU to establish effective co-operation with Russian counterparts.
Specifically on the different frozen conflicts, Mr Hallergård expressed hope for a breakthrough in the negotiations on Nagorny-Karabakh, which were now at a crucial stage. The EU was ready to consider ways in which could assist the implementation of such a settlement. As regards the conflcits in Georgia (South Ossetia, Abkhazia), the EU was similarly active in support of the settlement negotiations, without participating directly in the negotiation formats. However, the EU had been approached on this issue. Mr Hallergård welcomed the agreement between all involved parties, including Russia, that the solution to these conflicts could only take place within the territorial integrity of Georgia. Finally, on the Transnistrian conflict in Moldova, Mr Hallergård said the EU, together with the US, last year had become an observer in the negotiating format ("five-sided format"). The EU took an increasing interest in this conflict as Moldova would soon become a direct neighbour of the EU. The EU had also welcomed the recent agreement between Moldova and Ukraine on the normalisation of their customs co-operation, and had sent a Border Assistance Mission to assist and oversee the implementation of this agreement. The normalised situation should allow all companies in Moldova, including those based in Transnistria, easier and legitimate access to the EU's internal market. Although the negotiations on Transnistria were now at a difficult stage, the EU remained hopeful for a breakthrough and remained ready to work closely with the parties, with Ukraine, with the OSCE and with Russia to find solutions."