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"IT IS DIFFICULT TO SPEAK ABOUT COMMON STANDARDS OF THE EU"
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 28 2014
28 January 2014 - 12:24pm
Interview by Orkhan Sattarov, the head of the European bureau of
Vestnik Kavkaza
Vestnik Kavkaza publishes a series of interview with political
scientists of the European Union, who express a European point of view
on relations between the EU and the South Caucasus countries. The
German expert on post-Soviet space Heiko Langner answers question
on European integration of Georgia and Turkey, the Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement, and ties with Armenia.
- How does Europe view efforts by the new Georgian government to
meet European standards?
- We can hardly speak about common European standards - they hardly
exist even in political practice of the EU itself. Political systems
and democratic standards inside Europe are very different.
European democratic standards should be accepted as certain political
limits for the EU members. However, in reality it is not always so.
For example, Hungary and Berlusconi's Italy had shifted from the
common European course in the past years.
The new Georgian government, as well as other countries, has a right
for its own democratic way. Certain democratic progress is registered
in Georgia, and it is a reason for moderate optimism. But it depends
on changes in the social practice, and time should pass for us to
see a result.
- Should we expect a more active mediatory role from the Minsk
Group of the OSCE in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement now, when the
OSCE is headed by Switzerland which is well-known for its peacemaking
diplomacy? What steps can it take in the direction?
- Switzerland has long mediatory experience, including in difficult
international issues. Due to its neutrality, Switzerland deserves
to be a reliable and powerful mediator. From this point of view, it
would be positive, if Switzerland used its chairmanship in the OSCE
to contribute to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. First of all, we should speak about certain measures on
improvement of trust between the sides of the conflict.
The way to peace is long and difficult and Russia's participation
is necessary.
- Do you think cooperation between Armenia and the EU is possible,
despite Yerevan's decision to join the Customs Union? If not, in what
spheres can contacts be maintained?
- Armenia had been using instruments of the European Neighborhood
Policy more actively than Georgia. Therefore, a political interest
exists. However, Armenia has great political and economic dependence
on Russia and has little room for European integration.
Armenia can undertake political maneuvers only in spheres which are
not very important for Russia.
The EU should continue working with Armenia for further liberalization
of its economy, mainly to boost European investments. The EU should
also cooperate in strengthening the borders of Armenia to prevent
illegal migration.
- What are the instruments of influence on Russia by the EU in the
issue of the South Stream, concerning European laws? What concessions
does the EU expect from Gazprom?
- Russia is an exporter of raw material resources, and it has a
beneficial position for providing its own interests. Moreover, when
disputes occur, general energy policy turns into waste paper, and
priority is given to national interests of certain EU members. Russia
prefers bilateral agreements as well, and it has proved to be a
reliable partner. Problems which occurred with power resources'
supplies last year were connected with such transit countries as
Ukraine and Belarus, as Moscow had disputes with them on gas prices
and volumes.
- How did the readmission agreement stimulate Turkey's membership
in the EU? What are obstacles in the way of the event?
- The readmission agreement didn't influence positively the
process of Turkey's accession to the EU. The agreement serves only
sordid interests of the EU which wants to establish its antihuman
migration policy on external borders. The EU strives for signing
such agreements almost with all bordering and transit countries to
secure itself from illegal migration. The talks with Turkey were
provided by some dishonest members of the EU, especially France and
Germany. The countries don't want full membership of Turkey in the
EU. My position is simple - the talks on Turkish membership in the EU
should have an aim of full membership of the country in the European
Union. When Turkey meets Copenhagen criteria and its population vote
for membership in the EU, the country should be accepted to the Union
immediately. Democratic Turkey which follows human and minorities'
rights could play an important role of a bridge between the East and
the West, being the EU members.
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/politics/50512.html
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 28 2014
28 January 2014 - 12:24pm
Interview by Orkhan Sattarov, the head of the European bureau of
Vestnik Kavkaza
Vestnik Kavkaza publishes a series of interview with political
scientists of the European Union, who express a European point of view
on relations between the EU and the South Caucasus countries. The
German expert on post-Soviet space Heiko Langner answers question
on European integration of Georgia and Turkey, the Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement, and ties with Armenia.
- How does Europe view efforts by the new Georgian government to
meet European standards?
- We can hardly speak about common European standards - they hardly
exist even in political practice of the EU itself. Political systems
and democratic standards inside Europe are very different.
European democratic standards should be accepted as certain political
limits for the EU members. However, in reality it is not always so.
For example, Hungary and Berlusconi's Italy had shifted from the
common European course in the past years.
The new Georgian government, as well as other countries, has a right
for its own democratic way. Certain democratic progress is registered
in Georgia, and it is a reason for moderate optimism. But it depends
on changes in the social practice, and time should pass for us to
see a result.
- Should we expect a more active mediatory role from the Minsk
Group of the OSCE in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement now, when the
OSCE is headed by Switzerland which is well-known for its peacemaking
diplomacy? What steps can it take in the direction?
- Switzerland has long mediatory experience, including in difficult
international issues. Due to its neutrality, Switzerland deserves
to be a reliable and powerful mediator. From this point of view, it
would be positive, if Switzerland used its chairmanship in the OSCE
to contribute to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. First of all, we should speak about certain measures on
improvement of trust between the sides of the conflict.
The way to peace is long and difficult and Russia's participation
is necessary.
- Do you think cooperation between Armenia and the EU is possible,
despite Yerevan's decision to join the Customs Union? If not, in what
spheres can contacts be maintained?
- Armenia had been using instruments of the European Neighborhood
Policy more actively than Georgia. Therefore, a political interest
exists. However, Armenia has great political and economic dependence
on Russia and has little room for European integration.
Armenia can undertake political maneuvers only in spheres which are
not very important for Russia.
The EU should continue working with Armenia for further liberalization
of its economy, mainly to boost European investments. The EU should
also cooperate in strengthening the borders of Armenia to prevent
illegal migration.
- What are the instruments of influence on Russia by the EU in the
issue of the South Stream, concerning European laws? What concessions
does the EU expect from Gazprom?
- Russia is an exporter of raw material resources, and it has a
beneficial position for providing its own interests. Moreover, when
disputes occur, general energy policy turns into waste paper, and
priority is given to national interests of certain EU members. Russia
prefers bilateral agreements as well, and it has proved to be a
reliable partner. Problems which occurred with power resources'
supplies last year were connected with such transit countries as
Ukraine and Belarus, as Moscow had disputes with them on gas prices
and volumes.
- How did the readmission agreement stimulate Turkey's membership
in the EU? What are obstacles in the way of the event?
- The readmission agreement didn't influence positively the
process of Turkey's accession to the EU. The agreement serves only
sordid interests of the EU which wants to establish its antihuman
migration policy on external borders. The EU strives for signing
such agreements almost with all bordering and transit countries to
secure itself from illegal migration. The talks with Turkey were
provided by some dishonest members of the EU, especially France and
Germany. The countries don't want full membership of Turkey in the
EU. My position is simple - the talks on Turkish membership in the EU
should have an aim of full membership of the country in the European
Union. When Turkey meets Copenhagen criteria and its population vote
for membership in the EU, the country should be accepted to the Union
immediately. Democratic Turkey which follows human and minorities'
rights could play an important role of a bridge between the East and
the West, being the EU members.
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/politics/50512.html