In the article, he set out his view of how EU-Russia relations should develop (hint: it doesn’t involve Russia joining the EU):
A stable, prosperous and united Europe is in our interests. European integration is an integral part of the emerging multipolar world order. That the EU is becoming an increasingly authoritative and influential centre of world politics, considerably contributing to regional and global security, is important.
The development of multifaceted ties with the EU is Russia’s principled choice. In the foreseeable future, for obvious reasons, we have no intention of either joining the EU or establishing any form of institutional association with it. Russia intends to build its relations with the EU on a pragmatic basis with a treaty and a strategic partnership. In this regard I agree with Romano Prodi’s view of Russian-EU relations: “Anything but institutions.”
He went on to warn that the EU shouldn’t expect to always get its way:
The interests of Russia and the EU will not always coincide. Competition is the reverse side of cooperation and an integral part of the process of globalisation.
Interestingly, this article was published in the Times, a paper thought by many to be overly sympathetic to exiled Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky, and generally hostile to Putin.
March 26th, 2007 at 11:39 am
I think we are moving towards a “privileged partnership” in the aspect of the EU / Russian relation. Basically the same direction the EU / Turkish relationship is developing. I think the “regular membership” for Turkey is off the agenda, maybe Russia’s attitude towards the idea of becoming a EU memberstate will change. I wouldn’t mind seeing Russia joining the EU.
March 26th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
> I wouldn’t mind seeing Russia joining the EU.
God save Europe… Or did you mean you wouldn’t mind seeing Russia changing in the direction of better compliance with the European standards of common sense?
Besides, I am not familiar with the European constitution, but I don’t quite get how a country with 30% of European population and 400% of European territory might fit the EU.
March 26th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Dmitri: God save Europe… Or did you mean you wouldn’t mind seeing Russia changing in the direction of better compliance with the European standards of common sense?
I’d like to see Russia applying the same standards as the EU and living up to the spirit of the EU. Then I fail to see any reason why Russia shouldn’t be a member of the European Union.
Dmitri: Besides, I am not familiar with the European constitution, but I don’t quite get how a country with 30% of European population and 400% of European territory might fit the EU.
Unfortunately there is nothing such as a European Constitution (yet). And regarding Russia’s size and population, there are quite a lot of people who want to have Turkey in the EU. And Turkey has only 5% of it’s territory on the European continent and a population which is, in it’s majority, influence by values and traditions which clearly aren’t European. So why not Russia ?
March 27th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Why not Russia? Because Russia would be mad to join the EU:)
Worse, the EU would have to let in Ukraine then as well, since Russia is not really adjacent to the EU (the Baltics don’t count, seriously!).
50 Million Ukrainians in the EU? My god…
Well, and then there is the tiny, eeny, weeny, problem already mentioned in this blog with the Chinese…. and the CIS countries… you think the EU has problems dealing with immigration NOW?
But, back to Russia: what would Russia get out of it? Selling it’s oil and gas at a discount? I really cannot see any advantages for Russia. Or for the EU.
UNLESS the EU stops doing a lot of its current insanities (CAP comes to mind, but also a lot of other stuff). not very damn likely, if you ask me.
Russia and the EU are, in my not so humble opinion, much better off as partners.
Oh… and think about the massive amount of votes Russia would have in the Council…….
Oy vey!
March 27th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
RM: Oy vey!
Jaköble ? Hast jöschmürd Bütterke auff falsches Sayt’ von Brodd ? Oy Gewalt !
I fully understand what this would bring along and I still am in favour of Russia joining one day.
March 29th, 2007 at 4:55 am