EU – Russia Relations: Is A Strategic Partnership Possible?

Moderator: Misha Glenny

Panelists: Grigory Yavlinsky, Mirek Topolánek, Fyodor Lukyanov, Gesine Schwan, Gregory Feifer

 

 

 

The panel discussed the future of a potential strategic partnership between Russia and the European Union. Panelists discussed the numerous obstacles in the way of such a partnership on both the European and Russian sides.

 

The keynote speaker, former Russian presidential candidate Grigory Yavlinsky, pointed out that the crucial question of EU-Russia relations is how Europe will join North America and Asia as the third major power of the 21^st century. He called the progress that has been made in the integration of Europe “one of the greatest achievements in history” but said that there is no common strategy in Europe for the 21^st century. Yavlinsky said that it was necessary to end the “outdated” policy of realpolitik. His recommendations for the future of an EU-Russia partnership included strengthening the Council of Europe, creating a joint missile defense system, and making it easier for Russians to get visas to travel in Europe. Yavlinsky conceded that Russia has many problems of its own, but added that Russia must solve these problems itself and the EU must learn to negotiate with Russia in its current situation.

 

Gesine Schwan disapproved of positioning the debate only in the context of nation states and economic and military considerations. Mrs. Schwan reminded the panel that societies, not only states, are necessary in the process of creating partnerships. If the EU and Russia want to have a functional relationship, they must discover “how to bring together societies.” This would make it much easier to cooperate in political and economical spheres. Therefore, EU countries should free themselves from their historical legacies and should “exchange perspectives if they want to have a societal and political partnership.”At the end of the debate, Ms. Schwan described most of the panelists´ views as “outmoded and traditional thinking,” pointing to the fact that Russia is not a homogenous entity. She concluded “We should be focusing not only on hard power but also on soft power”.

 

Contesting this position was Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, who saw the need for a “modern version of realpolitik.” He argued that Russia is now at a crossroads, as its model of compensatory growth which was so successful after the fall of the Soviet Union has been exhausted. Europe too is in search of a new identity after the failure of the recent Lisbon Treaty to increase European power on the world stage. As a result, Lukyanov believes that there must be a new “big idea” for Europe — a Europe that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to Vladivostok.

 

Former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Mirek Topolánek started his presentation by reformulating the panel topic to “EU-Russia – who needs a strategic relationship?” In his view, “Russia prefers a policy of interest, not a policy of values” and that Russia still suffers from messianism and continues to promote the creation of spheres of influence. Although Mr. Topolánek did not believe that Russia can change and doesn’t see much chance that the EU and Russia will develop common policies, he emphasized that the EU and Russia “are in the same boat” and they need to accept each other. Although Mr. Topolánek is skeptical of the prospects for an EU-Russia partnership, he ended his speech by saying, “Russia and the EU have to cooperate as they have the same common objectives and they will possibly be pushed by common threats to work together.”

 

Finally, Radio Free Europe correspondent Gregory Feifer gave an in-depth description of the state of energy trade between Russia and Europe. He described how oil and gas are the keys to Russia’s reemergence as an economic and political power on the world stage. Feifer went on to illustrate the stealth tactics that Russian energy companies are using to operate within Europe. He advised that the only way to combat this problem is to set examples by acting according to principles, ideals and the collective interest of Europe. In this way, European nations might be able to stand up to energy lobbies and form an effective relationship with Russia.

 

Though there were several disagreements among the panelists, it was universally accepted that the only way for Europe and Russia to remain economic and political powers in the coming years is through an effective strategic partnership. However, as moderator Misha Glenny concluded, “clearly relations between the EU and Russia are still a work in progress.”