EURussiaCentreEU-Russia Centre

Венский Форум по вопросам отношений ЕС-Россия

The Austrian Institute for Advanced Studies and the Russian Academy Of Sciences organised a workshop in Vienna on 16-17 February to launch the Vienna Dialogue – a meeting of experts from Russia and the EU to seek ways of improving the EU-Russian relationship.

Former Austrian Foreign Minister, Ursula Plassnik, said that there was a lack of trust between the EU and Russia. The conflict in Georgia had been a shock to the EU – it was a war that should not have happened. There were too many misperceptions on both sides and hence the need to encourage people-to-people contacts. The OSCE should play a more important role. Visa liberalisation should also be encouraged. There was a need to work on joint projects. Pragmatism – yes – but one must not forget human rights which were under severe strain in Russia.

Erhard Busek (former Vice Chancellor) suggested the EU and Russia should intensify efforts to settle the Transdniestr dispute.

Vladimir Baranovsky (Academy of Science) questioned whether a legal agreement was the best way forward for EU-Russia relations. The WTO issue was complex and should be resolved soon. Visa liberalisation was also important. Following the elections in Ukraine, there was a window of opportunity for all sides (Russia/Ukraine/EU) to cooperate. It was interesting to see Belarus moving closer to the EU. One should look at the Northern Dimension and cross border cooperation as examples of how to move forward in EU-Russia relations.

Fraser Cameron (EU-Russia Centre) said that ‘old thinking’ was holding back the relationship. There were numerous shared interests between the EU and Russia (energy, security, environment, etc) and both sides needed to look for win-win solutions. The EU was ready to assist Russia with the modernisation agenda but would Russia be ready, willing and able to make the necessary internal changes that President Medvedev had identified e.g. separation of powers, rule of law, fighting corruption, strengthening civil society?

Mark Entin, Director EU Institute in Moscow, thought that the EU was less interested in Russia e.g. no mention in German coalition deal. There were potentially new areas for cooperation between Europol/Eurojust and Russia – but also new dividing lines on Justice & Home Affairs.

Sergei Kortunov (Academy of Science) considered that discussion of the Medvedev security proposals would take time. The current agenda should focus on arms control, energy security, terrorism, OSCE reform, CSBMs, Ukraine (neutral status for ten years?).

Tomas Gomart, IFRI, spoke of the contradiction between slow negotiations and need to show results. The EU was under strain from the financial crisis. There was still no real agreement on how to deal with Russia. The countries of the Eastern Partnership were crucial for Russia, not so for the EU. The main threats facing the EU and Russia were from outside Europe. There were no lack of processes between Russia and the West: a) Medvedev proposal b) Corfu OSCE process c) global energy cooperation d) WTO e) PCA negotiations f) Georgia talks in Geneva g) START. The EU was not sufficiently visible in all these processes.

Sergei Kulik (INSOR) outlined the main points of the recent report of the Institute of Contemporary Development. He said there was a growing body of opinion in support of the modernisation agenda – political as well as economic.

Ruslan Grinberg (Academy of Science) said that Russia was too dependent on energy. It was not competitive in other areas and this had to change.

Bernhard Felderer (Austrian industrialist) agreed and said that the investment climate was not good. Over-bearing bureaucracy and corruption were two huge problems. The absence of the rule of law another.

Johannes Eigner (MFA, Austria) said that the current negotiations were the most suitable format. Creeping integration was a good description. All EP partners and Russia should move down track towards association agreements.

Barbara Stacher (EU delegation, Moscow) said that several WGs were discussing regulatory convergence. She was worried at growing protectionism in Russia partly as a result of the financial crisis.

The Vienna Dialogue will shortly produce a statement on how to move forward in EU-Russia relations.