Sir,

I read former British ambassador Sir Roderic Lyne’s article with great interest and share his views on a number of points – his description of Russia as a member of the European family, its culture as an integral part of the European spiritual space, and the commonality of fundamental values and principles that have traditionally been shared by Russia and the countries in the EU. Repeating these points is useful because for many people in the west they are not yet self-evident.

 

He is also right to analyse the Russia-EU relationship in terms of its complicated historical context, and the tragic lot of the Russian people in the 20th century. This is especially important against the background of thoughtless and sometimes intentional confusions in peoples’ minds between the Russian Federation and the USSR.

 

The issue of Russia’s eventual accession to the EU is, of course, not on the cards today or in the foreseeable future. Neither Russia nor the EU are prepared even to discuss the matter seriously: Russia because of its geostrategic situation and role in Europe and globally, its territorial vastness, as well as its traditional understanding of statehood and sovereignty; the European Union primarily because of the principles of its internal organisation. It is also clear that the hypothetical choice of EU membership would entail a voluntary restriction of the freedom of choice and action that Russia enjoys today and is not prepared to surrender.

 

While not setting itself the goal of joining the EU, Russia is nevertheless affected by EU enlargement, and in some instances negatively. We have our own legitimate concerns as Russia takes an active part in integration processes in Eurasia involving states that partially belong to what, in Brussels-speak, is known as the “zone of common neighbourhood”. We have agreed with the EU to actively promote integration processes in a mutually beneficial manner, thereby making an effective contribution to the creation of a greater Europe without dividing lines and based on common values. We expect that the future EU approach to interaction with these countries will not place them before an artificial choice between Russia and the west, and thus between different integrational organisations. We want to be equal partners with the EU, jointly formulating “rules of the game” and being important centres of power in the emerging multipolar world.

 

Rather than entertaining the option of EU accession, Russia is focused on active cooperation with the Union, setting ambitious goals and developing a joint strategy. We have been working together since May 2003 on the creation of four common spaces - common economic space, common space of freedom, security and justice, and the common space of research, education and culture. Two years later, to optimise this joint effort, we adopted four Road Maps which have already yielded considerable results. They have become the solid backbone of a strengthened strategic partnership between Russia and the EU. We now intend to reach a higher degree of integration, including four fundamental freedoms of movement - goods, services, capital and persons. One of the main changes in recent years has been the gradual transition from a mere exchange of opinions to ever more pragmatic and practical interaction on all issues, including human rights.

 

The principal task for the next ten years is the further deepening of this partnership, notably through the establishment of a legal framework to replace the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which in many aspects is already obsolete. I myself foresee that as integration deepens, agreement on effective joint decision-making mechanisms will become more and more vital. We cannot guess today what the basics of the Russia-EU strategic partnership will be 20 to 30 years from now, or under what “signboard” it will be implemented. The issue of membership is not the most important one. What is more important is a balanced and fruitful development of equal cooperation, strengthening security, prosperity and freedom on our continent. And for that, to echo Sir Roderic’s own words, it is vital to shift our thinking away from sclerotic concepts dictated by past circumstances.