Sir,

 

I read Sir Roderic Lyne’s article with great interest. I share the view that it is short-sighted to say Russia will never be a member state, just as it is unwise to say that Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and even Belarus will never be able to join.

 

The histories and cultures of these states are part of the mosaic of Europe’s heritage. But those states that were part of the last enlargement wave know very well that European identity is not sufficient for membership - the EU is primarily a union of values. Preparation for membership is a long process that demands political resolve and a complex of economic, political and social reforms.

 

Sir Roderic rightly notes that the very idea of Russian membership of the EU sounds unrealistic in terms of the current situation in the European Union, namely the on-going “reflection period“ and the need to cope with coming enlargements. More important Russia has for a long time had the experience of being a superpower, whereas it is only in recent years that it has embarked on the process of democratic transition. We should take this into account when assessing Russia's EU prospects. Russia is also still searching for its own identity. Opinion polls show that a substantial part of the population would favour the prospect of Russian membership of the EU, but an equally substantial part would welcome the return of Russia's superpower status.

 

We do not want to create new dividing lines in Europe. Russia's progress in the areas of democracy, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law will be the best way of avoiding any new dividing lines. We should therefore concentrate on working hand in hand with Russia as a strategic partner for Europe. Both partners should be mindful that it is common values that create the basis for genuine cooperation in areas of common interest, but not the other way around. Such cooperation would eliminate any need to persuade either Russia or ourselves that the time may come when Russia will be a mature democratic state and the European Union will be able to invite yet another new member to join the club.