The fight for Eastern Europe

By Vestnik Kavkaza

German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized the upcoming summit of the Eastern Partnership unexpectedly, heavily and ambiguously. She sent several important messages to the countries of the Eastern Partnership and Russia. Angela Merkel emphasized the achievements of Georgia and Moldova on the path toward the association agreement with the EU and promised these countries “uniquely deep and wide cooperation” with the European Union and real support, if the countries face Russian pressure. Moreover, Germany made it clear that even though Ukraine was in one step from the association agreement, the efforts made by Kiev were insufficient and didn’t perceive Berlin in the European choice of Ukraine.

Furthermore, Merkel diplomatically stated that Armenia, which decided to join the Customs Union, became written-off material and couldn’t expect a privileged attitude from Europe. Finally, Merkel urged the Russian authorities to stop thinking in categories of the Cold War and influencing decisions of independent states. Vestnik Kavkaza presents translation of Angela Merkel’s speech.

On relations with Moldova and Georgia

“The Republic of Moldova demonstrated that despite certain internal political shocks, it is the most resolute country in providing reforms among the eastern partners. To make initialing of the association agreement and the free trade zone agreement quick and effective, we promised to establish grounds for the upcoming signing of the association agreements as soon as possible.

Our relations with Moldova and Georgia will become closer than ever before, after initialing of the agreements. The agreements will enable these countries to reach a uniquely deep and wide cooperation with the EU. They will have opportunities for economic development, modernization of the society and the political system, as well as establishing of a modern legal state. It will improve the legal fundament for investments and trade, as well as the struggle against corruption. These opportunities will be available for the countries of the Eastern Partnership due to the association agreement and the free trade zone agreement.”

On Ukraine

“The close association with the EU requires liabilities. For example, it is a liability to fulfill the items which we have agreed on. The free trade zone agreement obliges our partners to implement European trade standards. It is partially a serious challenge for economies of our partners, and we shouldn’t have illusions. A lot of time will be needed to complete the process. However, economy is only one important part of the association agreement. Requirements on providing rule of law, democracy, and human rights are also important.

So, it makes us turn to consultations with Ukraine. The Ukrainian territory only makes importance of the country significant in the Eastern Partnership. The EU achieves the biggest progress with Ukraine in forming a new agreement quality of cooperation, but general devotedness to European value, like democracy, rule of law, civil freedoms, should be seen not in words, but in deeds.

Foreign ministers of the EU defined three spheres in which Ukraine had to achieve progress in December 2012. Firstly, it is a reform of election legislation. Secondly, it is elimination of the so-called selective justice, where Julia Timoshenko’s case is notable. Thirdly, it is implementation of the association’s agenda.

We expect that Ukraine will make real steps toward implementation of the requirements. We expect that the process will be constant and inconvertible.

There is no doubt that Ukraine still faces serious inner resistance against reforms. An additional serious problem for Ukraine is fiscal consolidation. Without serious finances, there will be no agreement on economic support from the IMF. We believe that such an agreement with Ukraine is necessary. Bilateral credits of the EU for macrofinancal support of Ukraine depend on this.

We constantly recommend Ukraine to conduct reforms. We cannot do this for the Ukrainian government. The reforms should be provided, notwithstanding, the association agreement will be signed or not. We understand that they cannot be provided in a single day.

We also would like to support Ukraine in its reforms by our cooperation and financial aid for the European neighboring policy, but Ukraine has to provide necessary conditions for this. And it has to do it right now.

Today I must conclude: it is still unclear whether Ukraine is ready to provide the conditions for signing the association agreement. Tomorrow the Foreign Ministers’ Council in Brussels will discuss the topic. If Ukraine meets our expectations and we sign the association agreement, we can provide Ukraine with our support, if Kiev sees negative steps by Russia.”

On relations with Russia

“We know that a decision on integration with the EU is difficult not only for Ukraine, but all our partners. In recent months many of them suffered significant pressure. I will do my best at the Vilnius summit for the EU balances this pressure by certain opportunities for the partners, like additional options for our partners’ export products at European markets, which could be exported to Russia, or energy support for our partners.

To be honest, the countries make their own decisions on a direction where they should go in the future. No third country has a veto right in this case. That is how we understand mutual respect of freedom of choice, which is registered in the OSCE Charter.

I have many times discussed the topic with Russian President Vladimir Putin. I have many times made it clear that neither Eastern Partnership nor bilateral agreements which the EU would like to sign with its partners are directed against Russia. Improvement and modernization of economies of our partners from Eastern Europe will be beneficial for Russia, we believe. The EU has many times sent to Russia its proposals on mutually beneficial cooperation through negotiations. I think we should continue cooperation to eliminate the “either-or” approach between the countries of the Eastern Partnership and the EU and Russia and these countries. We have to discuss these proposals with Russia as soon as possible.”

On Armenia’s decision to join the CU

“Armenia chose joining the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan; and so, it rejected initialing of the association agreement with the EU. Of course, we accept the decision. At the same time, we are searching for ways of cooperation between the EU and Armenia in the future. It won’t have a special status of cooperation, unlike cooperation with Georgia and Moldova, but Armenia is still an important Eastern partner of the EU.”

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“The Vilnius summit will be a significant step on the path of transformation of our partners in the East. It will show us a way to the future and make our future work clear. The shadow of the Cold War is still present, and our work, especially Germany’s work, is to encourage the Cold War to remain in the past for everybody, including our Eastern partners.”