Darya Melikhova, exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
The 50th Munich Security Conference starts today.
Seven years ago, this is where Vladimir Putin made
his famous speech in Munich, regarded by
some Western political scientists as the beginning
of a new Cold War. This time, 20 heads of State
and Government, as well as more than 50
foreign ministers and defense ministers, will
discuss the situation in Syria, relations
with Iran, the crisis in Ukraine (Vitali
Klitschko has already been invited), the future
of the transatlantic community and the role to be played by Russia, the EU and the US in
solving important problems in the domain of international security. Which of the
above will most excite the Russian delegation?
Vladislav Belov, Director of the Center of German Studies of the Institute of Europe
of the RAS, told Vestnik Kavkaza about the issues that will be of most
importance for the Russian delegation.
- Which topics of the Munich agenda do you consider to be the
most relevant?
I think Syria will be the leading topic. It is known that opportunities for
progress in the talks with the so-called opposition have appeared. However,
we see that the problem cannot be solved in a short-term period; it will
continue to be acute. The next slot of questions is devoted to
international terrorism, which is connected with Syria, Afghanistan, and
Iraq. Last year new tendencies were revealed, they are connected not only
with al-Qaeda, the Taliban, but also with new leaders, for example, of an
extreme wing of radical Islamism. I think the general problems of the
Middle East in the context of relations with Syria and Iran will be
discussed. The slot is connected with Palestine and Israel. These will be
the main topics.
European problems won't be so acute.
- What about the Afghan problems related to the withdrawal of the alliance
troops?
Afghanistan is a problem of terrorism, rather than a problem of withdrawal
of the alliance troops. How can the Afghan state cope with the internal challenges connected with the international
problems existing in the country without NATO's support? At the moment there is no concept of
Afghanistan's future without international support. I think European
problems will be discussed to a lesser extent, as well as cooperation with
America, including the views of Russia, the USA and NATO, I mean the missile
defense issues, even though I think the Russian representatives will touch on
the issues. Finally, the least important will be the problems of frozen
conflicts which exist and have to be discussed. This will be the likely
agenda. The conference is an anniversary, and great attention will be paid to
it. Of course everybody will remember Vladimir Putin's speech several years
ago, which stirred up Europe and the world.
- How does Europe consider withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan? Is it
concerned about it just like Russia?
Yes, but not only about the withdrawal of troops, but also the problem of
international terrorism in the region, which is financed by serious forces
due to drug trafficking, this is the other major problem. Afghanistan and its
neighbors, where international terrorism feels comfortable, concerns Europe,
as terrorist operations and projects which will be developed on the
territory will threaten not only Russia and Afghanistan, but the whole
world. I repeat that along with Syria it will be one of the key topics for
discussion.
