Publications in Foreign Media, Speeches

PARLIAMENT MAGAZINE, 15 October 2007

New member states still view Russia differently from many of the more established members of the EU, says Justas Vincas Paleckis

Between the EU members of the 20th century and the ten central and eastern European countries that became a part of the EU in the 21st century, there is still a gap in the standard of living, the instalment of new technology, views towards gender equality, foreigners and sexual minorities and alcohol usage. As time passes this gap should be bridged due to financial flows that go to the new EU countries, and due to closer relations that are being developed by living within one union. One of these lines of demarcation is reflected in the views towards the US and Russia. Officially, both of these countries are strategic partners of the EU. In reality the US is much closer to the EU, due not only to the fact that almost all EU countries belong to Nato, which is led by the US. There is another aspect that is no less important. Though the Iraq war and Guantanamo Bay have overshadowed EU and US relations, they remain good because they are joined by common values. The EU and Russia are linked by gas and oil, but energy sources and mercantile interests should not deflect dialogue on human rights in Russia. At first glance it may seem strange that most of the inhabitants of the ‘old’ EU members consider the US to be the biggest threat to world security. Iran, North Korea, Libya and other “rogue” states lag far behind, while Russia is mentioned in such surveys even less often. There is a different image in the ‘new’ EU countries that formerly belonged to the USSR or its sphere of influence. A massive Russia beckons nearby, which has awaken after a phase of public withdrawal and territorial shrinkage and is now flexing its industrial, military and influence-expanding muscles. Western Europeans don’t dislike the US as much as they dislike George W. Bush and his policies. In eastern and central Europe, Russia is not looked at with suspicion as much as Vladimir Putin and his policies are. And it is unfortunate, that it is precisely these sorts of policies that an absolute majority of Russians want – a number much greater than that of the Americans who support their president. However there is little hope that a phase of sobering up will occur in Russia. The person elected to be Russia’s next president in the spring will continue the same policies. A “national idea” and “special way of Russia” will be entrenched even further. Nevertheless, in my country, Lithuania, there is a prevailing opinion that dialogue with Russia, regardless of difficulty, is unavoidable. The EU has raised and will continue to raise the issue of human rights in Russia, and has worked together and will work together in many spheres in the future. As to the divide between old members and newer members of the EU on the issue of Russia, I believe this will lessen. For westerners it would be beneficial to absorb some of the cautiousness and fortitude from those in the east in their stance towards Russia. We could certainly learn something from the western Europeans’ belief in themselves and their practical stance towards Russia.