... Estonia. He is an acknowledged political scientist with an expertise in Russia and its relations to the Baltic region and the EU. In this short interview, conducted on the sidelines of the international conference ‘Russia and the EU: potential for partnership?’, he comments on Estonia’s role in the widening of Russo-European cooperation
Mr Tüür, do you see a certain level of dissent from the pro-EU mainstream in Estonia?
Well, there are two fundamental aspects to this question: first, are Estonians unhappy about something, second, is that because of our membership ...
... remarks that Russia and the EU had taken a step towards each other at the conference. Maybe so; but we need not imagine any plans to be drawn up at an event like this. The main advancement made here was mutually admitting the inevitability of Russia-EU partnership.
Many agree that a common vision and mutual trust are preconditions for further cooperation. But care must be taken not to hijack the discourse by speaking in generalities and elaborating on run-of-the-mill ideas. Some European participants did exactly this, while others, including Mr Barroso, spoke of grandiose plans that seem little ...
... This should, however, come as no surprise at a political conference: leaders wishing for the EU’s survival must silence the evil omens.
Of birds and blue skies
In the first session, that assessed the developments since the signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in 2003, the Russian side was represented by Prime Minister Medvedev and RIAC president and former Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. From Europe, on the other hand, a range of old riders of foreign policy were present: Javier Solana,...
