Regional imbalance: visa liberalisation for Ukraine, sanctions for Russia

      Today, on the 14^th of December, the Foreign Affairs Council discusses the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, Frederica Morgherini, denied the possibility of a debate on the extension of the economic sanctions against Russia on this level. According to her, there is no dispute regarding this subject among the foreign ministers. This topic will be raised on the summit of the European Council this week. 

      Before today’s foreign ministers meeting, the commissioner for ENP and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, commented the possibility for a non-visa regime for Ukraine as a positive step. There is a high probability that very soon the citizens of Ukraine and Georgia will not need a visa in order to visit the countries of the EU.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend

      Just as Russia pushes away its closest friends, threatening them by any means (that usually hurts Russians), Ukraine take an initiative for deeper co-operation with these states. Ukraine is going to increase the export of wheat,  corn and oil to Turkey in case of Russian sanctions against Turkey. The Ukrainian-Turkish meeting regarding agriculture will take place shortly.

      This is the continuation of the historical matrix of Ukraine: whenever Cossacks had a big threat, they found an ally among Turks, creating a union. And then they became a strong actors in the region. 

Historical Matrix of Ukraine

     Yesterday, in the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, a fight between deputies occurred. It seems it is just the Ukrainian manner of doing politics. Looking back to the Ukrainian history: the rebellious Cossacks, who did not like any authority, any pressure from the influential Empires around, exercising independence and democratic self-rule starting  the 17^th century, it is hard to demand from such freedom-loving nation less emotions and more restrain.

     The question is why in Russia (not mentioning Belarus) any fights in the Parliaments occur? It would be better if there was any life at all.

                                                  Photo from Українські Новини 

Belarus is not ready for visa liberation with the EU

       While Ukrainian government is eager to get the visa-free regime with the EU, hoping for its launching in 2016, Belarusian Foreign Ministry is somehow surprised by the proposal of the EU officials of visa liberation. The agreement is ready for the initialling and signing. The main concerns of the Belarusian government are the policy of the readmission, and lack of the infrastructure for the citizens of the third countries. The situation is much more complicated: Belarus should make the same gesture towards EU citizens obtaining Belarusian visa. And what about millions EUR income per year? In order to obtain Schengen visa through Polish consulate, Belarusian citizen have to pay besides 60 EUR visa price, 150-200 EUR local service company, because the registration page of the consulate is blocked by nobody knows who. And in the end, for Belarusian government is more safe when its citizens are "safe" home.

When will we stop selling our values?

   Apparently, for the Italian government it is not enough thousands of deaths and ruined lives in the Eastern Ukraine. It is not also enough - the Russian military destroys civilians and necessary for living infrastructure in Syria.
  The six moths extension of the sanctions against the Russia had to be agreed on the meeting EU member states held on the 9th of December. However, Italy opposed, referring to the big economic loses. Of course, it is more convenient to speak out loud your values, keeping your pocket safe. But will it bring any change to the world? How many more lives should “eat” Russian monster, before the European politicians will stop feeding him?

Three get closer, three standstill

    On the 14^th of December the Council of the European Union will discuss the cooperation with its Eastern European Partners. The emphasis of the ministers’ meeting will be the Free Trade Area with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.
   On the contrary,  three other members of the Eastern Partnership – Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan – do not make any positive steps towards better cooperation with the EU.

   

Armenia: violations on the Constitutional Reform

       Referendum on the constitution change was held in Armenia on the 6th of December. It concerned the switch from a presidential system of government to a parliamentarian. In that regard the president will be able to stay at the office seven years instead of five. President also will be chosen by the parliament, not by the people. Protests of opposition side occurred on the streets of Yerevan this Friday. “Referendum results do not reflect the free will of Armenian citizens and should not be considered to be legitimate” – state the citizen Observer Initiative and the European Platform for Democratic Elections.

      Meanwhile, the negotiation on the new trade agreement between Armenia and the EU reopened in Brussels. The European Union hopes it will bring the new opportunities for the further investments and trade development with Armenia. However, the participation of Armenia in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) along with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and the strong Russian influence in the country can be serious obstacles for the future agreement. The Russian-Turkish conflict also brings a new role for the Armenia in the region.