MOSCOW SEEKS TO BLOCK POST-SOVIET STATES FROM INKING EU TREATY: PAPER
September 30, 2013 – 17:25 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – For decade and more after the collapse of the Soviet
Union, the newly independent republic of Moldova was widely regarded
in the West as a basket case, The Washington Post said in an editorial.
Governed by an unreconstructed Communist Party, it was known – when
it was known at all – mainly for trafficking in organs and women. Now
a liberal democracy with a growing economy, Moldova stands on the
brink of initialling an association agreement with the European Union.
“Russia’s bullying is not limited to Moldova. Georgia, Armenia and
Ukraine also have been the target of a mix of punitive measures and
bribes in the last several months. The Kremlin’s zero-sum aim is to
block those countries from completing association agreements with the
European Union and compel them to join a Moscow-led customs union that
would be an E.U. rival – and a means of realizing Mr. Putin’s dream
of recreating something like the Soviet Union,” the editorial said.
“Earlier this month Armenia capitulated and said it would join the
would-be Eurasian Union. But Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia have been
holding firm, saying they will proceed with their E.U. agreements. The
choice is a courageous one for all three governments. To qualify
for E.U. association, and the free-trade benefits that come with
it, the countries have to enact far-reaching reforms. Mr. Putin,
in contrast, asks nothing more other than tariff harmonization –
and implicit acceptance of Russian suzerainty,” the daily said.
“Some E.U. countries, such as Lithuania and Poland, are pressing E.U.
governments to ease the political conditions in response to Russia’s
pressure. That probably would be a mistake: if respect for the rule
of law is not linked to the economic benfits of E.U. association,
backsliding is likely. But E.U. leaders should work hard in the next
two months to persuade the Eurasian countries to embrace those Western
values – and they could use some help from the United States,” The
Washington Post concluded.
Armenia completed technical talks on a ‘deep and comprehensive
free-trade agreement’ (DCFTA) with the EU in July and it was set
to be signed at a summit with the EU in late November. In addition
to a free-trade deal, Armenia has been working towards the signing
of an association agreement with the EU, a framework agreement on
co-operation that is seen as a first step towards political integration
with the EU.
However, during a Sept 3 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
Armenian leader Sargsyan said Armenia is ready to join Customs Union,
with further plans to be involved in formation of the Eurasian Economic
Union. Mr. Putin supported the initiative, vowing procedural assistance
to Armenia.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt described Armenia’s intention as
a U-turn in relations with the European Union. “Seems as if Armenia
will break talks on free trade agreement with EU and integrate with
Russia instead,” he said.
Linas Linkevicius, the Foreign Minister of Lithuania, which holds
the rotating EU presidency, said Armenia “has blocked its chances of
signing a free trade deal with the European Union by choosing to join
the Russia-led union.” “We respect any choice of countries but they
cannot enter both organizations at the same time because of different
tariff requirements,” he said.
In a separate statement, Linkevicius and seven other ministers
from Nordic and Baltic countries warned against Russian pressure on
post-Soviet states. “Any economic threat or political pressure directed
against Eastern partners because of their European aspirations and
engagement with the EU is unacceptable,” they said.
The European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy,
Stefan Fule said the Customs Union membership is not compatible with
the DCFTAs which have been negotiated with Ukraine, the Republic of
Moldova, Georgia and Armenia.
“This is not because of ideological differences; this is not about
a clash of economic blocs, or a zero-sum game. This is due to legal
impossibilities: for instance, you cannot at the same time lower your
customs tariffs as per the DCFTA and increase them as a result of
the Customs Union membership,” he said during the European Parliament
plenary meeting in Strasbourg in a statement on “the pressure exercised
by Russia on countries of the Eastern Partnership.”
“It may certainly be possible for members of the Eastern Partnership
to increase their cooperation with the Customs Union, perhaps
as observers; and participation in a DCFTA is of course fully
compatible with our partners’ existing free trade agreements with
other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) states,” Fule said.
The Customs Union was formed in 2010 to include of Belarus, Kazakhstan,
and Russia; Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan later expressed willingness to
join the Union.