Relations with the European Union are currently at their lowest point since the end of the Cold War, but there is a chance for their improvement. First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Alexander Sherin told Izvestia on Thursday, April 29, commenting on the statement of the EU Ambassador to Moscow, Markus Ederer.
Earlier that day, Ederer expressed the opinion that relations between the Russian Federation and the European Union are at their lowest point since the end of the Cold War.
“I completely agree with this, I believe that the Russian Federation needs to strengthen its positions, the national currency, develop the economy, and nothing else needs to be done. No need to pay attention [на уровень отношений с ЕС] “They will always be at this level,” he said.
At the same time, according to Sherin, there is still a chance for improving relations with the European Union. To do this, Russia needs to switch to settlements in euros in the international arena, transfer all of its foreign assets, accounts that exist to this currency, completely abandoning the dollar, and interact more closely with the EU, he is sure.
“We need to learn to work in such a way that the European Union itself is interested in improving relations with Russia. [А для этого] we must produce competitive and relevant products, including in Europe, ”added Sherin.
In addition, in his opinion, Russia should develop its own economy, industry, agriculture in order to get away from dependence on European countries. In this case, according to the deputy, Europe will not be able to manipulate the Russian Federation.
On April 22, the EU ambassador to the Russian Federation announced that relations between Moscow and Brussels were deteriorating, but so far “they have not reached the bottom.” Then he stressed that the discussions were hindered by the expulsion of diplomats and the situation between the Russian Federation and the Czech Republic. According to Ederer, there are few opportunities left for Russia and the European Union to cooperate in the “current political climate.”
Prior to that, on April 19, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that tensions in relations between the European Union and Russia were growing in different directions.
In turn, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, emphasized that Russia is ready to interact with the European Union in all areas, but only on an equal and mutually respectful basis.
In addition, the head of the department, Sergei Lavrov, said that Moscow would be ready to conduct an equal dialogue with the European Union if the organization deems it necessary to eliminate the anomaly in relations.
The press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russia is a supporter of good relations with the European Union.
At the same time, Borrell recalled in March that the EU countries need to adhere to the implementation of five common European principles in relations with Russia and show unity. According to him, the Russian Federation allegedly “is moving further away from Europe, does not agree to talk about human rights and political freedoms.”
Five common European principles in relations with Russia were unanimously adopted by all EU member states at a scheduled meeting of the EU Council in Brussels on March 14, 2016.
These include the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements on Ukraine, strengthening cooperation with the Eastern partners of the European Union, ensuring energy security of the European Union, developing European-Russian cooperation on international issues of interest to the EU, as well as supporting civil society in Russia and relations between the peoples of the Russian Federation and the European Union. …