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NATO's U-Turn On Russia Bound To Be Seen As An Embarrassment

http://www.rferl.org/content/NATOs_UTurn_On_Russia_Bound_To_Be_Seen_As_An_Embarrassment/1506674.html
March 09, 2009

By Ahto Lobjakas

International diplomacy is never an exact science. But rarely has post-Cold War history seen an equation as out of balance as that which emerged on March 5, when NATO decided to resume full diplomatic contacts with Russia.
 
NATO broke off relations with Moscow on August 19 in the wake of the five-day Russian-Georgian war, suspending indefinitely meetings of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC).
 
The alliance took great pains at the time to explain its outrage.

NATO foreign ministers adopted a declaration saying Russian military action in Georgia was "incompatible with the principles of peaceful conflict resolution set out in the Helsinki Final Act, the NATO-Russia Founding Act, and the Rome Declaration [launching the NRC in 2002]."

 
The ministers continued: "We have determined that we cannot continue with business as usual. We call on Moscow to demonstrate -- both in word and deed -- its continued commitment to the principles upon which we agreed to base our relationship."
 
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said NRC meetings "would be placed on hold until Russia adhered to the cease-fire, and the future of our relations will depend on the concrete actions Russia will take to abide by the…[August 12] peace plan."

That plan -- mediated by French President Nicolas Sarkozy -- committed both Russia and Georgia to withdrawing their forces to pre-conflict lines.

 
On the day the Sarkozy plan was agreed -- August 12 -- de Hoop Scheffer told journalists in Brussels after an emergency meeting of NATO's ambassadorial North Atlantic Council that "[i]t is very important that all parties go back to what is called the status quo ante -- that is, the status quo as it existed on the 6th of August."
 
But this has never happened.

'Not Talking...Is Not An Option'

Thousands of new Russian troops remain entrenched in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Moscow has begun talks with both self-proclaimed republics about the establishment of permanent military bases.

 
It is also arguable that Russia has taken no real steps to return to the principles it has pledged to uphold with NATO.
 
Yet on March 5, de Hoop Scheffer felt able to announce a reversal of the decision taken in August on the grounds that "Russia is an important player. Russia is a global player, and that means that not talking to them is not an option."

De Hoop Scheffer said the situation in Georgia would be discussed at upcoming NRC meetings, and that Russia has indicated its agreement.

 
It can be argued that events have overtaken NATO and that other, more crucial, priorities now top the alliance's agenda.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made that case in Brussels on March 5, saying the alliance needs to reorient itself to face "the new threats of the 21st century." She said the United States believes that "those threats in the future are more likely to come from regimes and terrorist networks than from nation-states in the immediate vicinity. Therefore, we want to help Europe to be prepared."

 
But coming after just seven months, the U-turn on Russia is bound to be seen as an embarrassment.

'Into The Garbage Can'

Russia itself was certainly quick to exploit the situation, with its NATO envoy Dmitry Rogozin telling reporters in Brussels on March 5 that it had taken the alliance a long time to reach "the correct position" and throw "into the garbage can" the slogan, "No business as usual."
 
NATO could certainly have done more to soften the blow for Georgia. As things stood, the decision to revive the NRC seems to have caught Georgia off guard. Tbilisi had to scramble to set up an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission on March 5 in a bid to consolidate its position.
 
Also, as the French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said after the March 5 meeting, it took a spirited effort by his Lithuanian colleague Vytautas Usackas to persuade NATO ministers to instruct de Hoop Scheffer to issue a strong statement in support of Georgia as he announced the resumption of ties with Russia.
 
Clinton also expressed support for Tbilisi on March 5, saying NATO's door will remain open to both Georgia and Ukraine. But there was precious little evidence of movement in that direction on March 5. NATO also failed to revisit the promise it made in August to assist Georgia in rebuilding its civilian -- and possibly also military -- infrastructure.

Ahto Lobjakas is a correspondent for RFE/RL. The views expressed in this commentary are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL.

Russia protests foreign intervention in resolving Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Foreign Minister Lavrov

http://news-en.trend.az/karabakh/1437326.html

10.03.09 12:00

Azerbaijan, Baku, March 10 /Trend News/ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks in an interview with news agencies in Azerbaijan

Q: Mr. Lavrov, which issues will be discussed during the Baku talks?

A: My task - together with my Azerbaijani counterparts - is to summarize the activities of the Declaration on Friendship and Strategic Partnership between Russia and Azerbaijan dated July 3, 2008 and outline steps to implement regulations in the near future. During my upcoming meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, I hope to hear his thoughts about developing our relations.

I am tuned into talks with my counterpart Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on key issues in our bilateral agenda, including political, economic and humanitarian cooperation.

Obviously, foreign political talks will be comprehensive. Russia and Azerbaijan, as neighboring countries and active regional players, have many topics to discuss. These are Caspian issues, including defining the Caspian's legal status, creating a multilateral mechanism to ensure security in the region and furthering economic cooperation. In this respect, we may make rapid progress.

We intend to discuss the initiatives of several countries to strengthen stability in the South Caucasus.

We will surely have comprehensive talks on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We will be glad to hear the thoughts of our Azerbaijani partners about Russia's future steps as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair to assist Azerbaijan and Armenia to end this frozen conflict.

And there is also our international agenda. We will see what can be done to further coordinate the activities of our foreign ministries in the UN and other international organizations.

Q: Are Russia's and Azerbaijan's stances on regional policy close, such as resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? How can the Moscow declaration contribute to solving this territorial conflict?  

A: Russia's and Azerbaijan's views on the situation in the South Caucasus and ways to guaranteeing peace and stability in the region were fixed in the declaration on friendship. Both our countries have concerns about existing obstacles preventing regional governments from developing steadily.

Firstly, this relates to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Russia's position has been expressed repeatedly, including by President Dimitriy Medvedev. I believe it is well known.

Again, I repeat that we protest foreign intervention. The primary responsibility to resolve the issue falls on Azerbaijanis and Armenians. Russia is prepared to support a compromise agreement to satisfy all parties. A viable solution is one that will return stability to the South Caucasus.

Now let us touch upon the declaration signed on Nov. 2, 2008 by Medvedev, Aliyev and Sargsyan and how it can contribute to resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I must say this document has great significance as the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders unambiguously confirmed their intention and readiness to continue bilateral talks to resolve the conflict.

It is no accident that the results of the trilateral meeting received support at the session of the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers in Helsinki in December 2008. Moreover, the three OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen - Russia, the U.S. and France - later made complementary proposals.

The fact that the presidents' last meeting took place recently in Zurich less than three months after the signing of the Moscow declaration testifies to the document's ability to resolve the conflict.

Q: Azerbaijani Parliament sounded anxiety in connection with anti-Azerbaijani direction of armed forces established under the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). What is the major appointment of these forces?

A: As far as I understand, this question is linked with a decision on establishment of the CSTO collective urgent response forces, adopted at an irregular session of the organization. I want immediately state any apprehension in this respect are groundless.

For instance in difference to NATO urgent response forces, these Forces are intended to perform only in the territory of CSTO member-countries. A decision to use these forces is adopted unilaterally by the presidents of CSTO member-countries.

Key functions of CSTO collective urgent response forces will embrace to repulse military aggression, to hold special operations to combat international terrorism and forcible extremism, transnational organized crime, narco-trafficking, as well as to eliminate outcomes of natural calamities and technogenic situations. To fulfill these tasks the collective forces will include mobile military units out of armed forces, special divisions of interior ministries and security services, as well as, emergency ministries.

Q: Despite response note by Russia, which denies any arms delivery to Armenia in 2008, Azerbaijan continues raising this issue at high level. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry states that this question is still open and the parliament continues sounding strict statement in this connection. How could this fact impact the bilateral relations? Can it make Russia to investigate the issue repeatedly and in more detail?

 A: We have repeatedly answered this question - Russia has never sold arms and ammunition to Armenia from base 102 in Gumri, as Azerbaijani electronic media reported on Jan. 8, 2009.

Unfortunately, the publication, which represents nothing else than diversification, easily found its "addressees" in Azerbaijan. I don't think there is necessity for additional investigation, because all statements made by Russia through its diplomatic channels are based on facts and do not leave any chance to doubt on conclusions by the Russian military leadership.

We understand Azerbaijan's careful approach towards the issue given difficult situation in the relations between Baku and Yerevan. At the same time, we are convinced that Russia and Azerbaijan possess enough reserves of mutual confidence to prevent such falsifications hindering us to expand strategic partnership.

Q: What steps are taken to consolidate the efforts of the CIS participating countries in combating negative consequences of the global financial-economic crisis?

A: Upon the decision of CIS Council of State Heads dated Oct. 21, 2008, a conference of the finance ministers of the CIS participating governments took place in Moscow, where the participants exchanged views on this question. Anti-crisis problems were also on the focus of attention during the meeting of the CIS Council of Government Heads, which took place on Nov. 14, 2008 in Kishinev. During the meeting it was recognized that the high mutual integration of the economies of the CIS countries requires coordinating steps for the minimization of the negative consequences of the crisis. Especially because the majority of the CIS states face such problems as, for example, limitation of access to the external sources of funds. The work in this regard was continued at the session of CIS Economic Council CIS on Dec. 12, 2008.

The anti-crisis measures are reflected in the Plan of measures for the realization of the first stage - 2009-2011 - of Strategies for economic development of the CIS for the period of up to 2020, which is planned to be submitted for the approval at the meeting of the CIS Council of Government Heads due on May 22 in Astana.

More "moved" the anti-crisis co-operation is made within the Eurasian Economic Community, where Azerbaijan is not a member. This was one of the key topics at the last session of Inter-Governmental Council of EurAsEC on Oct. 10 2008 in Bishkek at the level of Heads of State and on Dec. 12 in Moscow at the level of the Heads of Government.

Today already it is possible to speak of transition to the concrete combined actions in this regard. Under the chairmanship of the Finance Minister of Russia A.L.Kudrin, the EurAsEC Council for Financial and Economic Policy prepared complex joint measures to overcome the consequences of the global financial and economic crisis. The measures were approved at the December session of EurAsEC Inter-Governmental Council. The plan for the practical realization of the measures is finishing to be devised.

The extraordinary summit of EurAsEC which took place on Feb. 4 in Moscow made an important decision on establishment of the anti-crisis fund. The finance of this fund totaling $10 billion is envisaged for providing sovereign loans and stabilizer credits to the participating countries, and also for financing the inter-governmental projects.

Q: Will any positions in bilateral trade and economical cooperation which amounts to $2 billion undergo any changes in the context of global financial crisis?

 A: Indeed, goods turnover between our countries hit US 2.4bln last year. Overall the goods turnover displayed a double-rise over the past three years. It testifies for goods bases to further developing economic cooperation, gives an opportunity to rapture gradually from mutual trade on raw basis.

The current structure of bilateral goods turnover enables to minimize jointly negative outcomes of global financial-economic crisis. So, it is necessary take measures to consolidate quality changes in structure of mutual trade, increase share of goods with high added cost, particularly, machinery products. Furthermore, we plan to realize huge joint energy projects with Azerbaijan, which are being developed.

It will undoubtedly require from all interested organizations and enterprises to take active steps directed at increasing efficiency of economic cooperation. Our experts are sure Russia's remaining as a big commodity supplier to Azerbaijan. Russian entrepreneurs voice their readiness to develop hence their business in Azerbaijan. So, good turnover between Russia and Azerbaijan is predicted to remain in its 2008 level in 2009. I add that there is not any obstacle to involve Azerbaijan to antirecessionary measures taken under EurAsEC.

Q: Active talks are presently going on in connection with the implementation of Nabucco project, which also envisages Azerbaijan's participation in. Could Azerbaijan's participation in this project negatively impact on bilateral relations between Baku and Moscow?

 A: Azerbaijan's decision on participation in energy projects is its sovereign right and we respect it. It also concerns Nabucco gas pipeline.

Major criteria to select the route for oil and gas delivery should be cost efficiency, reliability and ecological security. We are against excessive politicization.

Russia share common understanding of diversifying energy supply routes as a method of ensuring the European energy security. We realize projects constructing alternative gas pipeline routes to different regions of the continent. First of all it is dealt with North and South Stream routes. Nationwide, "Blue Stream" gas pipeline has been commissioned.

We support expansion of Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation in energy field.

Q: If our young people begin to better understand each other and become closer, it will be possible to solve many Russian-Azerbaijani problems, which have risen over the last 15-18 years. What role do the Russian language and culture play in strengthening mutual understanding between the young people?

A: Welfare and prosperity of the country mostly depends on efficiency of youth policy. Namely youth differs with active position, receptive to all innovations, mobile, capable to find easily a common language with their foreign contemporaries.

Thus, 2009 was announced a Year of Youth in the CIS in whole and in Russia separately. Different events will be held and I expect youth from Azerbaijan to take an active part. I want to note that they are aimed to encourage interculture dialogue, to confirm tolerance in youth sphere, and basic spiritual and moral values.

Young people of our countries have too many common grounds. It is necessary to promote actively the bilateral programs of cooperation in youth policy, to create wider opportunities for joint public activity of youth. These projects should have legal basis in form of intergovernmental agreements.

Russia remains a key tool of human intercourse in CIS and respectively, represents an important element strengthening moral and cultural community of our nations. Although ethnic Russia comprise only two percent of total population in Azerbaijan, Russia retains a position of second language in the country. Education in tens of schools and universities is in Russia. We are grateful to the Azerbaijani authorities for efforts in maintaining Russian-language information, education and culture space.

We feel youth craving for Russian in Azerbaijan. Our task is render all possible support in this respect. We carry out many projects, including different contests and Olympiads on Russia, presentation of Russian education system, book exhibitions and literature evenings.

The development of cultural ties between our nations plays an important role in deepening mutual understanding between the youth of the two countries. A range of actions are scheduled for youth - an international festival of cinematographic debuts "Spirit of Fire", an exhibition of applied arts and folk arts, arts festival "Dolphin Games", as well as event within the framework of "Youth Diplomacy".

Q: What is your estimation of prospects of further developing the Russian-Azerbaijani humanitarian cooperation?

A: Very positive. There are huge reserves to increase humanitarian cooperation between our two countries both in bilateral spheres - education, culture, science, health, sports, tourism, social and law defense, information, and multilateral organizations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) - the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation and the Council of Humanitarian Cooperation.

During holding the national years of Russia and Azerbaijan in 2005-2006 our countries generated rich experience in implementing joint measures dedicated to different fields of life of Russia and Azerbaijan societies. We hope these good traditions will develop further.

We coordinate our relations in the international context under the Russian-Azerbaijani program on cooperation in humanitarian fields in 2007-2009.

We regard education and science as prospective direction of our cooperation. The recently opened Baku branch of Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Baku Slavic University, as well as other schools of Russia and Azerbaijan could be fully become platforms to implement joint projects in innovation spheres, particularly in nanotechnology researches. There is a good reason for it - 2010 was announced a year of science and innovations in the CIS.

Interaction in inter-religious field is intended to contribute the deepening confidence and mutual understanding between out two nations. We expect the fruitful cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Caucasus Muslims Board to continue.

We are interested in consecutive expansion of legal basis of humanitarian relations. The agenda includes concluding several bilateral agreements, including on migration problems, on establishment and functioning of affiliates of universities, on cooperation in youth policy and tourism.

Russian office under Swiss Embassy in Georgia begins to issue visas

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=13659653

TBILISI, March 10 (Itar-Tass) - The Russian office of the Swiss Embassy in Georgia on Tuesday began to accept documents and issue entry visas to Georgian citizens, Russian diplomats told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.

Georgian citizens can get "educational and humanitarian visas (for example, in case of the demise of relatives or the need for medical treatment etc), and visas on invitation of close relatives living in Russia," the diplomats said.

"At the present stage, as in the previous year, working and tourist visas will not be issued. As for business visas, these will be issued if Russian organization forward the relevant request to the Russian Foreign Ministry, and these organization are responsible for providing reception to the Georgian citizens going to Russia on business," they noted.

The Russian office opened on March 5, simultaneously with the opening of the Georgian office of the Swiss Embassy in Moscow.

Russia stopped issuing visas to Georgian on September 2, 2008, after the Russian Embassy and consulate in Georgia and the Georgian diplomatic mission in Moscow shut down, following Tbilisi's move to sever diplomatic relations with Moscow.

Georgia has not stopped issuing visas to Russian citizens. Georgian foreign ministry officials stated the other day that "Georgia has not and will not place restrictions on issue of visas to Russian citizens; they will be issued both upon arrival in the country and at the Georgian office of the Swiss Embassy in Moscow."

On September 2, 2008, Georgia said it was breaking up diplomatic relations with Moscow in connection with Russia's actions against Georgia in August 2008 and Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Georgia also said it would keep consular relations with Russia.

After the break-up of diplomatic relations, Moscow asked Berne to represent its interests in Tbilisi, and in early October the Swiss government gave its consent in principle, provided Georgia raised no objections.

Intensive negotiations with Moscow and Tbilisi were conducted for several weeks to determine details of this representation. Based on their results, two separate agreements with Russia and Georgia were drafted.

In December 2008, the government of the Swiss Confederation approved the relevant draft agreements with Moscow and Tbilisi, and instructed the foreign minister to sign these documents with the parties concerned.

Earlier this month, reports said flights from Tbilisi to Moscow via Yerevan would begin from March 10

A representative of Georgia's Unified Transport Administration (ETAG) said the flights will be provided by Armavia, an Armenian airline.

"The Armenian company applied to ETAG to make flights en route Yerevan-Tbilisi-Yerevan 14 times a week," according to the ETAG official.

Head of the Georgian part of the Georgian-Russian public commission on settling conflicts in the Caucasus Malkhaz Gulashvili announced on February 27 about plans to launch flights between Tbilisi and Moscow via Yerevan.

He said such flights would begin on March 1, but Armavia officials later said the date had been postponed "for technical reasons."

The launching of flights does not imply the restoration of direct air link between Georgia and Russia, which was stopped on August 9, 2008.