The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, expressed on Friday 5 February in Moscow the willingness of the EU and Russia to strengthen their ties despite the many areas of disagreement.
And, in front of the press, neither Mr Borrell nor Mr Lavrov failed to point out these differences. The Minister began by explaining that the difficult situation was “due to unilateral and illegitimate EU measures” imposed on his country—in connection with the annexation of the Crimea, the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the poisoning of Alexei Navalny. “Further deterioration of ties is fraught with negative and highly unpredictable consequences”, he warned, describing the EU a few minutes later as an “unreliable partner”.
“We have to recognise that, over the last years, our relations have been marked by fundamental differences and a lack of trust. We are seeing each other more as a competitor or rival, rather than a partner”, summarised the High Representative.
The subject of the current tension is the conviction of the political critic Alexei Navalny. Mr Borrell reiterated the EU’s serious concern about this matter and reiterated its demand for his release and the launch of an impartial investigation into his poisoning.
“While we fully respect Russia’s sovereignty and its own responsibility regarding the fulfilment of its international commitments, the European Union considers that issues related to the rule of law, human rights, civil society, and political freedom are central to a common future, both for the European Union and Russia”, warned Mr Borrell.
While the European External Action Service (EEAS) was in contact with Mr Navalny’s teams to organise a meeting, it does not seem to have taken place. Recalling that the EU considers it “inadmissible” that Mr Navalny is in prison, an EEAS spokesperson, Nabila Massrali, speaking from Brussels, said that a meeting between Messrs Borrell and Navalny under these circumstances would send “a bad signal that we agree” with the fact that he is in prison.
Nor did Mr Borrell’s presence in Moscow prevent Russia from declaring three diplomats—one German, one Polish and one Swedish—personae non grata for taking part in a demonstration in support of Mr Navalny on 23 January.
This decision was denounced by the High Representative, who learned of it during his meeting with Mr Lavrov. “I strongly condemned this decision and rejected allegations that they had engaged in activities incompatible with their status as foreign diplomats. The decision should be reconsidered. I stressed the EU’s unity and solidarity with the Member States concerned”, he reacted, not in front of the press, but afterwards in a press release.
For his part, Mr Lavrov did not fail to highlight human rights problems within the EU.
Nevertheless, strengthening cooperation
Despite these areas of tension, Messrs Borrell and Lavrov highlighted areas where cooperation could be strengthened. “We will continue to disagree on many points, but we must look for places where we can agree and cooperate”, the High Representative explained.
The two men felt that the relationship could be strengthened, particularly in the area of health. Asked about Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19, Mr Borrell congratulated Russia on this success and expressed hope that the European Medicines Agency would be able to certify the vaccine’s effectiveness so that it could be used in the Member States.
For his part, Mr Lavrov regretted that Russia had been accused of disinformation about the pandemic, saying that a new channel of dialogue should be established to discuss the subject.
Culture, research, education, the Arctic, digital technology and climate change were also discussed.
Messrs Borrell and Lavrov recalled that the EU is Russia’s largest trading partner and stressed the importance of people-to-people contacts, especially students. And, at a time when the Member States are divided over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the Minister hoped that the cooperation and interdependence of the EU and Moscow on energy “can be used in the interests of both parties”.
Internationally, the EU and Russia cooperate on many issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme and the Near East peace process, on which Messrs Borrell and Lavrov agreed on the need to engage in the process, reinvigorate the Quartet and raise the issue with the Biden administration.
The two men also returned to the common neighbourhood between the EU and Russia. “In line with the Helsinki Final Act, stability in Europe must be based on cooperation, respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. And in this framework, we need to find spaces for understanding and to build mutual trust”, explained the High Representative, without venturing to name any countries.
For his part, the Russian Minister considered that the EU and Russia had a “joint responsibility” to maintain stability in the Eurasian space and said he was ready to discuss issues relating to EU projects on the post-Soviet and Central Asian republics. “It would be good to agree on the principle of not interfering in the internal affairs of the western Balkans or the post-Soviet republics”, he added.
Relations with Russia will be discussed at the European Council on 25 and 26 March. This debate, Mr Lavrov hoped, would enable the EU to opt for “constructive, professional and pragmatic” cooperation with his country. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)