An article by Russian President Vladimir Putin published in several European countries ahead of the EU-Russia summit in Helsinki
I would like to share my views on relations between Russia and the European Union ahead of the November 24 summit in Helsinki, primarily their strategic aspects.
Russia is a natural member of the "European family" in spirit, history and culture. Though we are not striving to join the EU, when I look into the future of our relations I do not see any areas that are not open to equal, strategic cooperation based on common objectives and values.
When speaking about common values, we should also respect the historical diversity of European civilisation. It would be useless and wrong to try to force artificial "standards" on each other. Russia readily draws on the experience of other countries, but as a nation with a thousand-year history, it also has its own experience to share with its European partners. In particular, Russia has a unique history of coexistence and fruitful interaction between religions, ethnic groups and cultures.
In the past few years, the EU and Russia have become important political and economic partners. We firmly believe that such cooperation should not be used to the detriment of relations with other countries and regions. It is my personal opinion that this policy will benefit everyone, including the European Union.
Our relations are becoming mature and well structured. Cooperation between our industries is gathering momentum, and our justice and interior ministries are taking part in an energetic dialogue. We are promoting scientific, cultural and humanitarian contacts, and we are doing all of this in a streamlined and systematic manner within the framework of a project to establish four common spaces. These are: economic issues and the environment; issues of freedom, security and justice; external security, including crisis management and non-proliferation; and research and education, including cultural aspects.
We also have similar approaches to issues of international security. Russia and the EU stand for strengthening universal regimes, primarily the non-proliferation regime. Despite tactical differences, we have a common desire to find a fair solution to the most complicated international problems, such as the Mideast conflict or the issue of the Iranian "nuclear dossier."
Russia is closely watching the evolution of the EU, which makes sense because the pace of the development of our relations and their future largely depend on changes in the EU. The latter could remain a predominantly interstate association or acquire supranational functions. We want our largest neighbour to be stable and predictable, and hope that changes and expansion will not erode the uniform legal space in the EU, primarily in the sphere of ensuring equal rights to all people of the EU irrespective of country of origin, nationality and religion.
We are developing relations with the EU with a view to the future, not the present day. It is my firm belief that dialogue should not be limited merely to technical, or "industrial," issues, such as quotas, tariffs, and anti-dumping and technical standards, although these are important and should be addressed jointly. Rather, I think we should first of all decide what we want from each other over the next several decades, and what we can do for our people.
Russia's approach to the future of European integration is well known. Our main objective is to create a common economic space and guarantee the freedom of movement for our people, as advocated by our business, cultural and scientific communities. A long and complicated road leads to these objectives, which are nevertheless quite feasible. Many partners in the EU share this approach.
We will soon have to start working together on a new accord to replace the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement expiring in 2007. We hope that the EU-Russia summit in November will give a boost to the negotiations. Our dialogue with our European partners shows that we see eye to eye on many provisions of the future agreement. Russia thinks it should be a compact but politically significant document geared toward the future and stipulating clearly defined goals and mechanisms for equal cooperation between Russia and the EU.
I hope that joint work on this document will bring Russia and the EU closer together. Future talks should not deteriorate into an exchange of complaints. And we will not be able to turn a new leaf in the history of our cooperation if we succumb to fear of our growing interdependence. I think everyone knows that such fears run contrary to the real state of affairs on the continent.
The problem is that those who warn of the danger of Europe becoming dependent on Russia see Russia-EU relations in black and white and try to fit them into the obsolete mould of "friend or foe". Such stereotypes have little in common with reality, but their persistent influence on political thinking and practice runs the risk of creating fresh division lines in Europe.
I strongly believe that the past must not be used to divide us, because we cannot rewrite history. Our current goal is to join forces so that Russia and the EU may build a common future as partners and allies. Russia is prepared to work for this, and I hope that a constructive approach will also prevail in the European Union.
