What will EU do with Russia?
While Sweden and the UK have suggested freezing EU-Russia partnership treaty and visa-free travel talks, keeping Russia out of the WTO and boycotting the 2014 winter Olympics in Russia following the crisis in Georgia, other countries highlight the need for enhanced dialogue and cooperation with the country.
Among the countries against a freeze of relations with the big eastern neighbour is Germany, which has opposed the suspension of negotiations in issues like the partnership treaty.
Also several European organisations warn against punitive action against Russia.
According to EUobserver, the International Crisis Group believes the EU now should consider Russia’s proposal to create a new “Treaty on European Security” alongside NATO and to “deepen dialogue and cooperation” with Moscow, if it respects the Georgia ceasefire terms.
Also the The European Council on Foreign Relations urges the EU to avoid a “punitive approach” on Moscow, working instead with Russia, Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia to develop trade and democratic institutions across the conflict region. In a policy brief, the council urges the 27-member European Union to stand united and act to prevent wider political fallout on the continent.
“The EU should help forge a positive peace from a war which threatens the foundations of the European security order, and should actively engage with its Eastern neighbourhood to resolve ‘frozen conflicts’ and avert new crisis,” authors Nicu Popescu, Mark Leonard and Andrew Wilson argue.
