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US-Russian Tensions; Meeting of Foreign Ministers (Foreign Affairs Council)
Topic Started: Nov 20 2014, 09:04 AM (68 Views)
Chris
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Paolo Gentiloni
Minister for Foreign Affairs

Fellow Ministers, I would like to raise the issue of US-Russia tensions, and to seek to find a way that we can extricate ourselves from any fallout between the two. The rhetoric coming from Washington is troubling, and their desperation to confront Russia and drag Europe into a new Cold War should be avoided at all costs. I would like to hear the thoughts of my counterparts regarding this subject so that we can ascertain who stands where.

In recent discussions with American counterparts, I have been told that opposing the Russian Federation will make NATO stronger, and that removing the embargo against China could put "European and North Atlantic security at serious risk". These statements are preposterous. We are on the brink of being plunged into a Cold War on two fronts, one that we can ill afford.
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Litos
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Itō Hirobumi
Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Foreign Minister

We agree that the devleopments are troubling and urge an independent European policy that pursues our interests. We cannot afford in this time of economic turmoil to be embroiled in the conflicts of extracontinental powers, except in the case when our treaty obligations are directly concerned.
Edited by Litos, Nov 20 2014, 01:35 PM.
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Redbirdfan
Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Ambassador Sellal Pierre
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative to the European Union | Ambassadeur extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire Représentant permanent de l'Union européenne

While we believe we should avoid a confrontation at any cost, Paris is not willing to compromise on key issues towards Russia. Moscow has seen fit to invade it's neighbors at will and is in violation of human rights across the board as well as shunting democracy. While we look to avoid a "new cold war" we will not appease Moscow as they violate international treaties and sovereign territory left and right.
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Litos
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Itō Hirobumi
Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Foreign Minister

We suggest the commission appoint an official delegate, one of the countries interested, to negotiate with Russia over key points. While the great powers may squabble over the Middle East, the area of most direct interest to us is Europe, in which we must preserve the peace and stability.
Edited by Litos, Nov 20 2014, 01:35 PM.
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iceviking
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Margot Wallström

Statsråd och chef för utrikesdepartementet - Swedish Minister for foreign Affairs

Sweden has seen too often Russia's aggressive tactics of late, with constant violations of airspace a near miss with a Scandinavian airliner near Copenhagen in 20113 being the most serious and numerous incursions into Swedish waters.. We believe its time not to take sides. We need to keep an eye on Russia, they can turn off the tap to Europe and leave all of us cold, they can invade their neighbours at anytime and we do nothing about it ?

We agree that peace and stability is important , look at the last 10 years, up until recent times, Europe has been relatively quiet. We need to keep our interests firmly within Europe. Sweden and Finland have a have pact to help NATO forces in an event of Russian aggression. Sweden will also contribute to the Baltic Air Patrol as well. We will also work with our Baltic neighbours regarding security issues.
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winisle
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Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

The United Kingdom is not adverse to an official delegate to negotiate with Russia, but we feel that the parameters of said negotiations must be set down first. We can agree that peace and prosperity in Europe is of primary importance, but the UK can not look aside from Russian actions in the Ukraine.
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Chris
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Paolo Gentiloni
Minister for Foreign Affairs

I agree with the sentiments of all of my fellow Ministers. As Mr Pierre says, the Russian decision to ignore international law, and the norms and conventions of international order do not bode well, and we should spell out that we do not and will not recognise their territorial claims over Crimea. That being said, there is no way of undoing what has been done.

I would suggest that we lay down a framework for discussions with Moscow prior to appointing a delegate to discuss EU-Russian relations. I suggest that those members with suggestions for this framework make them clear so that they may be discussed, and then one agreed upon, we can undertake a meeting to alleviate the current tensions and bring relations back on track.

My own government proposes the following:
  • The European Union does not, nor will it ever, recognise Russian control of Crimea as legitimate.

  • 'Agreement that the European Union will not expand beyond the current six candidates, none of which will be added before 2020. (We have enough issues within the current EU, and Mr Juncker has made clear that no new members will be added for five years. Talk of the Ukraine joining, frankly, my government will oppose until the Ukraine is in such a position that it will not require the diversion of billions of Euros to bring its infrastructure up to a reasonable level. We can ill afford to add another sick and ailing economy to the basket for some time!)
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Redbirdfan
Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Ambassador Sellal Pierre
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative to the European Union | Ambassadeur extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire Représentant permanent de l'Union européenne

Paris categorically disagrees with the second statement by Minister Gentiloni. Paris recognizes the individual rights and goals of independent and free thinking nations and will not stand in the way of aspiring nations to join the Union based off of Russian threats or other barriers.
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Chris
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Paolo Gentiloni
Minister for Foreign Affairs

Mr Pierre, it has nothing to do with Russian threats. We should ask what aspirant members can bring to the Union, and at present, the Ukraine offers very little for considerable cost. Cost financially, geopolitically and demographically. President Juncker says no new states will be added until 2020, and I see no other potential candidates for membership beyond the six current aspirant members. Kosovo cannot be added as it is not recognised by all EU states, while Serbia and Bosnia have a long way to go, and the same cost/benefit analysis should be applied to any potential application in the future.

By all means, we can drop the second statement, but I can assure you that the Ukraine will not become a member of the Union until it has something to offer.
Edited by Chris, Nov 21 2014, 09:30 AM.
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Litos
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Itō Hirobumi
Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Foreign Minister

We follow President Juncker's declaration that the Union shall not expand and will support his decision and the remarks from Italy. Provocation will bring unnecessary trouble to us.
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