Russia may be offered bigger say in European security |
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| Thursday, 26 February 2004 | |
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Forum Europe Andrew Beatty - EU Observer - 26 February 2004 Russia could have more of a say in the EU's security and defence policy if progress is made in resolving disputes on the Soviet Union's old borders, the EUobserver has learned. The EU is ready to offer Moscow the carrot of deeper security ties, in return for progress in thawing the frozen conflicts in Moldova and Georgia, diplomatic sources have told this news-site. The move could see Russia play a co-decision making role in EU crisis management operations, a significant step up in co-operation and one which Moscow has repeatedly called for. Although Russia has provided troops for previous EU missions, most notably in the Balkans, it has so far been given a minimal say in how such operations have been run. The offer could help break the decade-old deadlock in the breakaway Moldovan republic of Transdniestria. Diplomats hope that the offer could help the EU and Russia to work more closely in resolving the conflict and prompt Russia to withdraw its 2,500 troops from the area. Such a move, in turn, could pave the way for a European force - perhaps EU-led - to monitor Transdniestrias border with the Ukraine or the area itself. Earlier this week, the Moldovan prime minister Vasile Tarlev told journalists in Brussels that he hoped the EU would play a decisive role in ending the conflict. Mr Tarlev urged the EU to consider a monitoring mission to strengthen the Moldova-Ukraine border, including the Transdniestrian section and said that the EU would play the most important role in a future peacekeeping force. A representative of the EU Irish Presidency said that he hoped that EU would place "a very high priority" on resolving the conflict. Threat EU security analysts believe that the conflicts in Transdniestria (Moldova) and Abkhazia (Georgia) - although not live - are a source of instability for the EU as it enlarges. But it is Transdniestria that provides the EU with its most pressing task, and one which needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. The breakaway republic, on Moldovas eastern border with Ukraine, declared itself independent in 1992, severing links with Moldova and proving a constant source of instability for Chisinau. Since 1992, lawlessness coupled with the remnants of a huge abandoned stockpile of Soviet arms has allowed the arms trade to flourish. The Transdniestrian authorities have not been keen to reach an agreement - preferring instead the lucrative status quo, and Russia has not used its considerable leverage over the leaders in the Republic to make them to so. But if Romania joins the EU in 2007, as planned, the problem will become an immediate one for the EU. In under three years, the Union could border Moldova, a state which is a major source of European trafficking in arms and human beings - illegal trades which often have their epicentre in Transdniestria. Breakthrough? Since the inception of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) Moscow has pressed for greater involvement, viewing EU military development as a means of diluting NATOs primacy in Europe. With EU-US rows over European defence abating and the threat of regional instability moving up the agenda, the EU now looks ready to grant Moscow its wish, in return for more flexibility. A fresh series of five-party talks on Transdniestria will be prepared next Tuesday at a mediators meeting in Belgrade. It is hoped the meeting will identify common ground and pave the way for a resumption of negotiations. The EUs hopes its move may be enough to entice Moscow into pushing the talks forward.
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