A more open, pro-active Europe is needed to deal with frozen conflicts - Main contents
The ALDE Group in the European Parliament hosted today a public exchange of views focusing on the many frozen conflicts throughout the Eastern neighbourhood and on ways to ease tensions and to reach solutions to these conflicts.
Following the debate, MEP Hans van Baalen (VVD, The Netherlands), ALDE Group' spokesman on Russia and Ukraine and Foreign Affairs Coordinator said:
"Ukraine is a test-case for the EU-Russia relations. If Putin fully implements the Minsk-II agreement, we can reconsider the sanctions. This could provide a basis to find solutions for other frozen conflicts and cooperation with Russia in the fight against IS. However, if Russia does not fully implement Minsk-II and maintains its support for the separatists, the EU and the US should stand firm and increase the sanctions against Putin and his regime."
ALDE Group Vice-President, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS (Liberal's Movement of Lithuania), added:
"Absence of will by Russia and its inability to live according to its own international commitments and universally recognised international law - these are the causes of increased tensions in Russia's neighbourhood. The EU must expand its policy instruments and be pro-active. This would enable us to have a more effective Neighbourhood Policy and use our soft power influence."
ALDE MEP, Paavo Väyrynen (Keskusta, Finland), initiator of the seminar, stated we must act to prevent Ukraine from becoming a frozen conflict:
“The EU must develop further instruments and tools to build confidence and contacts over the front lines of frozen conflicts. Increased people to people contacts, business links and more exchange,openness are the best means to overcome conflicts and suspicion. The EU must become better in being an engaged actor for these kind of measures.”
“We have to do our utmost to prevent Ukraine becoming a new frozen conflict. The Minsk 2 agreement must be fully implemented.”
Heikki Talvitie, Ambassador, former EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Viktor Dolidze MP, Co-President of EURONEST and Gunnar Wiegand, Director Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional Cooperation and OSCE, European External Action Service were invited to speak in the debate and to share their experience in dealing with the challenges arising from frozen conflicts.