Foreign Minister Tuomioja: Russia entering a new era


Russia is approaching a new turning point in its history, Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja told a round table meeting of foreign affairs and defence officials in Ottawa, Canada. He was speaking early Saturday Finnish time.

The Gorbachev and Yeltsin years were revolutionary times - at times restive, at others static, and often unstable. Civil society began to emerge as a real influence.

Now, said Tuomioja, the Putin government is emphasising order and the construction of a strong state. The country is stable politically, but there are some worrying trends like the pressure on the free media.

“ I don’t believe anyone thinks that we have seen the end of this transformation. Huge efforts are needed to develop the welfare network of Russian society and the structures of its economy. In ternationally, Russia remains a great power in search of a new position.”

Tuomioja said that it was essential that Russia’s transition is engaged and tied in with broader European transformation, unification and integration. He pointed out that the Europeanisation of Russia is the consensus goal, not only in the European Union but in Russia itself.

He said that Russia’s trajectory is up to the Russians themselves. But he considers it significant and encouraging that Russia is today open to interaction with partners. “Clearly, the choice has been made: Russia will be part of the new Europe.”

Practical engagement

The focus of Finland’s policy towards Russia is on trade and practical cooperation, Tuomioja said. Finland’s eastern border is the only common border between the EU and Russia, and the management of that border engages Finland in many activities. For example cooperation with nearby Russian regions is lively, with small-scale projects and abundant human contacts across the border.

Practical activity and engagement are also the essence of the EU’s strategy on Russia, in the formation of which Finns actively participate.

“This does not mean that politics is left out of the policy towards Russia. The strtategy of engagement is only possible if the common rules and principles of domestic and external conduct are respected by all in the OSCE area.”

Tuomioja said that the dialogue with Russia must constantly include a follow-up of the implementation of those common rules and principles. Accordingly, the EU pursues a long-term common strategy on Russia. This is based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, combining political and practical components.

“It is important that the OSCE can be active in conflict settlement in areas of the former Soviet Union such as Nagorno-Karabakh, Chechnya and Moldova, and also in facilitating democracy in Belarus, even though the level of effectiveness may be sometimes frustrating,” said Tuomioja.

The Foreign Minister said that Russia’s respect for human and minority rights and its policies towards its neighbours have broad significance for European and international security.
























Transatlantic relations, the European Union and Canada

Russia