Press releases

A Strategy towards Europe’s Contested Neighborhood

The second day of the Rīga Conference 2010 was opened by the discussion of the Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Māris Riekstiņš, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Georgia, Grigol Vashadze, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Henryk Litwin, the Director General of the International Centre for Black Sea Studies, Dimitris Triantaphyllou, and the Senior Economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Alexander Pivovarsky and Director of Advanced Social and Political Research Institute at the University of Latvia, Nils Muižnieks as moderator on the topic “A Strategy towards Europe’s Contested Neighborhood”.

Māris Riekstiņš stressed that when speaking about Eastern partners we have to look at what we want. The answer is that we want to see this region to be stabile and safe. EU has both financial instruments in the form of practical projects and institutional instrument in form of treaties and agreements. Still there are also some problems – many of cooperation projects are slow and ineffective and there is a lack of strong message from EU (that it wants to see these countries as a part of organization). Similar situation applies to NATO.

The discussion indicated that the issue might be not about the “contested neighbourhood” but about “confused neighbourhood”. So we have to strengthen the Open Doors policy in order to send a clear message for the region. This will also positively influence their willingness to reform.

Reflecting on presentation of Māris Riekstiņš, Grigol Vashadze mentioned, that the term “confused neighbourhood” is not referable to Georgia, as it has solved its confusion. Georgia is ready for NATO but not yet for the EU.

Henryk Litwin focussed on the role of Poland. Poland will deepen its relations with the countries of Eastern Europe during its presidency in the EU. Poland also supports visa liberalization with Russia and the Eastern partners.

Dimitris Triantaphyllou said that we have to take into account that in the region there are countries that want to join EU and NATO, and there are some countries that do not and there are also some countries that see themselves as a pole of attraction. There is Russia, but EU wouldn’t deepen its cooperation unless Russia becomes liberal. And can it become liberal? There is also a question about Turkey where we see shift of policy in Turkey that can affect the countries` willingness to access the EU. Situation in the EU directly affects its neighbourhood, as crisis has affected the unity of the organisation.

Alexander Pivovarsky reflected on financial and economic challenges in the region. Crisis has highlighted weaknesses of the region and it will take some time until full recovery. Although data shows some recovery is already happening. This crisis has also confirmed the importance of the institutions for the market. Taking this into account the EU attempt to bring these countries together is positive. But there has to be an institutional integration for the situation to stabilize. In other case the challenges will continue.

The Rīga Conference 2010 is organized by the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and the Ministry of Defence of Latvia as well as supported by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, NATO, Soros Foundation – Latvia, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, European Commission Representation in Latvia and the Embassy of the United States in Riga, Informative support is ensured by LETA, DELFI un Latvijas Avīze.

Photos of the Conference are available at LATO Photo Album.