Russia warns EU over ex-Soviet sphere of influence
Pastor Dale Morgan
Russia warns EU over ex-Soviet sphere of influence*
06 Feb 2007 20:03:53 GMT
Source: Reuters
MOSCOW, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Russia warned the European Union on Tuesday
not to tread on its toes in ex-Soviet areas that Moscow regards as being
within its sphere of influence.
The EU is seeking a major role in efforts to settle "frozen conflicts"
in the separatist regions of Moldova, Georgia and Azerbaijan, where
Russia is already acting as a mediator.
Sergei Yastrzhembsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special
representative on EU relations, said it was natural for the bloc to take
a greater interest as it enlarges eastwards, bringing its borders closer
to these conflict zones.
"If you want to make a contribution to finding an effective form of
resolving these conflicts, let's do it together without creating
problems for each other and not acting behind the other's back," he told
a news conference.
"The EU is, in principle, in agreement with this but on the ground it
does not always work out that way."
An EU official said that with Romania now an EU member, the bloc shared
a border with Moldova, scene of a long-running conflict between the
government and Moscow-backed separatists.
"The more the EU enlarges, the more we have a common neighbourhood,"
said the official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity.
He said the EU expected Russia to be a "responsible actor" in the
conflict zones and to respect each country's territorial integrity.
The EU and Russia differ on how best to bring lasting peace to the
frozen conflicts. Brussels puts the emphasis on territorial integrity
while Moscow stresses the separatists' right to self-determination.
Moscow and Brussels are also at odds over energy supplies and trade. A
row with Poland over meat imports has halted the start of negotiations
on an EU-Russia partnership pact.