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European liberals to discuss a visa-free regime between Russia and the EU

Press Release. March 11, 2010

YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin is going to get support to YABLOKO’s initiative on introduction of a visa-free regime between Russia and the EU from European liberals during the annual meeting of ELDR Council which will take place in Rome on March 12-13.

On the threashold of the meeting Russian Vedomosti newspaper published an article by Finnish Foreign Minister Mr.Alexander Stubb where he stated the adherence of Finland to the agreement between the RF and the EU on facilitation of the visa regime which came into force in summer 2007, as well as called the Russian authorities “to concretize and accelerate” the work in this direction. “Finland would welcome a visa-free regime between the EU and Russia and will spare no effort for hitting this goal,” Mr. Stubb stated. “I hope that Russian leaders will have enough insistence and political will so that to facilitate the necessary reforms,” he wrote.

Sergei Mitrokhin discussed the problem of introduction of the visa-free regime at the meeting with Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to the Russian Federation Matti Anttonen on February 17.

YABLOKO’s leader supports the head of Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry

Press Release. February 24, 2010

YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin welcomes today’s statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on introduction of a visa-free regime between Russia and EU.

“We hope that consultations conducted by experts will reach a solution in the nearest perspective and we shall be able to speak about definite time [for implementation of the visa-free regime] then. Russia is ready to transfer to a visa-free regime with Russia already tomorrow,” Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, told the journalists after his negotiations with Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union.

European liberals welcome Russia to the European Union

Press Release. February 3, 2010

YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin called to the activisation of efforts in the introduction of a visa-free regime between Russia and the European Union at the meeting of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) taking place in Brussels today. ALDE is the third largest faction in the European Parliament holding the balance between the right and the left.

Sergei Mitrokhin told in his speech that “the European Union should work out a strategy for interaction with Russia based on integration rather than confrontation”. “The European Union should initiate the projects that would involve and initiate the Russian society and elite into the European values and approaches,” he said. According to Mitrokhin, such a strategy can ensure Russia’s movement along the European way of development...

According to Mitrokhin, the idea of abolishing visas between Russia and the EU was proposed as early as in 1995 by the YABLOKO faction in the Russian parliament. “We specially invited then Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Igor Ivanov and persuaded him that this initiative was not a fantasy,” Mitrokhin said. He also noted that in 2003 Ivanov shared these ideas with his Italian counterpart.

A number of MPs of the European Parliament supported the idea of development of a new European strategy in relations with Russia and agreed with Mitrokhin that the European Union had not developed such a strategy yet. Some MPs also supported the proposals on the earliest introduction of a visa-free regime and also stated that they would welcome Russia’s perspective joining the European Union...

On elimination of visa regime between Russia and the EU

Statement by the Party Chairman. February 1, 2010

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO considers abolishing of the visa barrier separating the European Union and Russia be the most important and a very necessary step towards RF-EU integration.
The advantages that both the sides will get in solving this problem considerably overweight the bureaucratic problems that may seem insurmountable today.

We are certain that the issue of elimination the visa barrier between Russia and Europe should be examined and solved by politicians rather than bureaucrats. A political will towards strategic decision-making will enable us to find constructive ways out in such issues as, for example, the readmission problem.

We would like to specially stress that freedom of movement within Great Europe is not reduced for the Russian citizens to facilitation of their business, study or tourist trips (albeit this is also very important). This means their normal life within a single European civilization on the basis of shared principles. And this issue has become especially acute when a visa barrier separated us from our closest Eastern European neighbours as close interaction with them has always been and continue to be very important when we speak about European trends in Russia.

On the need of further steps for creation of a joint Russian-European ABM system

Statement by Chairman of the Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO, September 21, 2009

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO considers that urgent conclusion of multi-lateral agreements on creation of an anti-ballistic missile defence (ABM) system for Europe jointly with the USA, NATO and the European Union is a challenging and strategically important task for Russia.

Implementation of this project is of global significance. At the expected rates of nuclear missile proliferation, the number of potential threats of missile attacks against Russia, the US, Europe and any country of the world will only broaden. A joint ABM system of the technologically developed states and Russia as a country with one of the largest nuclear missile potentials will become the most important element for protection of the planet from nuclear threats in the 21st century. For Europe creation of ballistic missile defence (BMD) jointly with Russia will represent the first large step towards creation of such a system and will be also important for raising the efficiency of nuclear non-proliferation policy.

YABLOKO calls to change Russia’s foreign policy
Press release, July 3, 2009
“Current trends towards growth of authoritarianism and corruption, neoimperialism, rehabilitation of Stalin’s regime, unbridled anti-Western propaganda in the mass media create a serious obstacle for efficient foreign and defence policies, as well as domestic and economic policies. This trend should be reversed,” runs YABLOKO’s programme declaration on Russia’s foreign policy.

Grigory Yavlinsky discussed with representatives of the European Union the measures to introduce a visa-free regime between Russia and EU countries
Press release, July 17, 2003
"We agreed to create a working group to develop further these proposals," said Grigory Yavlinsky to journalists after the meeting.

The Liberal Group of PACE approved the idea of visa-free regime for trips of Russian citizens to EU countries
Press release, June 21, 2003
..."elimination of the visa regime between European Union and Russia will in perspective become an important step in the development of economic, political and cultural cooperation between EU and Russia which is in line with the idea of a Single Europe without any demarcation lines."

Vice Speaker of the State Duma Vladimir Lukin proposes the introduction of a visa-free regime for Russian and European students
Press release, May 20, 2003.
He also noted that YABLOKO is the European party that has consistently supported the idea of liberating Russian citizens from visa barriers on trips to Central and Western Europe.

YABLOKO: the visa barriers separating Russia and Europe must be removed as soon as possible
Press release, February 20, 2003
The first real step towards an elimination of the visa barrier separating the single European space, including Russia has been done.

Grigory Yavlinsky will speak about a new security concept for Russia and Europe at an International Conference in Vilnius
Press Release, November 29, 2002
On November 29-30, Chairman of the Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO Grigory Yavlinsky will participate in an international conference "The Big Europe", Vilnius, Lithuania, devoted to contemporary security problems in Europe.

Grigory Yavlinsky: Respect should become the Russian national idea
Press Release, November 19, 2002
The leader of the YABLOKO party Grigory Yavlinsky explained his view of Russia's state and national idea at the round-table meeting "St. Petersburg in the 21st Century" at the Rosbalt information agency on November 19, 2002. According to Yavlinsky,the Russian state should proclaim the following idea: "preservation of the state within the present boundaries and the dissemination of European ideas and European influence via Russia to the whole of Eurasia.”.

Europe's March to the East
Moscow faces the prospect of choosing a new strategic direction
Vek, by Valery Liubin, October 18, 2002
We have not seen much coherent commentary in Russia on a decision made by the European Union in early October to accept ten new members in 2004 (Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, and Cyprus). However, this move is much more important and fraught with more significant consequences than the news about NATO eastward expansion which once caused Russia to dig in its heels. All attention is being focused on one side-effect alone - resolving the Kaliningrad dilemma and the tug-of-war between Brussels and Moscow - although it is quite clear which side will be forced to make the greater concessions when finding a compromise.

Vladimir Lukin advocates development by Russia of an Euro-Atlantic integration policy
Press Release, May 30, 2002
Deputy Speaker of the State Duma from the Yabloko faction Vladimir Lukin, thinks that the recent summit meetings between Russia and the USA, NATO and the European Union represent a "step forward rather than a breakthrough."

For the visa-free travel between Russia and the EU as a way to promote mutual trust and cooperation

Speech by Sergei Mitrokhin at ELDR Council meeting, Rome, March 12, 2010

In my view, elimination of visa barriers between Russia and Europe should be examined and solved by politicians rather than bureaucrats. All we need is political will towards such strategic decision-making. Long-term advantages here both for Russia and Europe considerably overweight bureaucratic problems. And it will also allow us to solve such issues as, for example, work permits and registration for foreign citizens working in Russia, which should be part of the general agreement on elimination of visa barriers.

For the Russian citizens the freedom of movement within Europe is not reduced only to facilitation of their business, study or tourist trips (though this is also very important). This means their normal life within a single European civilization on the basis of mutually shared principles and values. This issue has become especially acute when visa barriers separated us from our close Eastern European neighbours. However, close interaction with them has always been very important when we speak about European trends in Russia.

YABLOKO urges European liberals to work out a new EU strategy for Russia

ELDR Press Release, February 17, 2010

At a meeting of the European Liberal Democrats parliamentary group in Brussels on 3rd February, Sergey Mitrokhin, Leader of ELDR member party, YABLOKO, called for a strong collaboration amongst liberals in view of the introduction of a visa-free regime between Russia and the European Union.

Mitrokhin called on the European Union to “work out a strategy for interaction with Russia based on integration rather than confrontation”. Such integration is needed both for the EU and Russia in the field of the economy (which should not be reduced to oil and gas issues only), politics and national security (e.g., creation of a joint ABM), as well as a broad spectrum of other aspects, such as integration of Russia’s rich intellectual and labour potential into the European economy. “The European Union should initiate projects that would engage Russian society and elite into the European values and approaches”. According to Mitrokhin, such a strategy can ensure Russia’s steady movement towards the European way of development. Elimination of visa barriers and free communication between the citizens of the EU and Russia will enable Russian citizens to experience the achievements of Western democracies and observe how democratic institutions should really function and apply this in their own country...
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Grigory Yavlinsky: no discords in the tandem

Grigory Yavlinsky’s interview to the Radio Liberty
www.svobodanews.ru
September 22, 2009

Radio Liberty: Many Russian politicians are enthusiastic about Barack Obama abolishing the plans of deployment of the elements of the American ABM system in Central Europe. Do you share such feelings?

Grigory Yavlinsky: No, I don’t, as these missiles and the decision of deployment of the ABM system adopted by President Bush did not threaten Russia in any way. It had a symbolic meaning. What Barack Obama did, was done because he was amending an error made by george Bush, rather than yielding to Russia, as President Bush’ decision was absolutely inefficient - technically, economically and strategically. He had enough courage to shelve the erroneous plan created by George Bush.

R.L: How do you assess the reaction of the Russian politicians who are speaking about this as of a large diplomatic victory of Moscow then?

G.Y.: As immature, it stirs pity. Such a reaction can not serve as a basis for further development of reasonable, earnest, and, if we further elaborate on this thought, grownup relationships with the developed countries. In general this is a trade-in approach – if you give something to me, then I give something to you, if you take away your missiles, we shall help you or will not help you somewhere in Iran – such an approach to the world politics is extremely primitive. Such approaches proved leading to deadlocks and inefficient, but, unfortunately they have been widely spread not only in Russia, but in the West too...

Enemy Around - A view on the present conspiracy theory by Boris Vishnevsky
Fontanka.ru, June 30, 2009
The Soviet Union collapsed due to “ecological horror stories” of 1980s that provoked “artificial schizophrenic attitudes”: thus, a fear of salmonellosis led to a situation when Soviet citizens stopped eating chicken and the corresponding ministry responsible for provision of poultry collapsed, and a “horror story” on nitrates filling vegetables grown in the USSR killed our agriculture. After this the country was crammed with US poultry and imported fruit and vegetables.

Papers Say EU Deal Is Victory for Russia
By Alex Fak and Simon Saradzhyan, The Moscow Times, April 29, 2004
Arbatov said that while sharing positions on the seriousness of threats such as terrorism and proliferation, the two sides have not advanced far in practical cooperation. In part, the lack of cooperation is rooted in Europe's failure to develop its own military and security capacity in the form of a rapid deployment corps independent of NATO, he said.

Europe Prepared to Sign Interim Agreement with Russia on Visa-Free Regime
Rosbalt, April 23, 2004
The European Commission president emphasized that the transition to a visa-free regime in the long term would give 'practical confirmation of the devotion of both sides to the creation of a Europe without borders.'

Vladimir Lukin: A merger between Russian and foreign companies during Russia's integration into the world economy is inevitable
FMBusiness, October 20, 2003
"When a new partner appears the world arena, problems always occur: there is always some inferiority complex, there are always problems with existing market proportions, money flows and the system of current personal relations - this problem should somehow be transformed and changed. I think this is just a matter of time," said Lukin.

Italian Ambassador Predicts Visa-Free Travel Between EU and Russia
Rosbalt, July 18, 2003
He added that as the current holder of the EU presidency, Italy is 'ready to start talks on this issue very soon.'

YABLOKO and the European Commission will discuss the possible introduction of a visa-free regime between Russia and EU
Rosbalt, July 18, 2003
A joint working group of the YABLOKO party and the European Commission on the introduction of a visa-free regime between Russia and the EU will be created shortly.

On visa regulations between Russia and EU countries
LDR Group Statement, Strasburg, June 23, 2003
Liberals, Democrats and Reformers' Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe supports the idea of elimination of the visa regime between the Russian Federation and the European Union member countries which was discussed at the Russia-EU summit in St.Petersburg in May 2003.

YABLOKO collects signatures to eliminate visa regime between Russia and the EU
Grani.ru, June 8, 2003
The Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO has started collecting signatures from Russian citizens demanding the elimination of the visa regime between Russia and EU member states.

Russian citizens should go to Europe without visas!
Statement, June 5, 2003
We, the undersigned citizens of the RF, support the initiative of the YABLOKO party to eliminate the visa regime between Russia and EU member states.

YABLOKO starts collecting signatures to eliminate the visa regime between Russia and EU member states
Press release, June 5, 2003
"Russia is a European country and we have the right to feel that we are fully-fledged representatives of European civilization," stated the initiators of the address.

Patching Things Up at Putin's Picnic
By Grigory Yavlinsky, The Moscow Times, June 6, 2003.
The top-level meetings held in St. Petersburg last weekend produced positive results for Russia, Europe and the entire world.

The War against Terrorism and the Transformation of the World Order, three perpesctives
By Alexei G. Arbatov, CEPS Commentary, November 2001
...two months later after the "Black September", the weaknesses of the coalition and deficiencies of the operation are becoming more and more evident, as well as the confusion and inconsistency of the United States and other major players in adopting a new security strategy and still less in implementing it... (Archive)

Stumbling Blocks on the Road to Europe
World Economic Forum, 24.01.2003 (Archive)
Europe is not just a geographical concept, "but an economic, political and civilizational unit..."

Under a Single Umbrella
By Alexei Arbatov, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, April 7, 2003
The unfolding drama of the war in Iraq has pushed less sensational problems to the background, even though these problems may be extremely important in the long term.

The Strategy of a Compromise
By Grigory Yavlinsky, Deloviye Ludi, March 24, 2003
We cannot neglect the fact that Europe’s borders, separating the region from the most unstable and the most dangerous parts of the world, run along Russia’s borders. Their defense is an all-European concern. Furthermore, a weak and unstable Russia would represent an eternal breeding ground for terrorist threats.
Only a Bigger Europe, which takes advantage of the territorial and intellectual potential and all other resources of the former republics of the Soviet Union, can complete globally on an equal footing with North America and South-East Asia.

YABLOKO: Visa barriers separating Russia and Europe need to be eliminated as soon as possible
Aliance Media, March 4, 2003
The first real step has been taken to the elimination of the visa barriers separating the single European space, including Russia. That is how Chairman of the Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO Grigory Yavlinsky assessed the decision to form a working group to implement the proposal to switch to a visa-free regime for trips by Russian citizens to EU countries.

More Efficient Than War
By Grigory Yavlinsky, Izvestia, February 11, 2003
Nowadays it is difficult to find a politician in Russia who will not talk about the need to "join Europe". Russia is a European country. I am convinced that if everything goes well, Russia will be a member of all European political, economic and defence structures in 10-15 years. These will be mostly new organisations.

Grigory Yavlinsky thinks that a single Russian-European security system needs to be created as soon as possible
Alliance Media, December 3, 2002
On November 30, 2002 Grigory Yavlinsky commented in a speech at an international conference "The Big Europe", held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on the problems of establishing new relations between Russia, Europe and the USA, dictating the requirements related to the "creation of a new joint security agenda for Russia and Europe." "One of the key aspects today concerns the creation of a Russian-European anti-missile defence system for the theatre of military actions (RE AMD or AMD TMA)," said Yavlinsky.

Moscow faces the prospect of choosing a new strategic direction
Vek, by Valery Liubin, October 18, 2002
The latest round of talks about campaign cooperation between the Union of Right-Wing Forces We have not seen much coherent commentary in Russia on a decision made by the European Union in early October to accept ten new members in 2004 (Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, and Cyprus). However, this move is much more important and fraught with more significant consequences than the news about NATO eastward expansion which once caused Russia to dig in its heels. All attention is being focused on one side-effect alone - resolving the Kaliningrad dilemma and the tug-of-war between Brussels and Moscow - although it is quite clear which side will be forced to make the greater concessions when finding a compromise.

Grigory Yavlinsky advocates a visa-free regime at the Baltic Development Forum
On October 14-15, 2002, the leader of the Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO
Grigory Yavlinsky will take part in the fourth annual meeting of the Baltic Development Forum. The Forum will be held in Copenhagen and is entitled "New Bridges Between the Baltic States: Prospects and Strategies of the Centre of Growth in Europe".

Russian liberal politician concerned by attacks on Putin's foreign policy views
Interfax, April 24, 2002
Moscow, 24 April: The leader of the Russian liberal party Yabloko, Grigoriy Yavlinsky, expressed his convern that the foreign policy pursued by President Vladimir Putin has been under pressure from certain circles in the political and bureaucratic establishment aimed at revising this policy.

A Forum Argues Over Russia's Place
By Gregory Feifer, The Moscow Times, May. 31, 2002
Experts gathering Thursday on the heels of three major international summits said the West's leading policymaking institutions must include Russia in a broad strategic framework if they want to successfully tackle the top global priority: terrorism. Despite that general consensus, there was stark disagreement on specifics at the two-day conference on Euro-Atlantic integration, organized by the Washington-based Euro-Atlantic Institute of International Integration Studies.

Russia looks to its future role
By Quentin Peel, The Financial Times, May 27 2002
There is nothing like a good old-fashioned summit in the Kremlin between erstwhile superpower rivals, with a treaty on nuclear missiles thrown in for good measure, to get the pundits excited.

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