Recently, the meeting of experts of six countries of the Eastern Partnership was held in Vilnius, which was also attended by me. The goal was the lessons of the conference held in the same city, and the future plans. The conference, basically, confirmed what I knew from the press, adding some nuances.
Of course, Ukraine was the most interested and discussed among these countries, by its size, and its geographical position before the President Yanukovych’s abrupt change of the course, and, of course, events taken place in Maidan. It seems to me that people with different beliefs are gathered there, who want their country to be independent: nationalists, democrats; there are even people coming from the eastern provinces, who are traditionally loyal to Russia. Do not be surprised, it is one thing to be a supporter of Russia and the Customs Union, and quite another thing – to lose the state and the dignity of the nation.
In all cases, no matter how this particular Maidan story ends, I think, irreversible processes are going on in Ukraine. Neither Russia, nor the EU or the U.S. will no longer be able to ignore the will of the people of this country, and these people, I repeat, do not want to live under domination of any country. It’s a good example for us.
It is obvious that all the 6 countries have serious economic problems, both, the countries that have initialed documents with the EU, and those that have not initialed. In addition, the degree of uncertainty is great (in this case, also “initialed” countries).
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For instances, the elections in Moldova will be held next year, and there is a possibility that the Communists will constitute the majority in the parliament (by Russia’s support, of course), with all its consequences. Plus, the Transdniestria problem. What leverages Russia uses for Georgia, it is hard to say, whatever it could do is done, consequently, it is very likely that our neighboring country continues to go on its own way. It is also a positive fact from our perspective.
It still continues to be a problem that the style of thinking of the authorities and political elite in the Eastern Partnership countries (except, perhaps, the same Georgia) remains Soviet, which, in particular, means that they are living not by the laws, but by “perceptions.” However, no European Union, no other institution, or a country can help us. Only we, ourselves, can change our thinking.
Some European diplomats were mentioning Armenia and Belarus in the same row. Although it’s unfair, but, by and large, we deserve it.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
