Russia calls for EU talks with newly born Eurasian Union

Andrew Rettman
EUObserver
Fri, 02 Jan 2015 16:44 UTC

Eurasian Union leaders in Astana

Russia's EU ambassador has urged Brussels to launch talks with the newly born Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) despite the Ukraine crisis.

Vladimir Chizhov told EUobserver: "Our idea is to start official contacts between the EU and the EAEU as soon as possible. [German] chancellor Angela Merkel talked about this not long ago. The EU sanctions [on Russia] are not a hinderance".

"I think that common sense advises us to explore the possibility of establishing a common economic space in the Eurasian region, including the focus countries of the Eastern Partnership [an EU policy on closer ties with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine]".

"We might think of a free trade zone encompassing all of the interested parties in Eurasia".

He described the new Russia-led bloc as a better partner for the EU than the US, with a dig at health standards in the US food industry.

"Do you believe it is wise to spend so much political energy on a free trade zone with the USA while you have more natural partners at your side, closer to home? We don't even chlorinate our chickens", the ambassador said.

The treaty establishing the Eurasian Union entered into life on Thursday (1 January).

It includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, with Kyrgyzstan to join in May.

Modelled on the EU, it has a Moscow-based executive body, the Eurasian Economic Commission, and a political body, the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, where member states' leaders take decisions by unanimity.

It has free movement of workers and a single market for construction, retail, and tourism.

Over the next 10 years, it aims to create a court in Minsk, a financial regulator in Astana and, possibly, to open Eurasian Economic Commission offices in Astana, Bishkek, Minsk, and Yerevan.

It also aims to launch free movement of capital, goods, and services, and to extend its single market to 40 other sectors, with pharmaceuticals next in line in 2016.

Comment: The Russians appear to be under the impression that the tide is turning and their 'real politik' efforts are paying off. There does seem to be an element of dissent in the EU ranks. Recently, French President Hollande said that economic sanctions against Russia must be stopped. The German Vice-Chancellor of Economic Affairs and Energy Minister said that tougher sanctions against Russia could destabilize the country and provoke an "even more dangerous" situation in Europe and have negative consequences for the entire world.

Also rather coincidentally, just a few days ago there was a renewed "drone attack" on another French power plant by someone with very high tech drones. The effect is to put pressure on the French government, to send a signal, that they and some of their most sensitive (and dangerous) infrastructure is being watched and can be easily infiltrated. Now we wonder who might be behind that effort....

We also wonder what the anglo-American warmongers and empire builders have in store for Germany if it 'slips' any further out of the Western 'sphere of influence'. It may take more than further NSA spying to force it back into the fold.