” Efforts should be made to avoid a new Cold War ” Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Frank -Walter Steinmeier has been Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany for less than five months. When he was offered repeat in office he had already taken in the first coalition led by Angela Merkel, the Social Democrat could not imagine that his work would become complicated so quickly. At a meeting Monday with El Pais, Le Monde, La Repubblica and Gazeta Wyborcza, Steinmeier speaks very slowly, as if each word as to weigh the seriousness of the events in Ukraine.

Question. After the events of this weekend, Ukraine is at war?

Response. Bloody Odessa images have shown us that we are a short walk from a military confrontation open in Ukraine. But foreign ministers are not to describe the situation, but to change it. And so I encourage you to seek the means of avoiding civil war.

Q. What are those tools?

A. There are many more possibilities. All rule out a military intervention of the EU countries. So we want to create the basis for a balanced solution between political pressure and diplomatic deals. No one denies that this solution is following the events of recent days, more difficult, but perhaps the tragedy of Odessa can become a clarion call to the parties that this situation can not and, above all, must continue.

Q. The call for a second Geneva conference is part of the constructive proposals of Germany?

R. Report violations of international law, such as the separation of Crimea in Ukraine, was necessary. But recent months have shown that it is much more difficult to propose solutions in an increasingly heated conflict. We are convinced of the urgency of an observer mission of the OSCE, to have at least an overview of the situation. More effort still required to launch a new quadripartite meeting in Geneva -Ukraine, Russia, the EU and U.S.. Of course it’s very complicated, but we have no solution.

Q. What went wrong in the first meeting in Geneva?

A. The mistake was not the conference, but the lack of a mechanism to ensure their implementation. Geneva served to establish a political base to try to defuse the conflict. But the steps to reach that goal nor described nor were launched. And so we need a second meeting of the four.

Q. What do you look Putin? Reconstructing a part of the Soviet empire?

R. The Russian foreign policy is focused on their areas of influence. And this not only leads to misunderstandings, but conflicts in the world since 1989 which was separated from its geostrategic vision. The idea of ??Europe to develop a political and economic relations with its eastern neighbors is not intended as a threat to Russia. We must convince Russia that the stability of Ukraine are interested in them as well as to the EU.

Q. Will you be able Ukraine elections scheduled for May 25?

R. The conditions are not good. But you can not allow a strategy that prevents Ukraine presidential elections. That Russia is caught in a contradiction: on the one hand, questions legimidad political leaders of Ukraine, and other difficulties that the chances of restoring legitimacy through the ballot box.

Q. Are we witnessing a new new Cold War?

A. The policy has a responsibility to avoid that which is feared. The Ukrainian conflict takes a speed and clarity that I have not have believed. Suddenly, 25 years after the policy of opposing blocs, we may have a new virulent European division. This is not only a risk for Ukraine. This conflict can end security architecture in Europe achieved over decades. We must make every effort to avoid a new Cold War.

Q. What has been the impact mild sanctions against Russia?

A. I can not say exactly what is the result of the sanctions and what is due to economic uncertainty. But the conflict Russia suffered an outflow of capital worth billions. Russia is already paying a high price. Moscow, if only for economic reasons, have a common interest in the stability of Europe Ukraine.

Principo P. Since the crisis, Germany has led the group of European countries that claim moderate sanctions. Is the escalation of the conflict and external pressures have made them change their minds?

A. I do not think an intelligent debate. Instead of harsh sanctions or moderate, I prefer to talk smart. So far all decisions have taken the heads of state and government and foreign ministers coordinated manner.

Q. How does the release of inspectors OSCE was achieved?

A. I am very happy for the release of the hostages. Is thanks to many who have contributed. Above all, the OSCE, an institution that may have been underestimated in recent years and decades. The OSCE can act as a neutral intermediary. But probably the OSCE have not succeeded in freeing the hostages if Russia had not exercised its influence on the kidnappers.

P. This crisis began last year, when the former Ukrainian president rejected a European offer of a commercial acuerrdo. Has this offer served as an excuse for Putin radicalized? Was it a mistake to force the EU to Ukraine to choose between Moscow and Brussels?.

A. The European Neighbourhood Policy was created as an alternative to accession. The EU realized, correctly, that was not good alienate their neighbors to the south and east, and it had to offer possibilities for political or economic development. These agreements were never presented as an obligation to choose between a partner or another, and we never hacelo in the future.

P. The conclusions of the NATO summit held in Bucharest in 2008 pointed to Ukraine and Georgia as future members. Is it still valid this idea? Could you imagine Ukraine EU membership in 10 or 20 years?

A. I would love to dedicate myself to think what will become of Europe in 20 or 30 years, but unfortunately I have to concentrate on help defuse this dangerous conflict. I do not see Ukraine in the process of entering NATO. On the enlargement of the EU, now we have set our sights on the Balkans. It is somewhat complicated enough. What will come in the future, I do not know.

Q. Is Putin still a potential partner or is it just an enemy?

A. We can not allow it to be our enemy.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=43688

Posted by Khalil Khan on May 7 2014. Filed under Europe. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.