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RESULTS OF THE RUSSIA – EU SUMMIT

ALEKSANDR RAHR,
Director of Russia, Ukraine/Eurasia programs, German Council on Foreign Policy, Coordinator of EU-Russia Forum (in cooperation with the European Commission), Germany

I believe that only business cooperation is effective in Russia - EU relations. The European business will always be represented in the large Russian market. The European assets are of great interest to the Russian business.

But those positive events take place against a negative background. Recently there have been technical problems between Russia and the EU. Now the world-view and value differences were added to it. This is more serious. Such a situation may lead to the conflict fraught with the frustration of the strategic partnership.

As to the influence of the new French President upon the EU policy towards Russia, from now on Russia will have to consider the EU opinion. France has a new energetic leader. So, the future European policy will in many respects depend on France.

France will most likely give priority to strengthening the Euroatlantic ties, namely with the U.S. For France a more consolidated Europe is impossible without promoting relations with America. Above politics, the French business holds an interest in cooperation with the U.S.

These considerations make me believe that as the things stand today, the “Moscow – Berlin – Paris” axis cannot be created.

May 22, 2007

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