British Prime Minister: Russia threatens Europe’s collective strength

25.11.2017, UK.

Theresa May, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, called for opposition to hostile Russia on the eve of the Eastern Partnership summit, TASS reports on 24 November.

We must also be open-eyed to the actions of hostile states like Russia which threaten the potential growth in the eastern neighborhood and who try to tear our collective strength apart. Today I look forward to joining renewed commitments to work together with European countries in order to confront those common challenges in the areas of security and development“, Theresa May said before the summit in Brussels.

She added that the United Kingdom is “unconditionally committed to continuing to play our leading role in maintaining Europe’s security“, despite the fact that the country may be leaving the EU. The head of the UK government said that she is “looking ahead to the future deep and special partnership with the European Union“, even after Brexit, mentioning her upcoming talks with EU Summit Chair Donald Tusk later in the day.

The Eastern Partnership was launched at the initiative of the EU in 2009, and it is aimed to enhance the EU’s relationship with six former Soviet republics: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Belarus. The initiative was jointly presented by Poland and Sweden on May 26, 2008. The Eastern Partnership is based on the goals stated jointly by the EU and the six Post-Soviet republics: to develop democracy, economic trade-relations, energy security, and liberalization of the visa regime. In addition, various bilateral contacts are envisaged for subsequent agreements between the EU and partner countries.

Editorial Comment

The Eastern Partnership was established in order to further “detach” the former Soviet republics from Russia, and for their subsequent “assimilation“. The EU will be interested in the human potential (professionals and remaining promising specialists), energy, and transit capabilities of the countries. The Eastern Partnership is aimed to oppose Russia politically and economically. Serious obstacles are made to discourage reintegration processes in the post-Soviet area. At the same time, it is quite surprising to see Armenia and Belarus in the list of the Eastern Partnership (with its explicitly anti-Russian content), who accept the proposed discourse without opposition. Would these countries silently accept accusations against Russia, a country with which they are actively and efficiently building their political and economic relations? So far, it looks like double standards.

The United Kingdom is currently in the process of “divorce” with the EU after the referendum on the withdrawal from the European Union, which took place in June 2016. In September 2017, Theresa May delivered her landmark speech on Brexit in Florence. In her speech, she made it clear that the United Kingdom is ready to pay the EU for exiting during a transition period of two years, in order to open a new trade relationship with the EU. Therefore, following the will of the people, it is necessary to withdraw from the EU with all the ensuing consequences, both political and economic, and to break all ties. On the other hand, the “foggy Albion” is doing everything not to lose its former benefits of being in an alliance with the European countries through the EU; and therefore, it falls between two stools.

Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency

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