MOSCOW, November 19. “Negative phase” in relations between Europe and Russia starts to leave. This opinion was expressed by the head of the Duma Committee on international Affairs Alexei Pushkov at a press conference in Moscow.
The MP visited Brussels from 16-18 November, and held a series of meetings in the European Parliament and the European Commission. During the visit to Brussels Pushkov spoke at the International conference on prospects of resumption of ties between the EU and the Russian Federation.
“I think now we are in our relations with Europe are at a critical stage in relation to the last two years, which was characterized by a fairly acute political confrontation, the adoption of sanctions against Russia, the numerous accusations, the anti-Russian nature of the resolutions, which were adopted in the PACE, OSCE”, – said Pushkov.
According to him, this period of confrontation still affects the current nature of the relationship, “because there are forces in Europe who would like to stay in this phase of negativity”. “But I had a distinct feeling that leaving this phase of our relations,” he said.
According to him, the Ukrainian crisis remains on the agenda. “But now it’s the second item on the agenda and, I think that with time it will go to third and fourth position,” added Pushkov. The Crimean theme, he said, “has gone virtually off the agenda”. “They (European countries) adopted a new geopolitical reality, they could not agree. But I see none of the significant countries of Europe, who would like to turn the Crimea issue into a stumbling block in relations with Russia”, – said Pushkov.
March 11, 2014 Supreme Council of Crimea and the Sevastopol city Council on the background of political crisis and change of power in Ukraine adopted a Declaration of independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol. March 16 on the Peninsula with a turnout of over 80% held a referendum, the results of which for the reunification with Russia voted 96,77% of voters of the Republic of Crimea and 95.6% of the Sevastopol. March 18, was signed the Treaty on the adoption of new constituent entities within the Russian Federation. Ukraine, the U.S. and the European Union refused to recognize the independence of Crimea and its reunification with Russia.
