MOSCOW, December 29. Russia is in dialogue with the EU has focused on the development of bilateral relations with the countries of the community, which tend to take more realistic and pragmatic positions. This was stated by the Russian foreign Ministry on the results of the outgoing year.
“The relationship with the European Union remained the favorite hostage of the EU in the context of events in Ukraine politicized course to confrontation with Russia, – stated in the Ministry. – Most areas of bilateral cooperation have been frozen. Economic constraints of the European Union against Russia have been extended (until June 2016), as well as the Russian response restrictive measures of economic nature (to August 2016). Expanded list of Russian citizens and the return of the EU countries falling under visa restrictions”.
Other statements by the Russian foreign Ministry by results of the year
MFA: further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine could be avoided by Russia’s role
Russian foreign Minister: U.S. should stop “hunting” for Russian citizens in third countries
The Russian foreign Ministry: in 2016, Russia’s share in the Charter capital the IMF could increase to 2.7%
The Russian foreign Ministry: Moscow is supporting the establishment of democracy in Abkhazia and South Ossetia
The Russian foreign Ministry: US attempts to exclude Russia failed
The Russian foreign Ministry: attack on the su-24 has confirmed Ankara’s line on aiding terrorists
The Russian foreign Ministry: NATO continues to pose a threat to the national security of Russia
In these circumstances, the emphasis in Russian policy on the European direction “was placed on the development of bilateral relations with those countries, which tend to take more realistic and pragmatic positions on issues of cooperation with our country.”
“Continued constructive dialogue with France, favoured by five personal meetings of heads of two States both in the bilateral format and on the sidelines of various events, including in the Normandy format, – noted in depodesta of the Russian Federation. – Maintaining positive relations with Italy were strengthened by the visit of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers Matteo Renzi in Moscow (March) and the meeting of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the world universal exhibition EXPO 2015 in Milan (June) with Matteo Renzi and the President of Italy Sergio Mattarella”.
Contrary to the position of Washington and Brussels a number of other EU countries, including Austria, Hungary, Greece, Cyprus, and also “held the line in favour of further expansion of relations with Russia”. “Moscow was visited by heads of Greece Alexis Tsipras (April, June) and Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis (February), successfully passed Vladimir Putin’s visit to Hungary (January), reminded the Russian foreign Ministry. – Maintained contacts of Ministers of foreign Affairs”.
About the OSCE’s role on the world stage
The relevance of the OSCE as a platform for political dialogue increases due to the “freezing” of Russia’s dialogue with the EU and NATO, also said the foreign Ministry.
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Lukashevich: the OSCE is the best platform for dialogue on security issues
“The past year confirmed the important role of the OSCE in European Affairs as in the context of the current crisis in Ukraine and to consolidate efforts in the fight against terrorism, the continuation of the political dialogue on European security architecture, – stated in the Ministry. In the context of the ongoing “freeze” in relations between Russia-EU and Russia-NATO increases the relevance of the OSCE as a platform for political dialogue”.
However “accelerated some of the negative trends in the work of the Organization, primarily associated with non-consensual activities of the Executive structures of the OSCE, especially the Office for democratic institutions and human rights, high Commissioner on national minorities and the OSCE representative on freedom of the media”. Russia “was forced to reinforce the counteraction of hostile rhetoric and promotion in the OSCE approaches that are contrary to our interests”, informed in depodesta.
“As part of the process “Helsinki plus 40″ held the line to support strategic dialogue within the OSCE on ways to overcome the crisis of European security”, – stated in the message.
