Background :
It is mainstream belief in Western policy that security in Europe can only be achieved by working together with – and not against – Russia. Ethnic conflicts, energy, security, nuclear proliferation, international terrorism, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran – the list of common threats is long. The strategic partnership between the EU and Russia is an ambitious aim, but doubts – concerning domestic developments in Russia as well as Russia’s regional and global power politics – remain.
Russia is and will remain a factor of power in Europe, the interrelations in the energy and trade sector reflect the interdependency of Europe and Russia. Historic and cultural ties do not necessarily result in a common set of values, negotiations on the new EU-Russia agreement are not proceeding.
Domestic stability and consolidation of Russian influence in the CIS region will be the main objectives of
the next years‘ Kremlin policy. Russia‘s protest against the intrusion of external powers in Eastern Europe is
often seen as neo-Russian imperialism and anti-Western ideology. The 2008 Georgia War illustrates how quickly
cold conflicts can turn into hot wars.
We hereby invite you to a discussion on the strategic partnership between the EU and Russia. Since years, Konstantin Kosachev has been a key decision-maker in Russian foreign affairs, formerly in the Parliament, now in the Government.
Programme :
12.15 pm REGISTRATION AND LUNCH
1.00 pm OPENING AND WELCOME by Dr. Angelika SCHLUNCK, Director, Representation of the Free State of Bavaria and Christian FORSTNER, Director, Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung, Brussels
1.10 pm KEY NOTE SPEECH entitled Soft Power and European Dimension in Russian Foreign Policy by Konstantin KOSACHEV, Chairman of the Federal Agency for the Relations with the CIS States, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the State Duma 2003-2011
1.30 pm FOLLOWED BY A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH : Konstantin KOSACHEV, Gunnar WIEGAND, Director; Russia, Central Asia, Eastern Partnership, Regional Co-operation and OSCE, European External Action Service, Brussels and Dr. Susan STEWART, SWP, Berlin
MODERATION : Christian FORSTNER
2.30 pm END OF CONFERENCE – Coffee and pastries –
Conference languages : German, English and Russian (Simultaneous interpretation will be provided.)