Rather than constraining its long-term ambitions, the EU is in the process of clarifying its intentions and sending further signals to the neighbourhood, Gunter Walzenbach, Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of England, Bristol, told Armenian News – NEWS.am.

Referring to the question on whether the EU Eastern Partnership program contradicts Russia’s interests, he said: “There can be little doubt that outright conflict has dominated the relationship between the EU, its Eastern Partnership countries and the Russian Federation over the last year. In the current state of affairs the continuation of a de-escalation strategy still seems to offer most for the key players involved.”

According to Walzenbach, at the level of rhetoric, for example, Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov has indicated that the strengthening of ties between the EU and several former Soviet Republics is not a ‘tragedy’, but that respective processes need to respect Russian interests.  

“The EU as a complex organization has to reciprocate to such a toning down in the political argument over territorial claims,” he said, “Perhaps Chancellor Merkel and President Holland got it right this time round by highlighting that partnership is not synonymous with enlargement and that for the time being value consensus and gradual approximation of standards is the best way forward.”

The fourth Summit of the EU Eastern Partnership was held in Riga on May 21-22.