EU leaders offer 'outstretched hand' to Russia
The leaders of France, Germany and Spain have formed a united front with Russian President Vladimir Putin, jointly pressing Syria to withdraw from Lebanon, stressing their common position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and glossing over differences.
Yesterday’s informal talks and dinner were a chance for the Europeans to assure Putin that Europe wants good relations with Moscow and to gently steer him toward greater democracy.
At a joint news conference, the leaders brushed over the toughest subject - Russia’s war in Chechnya, which raised protests from human rights groups. A few hundred people demonstrated in central Paris, some shouting: “Putin, terrorist!”
Co-operation and gentle persuasion – not confrontation – were the themes of the meeting to prepare for a larger summit ahead between Russia and the whole 25-nation EU on May 10. Chirac said leaders hope to adopt a “road map” for better cooperation on questions from economic exchange to human rights.
France sees the outstretched hand as the best way to elicit change in Russia, especially with Russia now at the EU’s doorstep. Eight former Soviet bloc countries joined the EU in May.
While the US is worried about Russia’s nuclear cooperation with Iran, the Europeans said they were not. Iran and Russia signed a nuclear fuel agreement last month paving the way for a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant in the Iranian city of Bushehr.
Turning the focus to another Middle Eastern problem, the four urged Syria to withdraw troops and intelligence services from Lebanon in accordance with a UN resolution.
In a statement, they called for “the total withdrawal of Syrian armed forces and security services, who must quickly leave Lebanese territory.”
The leaders did not dwell on Chechnya at the news conference. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said he “of course had respect for the internal politics of each country.”
Chirac, who has pressed for a political solution in Chechnya in the past, said he raised the issue in private talks but did not offer details.
The “outstretched hand” approach with Russia is in contrast to the blunter approach US President George Bush used last month. After meeting Putin, Bush said: “I think Vladimir heard me loud and clear” about building democracy.
Looking tense, Putin responded that he was “not the minister of propaganda".
