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Zdzislaw Raczynski : Nobody makes Armenia choose between Brussels and Moscow
ArmInfo's interview with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of Poland to Armenia Zdzislaw Raczynski
by Ashot Safaryan
arminfo
Thursday, July 5, 10:41
Mr. Raczynski, many people in Armenia consider partnership with the
EU as a counterweight to the relations with Russia. Do Moscow and
Brussels really compete in this region and, particularly, in Armenia?
I do not share the view that Armenia or any other country of the South
Caucasus faces a dilemma: either the EU or Russia. One can and should
speak of another choice: either an authoritarian, corrupted,
undemocratic model of development or brave, consistent, democratic
reforms aimed at building a legal, fair, open state and society close
to the European understanding of the mechanism of a modern state. The
European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) is addressed to all the neighbors -
both eastern and southern ones. The Eastern Partnership Program adapts
the ENP to the conditions and needs of the Eastern European countries.
Who do you think benefits from destabilization of the situation in the
region given that the Karabakh conflict and the permanent provocations
by Azerbaijan hamper the integration processes you have mentioned?
The aggravation of the situation in the region is hardly beneficial to
anyone. There is a conflict, and there are problems inherited from the
past. I would not say that some external forces intentionally bestir
the situation in the South Caucasus. This problem has several
components. I think all the three countries of the South Caucasus are
quite small by their size and potential. Their future in the system of
international relations in the economic space of Europe would seem
more promising if these three countries came out as a single unit. We
would deal with a conflict-free space with its states effectively
cooperating, having open borders and contacting societies. This would
be a different reality, a different quality. However, one cannot rule
out that other players may make advantage of this complicated
situation.
Can one say that Poland as the initiator of the Eastern Partnership
program supervises the integration processes of the South Caucasus
countries?
I do not perceive such definitions as supervisor, curator, leader,
head... The three independent, sovereign states determine their choice
and their fate themselves. Nobody has the right to impose anything on
them. It's another matter that sometimes it's not bad to listen to the
friends or look at a successful example, which can be applied in
another country. I think Poland can be such an example. Over the past
20 years Poland has managed to reform the country into a dynamic,
rapidly developing state, which manages to avoid the acute
manifestation of the economic crisis. In addition, Poland has neither
deposits of energy resources nor any extraordinary privileges. Poland
is much closer to its Eastern neighbors - geographically, historically
and culturally.
Moreover, the country has a serious scientific potential analyzing the
situation in the eastern part of the European continent. Warsaw has a
political will to address the issues of Eastern Europe. But to solve
the Eastern Partnership's problems successfully, the resources of the
whole European Union should be mobilized, he said. Therefore, we
advocate involving the forces and funds of the EU in general and first
of all the most powerful economic state of Europe - Germany. One can
say without exaggeration that today the success of the project
addressed to the East depends on the harmonious interaction between
Warsaw and Berlin.
What attitude does Poland have towards the sanctions against Iran
given the demand of the growing Polish economy for energy resources?
Everyone in Europe realizes the concern over possible use of the
nuclear program of Iran not only for peaceful purposes. The
uncertainty around Tehran's nuclear program is a serious destabilizing
factor. Here we are in sympathy with our European partners. Poland
supports the EU's aspiration to gain transparency in Iran's
intentions. Warsaw can have no separate position. In the meantime, I
cannot say how efficient the sanctions are. Moreover, I do not
consider the unilateral actions against Iran to be a panacea. I think
that the discrepancies can be removed by means of a dialogue, and
today there are still chances to do that.
Does the European Union understand the cooperation between Armenia and
Iran given the economic blockade imposed on our country by Turkey and
Azerbaijan?
The European Union fully understands the specific situation of Armenia
and the need for its cooperation with Tehran. It is enough to say that
no critical statements have been made so far. Moreover, the
authorities of Armenia assure that the interaction between Yerevan and
Tehran does not violate the regime of international sanctions against
Iran.
The recent mutual visits between Armenia and the EU have been paid
consistently, which is curious enough against the background of the
sanctions against Iran and tension in Syria.
I do not think the mutual visits of the high-ranking officials are
connected with any geopolitical games or with the situation around
Iran and Syria. Certainly, we are very much interested in the stance
of Armenia as a country situated closely to the ongoing processes. Of
course, Yerevan is well aware of what is going on there. But I take a
different view of all these phenomena: such visits confirm the
developing cooperation between Armenia and the EU.
European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy
Catherine Ashton has recently said that the parliamentary elections in
Armenia were the best throughout the history of independence. Why is
Brussels so benevolent to our authorities given the numerous flaws and
violations during the electoral process?
Registration of some inaccuracies and flaws does not rule out that the
elections were the best of all the previous elections. They were
better than the previous electoral processes, but it does not mean
that they were really ideal. The whole report of the OSCE/ODIHR
Election Observation Mission directly points out the violations,
flaws, nobody shuts eyes to them.
ArmInfo's interview with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of Poland to Armenia Zdzislaw Raczynski
by Ashot Safaryan
arminfo
Thursday, July 5, 10:41
Mr. Raczynski, many people in Armenia consider partnership with the
EU as a counterweight to the relations with Russia. Do Moscow and
Brussels really compete in this region and, particularly, in Armenia?
I do not share the view that Armenia or any other country of the South
Caucasus faces a dilemma: either the EU or Russia. One can and should
speak of another choice: either an authoritarian, corrupted,
undemocratic model of development or brave, consistent, democratic
reforms aimed at building a legal, fair, open state and society close
to the European understanding of the mechanism of a modern state. The
European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) is addressed to all the neighbors -
both eastern and southern ones. The Eastern Partnership Program adapts
the ENP to the conditions and needs of the Eastern European countries.
Who do you think benefits from destabilization of the situation in the
region given that the Karabakh conflict and the permanent provocations
by Azerbaijan hamper the integration processes you have mentioned?
The aggravation of the situation in the region is hardly beneficial to
anyone. There is a conflict, and there are problems inherited from the
past. I would not say that some external forces intentionally bestir
the situation in the South Caucasus. This problem has several
components. I think all the three countries of the South Caucasus are
quite small by their size and potential. Their future in the system of
international relations in the economic space of Europe would seem
more promising if these three countries came out as a single unit. We
would deal with a conflict-free space with its states effectively
cooperating, having open borders and contacting societies. This would
be a different reality, a different quality. However, one cannot rule
out that other players may make advantage of this complicated
situation.
Can one say that Poland as the initiator of the Eastern Partnership
program supervises the integration processes of the South Caucasus
countries?
I do not perceive such definitions as supervisor, curator, leader,
head... The three independent, sovereign states determine their choice
and their fate themselves. Nobody has the right to impose anything on
them. It's another matter that sometimes it's not bad to listen to the
friends or look at a successful example, which can be applied in
another country. I think Poland can be such an example. Over the past
20 years Poland has managed to reform the country into a dynamic,
rapidly developing state, which manages to avoid the acute
manifestation of the economic crisis. In addition, Poland has neither
deposits of energy resources nor any extraordinary privileges. Poland
is much closer to its Eastern neighbors - geographically, historically
and culturally.
Moreover, the country has a serious scientific potential analyzing the
situation in the eastern part of the European continent. Warsaw has a
political will to address the issues of Eastern Europe. But to solve
the Eastern Partnership's problems successfully, the resources of the
whole European Union should be mobilized, he said. Therefore, we
advocate involving the forces and funds of the EU in general and first
of all the most powerful economic state of Europe - Germany. One can
say without exaggeration that today the success of the project
addressed to the East depends on the harmonious interaction between
Warsaw and Berlin.
What attitude does Poland have towards the sanctions against Iran
given the demand of the growing Polish economy for energy resources?
Everyone in Europe realizes the concern over possible use of the
nuclear program of Iran not only for peaceful purposes. The
uncertainty around Tehran's nuclear program is a serious destabilizing
factor. Here we are in sympathy with our European partners. Poland
supports the EU's aspiration to gain transparency in Iran's
intentions. Warsaw can have no separate position. In the meantime, I
cannot say how efficient the sanctions are. Moreover, I do not
consider the unilateral actions against Iran to be a panacea. I think
that the discrepancies can be removed by means of a dialogue, and
today there are still chances to do that.
Does the European Union understand the cooperation between Armenia and
Iran given the economic blockade imposed on our country by Turkey and
Azerbaijan?
The European Union fully understands the specific situation of Armenia
and the need for its cooperation with Tehran. It is enough to say that
no critical statements have been made so far. Moreover, the
authorities of Armenia assure that the interaction between Yerevan and
Tehran does not violate the regime of international sanctions against
Iran.
The recent mutual visits between Armenia and the EU have been paid
consistently, which is curious enough against the background of the
sanctions against Iran and tension in Syria.
I do not think the mutual visits of the high-ranking officials are
connected with any geopolitical games or with the situation around
Iran and Syria. Certainly, we are very much interested in the stance
of Armenia as a country situated closely to the ongoing processes. Of
course, Yerevan is well aware of what is going on there. But I take a
different view of all these phenomena: such visits confirm the
developing cooperation between Armenia and the EU.
European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy
Catherine Ashton has recently said that the parliamentary elections in
Armenia were the best throughout the history of independence. Why is
Brussels so benevolent to our authorities given the numerous flaws and
violations during the electoral process?
Registration of some inaccuracies and flaws does not rule out that the
elections were the best of all the previous elections. They were
better than the previous electoral processes, but it does not mean
that they were really ideal. The whole report of the OSCE/ODIHR
Election Observation Mission directly points out the violations,
flaws, nobody shuts eyes to them.