TALLINN, Sep 13, BNS - Russia's aggression against Georgia has aroused Europe from passivity, the chairman of Estonia's right-wing Pro Patria and Res Publica Union says.
Speaking about the future of Europe at the Krynica economic forum in Poland, Mart Laar said that even if the response to Russian steps has not been as quick and strong as sometimes hoped for, this is nonetheless one of the first times when Europe has managed to act in concert and present its positions.
It has brought results, he said, as Russia has become seriously concerned about ending up in isolation and is forced to retreat to some extent at least as witnessed by the withdrawal of troops from Poti and elsewhere in the buffer zone.
"Russia's aggression against Georgia has widened European prospects. If earlier it was not possible to speak seriously about giving Georgia and Ukraine a prospect of joining the European Union, now it is under serious consideration," he said.
According to Laar, Europe has realized that passivity in its neighborhood will cost more dear than active steps. "Other South Caucasus countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan which likewise feel threatened in the new situation have also emerged on the European horizon," he said.
Laar also noted that Europe can be successful only when relying on and defending its values. In his words, the Georgian events demonstrated that at least regarding Russia there is no point in discussing whether a foreign policy based on values or realpolitik yields better results.
"Realpolitik simply does not work as far as Moscow is concerned, like earlier dictatorships, the Kremlin sees it as a manifestation of weakness," he said.
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