euro|topics - Polona Frelih

02/12/2008

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Frelih, Polona

3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.

Delo - Slovenia | 14/11/2008

Recognition for independent provinces

"It is time that Brussels and Washington stopped pretending nothing happened in the Caucasus in August", writes Delo newspaper. "Sooner or later they must do what Russia did on August 26: recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This is probably inevitable in the long term. The only way for Georgia to regain control over the two provinces would be a new war, which Georgia must win of course. But in view of the presence of the Russian army, which showed in August that it has no intention of accepting such a solution, this is virtually impossible. By formalising the new reality as quickly as possible, the West would ultimately release Georgia from its agony as well. If the Georgian leadership managed to adopt standards close to those of Western institutions instead of worrying about regaining control over the provinces, the country would certainly not be left for too long before Nato's door, and could express its reservations as a full member of the EU in Brussels."

Delo - Slovenia | 07/11/2008

The EU's Russia policy must be more consistent

Delo newspaper writes that the Baltic states, the Czech Republic and Poland are concerned that the EU's Russia policy must be more consistent: "Despite Russia's threat that it will set up a missile defence shield in Kaliningrad, the European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner has advocated a start to negotiations on partnership and cooperation between the EU and Russia. ... The EU's policy is less consistent than the Russian: on the one hand Europe criticises Russia and on the other it flatters the Kremlin because it is dependent on its energy supplies. ... No one is in doubt in the new Europe that the US will have more understanding for its fears in the future, despite the change in president. ... No real changes are anticipated in US - Russian relations. In EU - Russian relations, however, the former members of the Warsaw Pact at the very least would like to see a little more consistency, or even stringency."

Delo - Slovenia | 18/08/2008

Are Saakashvili's days numbered?

The political career of Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili is over, writes Delo newspaper: "The renovator of 2003 was quickly shown to be a semi-dictator ... And his days are perhaps numbered. ... The mood in Georgia shows that the war-shocked population would widely support a change of government." Early elections could conceivably see Georgians electing a new government opposed to NATO entry, the paper argues. "In this way the Georgians would help Russia close another door to the US. ... The EU and above all Germany are dependent on Russia economically. Germany, Italy and France blocked Georgia's NATO entry last year, the three countries that did the most business with Russia last year. The long-term interests of the EU lie in its neighbours developing more or less functioning democracies, free media and transparent governments. US-backed President Saakashvili brought none of this about."

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