Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) met with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu. The talks – the first Turkish Air Force after the attack on the Russian Su-24 – showed that differences remain and talk about overcoming the crisis is not necessary. And while all of the key participants in the meeting of the OSCE spoke of the need to strengthen the coordination of the fight against terrorism, to achieve this is still not easy. The details of Belgrade – the correspondent of “Kommersant” Pavel Tarasenko.
Waiting for the meeting of Sergey Lavrov with Mevlut Cavusoglu for many participants of the meeting of the OSCE (and especially journalists) eclipsed the official the agenda of the event. After the speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Federal Assembly (see. P. 1), Turkish media citing its sources reported that although Ankara was sought ministerial meeting now its implementation is unlikely. This information was soon dismissed Prime Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, he announced the appointment of ministers and said that “Turkey is ready to discuss any topic with the Russian, in addition to its borders and sovereignty.”
As a result, the conversation did take place. “We met with the Foreign Minister of Turkey on his urgent request, but did not hear anything new, – said, answering the question” b “on the outcome of the talks, Sergei Lavrov.- Turkish Foreign Minister confirmed the approaches that are publicly announced president and prime minister Turkey. We confirmed its assessment. ” Commenting on yesterday’s statement the Turkish President about the involvement of Russian citizens to buy oil from the “Islamic State” (banned terrorist group in Russia), Sergey Lavrov recalled saying, “On the thief and the cap off.” Earlier, Russian officials have repeatedly accused the leadership of Turkey in collaboration with terrorists, and in particular in the purchase of their oil.
Speaking of Russian sanctions against Turkey, Sergei Lavrov assured that the Russian authorities will do everything in order not to create problems for the citizens of the two countries. “We see the Turkish people as a friend and not confuse the Turkish people and those who gave the criminal order (attack Su-24.- ” b “), – said on.- We want to avoid any steps which would harm relations between people. ” However, it is unclear how these assurances to already submitted Moscow restrictive measures. Recall, Russian tour operators have banned selling tours to the Turkish resorts; it was decided from 1 January to suspend visa-free regime with Turkey; On the same date will be banned for employers to hire workers from among Turkish citizens. In general, the meeting between the two ministers showed that serious differences remain and talk about overcoming crisis in relations is not necessary.
Russian Foreign Minister yesterday also held bilateral talks with counterparts from the United States, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Hungary, Finland, as well as Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Last year, at the height of the conflict in the east of Ukraine, Western journalists constantly interested Sergei Lavrov as he feels “an atmosphere of isolation.” At this time, such issues do not arise.
57 OSCE member states to combine the terrorist threat. US Secretary of State John Kerry, for example, in a speech made several references to the statement of Sergey Lavrov, agreeing with his thesis. Among other things, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry called for the speedy formation of a single list of terrorist groups and the abandonment of the principle of the division of terrorists “on the poor and acceptable.” However, international mediators have yet to determine who is a terrorist and who is – “patriotic opposition”, and with this problems.
The second most frequently mentioned was a Ukrainian perspective. A year ago, the Serbs announced that the priority of their chairmanship will de-escalation of the situation in the east of Ukraine. To achieve this was only partly true. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted with regret that the agreement to perform in Minsk by the end of 2015 failed. John Kerry called on Moscow “to work more closely with the separatists to achieve full implementation of the plan, including the withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment in the east of Ukraine.” He turned to the Ukrainian authorities, urging them to “carry out its part of the agreement” – to restore the ceasefire and complete withdrawal of heavy weapons from the demarcation line. Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin also on the sidelines of the meeting noted that the aim of Russia is not changed – “to destabilize the Donbass, and through him the whole of Ukraine.” Sergei Lavrov, in turn, called the “absolute priority immediate withdrawal (Kievom.- ” b “) to the economic blockade of Donbass”.
Serbian leadership yesterday made it clear that despite the problems, it has fulfilled its task. However, it is a minimum program. Initially it was assumed that the 40th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 – the founding document of the OSCE – will celebrate in a big way. Two years ago, not even rule out that in Serbia, in the anniversary year will bring together the leaders of 57 countries. But this year, this one even stutter. And the need to reform the OSCE – giving her the opportunity to respond rapidly to the challenges and conflicts – was said and continue to say.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier yesterday expressed regret that for 12 years the OSCE member states can not agree on any common statement because of “lack of consensus on the institutions that created together.” But Lavrov said directly: the organization is in a “systemic crisis”. In Moscow emphasize the political nature of a number of OSCE institutions – Special Representative on Freedom of the Media, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) (deals with, in particular, the observation of the elections), and the High Commissioner on National Minorities. Talking about specific claims, Sergei Lavrov yesterday called “eliminate unauthorized use of OSCE instruments by some countries against others, such as recently, no one had authorized the report of the ODIHR and the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Crimea.” The document, made public in September, was devoted to violations of human inhabitants of the Crimea since its annexation to Russia.
However, in contrast to the debate on counter-terrorism, the need to depoliticize the OSCE institutions recognize not all members of the organization. Thus, to seek changes in the direction of Moscow, and will continue to be difficult. Especially as Chairman 2016 – Germany – no claims to the existing OSCE institutions there.
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