The results of the first day of the “frosty” summit

photo by twitter.com/S_Andrushko

The Summit in Vilnius is referred to as “frosty” by journalists, both because of the snow in Vilnius and because of being a disappointment for many.

The first day brought no miracles. On the threshold of the official part of the Summit German Chancellor Angela Merkel admitted that there are no hopes to sign the Association Agreement with Ukraine. Later she met with Yanukovich, who told the Chancellor about complicated economic situation in the country and “big threats” that Ukraine faces.

“We are very disappointed”, - said Carl Bildt, the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, in relation with the Ukrainian demarche at the Civil Society Conference on November 28. Still, the EU is not going to completely reverse its policy towards Ukraine: “The doors are open”.

 “We offer Ukraine the biggest world market. Isn’t it enough?” – claimed Stefan Füle, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, when answering the question of the EuroBelarus Information Service about the doubts of the official Kiev regarding the official benefits from Eurointegration.

It should be noted that the Conference “Eastern Partnership Reality Check: Political Challenges and Future Agenda for Civil Society” came to be one of the highlights of the day. However, Ukrainian question was still the main topic discussed behind the scenes.

European politicians gave rather restrained assessment of the official Kiev’s behavior. One of the reasons for a decision to restrain from sharp criticism might be the reluctance of the EU to push Ukraine towards Russia.

At least Georgia and Moldova didn’t cause any worries for the participants of the Summit, ratifying EU Association Agreement.

On November 28 the Bў-Room forum opened in Vilnius. At the fair representatives of the civil society from Belarus, leading Belarusian NGOs and some political organizations presented their work. Bў-ROOM is open to all who are interested in the activities of civil society organizations, the Eastern Partnership and Belarus. Petras Austrevicius, Vice-Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament, officially opened Bў-Room*.

The main events of the Vilnius Summit are happening today, on November 29. Simultaneously with the Summit side events of the EaP are going on.

Still, there is nothing to be discussed about the EU-Belarus relations in connection with the ongoing Summit in Vilnius, believes Andrei Yahorau, the director of the Centre for European Transformation.

“Nothing important for Belarus is likely to happen here, at the Summit. Belarus is still on the agenda; thus, human rights situation, the possibility of establishing mutual relations, etc. are to be discussed. But it is not worth expecting some decisions on Belarus at the Summit”, said Andrei Yahorau in the talk with the EuroBelarus Information Service.

Yet we should say that several statements on Belarus were voiced at the EaP Civil Society Forum. Thus, Radoslaw Sikorski, Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs, when talking about the abolishment of visa regime with Moldova didn’t exclude the same step for Belarus, too. But only if certain conditions are fulfilled:  controlled border, Readmission Agreement, biometric passports. And what is most important – “proper political climate between Belarus and the EU”.

Andrius Kubilius, ex-Prime Minister of Lithuania, the leader of the conservative political party “Homeland Union”, named conditions for the improvement of Belarus’ stance in the Eastern Partnership program: release of the political prisoners, free elections and freedom of speech.

The first day closed with the reception at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, where several hundred journalists gathered to hear German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Martin Shultz, the President of the European Parliament, who spoke about the opened doors and windows for Ukraine. Martin Shultz also said that the positive solution of the Ukrainian problem is possible with a different Parliament and a different Ukrainian President.