For many participants, this “Petersburg Dialogue”, to complete its work on July 15 at St. Petersburg, the end of the forum was svoebraznym deja vu, a repetition of last year’s dialogue in Potsdam. As then, the coordinators of the working groups reported on the outcome of the two-day conference, and then call for an exchange of views on the final debate received co-chairs of the Russian and German sides.
That the Viktor Zubkov, and Ronald Pofalla (RonaldPofalla) hold radically opposing points of view with regard to the annexation of the Crimea and the law on “foreign agents”, which in Russian is called non-profit organizations receiving assistance from abroad, it is known to all participants “Petersburg dialogue”. The co-chairs have repeatedly openly, calmly and diplomatically expressed his opinion. But this time, at the end of the forum Victor Zubkov expressed emotions, as if on purpose, the shore at last.
undiplomatic move
The reason for rereadings from an emotions explosion Ronald Pofalla was a proposal to invite the next forum of experts from other countries. The proposal is indeed controversial, given the many differences in the relationship between Germany and Russia. They would deal with each other. And Zubkov, at the time head of the Russian government, and Pofalla, who led the Federal Chancellery, know firsthand that in case of disagreement in public is always possible to find a diplomatic formulation, and the rest discuss later, behind closed doors.
Andrew Brenner, special correspondent of DW in the” Petersburg dialogue “
Therefore, an unexpected call Viktor Zubkov to the audience to vote for the proposal of his German colleagues caused to put it mildly, puzzling most participants “Petersburg dialogue”, especially on the German side. They called performance Zubkov, rebelled ideas Pofalla, “theatrical”, “Political theater”, “game of democracy.” Demarche clearly ran counter to the tone and the nature of the discussions in the working groups. Their experts for 15 years, often in spite of the differences of opinion, not only between the Germans and Russians, but also within the delegation, find and helpful tone and ways of cooperation on various spheres – from politics and culture to youth exchanges and education
and it would be naive to believe that Viktor Zubkov, who has made a successful career as a government official and politician, did not realize what kind of reaction would cause his alleged emotional outburst on stage a conference hall of the hotel “Baltic” in this year or in Potsdam in the past.
Why Zubkov did it
There are two main versions of these explanations, like a blueprint, speaking Russian co-chair “Petersburg dialogue”. The first – that he is not interested in improving relations between Germany and Russia – said immediately. It is still out of the category of fiction
The second -. Zubkov intends to conduct a dialogue only if the German side will take the Russian position. Thus he indirectly admitted at the end of the discussion. Zubkov said that he respects his colleague Pofalla for what he has for one and a half years, since headed the “Petersburg Dialogue” from the German side, ostaivaet the view “that sees fit to defend today.” “But I believe that in his heart he is a good man and thinks, would rather we move away from these postulates, pass them to the archive and continue normal operation”, – he said about Pofalla Zubkov
And then. he wants to argue: “Dear Victor A. The German side will not give up the view that the Crimea annexation was made in violation of international law, that Moscow was responsible for inciting the war in the east of Ukraine, which non-profit organizations in Russia, disloyal to the Kremlin, unable to work normally. ” Most Germans really thinks so. It is a reality that must be taken – as well as the fact that the Germans understand that in the near future Crimea will de facto Russian. But in spite of these fundamental differences, cooperation and work between the two countries is possible.
And if the current co-chair of “Petersburg Dialogue” with the Russian side will continue to torpedo his work, hoping to change the position of the German partners, he It should leave the forum. Perhaps, then, “Petersburg Dialogue” – the most representative areas for cooperation between the two countries and neotmlemoy part of German-Russian relations – a real chance to move forward
Author: Andrew Brenner, a special correspondent for DW on. “Petersburg dialogue”
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