Hans-Dietrich Genscher: “Question of Belarus Admission to European Union Would Be Brought Up” :: Charter'97 :: News

Admission of Ukraine and Belarus to the European Union is a question that would be really brought up in the future, told former Foreign Minister of Germany Hans-Dietrich Genscher in his interview to German newspaper “Rheinischer Merkur”. As for Russia, he sees no signs that show that Russia really wants to become a member of the EU.

Here are some extracts of the interview of Hans-Dietrich Genscher:

`Rheinischer Merkur`: Is there a common approach to the policy at the both sides of the Atlantics?

Genscher: The new world order that could be called fair in everything means shared understanding of responsibility by Americans and Europeans. Here and there we should understand that relations with no other partners could replace the Transatlantic union. It emphasizes global responsibility shared by Europeans and Americans.

`Rheinischer Merkur`: What is the contribution of Europeans to this new world order?

Genscher: In the past Europe was a source of many wars, today it is the most progressive form of co-existence of nations. The EU is a model of the future. With 10 new members’ joining the EU a new important contribution will be made not only to the European, but also to the global stability.

`Rheinischer Merkur`: Should the European Union act in the framework of the continent, in order to be able to answer to global challenges of the time, as Foreign Minister Fischer demanded?

Genscher: In order to face the global challenges, it should act in the global framework.

`Rheinischer Merkur`: Does it speak in favor of admission of Ukraine, Belarus and even Russia to the EU?

Genscher: Admission of Ukraine and Belarus to the European Union is a question that would be really brought up in the future. As for Russia, I see no signs that prove that Russia really wants to become a member of the EU. It does not mean that the EU and Russia should not be interested in a closer cooperation in all spheres. Partnership with a great European nation, Russians, is of great importance to us. The more so since we live in one economic area, which is far from being explored enough.