“In Crimea what happened is what we try to achieve in Venice”

19.05.2016 Policy 39 Views

“In Crimea what happened is what we try to achieve in Venice”

Why Venice recognize the Russian Crimea
Igor Kryuchkov 17.05.2016, 13:11

Mikhail Metzel/TASS Vladimir Putin and Silvio Berlusconi in the Crimea on 13 September 2015

The author of the resolution on recognition of Russian status of Crimea said in an interview “Газете.Ru” why Venice to interfere in the Crimean question and how it will help to create a “new Europe”. The initiative of the conservator Stefano Valdegamberi associated with Silvio Berlusconi, former Prime Minister of Italy and friend of Vladimir Putin, the regional Parliament will consider Venice on may 18.

— What considerations are you guided by speaking with the initiative of a resolution on recognition of Russian status of Crimea?

“We decided to sponsor this initiative, as it does not agree with the policy of the European Union and the Central government of Italy. These institutions make the mistake of imposing sanctions and other restrictions on cooperation with Russia. In addition, we demand to recognize the right of the people of Crimea to self-determination. The population of the Peninsula held a referendum and deliberately decided in favor of joining Russia.

— What are the specific interests of Venice violates the current situation around the Crimea?

— The economy of the Veneto (the local name of the field that is the city of Venice. — “Газета.Ru”) for a long time and is closely linked with the Eastern European countries and Russia. We export fruits and meat. After the introduction of sanctions Venice suffers significant losses. For example, last year we lost at least €600 million from imports. And we can’t understand why this is happening.

Why the EU imposed sanctions against Russia, although the transition of Crimea into the Russian Federation was not a violation of international law?

— If the Parliament of Venice will adopt the resolution, whether the document is legally binding?

— This recommendation is directed to the Central authorities of the country. However, this is only the first step. We will ensure that other regions of Italy have adopted a similar resolution to show the Central leadership the need to change policy towards Russia. Our initiative is a symbolic gesture. But we also intend to establish an ad hoc Committee that will bring together public figures and representatives of business and will promote this agenda at the EU level.

— Your political allies have tried in some sense to use the experience of the Crimea in the first half of 2010. for Example, two years ago in Venice was held an online voting on the region from part of Italy, which showed over 80% of respondents. How does this compare with the current initiative?

— I was the fourth person, who then voted for in this vote. It was associated with the attempt to organize a referendum in the region of Venice, which was to determine the status of this region. Online voting was a private initiative, and the results can be interpreted in different ways. It is difficult to say how many people actually participated in this vote, it is impossible to verify.

About myself I can say that in 2013 I endured for discussion at the Venetian Parliament a bill on holding a referendum on the region from part of Italy. But it was not accepted. The Supreme court has recognized my initiative, not corresponding to the Constitution of the country. But I and my allies do not agree with this verdict. Our people should have the right to decide whether they want to be part of Italy or not. When the vast majority of the population of the region is Venice vote for independence, the authorities must listen to the will of the people.

In Crimea, there was just something that we’re trying to do in Venice. The Peninsula’s Parliament approved a bill on the referendum, it held, and eventually the population of Crimea has realized its right to self-determination.

The EU cannot deny the fact that Crimeans speak Russian, feel like a part of the Russian community, and the Crimea became part of Ukraine during a historical incident, by decision of Nikita Khrushchev.

— From the point of view of the Central authorities of the EU, separatism — one of the most dangerous threats to the Union, which can completely ruin the modern political system of Europe. What do you think, will benefit the EU, your current initiative and other similar appeals to the division of European countries?

— We seek to create a new Europe in which the main role will play regions, each with its own specificity and with his view of the situation. Only by respecting the voices of the European peoples and regions, the EU can become a good political Union.

In my opinion, the requirements to hold a referendum on independence, which in recent years, coming not only from Venice but also, for example, Scotland or Catalonia, not in contradiction with the idea of the European Union.

These processes just signal the request for the introduction of the new system, which must be managed by the EU.

You need to create a Europe, which will manage the citizens, not political and economic elites. European countries should be more independent in their decisions. The EU foreign policy should be based on local interests and not on the opinion, which is imposed by Europe on the other side of the ocean.

— You recently visited the economic forum in Yalta. You discussed the current initiative with Russian politicians?

— Initiative with Russian politicians that I almost never discussed, we had a small conversation about the Crimean issue in General. Much more important to me was the opinion of the common people of Yalta, I talked a lot with the local population and satisfied that my views coincide with the opinion of many.

— Have you experienced a negative reaction to your visit of the Peninsula from Ukraine?

— I read in the German press that the Ukrainian Ambassador in Berlin Andriy Melnyk was outraged by the visit of our delegation of European MPs in Yalta, threatening serious consequences (remark of the Miller concerned members of the party “Alternative for Germany”. — “Газета.Ru”). It seems to me that such statements are unworthy of a Ukrainian diplomat and do not improve bilateral relations between our countries. It is unclear why the European MPs not to attend a conference on foreign economic issues.

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— How do you assess the prospects of the Crimean resolution that you are promoting in Venice? Do you expect criticism or some more active opposition from your political opponents in the EU?

— Our initiative could be approved. In addition, my colleagues are trying to change policy of the European Union in other regions of the country. I hope we can do it. The opposition from the opposing political forces in the EU I’m not afraid and I think that we have enough like-minded people to promote their agenda.

— According to Italian media, you are closely related to Luca ZAIA, the current Governor of the Venice region (Veneto). He previously served as Minister of agriculture in the Cabinet of Silvio Berlusconi, who had a great relationship with Vladimir Putin. What do you think would help this relationship to overcome the Crimean crisis, if Berlusconi was still in power in 2014?

— Yes, I think that Berlusconi’s policy towards Russia has become one of the causes of his persecution, which led ultimately to his resignation. How powerful was the campaign against Berlusconi, makes one wonder whether this particular economic and political interests.

Berlusconi has actively promoted the development of economic ties with Russia, and this policy was much more correct than the current behavior of the Italian authorities. They only repeat the words of Federica Mogherini, EU high representative for foreign policy, which simply relays the interests of the Brussels elites. I hope that this situation will change.

“In Crimea what happened is what we try to achieve in Venice”