Held in October in Jurmala, Latvia conference “Baltic forum” gathered a lot of experts who talked about the opportunities of improving relations between Russia and Latvia. An interesting perspective on this issue was voiced by the Deputy of the Latvian Parliament, Sergei Potapkin, more to explain his position in an interview RuBaltic.Ru:
– Mr. Potapkin, participating in a panel discussion on “the Baltic forum”, You said that the demand for improvement of Latvian-Russian relations should be with business, politicians and society. In Your opinion, why from the ruling Latvian parties it is not observed?
– It was my attempt to analyze whether there is a request or not, dividing it into three levels, which are very clearly visible. Yes, unfortunately, our political level, such a request does not generate, but rather confronts it. Any attempt by business to the need to establish relations with Russia dimensionality, after which was heard the official statements that the business is not realized, is allegedly to blame, who in their right mind could think that Russia is a reliable economic partner, and so on.
The reasons for this are, in my opinion, lies in the fact that the Latvian political elite is in line with Western European and American policy aimed at confrontation with Russia.
Although it is recognized that in the West, the pluralism of political opinions is more legitimate. There are different parties ranging from the extreme right and ending with the very system and moderate policy, advocating the lifting of sanctions and improvement of relations with Russia. In turn, the Latvian authorities definitely inclined to that camp, which promotes the strengthening of sanctions and the further containment of Russia.
In addition, a sharp deterioration of relations between Europe and Russia over Ukraine proved to be very hands on Latvian ruling parties before the elections to the Seimas in the fall of 2014. Right-wing parties were relieved of the necessity of talks on the problems of the Latvian economy or social issues and concentrate only on the topic of security. In the official statements they said that the repetition of the Crimean scenario in Latvia is not possible, then as rhetoric for domestic consumption was somewhat different. So now to declare openly that the improvement of relations with Russia is beneficial for Latvia, the ruling politicians can’t, because it goes against their pre-election statements and will lead to the outflow of the voter.
The Meeting Of The Saeima Of Latvia.
– Why do You think the business continues to support these parties, although their policy clearly is to the detriment of the interests of entrepreneurs?
– I think it’s just a result of the current flawed system, when the business believes that he needs the kind of political “roof” and all issues can be solved through the shadow people. This tradition we have developed yesterday, but, in my opinion, seeing that now a huge number of questions from businesses and this is the best, I would venture to suggest that this situation may change.
The business needs to understand that it makes no sense to pay for the activity of political parties who do not spend the effort lobbying for their interests. When he will understand, the flow of sponsors parties will begin to dry up.
I assume that already at the next elections, party offices will receive significantly less money from sponsors. We see how in the moment of a turbulent situation: the party “Unity”, which has traditionally controlled the important ministries, has greatly reduced its influence. So I think that at least part of the party sponsors no longer see the feasibility of its support. Of course, not exclude that in connection with it will increase donations from the Union “green” and peasants. However, I think that some of the sponsors will fall away, realizing that it makes no sense to move from one party to another: it is easier to do business, adapting to the situation and not try to promote their interests through politicians who do nothing for this.
At the next elections, party offices will receive significantly less money from sponsors.
– In Your opinion, the increasing influence of the Union “green” and peasants, is it possible to improve Latvian-Russian relations?
Yes, this party is perceived in society as such a pragmatic force, and one of their leaders, Aivars Lembergs, unashamedly defends the economic interests of Latvia. However, also for this party was not just seen some kind of hypocrisy, because as the Minister of defense, and the President of Latvia, representing sacs, repeatedly allowed himself a rather sharp statements against Russia.
In addition, the current government under the leadership of Marisa Kuchinskisa works, the Minister of foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics, whose position in relation to Russia is known to all. And we have a situation where the Minister of communications went to Moscow and sought the conversation on the preservation of traffic, and the foreign Minister of Latvia almost the same day, speaking in Kiev, said the need to strengthen sanctions.
Prime Minister Maris Kuchinskis and foreign Minister Edgars rinkēvičs.
So this duplicity on the part sacs are clearly slipping, and I’m sure in Moscow on Smolensk square this record. So clear that with the increasing influence of this party relations between our countries will improve, I would not have undertaken. Although, of course, some overtures to business in Russia are likely to be.
Thus, in Your opinion, improve relations between Latvia and Russia under the current Latvian ruling elite is impossible?
– I wouldn’t say that. It is possible that our relations will start to improve no thanks. After all, Latvia is not a novelty, when at the political level remains very aggressive rhetoric, but economic relations have a positive dynamic. We constantly live in a dual reality, and the moments of inter-state turbulence, we repeated approximately every year and a half.
However, in Latvia and in Russia there is a layer of pragmatic and sensible people, who can decide to abstract from this quasirealistic and begin to communicate at their level. But still, whatever the backroom negotiations passed, our government will not commit themselves at the international level to officially make a statement about the need to improve relations.
XXI conference of the Baltic forum in Jurmala.
If we draw Parallels, then, as I said on the “Baltic forum”, the relationship between the two countries is reminiscent of the relationship, when before the Brussels wife need to save face, but on the side I want to support. Thus, in the current circumstances, Latvia from Russia wants such “relationship without commitment”, getting the necessary, but not particularly giving anything in return.
– So it turns out that the improvement in Latvian-Russian relations depends on the dialogue between the EU and Russia?
– Not so much from EU, but from the United States that dictate Europe on how to act against Russia.
As stated in the “Baltic forum” Igor Yurgens, and I hope that his words will be prophetic – that is, relations between Russia and the USA will start to improve after about a year and a half after America’s presidential election and the new President settled into the oval office. By the way, no need to think that it will be Donald trump. But if the new President will take the line of “improving after the regime change in Russia”, then on discharge we will not be able to talk for a long time.
