President Medvedev shows his friendship with Europe

During the course of her Master’s project, this Author noted that the current Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev,was no throwback to the authoritarian “statescraft.” However, President Medvedev will defend Russian interests and security. Suggestions that Russia was “reverting to the old days” are now muted, as this current president of the Russian Federation seeks a meaningful part of a strategic interest for both the benefit of Russia and Europe. This is a new level of relations being worked out between Russia and Europe, and these break thoughs could be achieved in the area of energy security.With the renewed cooperation between Europe and Russia comes in energy security and a form of cooperation with regard to looming economic problems. Russia has figured out that cooperation with Europe is better than lack of cooperation based on erroneous notions that “it degrades a great power like Russia.” Cooperation in areas of mutual interests and with no attempts for Europe to impose conditions on Russia are what has been the Russian outlook on its relations with especially the European Union (Europe).This Author agrees – and the EU appears to have stopped in its Acquis-like conditions on Russia, which has stated that it has no intentions to be an EU member. Cooperation in solving looming problems with the economies, energy security, Russian modernization of Europe’s trading partner – and important security in explosive conflicts, like what we as seeing in Kyrgyzstan, now need attention.Cooperation in the area of European security with Russia is not far behind. This week we saw Nicolas Sarkozy, who worked with Russia to end Georgia’s August 2008 war against South Ossetia, win confidence with President Medvedev and Russia. President Medvedev wants to see his country as a part of a new European security system that is not the same Cold War institutions and that does not bring about new dividing lines in Eastern Europe.There has cooperation in counter-terrorism and cross border police activities has been achieved. Another could be “frozen conflicts” in East Europe and Asia, and in places like  Kyrgyzstan. To show that it is serious about security, Russia should respond to possible human rights violations in the current Kyrgyzstan crisis though bringing the matter, eventually to the Security Council.Also see:Sarkozy whirls among European powers to coordinate stanceRussia, France to jointly analyze reasons for financial crisisKyrgyzstan asks Russia for military protection (Wrapup)France, Russia vow to promote global role of G-20Russian aid planes for Kyrgyz refugees take off for Uzbekistan