Chizhov: West trying to build alternative to OSCE system of European security without Russia and Belarus
Along with the OSCE, a new phantom with old goals has emerged, and it is called the European political community. The West is trying to build an alternative to OSCE system of European security. They will be similar in many ways, but – importantly – the new one will have no Russia and Belarus among its members. That was stated by a Russian senator and former Permanent Representative of Russia to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, at the 16th Verona Eurasian Economic Forum in Samarkand (Uzbekistan).
“It is clear that the policy that has emerged in recent years in order to replace international law is not achieving its goal. Therefore, certain verbal gymnastics have begun recently," Mr. Chizhov noted. “Along with OSCE, a new phantom with old goals has emerged, it is called the European political community. This is actually an attempt to build an alternative to the OSCE euro-security system, which will be similar in many ways, but, most importantly, there will not be two countries: Russia and Belarus. I think everyone understands the chances for this system to become universal.”
This, according to the senator, implies a task not only for Russian diplomacy, but also for all those who are sincerely interested in international stability and the promotion of real co-operation and interaction in Eurasia. “This task is not to passively observe the erosion of the single space,” Mr. Chizhov noted, adding that the collective West should go through the present severe illness of Russophobia, otherwise it risks being isolated on the world stage for a long time.
At the same time, the politician quoted the words of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who – while speaking at a high-level conference on Eurasian security recently held in Minsk – called for linking Eurasia into a unified space, countering common challenges.
“I think the Verona Forum – held on November 3rd-4th in Samarkand – will play a role in this matter… Our world is going through a stage of tectonic shifts. At the same time, there is concern from the awareness of the fragility of our world. About 90 years ago, a thesis was promoted that the world is indivisible, and I think the conclusion about the indivisibility of the world is even more relevant now, in the 21st century – since the world is facing global challenges, such as climate, various pandemics, terrorism, the problem of space debris and the threat it poses to civilisation. All these challenges require a collective response," the Russian senator is convinced.
In Mr. Chizhov’s opinion, the recent COVID-related situation is a clear example of the weakness of existing international structures and the actual helplessness of regional international security systems – including of the European Union, which was proud of its ability to respond promptly to such matters, but is still dealing with those who are personally responsible for failures in solving many issues, also those regarding vaccines.
