Possible "Rukzit" - Russia's withdrawal from the Council of Europe (IS) - can be a real shock for Europe, said Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland. He compared this hypothetical problem with real - with Brekzitom. "I think, many are not able to provide ... if we both get and Brexit, and Ruxit. But it could happen soon ", - warned Jagland.
He recalled the upcoming June elections, the Council of Europe Secretary General and stressed: if Russian officials "will not be able to participate in the election of the Secretary General, there is a danger, that Russia will conclude, that there is nothing to do ". The only way to resolve the situation is to return to Russia the right to vote in the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE), Jagland stressed. Recall, Russia considers the possibility of withdrawing from the Council of Europe, if the discrimination against our delegation in PACE will not stop.
Jagland said the statement of the Federation Council member, former head of the Russian delegation to PACE Alexei Pushkov.
- Alexey, that could induce Jagland do so alarming statement?
– Jagland understands, they do not understand radical delegation from Ukraine, Baltic states, Poland, Britain and some other.
they think, If Russia withdraws from the Council of Europe - this is their big win. In fact, this will be their defeat, because they lose the ability to influence Russia.
Russia will cease to be a member of not only the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. It will cease to participate in the work of the European Court of Human Rights, cease to participate in the work of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers and will come from a variety of programs, which operate within the organization.
Furthermore, Russia will have no reason to remain a member of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
- It turns out, Russia does not accept liability, which it assumed under this Convention?
– Yes. And so Jagland, as a man of understanding, understands: the, which seek radical countries, It is nothing but, as deprivation of opportunities to show to Russia any suggestions, requirements, etc.. And it will not strengthen Europe's position in relation to Russia.
- Europeans will lose yet another lever of influence on Moscow?
– The thing is, that in 90 years the West has taken a number of steps to involve Russia in its structure. The Council of Europe - a Western organization, and we must understand. There should be no illusions. Key countries of the Union, created in 1949 year - Western states.
We took to the organization to, to bring us in a mild form requests, but in a harsh manner - Requirements. These are the wishes and demands of the western world will no longer be able to bring Russia on the basis of voluntary participation of Russia in this organization. Jagland said, it would be a great loss.
- There is an impression, that Jagland - politician, set up a constructive dialogue. Is it so?
– Jagland I know personally - he is a man, which is really concerned about the state of European affairs. He is opposed to the discharge of military threat in Europe; he considers, that the European continent has made a big step forward after the Cold War - and that the return to a state of cold war would be a crime, and totally unprofitable for most of Europe.
Therefore, its common position is, that Russia's withdrawal from the Council of Europe will lead to the return of the continent to the moral and psychological state, in which it was during the Cold War. He considers, it's bad for Europe itself, Even if you ignore the political calculations.
Well, plus the Council of Europe will lose the annual fee 7% from its budget. Furthermore, the, what will happen to Russia, may be triggered, because the Council of Europe is very skeptical about Turkey belongs. And the Turks have gone from among the major contributors to the Council of Europe. They concluded, that behind the criticism, which is distributed in Strasbourg against them, they should not have to pay a year 32 million euros. That is, Russia care can become very large crack, from which others will crack across the organization.
- But Russia has actually left the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly?
– PACE - no more than an advisory body of the Council of Europe. It is written in its charter. PACE - it is not the UN Security Council. They have no right to adopt resolutions, binding. PACE resolutions are advisory in nature - they express the opinion of the advisory body, that is, a meeting of deputies from the countries - members of the Council of Europe on a particular issue. On this view, they have the right to, but receive documents allegedly binding (and if they are not enforced, it is necessary to take sanctions, to deprive them of the right to vote, violate the principle of equality) - that all this has no right to PACE.
And as long as the Council of Europe will play along with manners PACE, which imagines himself almost European Security Council, This situation will occur not only in relation to Russia, it will be with other states. Therefore, the Council of Europe need to seriously reconsider the very principles of its functioning. The ratio itself and the Parliamentary Assembly.
It is written in the charter, that all members of the organization are, Here also it is necessary to follow it, and none of the PACE resolution should not violate the principle. This is a very important point. Advisory in nature - yes, mandatory - no.
- Could Moscow "amicably arrange" with PACE, fulfilling those resolutions, which the Assembly adopted on Russia?
– those resolutions, which naprinimali PACE to our address, impracticable! They can not perform.
There are not only "transfer of Crimea Ukraine", there is withdrawal of troops from Transnistria, refusal to recognize the sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
That is, there is a set of requirements 10-12, which can not be met and not met Russia. It is already quite clear.
And when infused PACE - we will refund all the powers of Russia, when they fulfill our resolutions - which means, that the authority will not be returned ever. Because these resolutions can not be performed due to the events, that have already occurred. Some delegations say - it is necessary to leave Russia in the Council of Europe, to undertake the PACE resolution. However, the PACE resolution is not feasible for Russia. And the sooner the Council of Europe are aware of this, the better it will be for them.
Alexander Kolpakov
