Doubts grow over deadlock on Kaliningrad

Date: 06/06/02

MOSCOW fears that Denmark's forthcoming EU presidency may not be able to break the deadlock that has arisen over Russia's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad.

During last week's EU- Russia summit President Vladimir Putin pressed for the unhindered movement of people and goods between the region and neighbouring Poland and Lithuania after they become EU members. Yet the EU insists that such a deal on visa-free travel would contravene the Schengen agreement.

Concerns are emerging in Russia that Denmark's hands will be tied on the visa issue because it was granted an opt-out from EU decisions on justice and home affairs after voters rejected the Maastricht treaty in a 1992 referendum.

One source predicted that the exemption will mean that two of the Union's biggest states, France and Germany, will have a critical role to play on Kaliningrad. The other most populous member, the UK, is unlikely to be so crucial because it has not signed up to Schengen, the source added.

But a Danish diplomat said the question of the old naval base would be a key priority during his country's stint at the EU helm. Despite the opt-out, Denmark belongs to the Schengen system and could be involved in discussions.

He pointed out that Denmark is the biggest single donor of aid to Kaliningrad of all member states; its financial support for the region amounts to almost half of what the European Commission sends there. In 1991-2000 Kaliningrad received €30 million as part of the Union's Tacis programme for the former Soviet Union.

'The 15 [member states] are firm that visa-free access is not possible,' the Dane added.

'But the EU is willing to work towards a solution that's as efficient and flexible as possible.'

There are fears that Denmark's forthcoming EU presidency may not be able to break the deadlock that has arisen over Russia's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad.