Putin snubs Kaliningrad neighbours

By Andrew Beatty

Date: 30/06/05

Relations between Russia and the Baltic states further deteriorated this week as Moscow failed to invite Polish and Lithuanian leaders to the 750th anniversary of the founding of the city of Kaliningrad..

Despite the Russian enclave being wedged between Poland, Lithuania and the Baltic Sea, neither of the two countries has been invited to the celebrations that begin this Friday (1 July).

Polish and Lithuania officials expressed further annoyance that French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder had been invited to attend the celebrations, with both men accepting.

According to Lithuania's ambassador to the EU, Rytis Martikonis, the invitation raises serious questions about the coherence of the EU and the desire, expressed by Brussels and Moscow, to promote Kaliningrad's regional integration.

"Our main concern is inconsistency in the EU's foreign policy," said Martikonis. "Do they have to pursue the policy of the EU or do they have a free hand, that is the big question."

A part of Russia since 1946, Kaliningrad was formerly known as Königsberg, an east Prussian seat of learning made famous as the birthplace of the philosopher Immanuel Kant.

Under the titles of "One City, One History", "The Russian City in Heart of Europe" and "Kaliningrad the Meeting Point of Russia and Europe", three days of celebrations, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, are scheduled to include more than 20 concerts with 2,000 performers including a performance by the Bolshoi Theatre.

But the anniversary has again stoked historical tensions, already high following the 9 May celebrations in Moscow, which marked the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. For the Baltic States the anniversary also marks the start of Soviet occupation and the run up to the event saw both sides accusing each other of revisionism.

According to Martikonis, Putin's decision to invite France and Germany could be interpreted in two ways: "It could be a sign of opening up the region, but if so why do you invite only two [EU members], it is illogical that you could do something for the region without Lithuania and Poland.

"In a negative reading, President Putin is trying to split the European Union," he said, adding that in any case Putin "is not contributing to the cohesion of the EU's foreign policy".

According to a spokesperson, External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero- Waldner was not invited either.

"We are concerned and we are looking at how we can get out of this situation," said Martikonis.

French diplomats sought to allay fears of a spilt in the EU and indicated that a breakthrough was unlikely.

"There have been discussions with the Russians and they are quite adamant that it is just the two," said one.

"We know that the Poles and the Lithuanians are quite angry, but nevertheless we think it is better to go anyway and convey a message than not do anything.

"We will of course remind everyone about the position of the EU, we know the position very well."

This week Russia rejected a proposed treaty demarcating the border with Estonia after it was adopted by the Estonian parliament with references to the Soviet occupation.

If no deal is reached Estonia could face problems when it joins the EU's common border system, Schengen.

Article reports that relations between Russia and the Baltic states further deteriorated when Moscow failed to invite Polish and Lithuanian leaders to the 750th anniversary of the founding of the city of Kaliningrad, 1-3 July 2005.