Tskhinval: a justified demarche

South Ossetia might refuse to take part in the Geneva talks as reported by the State Committee on Information and Press of the republic on February 26.

"Again the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia regrets to acknowledge groundlessly partial position of the EU officials towards South Ossetia and Abkhazia referring to the myths of "Georgia's territorial integrity", - the message goes. - Such a position seriously discredits further utility of the Geneva consultations held under the auspices of the EU and the efficiency of the EU's participation in the settlement of the consequences of the August crisis caused by Georgia's aggression against South Ossetia".

The statement of official Tskhinval followed the latest meeting of the EU Council where the EU "invited" Byelorussia to Eastern Partnership scheme demanding Minsk's non-recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Ossetian Foreign Ministry considered it as "barefaced political blackmail" and reflection "of the EU supreme officials' reluctance to view the real state of things".

Is it reluctance in fact? I would restrain myself from drawing a parallel with Kosovo's recognition but in the practically similar situation Europe took the exactly opposite decision. The simplest thing is to call it the policy of double standards. However there is an impression that matters are much worse.

What are the EU's real objectives promoting Eastern Partnership scheme? According to official statements this is an ambitious plan of state establishment and development of democracy providing for enhancement of cooperation in free trade, economy and security. In reality the European Union is planning to boost its influence, ensure energy routes uncontrolled by Russia and weaken Russia's presence in the post-Soviet space on the whole.

That's the heart of the matter. The European Union is aggressive towards Russia trying to blockade it. Now Moscow's voice has to be heard. There is no reckoning with weak Russia. Will PACE keep recommending to Russia to withdraw its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia? Will NATO keep expressing its indignation by Russian bases in Gudauty, Ochamchir and Bombora? Hardly so. Dictate tactics will be in use just like in the hostile 90s.

Europe is especially alarmed by the principled position that Russia is sticking to in Caucasian matters. So the EU takes the offensive.

Though now there is no more grand "historical Russia", no USSR but many post-Soviet republics keep straining after Russia. The European Union can't wait to destroy these centuries-long (in many cases) ties.

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