beyondukraine.euandrussiainsearchofanewrelation

90 Beyond Ukraine. EU and Russia in Search of a New Relation
In the field of economic and humanitarian cooperation a joint
program of humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian regions in need of it
should be developed and launched (possibly under the auspices of
the OSCE). At the same time, the EU and Russia should work out
a mechanism for joint action on economic aid to Ukraine,
addressing the consequences of the current financial and economic
crisis.
Mutual visa discrimination and the extension of political
controversies to cooperation in education, science and other areas
of cultural interaction should be vigorously opposed. Similarly,
systemic discussion of ‘controversial issues’ in relations between
Russia, the EU and certain European states at the level of
universities, research centers and the national councils on foreign
relations should be launched (Track 2 and Track 1.5).
In the field of interaction in the post-Soviet space a dialogue on
multilateral security guarantees for post-Soviet states should be
reestablished at least at Track 2 level. Discussion of the topic on
the political level is hardly possible now. But experts should have
a longer-sighted view compared to politicians.
The issue of multilateral rapid response mechanisms to crises
in the post-Soviet space should be taken into consideration.
Finally, an inventory of political, economic and humanitarian
projects in Russia, the EU and other countries in the post-Soviet
space should be drawn up. It is necessary to determine the points
of contact and synchronize them, putting some of these projects in
a multilateral mode whenever possible.
In practical terms, it seems necessary to run a detailed study of
these and other proposals by leading think tanks in the countries
concerned.