Nr.2(10) / 2013.gada jūnijs - Par es.gov.lv

70Alexander SerguninIn lieu of conclusionAs Elo and Kaakkuriniemi note, the core problem of EU–Russia interactionin the BSR is its asymmetry. 34 The EU is so predominant in theregion — economically, politically and institutionally — that Brussels tendsto see the Baltic Sea as almost exclusive “EU waters” and simply ignoreother regional players, including Russia. This position, however, appears un -constructive and detrimental to the EUSBSR’s successful implementation.In order to properly interface Russia with the EUSBSR and makeEU–Russia dialogue mutually beneficial, the following policy recommendationscan be suggested:•• At the level of political philosophy the EU strategic vision with regardto Russia should be radically changed. Russia should be treated asa real partner rather than a regional actor of secondary importance,or a revisionist state that wants to return the Baltic States to its “sphereof influence”.•• The same should be done on the Russian side. Moscow should notperceive the EU as a “soft empire” that aims to sideline or push asideRussia in the BSR. On the contrary, the EU should be perceived as anatural and promising partner in the BSR that could be helpful bothin completing Russia’s domestic reforms and making the region asafer and more prosperous place.•• Some regional organizations (e.g., CBSS) should complete theirinstitutional reforms to adapt themselves to quickly changingrealities.•• Other institutions should properly redefine their missions andfocus (e.g., ND partnerships and NCM).•• International organizations that aim at sub-regional and sub-nationallevels should be more actively involved in the EUSBSR developmentand implementation.•• Better division of labor should be established between variousregional and sub-regional organizations and programs involved in34Elo K., Kaakkuriniemi T. Russia’s Baltic Sea Policies and the EU’s Strategy for the Baltic SeaRegion: Squaring the Circle? In: Political State of the Region Report 2012. Eds. B. Henningsen andT. Etzold. Copenhagen: The Baltic Development Forum, 2012.