Yavlinsky throws light on Russia's future role

VILNIUS - A conference entitled "European Integration: Economic and Security Implications for Central and Eastern Europe" held in Vilnius from May 20 to 22 brought together leaders and minds from right across the continent.

One mind that drew a great deal of attention was that belonging to Grigory Yavlinsky, chairman of the Yabloko political party and member of the Russian Duma. He opened his address to the crowd gathered at a conference center at the Villon Hotel by speaking about the growth of the Russian economy since the crisis of some years ago.

"I think the main reasons for the economic development in Russia have been the devaluation of the ruble and the high price of oil," Yavlinsky explained. "This is what is moving the economy forward."

He went on to say that he thought the economy was in a much better shape than it was before the ruble crisis. However, this did not stop him criticizing the Russian government for their economic policies.

"The current government is not considering five important issues as problems," he warned." These are the very big gap between economic legislation and practice, structural problems, the problem of major economic flow being controlled by small, non-transparent groups, low confidence in the government by the business sector, and very short economic planning by business."

Asked about Russia's planned accession to the World Trade Organization, Yavlinsky explained that he felt the government's policy was not serious. "If the government were at all serious about the WTO, the Parliament would have to change all of Russia's economic legislation starting tomorrow," exclaimed Yavlinsky.

Yavlinksy also focused on the relationship between Russia and Europe. "Positive developments in Russia depend 97 percent on Russia, but they also depend on what is going on in Europe," explained Yavlinsky. "EU enlargement would be a very positive thing for Russia, but the consequences of enlargement depend on how Russia understands its economic problems."

He also criticized the visa policies of European countries. "It's impossible to explain to ordinary people why they have to be asked silly questions in embassies like, 'Did your great grandfather pay his taxes?' There are people queuing for two weeks at embassies in Moscow.

"I understand that European countries want to protect themselves from Russian gangsters, but Russian gangsters are not going to be waiting in a line for a visa," Yavlinsky explained to the amused crowd.

Yavlinsky went on to explain that he believed people in Russia feel that the West cared about Russia 10 years ago, but are now concerned only about having a friend in the Kremlin.

Inevitably, security issues and NATO also came up for discussion.

"You have to understand that NATO is a military bloc that is approaching Russia's borders. Any country would be concerned about a military bloc approaching its borders," Yavlinsky said.

Asked about his opinion of Lithuania's desires for NATO membership, Yavlinsky emphasized to The Baltic Times that he was in no position to give Lithuania advice. "Lithuania has the right to do what it wants," he said.