Public opinion in Kaliningrad generally holds that Moscow is apathetic to Kaliningrad's economic plight. Chaly claimed that Moscow's policies, following the establishment of Kaliningrad as a Special Economic Zone in 1996, are worse than apathetic, consistently making long-term foreign investment more difficult. He also described the clash as essentially a cultural one.
The cultural crisis in Russia, the lack of any traditional culture in Kaliningrad, and an active western influence combine to perpetuate the ever-increasing divide between Moscow and Kaliningrad. Kaliningrad forms an enclave of Russia surrounded by other states, and none of the neighbouring countries are interested in contesting this status.
However, as it is isolated from the Russian mainland geographically and culturally, Kaliningrad has developed an identity apart. After 139,000 Germans were replaced by 400,000 Soviet citizens in 1947 - 1948, only a new "Soviet" culture remained. With the fall of the USSR, this left Kaliningrad particularly open to new cultural influences. As it remains economically and politically dependent on Moscow, however, Kaliningrad is suffering under Moscow's policies, alternating between indifferent and intrusive.
Chaly mentioned the high costs of transporting materials from Russia to Kaliningrad. Special tax reductions meanwhile made it easier to transport materials from nearer countries. However, privileges which were granted have now been taken away, and Kaliningrad has little to offer investors from neighbouring states.
Economic and cultural integration with bordering states is inevitable, but unacceptable to Russian authorities, who continue to further isolate Kaliningrad with their policies. Chaly supported the "bridge concept," wherein Kaliningrad is seen as a potential bridge between Russia and Western Europe, adding that Kaliningrad would want to develop into something like Hong Kong.
The East-West tug-of-war echoed through many of the talks at the sixth annual CEP conference.
Baiba Traidase, of Latvia, provoked controversy by proposing an association of six Eastern Bloc countries, namely the three Baltic states, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. Citing knowledge of Russian as a commonality in the region (a Russian minority of 8 percent - 33 percent living in the countries), Traidase inspired a slew of questions and critical comments from an audience dubious as to the merits of such an alliance, but eager to take on new ideas and participate in a spirited discussion - in English, the lingua franca of young Balts.
Most audience members seemed to think knowledge of Russian should not be overemphasized and wondered if an alliance of relatively weak states could create an economically strong region. Traidase claimed that she was probably the first person to propose such a move.
Anna Pridanova, also of Latvia, spoke on the different ways in which Latvian-language and Russian-language media reflect the integration issue.
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