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Published: February 16th, 2017

The conference on security in Munich

Europe should not wait for signals from Washington for any reason. This opinion was expressed by the former head of the Munich security conference, Horst Teltschik on radio Sputnik.

February, 13 a report on the situation in the sphere of security in the world was published in Germany and it was dedicated to the Munich international security conference which will be held from 17 to 19 of February. The title of the report was “The post truth, post-Western era, post-liberal order?".

The authors of the 90-page report lists the calls that, in their opinion, can put an end to the world order established after the Second world war. Among them- the crisis of liberal democracy, the terror of the jihad groups, territorial disputes in the Pacific region, the U.S. disengagement from the world security system and the circulation of fake news.

The report pointed to the loosening of the old blocks and concern the processes within individual states. It is expected that these issues will be engaged in the Munich forum.

The former adviser of the former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and the former head of the Munich security conference, Horst Teltschik believes that Europe needs its own agenda, and it should not wait for signals from Washington for any reason. This applies to the relations with Russia too.

In the interview with Sputnik-Germany the German politician expressed the view that promising opportunities to build lasting security on the European continent were missed over the last decade.

"We have used such tools as the Council Russia – NATO too little. We have the Founding act Russia – NATO. There were activities to strengthen trust. Back in 1989-1990 we took far-reaching disarmament measures relating to the United States, NATO and the USSR. We took in Paris on a joint Charter to ensure European peace from Vancouver to Vladivostok. Why don't we continue to work at this level? Nothing could contribute to the reconciliation of Europe more effective than this idea. Why have we dropped this subject for 25 years? We must return to it", – said Horst Teltschik.

The German politician believes that it is wrong to call the current situation a return to the «cold war". He remains optimistic about the possibility of the restoration of cooperation of the Western countries and Russia.

"If there is a will, there will be levels of negotiation. The German Chancellor and the Russian President has agreed to hold the meeting in the format of the Quartet on the Ukrainian question once again. The initiative for the meeting came from the President (Vladimir) Putin. Let's now see what are the plans of the new President of the United States in relation to Russia. I was a witness of the cold war. Compared to that, we live in a Paradise situation today," – said Horst Teltschik.

He does not exclude that the change of presidential administration in the United States can give impetus to the improvement of relations between the West and Moscow.

“It's possible. (Donald) Trump has just took office and the meeting of the "Big twenty" will be his first opportunity to meet with President Putin, if they will not have the bilateral meetings before this. We still know too little about what Trump wants. He is inconsistent and unpredictable man. He wants to improve relations with Russia, but what exactly this means, we don't know. Let's take the Ukraine. The Minsk agreements are perspective of course. If a positive solution is found, then the Chancellor of Germany and France will express a willingness to engage with Russia in negotiations about the European free trade area. This would open completely new perspectives", – said Horst Teltschik.

The German politician suggested that the upcoming Munich security conference will provide an opportunity to gain a more complete impression of the intentions of the new US administration.

"I have not made any impression about them. We will see the defense Minister and the new Vice President at the Munich security conference. However, we Europeans, prior to these meetings must understand what we want? We need our own agenda, and we do not have to continuously look at what comes from Washington now. This also applies to the relations of Europe with Russia", – concluded Horst Teltschik.

Source: PR department of MEF