After Brexit the EU should Pay more Attention to EaP Countries, as they are the Future of the EU: Gela Vasadze
The EU should learn lessons from the results of referendum held in Britain,” Gela Vasadze, Georgian political analyst told 168.am, assessing the decision of the British to leave the European Union through referendum.
Note, as a result of referendum Great Britain voted for leaving the EU, and the final result in favor of Brexit comprises 51.9%. “17 million 410 thousand 742 voters voted for leaving the EU, and in favor of maintenance of membership—16 million 141 thousand 241 voters,” representative of the Electoral Commission said. Participation level comprised 72.2%.
Gela Vasadze attempted to clarify what the occurrence means for Britain and the EU, and what a new page is being opened in internal and external political life of Great Britain and the EU. He stated that this voting won’t have catastrophic implications neither for Great Britain nor for the EU. “I’m sure, as the EU has different formats of cooperation with non-EU member countries, which will be successfully implemented. By the way, Great Britain is engaged with all these formats, it’s not a member of Schengen zone and Eurozone, and on account of these circumstances that process will be easier,” Vasadze said.
According to the latter voting of regions of Great Britain is shaping an interesting snapshot, in England, where the biggest entries and exits to the EU are available, industrial centers—Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Southern England and London voted for suspension of membership to the EU.
“Firstly, it seems to me that the resolution was conditioned by the fear of the British from migration crisis, threat of which really exists, ordinary citizens are afraid that Brussels will dictate its will to ordinary citizens, this is a crucial circumstance. That is, the British expressed in favor of sovereignty of their own country. In this sense, I think, the EU should learn lessons, when it attempts to define regulations for the EU member countries, as it may raise discontent of this or that country, as the voting showed it, and which may have such after-effects. People have the sense of vulnerability, in particular, when European officials aren’t being elected, i.e. the British citizen realizes that something depends on it on some national level, however, it doesn’t depend on a higher level, as the official obliges something to itself, which is unacceptable for itself,” Vasadze said. According to the Georgian analyst, maybe other EU member countries will also choose that direction, but the number of those eager to become an EU member country is more, than those to leave.
The Georgian analyst clarified what conclusions should do EaP countries like Georgia and Armenia. According to him, neither Georgia, nor Armenia have an alternative for close cooperation and integration in the EU and won’t be able to have. “This is our future, the sooner we reach that future, the better for us. It’s another issue whether we need full membership or not, whether we need participation in the EU integration projects or not, and this is an issue to be discussed and resolved on national level, however, the fact that our future is Europe, it’s definite, and there shouldn’t be any doubts,” Vasadze said.
To the question whether it’s possible that the EaP policy was ignored by the EU, again focusing on the EU internal issues, which were among the first reasons for non-development of this project, Vasadze replied that the EU will increase its attention towards EaP countries, realizing that future of the EU is in these countries. “Great Britain may afford itself to leave the EU, but our countries can’t do that, these are the countries, which should continue developing the EU,” Vaszde stressed.
By Araks Martirosyan
