Young elites of Russia and Germany interact in Europe’s oldest capital.

The “Future-factory” discussed the cooperation between bordering regions within the EU, using Aachen, which is located along the German borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, as an example. Discussed was also cooperation between the western regions of Russia and the Baltic region. In the EU, the cross-border commerce is much more developed than between Russia and the eastern borderline of the EU. The mechanics and the legislation of the border-traffic inside the EU, and therefore inside the EU-integrated Germany, completely differ from those in the EU-isolated Russia. For today’s Russia, the form of regionalization, as it is enhanced in Europe, could never be an example worth to follow. Russia’s interest lies rather in binding its regions to the centre in Moscow.

The Russian participants criticised that during the years 2007 to 2009 the EU set less courses to the cooperation with the western regions of Russia, including Kaliningrad, than during the time of 2000 to 2004. The “Northern dimension” of the Scandinavian EU-states regarded this aspect of the collaboration with Russia as a priority. Currently, there is a conflict between Russia and Germany about the role and treatment of Ukraine. Before this dispute is solved, there is little hope for a development of the nationwide cooperation between the European Union and Russia. German participants on the other side advised Russia to change its integration policy inside the post-soviet region, following the example of the “soft power” of the EU. The authoritarian system Putin is anything else but attractive for other countries. The Russian side disagreed, stating that in certain Central-East European states nationalistic tendencies are starting to reveal and that soon there will be a general political pull to the right. It might happen that the US and China will be th winners from the financial crisis, whereas Europe and Russia will be weakened, a Russian academic said. Either way, the European countries and Russia need a harmonised crisis-management. The participants heavily criticised the Russian government in terms of handling the crisis. Unlike the US, it seems to be too passive.

Russia lacks the money and the constant will for strategical innovation-projects. Nevertheless there is a chance to revive the proposals from 2000/2001, that is, to connect the Russian resource-base to the technically well-developed EU region.

For Germany, starting new considerable innovative projects will be as difficult as for Russia, although due to different reasons. Bearing in mind the upcoming elections of the German parliament in September, the German government has to maintain a functioning social-state in first place. A restart of relations between Russia and the EU, as between Moscow and Washington, is yet not existent, said Russian participants of the conference. The intensity of the argument about the energy supply even increased. So far, Russia’s idea of restructuring the world’s financial system did not get any backing, neither in Germany nor in other Western countries. The actual rivalry between Europe and Russia could also evolve problems in the post-soviet states, where stabilisation efforts from both sides is needed.

The end of the conference witnessed a role play, where the participants talked about possible scenarios for Germany’s and Russia’s foreign policy during the economic crisis. Therefore the Russian party had to take over the part of Germany and the Germans played the role of Russia. The Russians, who now operated for the German Bundestag, suggested an economic stimulus plan for the whole European Union. The “Russian Bundestag” agreed that the European States can only together get off the crisis. As well, the EU should for now stop its extension in other countries and work on a concrete partnership with Russia. Trust building measures, like common peacekeeping forces in the Ukraine, should enhance this partnership also with regards to European security architecture. The Germans, who had the difficult task to understand the mentality of Russian politicians, assured their audience that Russia will take its chance of a restart of relations with the West. Further, peace should be restored in the Middle East. Concerning the internal policy, Russia should restore its legal system to fasten the improvement of the economical modernisation.