Berlin Memorandum

Forderungskatalog für einen Dialog zwischen EU und EAWU

Im Rahmen des 5. east forums Berlin wurde am 6. April ein „Berlin Memorandum“ vorgestellt, das der Arbeitskreis „Lissabon-Wladiwostok“ erarbeitet hat. In dem Arbeitskreis engagieren sich seit Ende 2015 eine Reihe von Privatpersonen und Verbände wie der Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft, das Deutsch-Russische Forum, der Osteuropaverein und der DIHK. Im Folgenden dokumentieren wir den englischen Originaltext des Memorandums. Das Dokument kann über die Internet-Seite www.lisbon-vladivostok.pro von Interessierten elektronisch unterschrieben werden.

Berlin Memorandum on a Common Economic Space from Lisbon to Vladivostok

We, the signatories, share the vision of a Common Economic Space from Lisbon to Vladivostok. In order to achieve this, we ask the political actors in all countries of the EU and the EEU to give the European Commission and the Eurasian Economic Commission respectively the mandate to start an official dialogue on the harmonization of regulations. This dialogue should also respect the interests of all countries in Europe which are trading partners of both economic areas. We see this commitment to a Common Economic Space as a clear statement against protectionism, a statement which we believe is more important now than ever before.

Economic benefits:

• A dialogue on a far-reaching congruent application of customs procedures, common rules of certification, common technical standards, visa free travel and capital movement would contribute towards an economic upswing and increase the competitiveness of Europe and Eurasia.
   
• Simplified tax regulations, recognition of official documents and the harmonization of relevant jurisdictions could open the door to a common judicial area.
   
• Our Common Economic Space brings together countries with considerable raw material resources and countries with highly innovative enterprises. It also combines Western engineering knowledge and experience with the outstanding IT skills in the East, thus enhancing the “fourth industrial revolution” in the EU, EEU and in the countries in-between.
   
• An important factor for stronger economic cooperation is a common infrastructure. The East-West corridor needs to be developed further with common investments directed at strengthening connectivity. Simultaneously, an improvement of the conditions of transit would allow the EEU to function as a link between the EU and China, similar to China’s concept of its new Silk Road.
   
• Talks on a Common Economic Space shall eventually lead towards a free trade zone of more than 700 Million people in Europe and Eurasia.
   
• Analytical studies, for instance those of the Munich ifo-institute or the Vienna IIASA-institute, have already shed light on the distribution of economic advantages for the West as well as the East.

Political benefits:

• In addition to the background of the Declaration by the Presidents of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the French Republic, and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany in support of the implementation of the Minsk Agreements adopted on February 12, 2015, Russia, Ukraine, as well as Germany and France, are committed to the “vision of a common humanitarian and economic space between the Atlantic and Pacific based on full adherence to the international law and OSCE principles”.
   
• We also believe that the proposed talks on a supranational level between the European Commission, representing 28 countries, and the Eurasian Economic Commission, representing five countries, is in the interest of all parties.
   
• The importance of a common space between Lisbon and Vladivostok goes beyond the economic facets. A common humanitarian space creates peace and plays an important role to give new impulses in the current dead-lock situation.
   
• We believe in initiating the steps that can already be taken now, in the short run, which will be useful to all countries involved and pave the way for the development of this mutually beneficial project.

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