Does EU support arms supplies to Syrian rebels?
Does EU support arms supplies to Syrian rebels? Why does West put pressure on Iran despite the statement of authorities on peaceful nature of IRA nuclear program? Will the idea of total disarmament be realized? These burning questions and many others were offered to Christoph Eichhorn, the Deputy Commissioner of the German Federal Government for Arms Control and Disarmament. He delivered a public lecture in the KFU Institute of Oriental Studies and International Relations.
For information: Christoph Eichhorn is a special representative, Deputy Commissioner of the German Federal Government for Arms Control and Disarmament (since 2011). He received a Master of Science (MSc.econ) from the London School of Economics and a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Brussels. He is a career member of the senior Diplomatic service with 27 year experience.
Christoph Eichhorn spoke about cyber security, countries disarmament and about the US system of antiballistic missile defense. He thinks that Russia should not be afraid of the antiballistic missile defense.
The lecture participants were actively involved in the hot discussion. In particular, the audience was interested in how nuclear wastes are utilized in Germany. If it is decided to close all nuclear power plants by 2022, how to deal with them, as the existing law prohibits export of hazardous waste beyond the country borders? By what means Germans are going to compensate dwindling energy capacity?
Mr. Eichhorn replied that German experts are working on this problem. They are seeking for the decision to apply alternative energy sources, e.g. solar energy. He admitted that the question concerning waste disposal is still open.
Another important issue of discussion was the Syrian situation: Why did EU refuse to prolong the embargo on arm supplies to the opponents of Bashar Asad regime?
“This is a super-urgent issue,” replied Mr. Eichhorn. “The majority of EU countries, including Germany, attribute to this question with skepticism. We think that there are still a lot of arms in this dangerous district. We are not sure if the problem can be solved by making additional gun supplies. Russia and the USA proposed to organize a conference related to this problem in Geneva.”
Why do EU and US allies share an extremely negative opinion in relation to Iran? Why do Northern Korea and Israel can have a nuclear bomb, but Iran can`t?
“There are threats that go beyond Iran. Diplomats of Russia, Germany, Great Britain, USA, China, France deal with nuclear issues. Iran as a nation with great culture deserves our merit but there are some internal Iranian powers which try to disturb the country’s balance”.
The guest expressed his sincere gratitude to the University’s administration for the given opportunity to deliver the lecture.
