In the opinion of Dmitry Rogozin, the problem of the Kaliningrad region is being resolved "in a unfavorable propaganda moment"

On Tuesday Dmitry Rogozin, special representative of the Russian President on matters of the Kaliningrad region stated in Brussels that, in his opinion, the problem of the Kaliningrad region (the Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea) was being solved "in an unfavorable propaganda moment". While talking to journalists during a break in the four-sided meeting of heads of the European parliament, Russian Federal Assembly and Lithuanian and Polish parliaments Rogozin explained that one of the problems of settlement of the Kaliningrad problem was related to the fact that its solution had to be acceptable to public opinion of all parties participating in the negotiations. But, according to him, the public opinion at the moment "was strained." Rogozin pointed out that, for example, in Lithuania this situation was caused by the forthcoming on 22 December presidential elections. He continued that in the European Union the security problem was presently very acute and in many European countries the struggle against illegal migration was being intensified.

That was why, Rogozin opined, parliamentarians had to interfere into the situation around the Kaliningrad region. Rogozin opined that if they were satisfied that the solution proposed by Russia was adequate, based on Schengen legislation, on Russia's legislation, on respect for Lithuanian sovereignty, then "that decision was better because cooperation was always better than erection of artificial barriers" and that would greatly facilitate achievement of a compromise solution.

Rogozin assured that the Russian side was prepared to undertake measures in which all participants in the negotiations process were interested, including Russia itself. He explained that, in particular, it related to toughening of migration legislation. In addition to that, Rogozin stressed, it was necessary to condition the non-visa entry into Russia from the southern direction by agreements on return of citizens who illegally crossed borders to their respective countries.