I am not very sure that, in Washington, the reasons for the bitterness and frustration in former Socialist countries at the news that the US has abandoned the installation of the anti- missile shield in the Czech Republic and in Poland, have been fully understood, particularly as the timing of the announcement coincides with remembering the events that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Communism.
     No one in Europe, in general, and particularly in the East, wants a return to the Cold War but, unfortunately, the way in which the anti-missile shield installation has been abandoned is reminiscent of that period.
The feeling that the United States of America and Russia have agreed, behind our backs, that our opinions do not matter, have engendered new fears, namely that the US is preparing to change its external political priorities in a radical manner, granting less importance to Europe and thus paving the way for the increased influence of Russia in European affairs.
     And the misgivings towards Russia are not without reason. Last month was the one-year anniversary of  the armed conflict in Georgia, which demonstrated the dangers of ‘frozen’ conflicts in the Caucasus and south-east Europe. Russia’s military rebuff has reminded us of the ‘Prague Spring’  and the invasion of  Czechoslovakia.
     Unfortunately, the inflation of projects to resolve them, the competition between their promoters, delays their resolution on a permanent and equitable basis.
     Another cause for concern is Russia’s energy policy and the use of energy carriers as a weapon to achieve preponderant politica, rather than economic, objectives.
     In this way, the joining-up of the anti-missile shield elements in the Czech Republic and Poland was seen as an insurance policy against Russia’s tendencies to interfere in European affairs. Especially now, when, unfortunately, Europe does not seem to have the capacity to generate a coherent and uniform Russian policy.
     For some of the countries in the East, among them Romania, the country I represent in the European Parliament, another reason for frustration towards the US is its visa policy. Despite the promises of our country and of the European Union, a decision that is in accord with the needs and expectations of Romanian citizens has not been taken. Many are wondering, with good reason, why are they being discriminated against when the soldiers of both our countries are fighting and dying  together in Afghanistan and Iraq.
     I believe that many of these frustrations would not have emerged had there been an effort to explain Washington’s decision, or if the situation had been handled more transparently. Nobody wants to antagonize or isolation of Russia, but history does make us suspicious.
     This episode proves, once again, how important the transatlantic bond is, particularly the special liaison that the eastern European countries have with the US. In time, as the European relationship becomes more solid and clear, our uncertainty towards Russia will diminish, helped by, we hope,  a more profound democratization of our neighbour from the East. Until then, however, the anti-missile shield would have made us feel more secure.

Corina Cretu Vice-Chairwoman of the Development Committee European Parliament