First Impressions

Hey people!

I am sitting in the Paris hotel Renaissance being involved in the conference on human rights and democratic values between the EU and Russia. It is pretty hot right now. There's a discussion about a relationship between Russia and the EU and it has been started by an innocent question asked by a girl who wanted to know what is a definition of "values" from the russian view and it, of course, made angry a main russian leader. The argue has become really hot.

Does the EU have a common opinion on Kosovo issue?

To say a few words about the hotel I am just amazed. The hotel has four stars so the rooms are truly beautiful, with amazing view from the window and with five pillows on each bed! We are all impressed.

The truth is that some kind of barrier has been built between Russians and other Europeans. To be honest I didn't expect this. I thought that if we launch this kind of discussion including more foreign students, the atmosphere will be open for all opinions and views, not only for expressing strong statements on particular topics. Russians are quite sensitive while talking about Kosovo or Chechenia.

I will write more when I get more impressions.

Suzanne