Verbatim report of proceedings

Wednesday, 10 June 2015 - Strasbourg

State of EU-Russia relations (A8-0162/2015 - Gabrielius Landsbergis)

  Therese Comodini Cachia (PPE), in writing. ‒ The resolution points out that Russia’s direct and indirect involvement in the armed conflict in Ukraine and its illegal annexation of Crimea, together with its violation of the territorial integrity of Georgia, and economic coercion and political destabilisation of its European neighbours constitute a deliberate violation of democratic principles and fundamental values and of international law. Thus, because of its actions, Russia can no longer be treated as, or considered, a ‘strategic partner’. The resolution also calls on the Commission to do more to counter Russian propaganda and to put an end to Russia’s interference in EU democracies. The resolution condemns the ‘arbitrary’ Russian blacklist banning 89 EU politicians and officials from its territory as an infringement of international law, a violation of universal standards and an impediment to transparency. Meanwhile Parliament is also of the opinion that in the long run a constructive and predictable relationship between the EU and Russia is possible and desirable. I have thus voted in favour of the resolution.