Text tabled : B7-0693/2011

  Kristiina Ojuland (ALDE), in writing. – I am extremely glad that the European Parliament adopted this resolution ahead of the EU-Russia Summit this week. The resolution shows that as Europeans, we will not turn a blind eye when serious human and civil rights violations have taken place. The ballot stuffing and vote rigging in the recent Russian State Duma elections have made the legitimacy of the new composition of the Duma questionable. By adopting this resolution, we sent a clear signal to the Kremlin that we cannot continue with business as usual and the partnership with Russia must be seriously reviewed. If our counterpart does not follow the same principles and values of freedom and justice, then we should first concentrate on solving this problem rather than moving forward to talking about a strategic partnership with the Russian authorities.