VP/HR — Need to move away from ‘selective engagement’ with Russia

23.2.2017

Question for written answer E-001227-17
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Anna Elżbieta Fotyga (ECR)

Warnings about unacceptable behaviour by the Putin government in Russia were until only recently dismissed by many Western politicians and experts as evidence of an anti-Russian phobia on the part of Central and Eastern European politicians. It is now clear, however, that those warnings, from figures including Lech Kaczyński, were justified.

Russia is openly and cynically flaunting international law and going against EU interests and values in almost all areas, eroding human rights, crushing civil society, riding roughshod over democratic principles, imposing trade embargos that are in breach of WTO rules and engaging in acts of aggression against neighbouring countries.

In the meantime, despite its efforts to pursue joined-up and consistent policies, the EU is doing quite the opposite in its relations with Russia, flying in the face of experience and logic and promoting ‘selective engagement’ in fields including climate policy, the Arctic, maritime safety, education and research. This strategy is being promoted by the High Representative, Ms Mogherini.

Given Russia’s reprehensible behaviour in Georgia, Ukraine and Syria and the precarious state of democracy inside Russia itself, can the High Representative see that the policy of selective engagement with Russia has failed and, aside from issuing yet more words of condemnation, does she intend to do anything to change that strategy?

Has the High Representative assessed the effectiveness of the analyses and expert opinions submitted by EU officials and the experts working with them, which have formed the basis for EU policy to date towards the eastern neighbourhood countries?

In which areas is the EU continuing to pursue the policy of selective engagement? Can the High Representative supply a detailed list of the meetings currently scheduled with Russia?