The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Russian Federation, which entered into force in 1997 and has been extended pending its replacement by a new agreement,

–   having regard to the ongoing negotiations for a new agreement providing a new comprehensive framework for EU-Russia relations, as well as to the "Partnership for Modernization" initiated in 2010,

–   having regard the results of the 26th EU-Russia summit held in Brussels on 7th December 2010,

–   having regard to the EU-Russia human rights consultations,

–   having regard to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia, and in particular to those of 20 October 2010 on the situation of human rights in the North Caucasus (Russian Federation) and the criminal prosecution against Oleg Orlov, of 25 October 2006 on the murder of the Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, of 18 December 2008 on attacks on human rights defenders in Russia and the Anna Politkovskaya murder trial and of 17 September 2009 on the on the murder of human rights activists in Russia,

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas, as a member of the Council of Europe and of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Russia has committed itself to the protection and promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law,

B.  whereas enhanced cooperation and good-neighbourly relations between the EU and Russia are of key importance to the stability, security and prosperity of the whole of Europe,

C. whereas the EU is aiming at a strategic partnership with Russia based on mutual understanding and respect for common European values,

D. whereas there can be no justification whatsoever for acts of terrorism and indiscriminate violence against the civilian population,

E.  whereas there are serious allegations about the situation of human rights defenders in Russia, as well as breaches of the principle of the rule of law,

F.  whereas a Moscow court announced, on 30 December 2010 the verdict against the imprisoned former Yukos Oil chief executive Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his former associate Platon Lebedev, who will serve additional 6 years in prison,

G. whereas Boris Nemtsov, former Russian prime minister, after speaking in a rally supporting freedom of assembly, was arrested, together with several other opposition activists, and sent to jail for 15 days,

H. whereas the cases of journalists Anna Politkovskaya, Natalia Estemirova and Anastasia Barburova and the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky were not yet solved by the Russian authorities,

I.   whereas numerous complaints have been lodged by Russian citizens at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg; whereas the European Court of Human Rights is expected to take a decision on these cases within a reasonable time, thus bringing the necessary clarity,

J.   whereas Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) would make a substantial contribution to further improving economic relations between the EU and Russia, subject to a binding commitment on Russia’s part to full compliance with and implementation of WTO undertakings and obligations, among others the principle of the rule of law, and would pave the way for a far reaching, comprehensive economic integration agreement between the two partners on the basis of genuine reciprocity,

1.  Condemns all acts of terrorism and underlines that there can be no justification whatsoever for acts of indiscriminate violence against the civilian population; expresses its sympathy and solidarity with the friends and families of all victims of violence, including that of the recent Moscow Domodedovo Airport bombing and the countless attacks continually made on the population of the Russian Federation;

2.  Expresses its deepest concern at the resurgence of violence and acts of terrorism in the Russian federation, and especially in the North Caucasus; calls on the Russian authorities to maintain the full respect for human rights and rule of law in the region, whilst conducting its fight against terrorism;

3.  Takes note of the statements made by President Medvedev in Davos on the "(...) many difficulties in building the rule of law, in creating a modern state of the economy (...)" in Russia, and welcomes the expression of the willingness to receive "friendly advice" in achieving these aims;

4.  Underlines the importance of continuous exchanges of views on human rights with Russia as part of the EU-Russia Human Rights Consultations, with a focus on the steps taken by the Russian authorities with the aim of ensuring the safety of human rights defenders and media freedom, and calls for an improvement in the format of these meetings in order to enhance their effectiveness, with special attention being paid to joint action against racism and xenophobia;

5.  Reiterates its call on the Russian authorities to ensure that the murderers of Natalia Estemirova, Andrei Kulagin, Zarema Sadulayeva, Alik Dzhabrailov, Maksharip Aushev, Stanislav Markelov, Anastasiya Baburova and Anna Politkovskaya are found and brought to justice;

6.  Takes note with concern of the verdict following the recent second trial and conviction of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev; urges the Russian authorities to do all in their power to improve the judicial system according to President Dmitry Medvedev's pledges for greater justice and transparency;

7.  Stresses that full respect for human rights and the rule of law will improve Russia's image and credibility in the world and in particular with regard to its relations with the European Union, which are important and should develop into a strategic partnership, given the two sides' mutual dependence and various shared interests, in particular with regard to political, security, economic and energy cooperation, but also to respect for democratic principles and procedures, for the rule of law and for basic human rights;

8.  Calls on the Russian authorities to comply with all the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and to implement measures to rectify violations in individual cases, including by ensuring that effective investigations are conducted and by holding the perpetrators accountable, and to adopt general measures to implement the rulings, including policy and legal changes to prevent similar violations recurring;

9.  Welcomes that EU and Russia finalized in December 2010 the bilateral deal enabling Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and calls on the European Commission to back Russia's candidature to WTO, considering the importance of the economic relations between the EU and Russia; calls on the Russian authorities to adopt a stable and fair legal framework to properly regulate the business activity; stresses the importance of a well-developed judicial system and of the fight against corruption as key elements for the modernisation of the state;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Parliament of the Russian Federation, the OSCE and the Council of Europe.