MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14.3.2006

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Zdzisław Zbigniew Podkański,
on behalf of the UEN Group
on Moldova

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B6‑0186/2006

European Parliament resolution on Moldova

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Moldova,

–  having regard to Rule 115 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the European Neighbourhood Policy recognises Moldova’s European aspirations and the importance of Moldova as a country with deep historical, cultural and economic links to the Member States of the EU,

B.  whereas within the framework of this European Neighbourhood Policy an Action Plan has been prepared, which should include proposals aimed at encouraging the political and institutional reforms which will enable Moldova to integrate progressively in EU policies and programmes,

C.  whereas a genuine and balanced partnership can only be developed on the basis of shared common values with regard, in particular, to democracy, the rule of law and respect for human and civil rights,

D.  whereas, after two bloody years of civil war which caused hundreds of deaths, the situation is still extremely serious and Moldova is forced to accept the rule of an illegal government on part of its own territory,

E.  whereas the Moldovan Government has seriously violated human and citizens' rights such as freedom of speech and thought by placing the media under the complete control of the government,

F.  whereas the international community and human rights organisations criticise the Moldovan authorities for failing to find an appropriate response to problems of corruption and organised crime,

1.  Expresses its strong support for the efforts of the Moldovan people to establish a fully functioning democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in their country;

2.  Calls on the Moldovan government to respect democratic principles, fundamental rights and human rights including minority language rights and continue with the process of economic and social reforms; considers that this includes the legitimate right of civil society and the opposition parties to exert their constitutional freedoms;

3.  Considers that the Moldovan government has not been able to stabilise the economy and establish more democracy, while noting that the Transnistrian conflict has contributed for a large part to the instability of the whole country;

4.  Recalls the Council proposal for joint crisis management, and stresses that Russia carries a great responsibility for the situation in the region;

5.  Urges the Government of Russia to withdraw its troops from Transnistria and to cooperate more closely with the European Union to restore peace in Moldova;

6.  Welcomes the steps recently taken by the Ukrainian authorities with a view to solving the conflict by peaceful means;

7.  Considers that a solution to this conflict and the re-establishment of full freedom of information and thought are crucial for Moldova's development towards stability and prosperity and that the EU should remain fully committed to contributing to the objective of peaceful resolution of the conflict, with full respect for Moldova's territorial integrity and within the framework of the OSCE, but also expects the Moldovan Government to respect fundamental rights;

8.  Supports the ongoing efforts of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to promote the strengthening of democracy, human rights, religious liberty and freedom of expression in the Republic of Moldova; welcomes, in this respect, the positive steps taken to date by the Moldovan authorities;

9.  Expresses its strong support for the efforts of the Moldovan authorities to respect universally accepted principles, in particular its obligations as a member of the Council of Europe, regarding human and minority rights;

10.  Appeals to the Moldovan authorities to ensure that the public debates are held with pluralist media coverage;

11.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, to the Commission, to the parliaments and governments of the Member States, to the government and to the president of the Republic of Moldova, as well as to the parliamentary assemblies of the OSCE and of the Council of Europe, to the Director-General of UNESCO and to the Secretary General of the United Nations.