MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
2.5.2007
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Jan Marinus Wiersma, Hannes Swoboda, Reino Paasilinna and Panagiotis Beglitis
on behalf of the PSE Group
on the EU-Russia Summit
European Parliament resolution on the EU-Russia Summit
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Russian Federation, on the other part (PCA), which entered into force in 1997 and expires in 2007,
– having regard to the EU-Russia human rights consultations,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia and in particular its resolution of 26 May 2005 on EU-Russia relations[1],
– having regard to its resolution of 13 December 2006 on the EU-Russia Summit[2],
– having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas relations between the EU and Russia have been steadily developing over the past few years, leading to deep and comprehensive economic integration and interdependency, which is bound to increase even more in the near future,
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 and its neighbour states,
C. whereas the conclusion of a Strategic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Russian Federation is of the utmost importance for this greater cooperation, in particular with regard to the further development of economic relations based on equality, transparency and respect for internationally recognised procedures, to the strengthening of security and stability in Europe by finding peaceful political solutions to regional conflicts in the joint neighbourhood, and to the further strengthening of respect for human rights, respect for the rule of law and a democratic framework as a basis for these relations,
D. whereas the rapid implementation of the four common areas, with a common economic area, an area of freedom, security, justice, an area of external security and an area of research, education and culture, should be at the heart of the negotiations on the new Strategic Partnership Agreement,
E. whereas a future agreement between the EU and the Russian Federation should include principles of the Energy Charter aimed at reinvigorating ties and easing European worries that Russia is using its vast energy resources as a political weapon,
F. whereas Lithuania is threatening to block an energy deal between the EU and the Russian Federation over the closure of Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline link to Lithuania’s Mazeikiu Nafta refinery since June 2006 over allegations of deliberately slow repairs to a leak by Transneft, Russia’s pipeline operator,
G. whereas tensions between Estonia and Russia are growing over Estonia’s removal of the bronze soldier statue from Tallinn city centre, a statue honouring Soviet troops killed during World War II; whereas Russia’s consideration of imposing sanctions on Estonia could lead to further delays in the negotiations with Russia over the PCA,
H. whereas the EU and Russia are discussing the establishment of an energy crisis hotline, enabling officials from Brussels and Moscow to instantly contact each other to head off potential disruption to gas and oil supplies because of political problems or technical accidents,
I. whereas the launch of a new framework agreement between the EU and Russia to replace the PCA, which expires in 2007 and which will include Bulgaria and Romania, would be positive proof that both the EU and Russia want to set a basis for a further intensive cooperation, in particular with regard to common interests in energy and security,
J. whereas the start of the negotiations on the new framework agreement has been delayed, and made conditional upon Moscow lifting a ban on Polish meat imports introduced in 2005; whereas efforts are being made by the EU to find a compromise on Polish meat imports to end this political impasse,
K. whereas following months of negotiations between the Commission, the German Presidency and Poland, on one side, and Russia on the other, Russia seems willing to find a compromise with the EU in an attempt to end this impasse which would enable both sides to engage in negotiations over the new framework agreement,
L. whereas there is a growing concern over respect for human rights and the rule of law in Russia by the international community, in particular over the freedom of speech and the right to assembly,
M. whereas both EU citizens travelling to Russia and Russian citizens trying to enter the EU currently face complex visa controls,
N. whereas the US plans to put an anti-ballistic missile system on European soil, namely in Poland and the Czech Republic, have upset Russia and caused a heated debate on the balance of power and a potential arms race,
1. Acknowledges the importance of Russia as a strategic cooperation partner, with which the EU shares not only economic and trade interests but also the objective of cooperating closely in the international arena as well as in the common neighbourhood;
2. Stresses the importance of unity and solidarity among all the EU Member States in their relations with Russia; calls, therefore, on the EU to continue to speak with one voice at its meetings with Russia, representing a greater political force in the interest of all its Member States and above all, European interests;
3. Welcomes the continuous exchange of views on human rights in Russia as part of the EU-Russia Human Rights Consultations; emphasises, however, that the current situation in Russia gives rise to serious concern in terms of respect for human rights, democracy, freedom of expression and the rights of civil society and individuals to challenge and hold authorities accountable for their actions;
4. Expresses its deep concerns about the use of force by the Russian authorities against peaceful anti-government demonstrations in Moscow and St Petersburg over the past few weeks; stresses that freedom of speech and the right to assembly are fundamental human rights and therefore a continuation of this tendency will negatively affect Russia's overall reputation;
5. Calls on Russia, which is a member of the United Nations, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, to fulfil its obligations to observe and respect human rights, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech without any reservations;
6. Urges the Commission and the Council to continue to monitor the current situation and future developments in Russia; recalls that a wider debate on the situation in Russia should be on the agenda of the Council;
7. Emphasises the need to work together with Russia as a necessary strategic partner to ensure peace, stability and security and fight international terrorism and violent extremism, as well as to address other security issues such as environmental and nuclear hazards, drugs, trafficking in arms and human beings and cross-border organised crime in the European neighbourhood in cooperation with the OSCE and other actors in international fora;
8. Calls on the Commission and the Council to pursue joint initiatives with the Russian Government to strengthen democracy, security and respect for basic human rights in Belarus and joint efforts to finally resolve the conflicts in Moldova, Georgia and Nagorno Karabakh; calls on the EU and Russia to assume their responsibility as members of the Quartet for the resolution of the Middle East conflict and to promote efforts to hold an international peace conference on a regional Middle East peace agreement;
9. Points out that both the EU and Russia have a common interest in multilateral solutions to global issues; recalls that mutual trust and understanding should be the basis of an effective long-term partnership; stresses that both parties have to support the role and initiatives of the United Nations to find a compromise solution for the status of Kosovo which would ensure peace and stability in the whole region; welcomes the approach by Russia in the six-nation talks with North Korea and appeals to Russia to show a similar approach in finding a solution to the developments in Iran, Iraq and Central Asia;
10. Expresses its concerns about declarations made by President Putin in retaliation to the United States’ plans to put anti-ballistic missiles in Europe and calls on all parties involved to engage in dialogue; expresses its deep concern over the US proposal to deploy components of its anti-missile defence in Poland and the Czech Republic, which could lead to a new arms race and consequently reduce rather than enhance global security, and therefore demands a thorough discussion on these proposals in the framework of both the EU and NATO; calls on the US and all the partners directly and indirectly involved to support the multilateral framework of the non-proliferation regime;
11. Notes that the European Neighbourhood Policy already presents a number of opportunities for multilateral cooperation; calls for the setting-up of an EU-Black Sea Community, along the lines of the Northern Dimension, to enhance and encourage more dialogue for a more stable, secure and democratic neighbourhood;
12. Welcomes the initiatives to achieve visa-free travel between the European Union and Russia, signalling the prospect of improved relations leading to citizens having not just the right to travel but also the right to work; calls on further cooperation on illegal immigration, improved controls on identity documents and better information exchange on terrorism and organised crime; emphasises that the Council and the Commission must ensure that Russia complies with all the conditions set in any negotiated agreement on the elimination of visas between the two sides to prevent any breach of security and democracy in Europe;
13. Welcomes the intensified EU-Russia dialogue on energy issues; underlines the importance of energy imports for European economies, which represents a potential opportunity for further trade and economic cooperation between the EU and Russia; stresses that the principles of interdependence and transparency should be the basis of this cooperation, together with equal access to markets, infrastructure and investment; calls on the Council and the Commission to ensure that the principles of the Energy Charter and the G8 conclusions would be included in a new agreement between the EU and Russia, including further cooperation on energy efficiency, energy saving and renewable energy;
14. Welcomes the efforts and initiatives by the German Presidency to give priority to this important issue; emphasises that the dialogue on energy should continue to at the top of the forthcoming Presidency’s agenda;
15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Governments and Parliaments of the Member States and of the Russian Federation.
- [1] OJ C 117 E, 18.5.2006, p. 235.
- [2] Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2006)0566.