MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
2.5.2007
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on the preparations for the 9th EU-Russia Summit in Samara on 18 May 2007
B6‑0191/2007
European Parliament resolution on the preparations for the 9th EU-Russia Summit in Samara on 18 May 2007
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which entered into force in 1997 and is set to expire in 2007,
– having regard to the EU-Russia Consultations on Human Rights,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia, in particular the resolution of 26 May 2005 on EU-Russia relations[1], the resolution of 13 December 2006 on the 8th EU-Russia summit[2] and the resolution of 26 April 2007 on the recent repression of demonstrations in Russia[3],
– having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the European Union continues to be committed to further deepening and developing the 'strategic partnership' between the European Union and Russia,
B. whereas the current EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement is set to expire in 2007 and whereas joint efforts are currently under way to remove the obstacles created by the Russian import ban on certain food products and to launch the negotiations for a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement,
C. whereas the European Union must speak with one voice in its relations with Russia and base its relations with Russia on mutual interests and common values,
D. whereas there is widespread concern over democracy and human rights in Russia, over the independence of the judiciary, over increased control of the media, over the inability of the Russian police and judicial authorities to find those responsible for murders of journalists and over repressive measures taken against the opposition,
1. Expresses its continued support for the aim of developing relations with Russia in a genuine strategic partnership that goes beyond trade and economic relations and includes the objectives of acting together in the international arena and in the common neighbourhood and developing close personal contacts between the EU and Russia as vital parts of a dynamic and developing partnership;
2. Points out that, as EU-Russia relations are based on mutual interests and common values, democratic principles and human rights must have a central role in the new framework agreement and in the developing partnership; underlines, however, that the current situation in Russia gives rise to serious concern as regards respect for human rights, not least in Chechnya, democracy, freedom of expression, the right of civil society and individuals to challenge the authorities and hold them accountable for their actions and the right of the opposition to participate fully in a truly democratic process;
3. Underlines that the authoritarian tendencies are part of a worrying trend which threatens Russia's democratic development and the legitimacy of the Russian leadership, inside and outside the country; points out that this is detrimental to the further development of the partnership between the European Union and Russia and weakens Russia's international position at a time when Russia's growing economy, the interdependence between the European Union and Russia and the many common global challenges necessitate a true partnership;
4. Stresses the importance of unity and solidarity among the Member States of the European Union in its relations with Russia;
5. Regrets that the last summit failed to launch the negotiations for the new framework agreement between the EU and Russia; regrets that the efforts by the Commission and the Council Presidency, notably on 23 April 2007 in Luxemburg, have failed; notes the statements by the Commission that Poland and the European Union have met all the conditions stipulated by Russia for an end to the embargo; urges the Russian Government to acknowledge the Polish and European arguments, to end the obstruction of exports of meat from Poland to Russia and by doing so to enable the negotiations between the EU and Russia to begin; hopes that the continued talks facilitated by the Commission's phytosanitary experts will solve the problems so that the negotiations for a new agreement can commence without further delay;
6. Points out that, while the negotiations on the new agreement should commence as soon as possible, the European Parliament will continue to monitor developments within Russia with regard to human rights and democracy, freedom of the media and assembly and opportunities for the opposition to play a full part in a truly democratic process; notes that the development of these issues will be taken into account throughout the negotiating process, with particular regard to the situation in Chechnya and judicial cases such as the trial and conditions of imprisonment of Mikhail Khodorkovsky;
7. Points out that energy cooperation must be based on the principles of the Energy Charter, which must be incorporated in the new framework agreement between the EU and Russia in order to ensure transparent and fair mutual investment conditions, equal access and a rule-based market; underlines that in this field too, a united EU approach is needed and that for example the planned Baltic pipeline cannot be regarded as a purely bilateral matter between Russia and Germany;
8. Expresses its concern over the lack of investment in the Russian energy sector, including in energy efficiency, which might lead to shortages in Russian domestic supply and difficulties in honouring its export obligations; expresses its concern that Russia is using its energy sector as a foreign policy instrument;
9. Welcomes recent progress in EU-Russia relations, notably the agreement that Russia will phase out the fees for EU airlines flying over Siberia, which will pave the way for EU carriers to increase routes to Asian destinations and the visa facilitation and readmission agreements which form the first part in a process leading to visa liberalisation, also notes Russia's satisfaction at now being an equal partner in the Northern Dimension together with the EU, Norway and Iceland, and welcomes Russia's participation in the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum;
10. Reiterates its support for Russian membership of the WTO, which will help Russia to come to terms with the rules on the global market; calls on Russia to respect agreements made with the EU in the run-up to its WTO accession, for example on tax on timber exports or on other trade issues, and to make further efforts to remove the last obstacles to WTO membership;
11. Welcomes the progress concerning the Latvia-Russia border agreement but underlines that further progress must be made to secure ratification and implementation of the border agreement between Russia and Estonia;
12. Calls on the Council and the Commission to redouble their efforts to solve the problems involved in crossing the EU-Russian border and to engage in concrete projects and fully use the new Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument and INTERREG funds for cross-border cooperation;
13. Underlines that Russia's position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, its membership of the G8 and its commitment to multilateralism require a constructive engagement from Russia in the search for solutions to international issues such as nuclear proliferation, the Middle East or Kosovo;
14. 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.