Brussels, 17/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament (EP) supports the EU's balanced, broad approach towards Russia, through which dialogue and cooperation in all areas, including the rule of law, are strengthened. In a joint resolution on the outcome of the recent EU-Russia summit (in Rostov on 1 June, see EUROPE 10150), adopted by the EP in Strasbourg on 17 June, MEPs welcomed the fact that the new Partnership for Modernisation, formally launched at the summit, is founded on a “balanced, results-oriented approach based on democracy and the rule of law, sharing not only economic and trade interests but also the objective of working closely together on the global level as well as in and with common neighbouring countries, in accordance with international law”. The EP hoped, too, that the EU and Russia will intensify negotiations, begun in 2008, on a new partnership agreement. The agreement must also go beyond purely economic cooperation and take in the issues of democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental rights, MEPs said. In the new agreement energy cooperation must be based on the principles of the Energy Charter and the Transit Protocol “which must be incorporated into 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,” the EP said. (H.B./transl.rt)