Brussels, 14/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - MEPs were locked in fierce debate on Wednesday 14 March on the situation in Russia after the presidential elections of 4 March. They considered the policy that the EU should lead towards Russia, but did not come to a common line.
Ahead of the debate, Danish Foreign Affairs Minister Villy Sovndal, speaking on behalf of High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, stated that there was agreement in the EU that there had to be contact, critical but constructive, with Russia. He argued that it would be impossible to meet major global challenges without Russia, arguing that more, not less, dialogue was needed so that the Russians might reach where we would like them to reach. The EU, he said, would be delighted to work on a common agenda of political and economic modernisation.
Pointing out that the elections had been “neither free nor fair”, Hannes Swoboda (S&D, Austria), whose resolution on Russia will be put to the vote on 15 March, said that the EU should “grasp the opportunity that exists in Russia. (…) Agreement of a package of reforms has to be called for. ..As the incoming president, Putin must bring forward reforms, and take Russia towards greater democracy. … Modernisation without democratisation cannot work.” He would also like the Parliament to help the opposition to work. Werner Schulz (Greens/EFA, Germany) said that the opposition “must ensure that the demonstrations do not just become a ritual. Change has to be wanted by civil society, but can be supported by the EU. Political balance has to be speeded up”.
For EPP MEP José Ignacio Salafranca (Spain), the EU must “make sure things change, have dialogue with opponents. We all have to become involved, use our influence to ensure that fundamental liberties rapidly become a reality that extends to all”. Helmut Scholz (GUE/NGL, Germany) said: “We should welcome the change in Russia and support the civil population. (…) Russian society is changing, changes to replace Putin-style democracy are being debated.” “The new presidency has the opportunity to move to greater democracy. (…) We have to give Russia a chance, we mustn't always seem to be criticising it”, added unattached MEP Andreas Mölzer.
More or less cooperation with the new government and president? Niki Tzavela (EFD, Greece) called for greater cooperation with Russia. “If we want to have any effect in our relationship with Russia, if we want to cooperate with it, we must consider what we are doing and adopt new approaches. (…) We must seek cooperation and rapprochement”, she argued.
Kristiina Ojuland (ALDE, Estonia) however, said: “It is difficult to see how it can be business as usual with Russia if it does not take democracy or the rule of law seriously.” The elections had been neither free not fair, she said. “What are the consequences? Do the president and the Duma have any legitimacy? How can they be considered as partners of the EU and the international community?” she asked. (CG/transl.rt)