Brussels, 15/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 15 March, the European Parliament underlined the need for “critical commitment” towards Russia, to fully support the modernisation programme, which must include dialogue on economic and political reform, in order to introduce and implement reforms that tackle existing failings. In a resolution drafted by Hannes Swoboda (S&D, Austria), MEPs underline that the EU is ready to cooperate with Moscow to improve respect of human rights and fundamental rights and also to ensure that an independent state subject to rule of law becomes a reality in Russia.
MEPs invite President Dmitri Medvedev to keep his promises and to guarantee that the necessary reforms of the political system are adopted. They express the hope that all proposals for reform being examined within the Medvedev working group will result in full implementation, especially electoral reforms. MEPs also want “serious commitment” on media freedom and freedom of assembly and expression. They also encourage the Russian authorities and political parties present at the Duma to undertake constructive dialogue with the pro-democracy demonstrators and with the opposition, to achieve extended reform in the interest of transparency and democracy. Parliament also encourages the various groups of democratic opposition in Russia to come together around a positive political reform programme in order to thus give Russian citizens a credible alternative.
While welcoming the strong commitment shown by the citizens during the presidential campaign, the Parliament notes the outcome and criticises the failings and irregularities that occurred during the electoral procedure. It calls for detailed and transparent analyses to be carried out in this respect.
“Modernisation, democratisation and respect for clear and transparent rules on how the country is governed need to be applied. This applies to both Putin and Medvedev, but also to the opposition who need to play their part in this reform process”, said the rapporteur, Hannes Swoboda, after the vote. (CG/transl.jl)