Brussels, 06/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 6 February, MEPs stressed the need for a sustained and constructive dialogue between the EU and Russia in order to discuss developments in their common neighbourhood, as well as different regional initiatives for economic integration. They criticise Moscow for believing that the Eastern Partnership is a threat to its own political and economic interests. In their joint resolution, they encourage the two parties to find the means to make their respective regional integration processes more compatible, while continuing to work towards a vision of common trade and an economic area in the future.
Recalling that Russia remains one of the EU's most important partners in the construction of strategic cooperation, the Parliament says it expects - if the conditions are in place - the launch of new negotiations of the agreement at the next summit, which will take place in Sochi in June 2014. MEPs call on Russia to fall into line with its WTO obligations and to backtrack on its recognition of the separation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Parliament believes that fresh efforts are needed in order to make progress in the cooperation and dialogue between the EU and Russia on regional security issues.
The text broadly highlights the European Parliament's concern for the respect and protection of human rights in Russia. (CG/transl.fl)