Brussels, 17/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 17 July, the European Parliament called on High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and the European External Action Service (EEAS) “to have a stronger presence and greater visibility in the dialogue mechanisms established with a view to resolving the crisis” in Ukraine, “including the contact group”.
In adopting a joint resolution (497 votes in favour, 121 against and 21 abstentions), MEPs called on the European Council “to adopt a more coherent and firmer strategy - and to speak with one voice - vis-à-vis the Ukrainian crisis and the behaviour of the Russian government, including on matters related to EU energy security”. They also deplored the fact that some member states are showing disunity in this regard - for example in supporting the South Stream project.
The Parliament called on the Council and the member states to impose new sanctions on Russia - in the areas of the economy, finance and energy - as well as a collective ban on the sale of arms to the country. “Any further steps by Russia to destabilise Ukraine will lead to additional and far-reaching consequences for EU-Russian relations”, warn MEPs (who do not have competence in this area).
The Parliament called on the high representative and member states to speed up the deployment of a “robust” civilian common security and defence policy (CSDP) mission. The Parliament said it was convinced that this mission “needs to have an ambitious mandate in order to support the Ukrainians effectively in the necessary in-depth efforts to stabilise the situation in the country”.
MEPs also called on Russia to support the peace plan “with true determination” because this plan is “a major chance for de-escalation and peace”. They also called on Russia to take the first tangible steps showing that it is really determined not to aggravate the crisis any longer. They said they supported a new “mutually agreed” ceasefire.
Hailing the signature of the association agreement, the Parliament said that it wanted to complete its ratification procedure of the agreement as quickly as possible, and it called on the member states and Ukraine to ratify the agreement so as to be able to implement it fully “as soon as possible”.
MEPs also called for the immediate release of the Ukrainian pilot, Nadejda Savtchenko, as well as of all the hostages held in Ukraine or Russia. (CG)