Strasbourg, 10/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 10 June, the European Parliament urged the European Union to critically reassess its relations with Russia and draw up an emergency non-coercive intervention plan as soon as possible in order to counteract the aggression and division policy being carried out by Russia, along with a global strategy on the future of relations with Russia and its eastern European partners.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution by Gabrielius Landsbergis (EPP, Lithuania) by 494to 135 with 69 abstentions, with MEPs saying that at this stage and taking account of Russia's action in Crimea and the east of Ukraine, it cannot be treated or considered as a strategic partner any more. The EP pointed out that a genuine partnership has to be founded on mutual trust and the respect of international law.
As a result of Russia's direct or indirect involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, along with the annexation of Crimea, the violation of Georgia's territorial integrity and economic coercion or political destabilisation taken by the Kremlin against its neighbours, the MEPs say that the EU cannot consider resuming normal relations with Russia. They say that relations between the EU and Russia should now be based on respect for international law and dialogue, and in this framework the EU would be prepared to resume and restore cooperation with the Russian authorities in a number of specific domains of common interest. But restoration of cooperation would be subject to conditions. For example, Moscow would have to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, including for Crimea, fully apply the Minsk agreements and put an end to military activities carried out for destabilisation purposes along borders with EU member states.
The EP says the EU should make its expectations very clear to Russia and should specify what measures it would take after 31 December 2015 if Russia does not comply with its commitments - or earlier in the event of major developments on the ground - while demonstrating that cooperation can be re-established if Moscow keeps its commitments.
The EP says that the European Commission should take action and immediately provide sufficient funding to tangible projects to counteract Russian propaganda within the EU and outside, and to provide objective information to the public in the Eastern Partnership countries.
Expressing concern about Russia's support and financing for radical and extremist parties in the EU member states, the MEPs want the Commission to unveil legislation to ensure full transparency for policies financing and the financing of political parties in the EU, particularly economic or political stakeholders outside the EU.
The MEPs criticise what they describe as the “arbitrary” measure of banning access to Russia for EU politicians and officials, noting that these people should be informed of why exactly they are being banned from accessing Russian territory. They should also have the right to appeal to an independent court against the travel ban.
At the same time, the MEPs say that resumption of cooperation seems inevitable in the future and is desirable for the good of both parties, particularly in the light of the existing relations in terms of policy, trade, transport, energy, interpersonal contact, cross-border cooperation issues, climate change, the environment and sector-specific cooperation. They say it is important to deal with common challenges and interests on the global stage. Finally, the EP notes the need to promote interpersonal contacts as far as possible and to maintain strong dialogue and cooperation between students and researchers from the EU and Russia, between civil society in the EU and Russia and among local authorities. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)