Strasbourg, 11/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament, concerned that Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea “has precipitated a significant change in the strategic landscape of the Black Sea Basin and the adjacent area”, stressed on Thursday 11 June that the Black Sea region should be seen as a priority for the European Union.
Through the report by Ioan Mircea Pascu (S&D, Romania) on the strategic military situation in the Black Sea basin following the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, adopted by 356 votes to 183, with 96 abstentions, MEPs call on the Commission and the EEAS to draw up, as soon as possible, a comprehensive EU strategy for the Black Sea region. “The change in the geostrategic landscape, the evolving military situation in the Black Sea Basin and the forceful annexation of Crimea by Russia are indicative of broader and systemic challenges to the post-Cold War, norms-based European security architecture”, MEPs state. They believe that the EU and its member states must have a security response to these challenges and reconsider their foreign and security policies in light of this.
MEPs also highlight “the critical importance of coordinating with NATO, in particular with the Black Sea littoral states that are members of the Alliance, and with the United States, as the Black Sea Basin is a key component of Euro-Atlantic security”. They welcome the commitment of NATO to support regional efforts of Black Sea littoral states aimed at ensuring security and stability.
Parliament says that the EU must also stay firm with Russia and resume dialogue only under certain conditions. If Russia does not change its policy towards Ukraine and continues with its illegal annexation of Crimea, the sanctions regime should be “continued and strengthened”, MEPs say. They further call on EU member states to remain “firm and united” in their commitment to the agreed sanctions against Russia, and “also by freezing all military and defence cooperation and by cancelling contracts, such as for the delivery of Mistral class amphibious assault ships to Russia”. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)