Strasbourg, 15/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - The signing of the agreement between Russia and NATO in Rome on 28 May, the ninth EU/Russia summit on 29 May: relations with Moscow are of primordial importance for the EU, asserted, on Tuesday before the EP, the acting President of the EU Council (Ramon de Miguel, when outlining the points on the agenda of the Moscow summit: - latest developments in Russia, but also within the Union (ESDP, Convention); - fight against terrorism. Mr de Miguel did not, neither here nor elsewhere, say a single word on Chechnya, noted the Belgian Green Bart Staes: Mr de Miguel reacted strongly, recalling the position taken by the Council during the debate on Chechnya, on 10 April. In each of our meetings with our Russian partners we discuss Chechnya, he protested; - international issues (Middle East, Afghanistan, Balkans). The meeting should finish with the adopting of a certain number of texts, notably an ad hoc declaration on the progress of the consultation and co-operation in case of crisis, as well as a joint declaration covering a whole range of subjects: co-operation in justice and home affairs, the European Economic Area, Russian accession to the WTO and the energy dialogue. The EU insists over the importance of nuclear safety, recalled Mr de Miguel.
This summit arrives at a historic time in Russian relations with the West, underlined European Commissioner Chris Patten, adding that meetings on crisis management and conflict resolution take place every three months with the Russian Ambassador to the EU. Nevertheless, progress is slow, recognises Mr Patten, while raising: - ESDP. Relations are developing in a positive manner, but Russia must understand that ESDP must be seen in the context of a wider political dialogue, which also covers certain "frozen conflicts" such as Transdniestria, which is a source of instability for a future neighbour of the Union, Moldova; - WTO. While supporting the Russian candidacy, the EU will not be shy in defending its own interests. According to Mr Patten, Russia should at least go beyond the concessions made in the framework of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement; - the Russian demands to be treated as a market economy in the context of the anti-dumping procedures: the Commission has already made a proposal that improves the position of Russian companies and tries to see what can be offered in addition, recalls Mr Patten. Though, he added, it expects, in exchange, that Russia reacts positively towards its proposals, notably with regard to double prices in the field of energy and the adoption in the context of the Partnership Agreement, of a conciliation system to resolve trade disputes in an objective, effective and non-politicised manner; - the joint European Economic Area. This long-term, initiative aims to support the economic reforms and help Russia benefit from the prosperity stemming from enlargement; - the energy dialogue, enter into a more concrete phase during the Brussels summit, in October; - the environment. The EU will invite Russia to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, ideally before the Johannesburg Conference on sustainable development, next September. Chris Patten strongly insisted on respect for human rights, which continue to pose problems. The situation in Chechnya is a great worry, and our position is clear: condemnation of terrorism everywhere in the world, and call for a political solution without damaging the territorial integrity of the Russian federation and satisfying a majority of the Chechen population. We share many things with Russia, concluded the Commissioner: much geography, in some way too much history. The only solution is to make our relations work as well as possible, but this implies that we understand the others point of view, he felt, while stating; we understand, and I am sure that our Russian colleagues understand this as well.
During the debate, Hans-Gert Pottering, President of the EPP-ED group, while welcoming the efforts made to create a common economic area, underlined that one cannot imagine, in the shadow of Russia's size, that it becomes a member of the EU: in his opinion, this must be stated clearly. Hans Modrow (PDS, German), invited the EU not to create the conditions for a new confrontation with Russia, and give this country a true chance to become an equal partner.
Kaliningrad: EU must help draw benefits from enlargement
Council and Commission also took a stance on the issue of Kaliningrad, which is the object of a report by the German Social Democrat Magdalene Hoff. Visibly suffering, but present in the plenary in a wheelchair, Mrs Hoff was only able to utter a few phrases to call for a true effort to be made for the former Konigsbergh: it is her colleague Erika Mann who read her text. In her report, Mrs Hoff calls for this region to find solutions to its problems: economic (in-depth reforms are needed: the geographic position of Kaliningrad notably favors criminal activities), but also border problems and visas (the Union should check whether it is possible, in the framework of Schengen, to facilitate the granting of visas in a manner that does not negatively affect the security of the EU, but also takes into account the interests of people who live there). The Dutch Christian Democrat Arie Oostlander presented an opinion from the Freedoms Committee: Mrs Hoff took many of his observations into account his.
The Council President Ramon de Miguel confirmed, for his part, that a satisfactory solution must be found for movement in this enclave, and that an aid, within the framework of TACIS or from Member States, should contribute towards raising the standard of living for these inhabitants.
The European Commission shared the Parliament's opinion, according to which Kaliningrad is mainly a Russian responsibility, indicated Chris Patten. Though he underlined the Commission's willingness to grant financial and technical aid to allow this enclave to overcome its difficulties, to facilitate co-operation between the customs and immigration authorities of Russia, Poland and Lithuania, and to explore the flexibility permitted by Schengen with regards to the movement of persons and issues of transit. The member countries confirmed that a derogation is not possible, and visa free corridors are unacceptable for the candidate countries: Mr Patten hopes that Russia will understand this and that it will contribute towards making the crossing of borders, which is the main barrier to progress, faster and easier. He hopes that the special meeting of the Co-operation Committee, which will take place on Tuesday in Kaliningrad, will allow for progress in view of the Moscow Summit. EUROPE will return to the vote on the Hoff report.