Strasbourg, 16/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the 25 May EU-Russia Summit in Sotchi (see EUROPE 9200), noting that the current EU-Russia partnership is more pragmatic than strategic because it reflects common economic interests more than anything else without managing to achieve significant outcomes in terms of human rights. The EP stressed the importance of respecting human rights in both Russia and Chechnya and in a Green/EFA amendment, it regretted Russia's lack of desire to join Belarus in starting a genuine process of democracy in Belarus. The EP urged Russia to ratify the Energy Charter and stressed the need for reciprocity in energy matters.
In Sotchi, President Putin of Russia defended Russia's position in the dispute with Ukraine over gas, but seemed surprised by the strength of the EU's reaction. He repeated his country's desire to be a reliable partner for the EU, explained Commissioner Olli Rehn during the debate, adding that at least the EU had got some clarification of Russia's position. Dutch Socialist Jan Wiersma said nobody should fear being critical of Russia, echoed by Swedish Liberal Cecilia Malmström, who said that despite their differences, she was sure it would be in the interests of the EU and Russia to work more closely together in areas like counter-terrorism. Polish IND/DEM MEP Maciej Giertych said the criterion for drawing up a new type of agreement with Russia should be respect for human rights, adding that the EU was no more dependent on Russian energy supplies than was Russia on income from energy exports. After Yeltsin, said Lithuanian MEP Laima Andrikiene (EPP-ED), Russia had not done much for human rights, and in terms of energy it claimed to respect market policy but often behaved as if it wanted to punish its neighbours for being too pro-European. Elmar Brok (EPP-ED, Germany) said you only had to study Russia's behaviour in the Iran nuclear dossier to understand the importance of cooperating with Russia.