Brussels, 30/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - “Solidarity” between countries of the EU and “balance” in relations with Moscow were the key words in the debate at the European Parliament on Wednesday on relations between the EU and Russia and the results from the recent summit EUROPE 9314).
Solidarity with Poland in the affair of the Russian embargo on meat imports - a problem following the Polish veto at the Council of the EU, which still prevents the opening of negotiations on the new partnership agreement with Russia. Practically all the MEPs insisted on the need for the EU to show solidarity with Poland and form a block against any sort of discrimination against a Member State. Camiel Eurling from the Netherlands said that the “EPP group has understanding for Poland”. He also asked for Russia to agree to a “constructive dialogue” on this question to find a solution as soon as possible. Hannes Swoboda an Austrian PES member said on behalf of her group that, “if this involves a discriminatory measure, Poland deserves our entire solidarity”. Speaking for the Greens, Daniel Cohn-Bendit denounced a “surrealist situation”. He added that, “Either Polish meat is bad and Mr Putin is right and Polish meat should not be distributed in Europe or Polish meat is good and can be distributed in Europe and what Mr Putin and Russia are doing is not right and sanctions should be imposed on them”. Konrad Szymanski (UEN) said that the EU should remain united to defend Poland's cause in this affair: “if Russia succeeds in dividing us, it will have won”, he said. Elmar Brok (EPP) also highlighted solidarity with Warsaw but said that the Polish veto is not very useful in the sense that it prevents negotiations with the Russians on an agreement that could clarify relations with Moscow but the Union clearly has to show Mr Putin that it is united and will not only “move” when the interests of Germany, France or the United Kingdom are at stake but also when it involves a “small” or new member. Boguslav Sonik from Poland said that Moscow wanted to divide the EU in to “good” Member States like Germany and France and “bad” ones like Poland and the Baltic countries. Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner refuted criticism according to which the Commission in the past had not sufficiently defended Poland in the affair of the Russian embargo on meat imports. The Commissioner explained, “I do not accept the argument that we have not showed solidarity with Poland. We have worked very hard to resolve this problem when officially the Commission does not even have competency in export matters”.
The need to ensure a better “balance” in relations with Russia between strategic importance, energy supplies and trade on the one hand, and on rule of law, individual freedoms and human rights, on the other, was also stressed by most MEPs. (hb)