12.8.2011   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 236/101

A.

whereas the EU continues to be committed to further deepening and developing relations between the EU and Russia, as shown by its undertaking to make serious efforts to negotiate a new framework agreement for the further development of EU-Russia relations,

B.

whereas the EU and Russia, which is a member of the UN Security Council, share a responsibility for maintaining global stability, and whereas enhanced cooperation and good-neighbourly relations between the EU and Russia are of particular importance for the stability, security and prosperity of Europe,

C.

whereas the conclusion of a strategic partnership agreement between the EU and the Russian Federation remains of the utmost importance for the further development and intensification of cooperation between the two partners,

D.

whereas it is important that the EU speak with one voice, show solidarity and display unity in its relations with the Russian Federation, and that those relations be based on mutual interests and common values,

E.

whereas economic and trade relations between the EU and Russia are evidence of their increasing mutual interdependence, which requires a joint effort and commitment in order to ensure its lasting growth,

F.

whereas, as a member of the Council of Europe and of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Russia has committed itself to protect and promote human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and to respect the sovereignty of its European neighbours; whereas EU-Russia relations have faced a number of serious challenges over the last few years, notably as regards concerns about democracy and human rights in Russia,

G.

whereas Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) would make a substantial contribution to further improving economic relations between the EU and Russia, subject to a binding commitment on Russia’s part to full compliance with and implementation of WTO undertakings and obligations, and would pave the way for a far-reaching, comprehensive economic integration agreement between the two partners on the basis of genuine reciprocity, and whereas Russia established a customs union with Kazakhstan and Belarus on 1 January 2010,

H.

whereas the signing of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the Russian Federation and the USA on 8 April 2010 and the rapprochement on non-proliferation and the Iran issue, the Middle East peace process and Afghanistan and Pakistan illustrate the enhanced climate of dialogue with Russia on different aspects of foreign and security relations,

I.

whereas there are clear, objective criteria for the introduction of a visa-free regime; whereas European and Russian citizens have a legitimate interest in being granted the right to free movement both within their countries and across borders,

1.

Reaffirms its belief that Russia remains one of the EU’s most important partners in building long-term cooperation and a commitment to working together to address common challenges by means of a balanced, results-oriented approach based on democracy and the rule of law, sharing not only economic and trade interests but also the objective of working closely together at the global level as well as in and with common neighbouring countries, in accordance with international law;

2.

Calls on the EU and Russia to intensify their negotiations on a new partnership and cooperation agreement, and reiterates its strong support for a broad, wide-ranging and legally binding agreement that goes beyond economic co-operation alone and also includes, as integral components, the areas of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights; notes the agreement on the Partnership for Modernisation which should encompass both the economy and society; and supports diversifying the Russian economy and EU-Russia trade relations; calls on the Commission and the Russian Government to develop the Partnership for Modernisation in more detail; underlines the need for swift preparation of a concrete work plan in line with the results achieved so far in the context of the four EU-Russia common spaces; underlines the importance of ensuring the effective functioning of the judiciary and stepping up the fight against corruption;

3.

Welcomes the signing of a protocol on the protection of classified information and the joint statement on Gaza by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, and the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov;

4.

Expresses its satisfaction that the first EU-Russia summit held since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty was conducted in a constructive manner, making partial progress;

5.

Reiterates its support for the objective of Russia’s accession to the WTO with a view to helping it attract more foreign investment and diversify its economy; is of the opinion that Russia’s establishment of a customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan may put additional obstacles in the Russian Federation’s path towards WTO membership; underlines that abandoning all protectionist measures is a prerequisite for WTO accession;

6.

Welcomes Russia’s recent ratification of Protocol 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights and the legislative amendments designed to extend jury trials nationwide, but suggests that this format also be used for trials on terrorist charges; welcomes also the confirmation of the moratorium on the death penalty as a further positive development, and hopes that this is the first step in pursuit of Russia’s stated intention to improve respect for human rights; reiterates its call on the Russian authorities to comply with all the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights;

7.

Welcomes the fact that the agreement on the protection of classified information will facilitate cooperation in crisis management, but asks that Parliament be fully informed of the substance and scope of this agreement, and calls for a speedy evaluation of the degree of reciprocity in its implementation; asks the Council to make full use of the 2002 IIA ESDP Special Committee for this purpose;

8.

Calls on the Council and the Commission to redouble their efforts to solve the problems relating to EU-Russia border crossings, to support concrete projects, to make full use of the Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument and the INTERREG funds for cross-border cooperation and to implement fully the earlier agreement on Siberian overflights;

9.

Welcomes the signing of an agreement on the establishment of an early-warning mechanism on energy security between the EU and Russia, covering notification, consultation and implementation, and calls on the Council and the Commission to continue working with the Russian authorities and energy companies in order to avoid any repetition of the delivery cuts that have occurred over the last few years;

10.

Reiterates that EU-Russia energy cooperation must be based on the principles of the Energy Charter and the Transit Protocol, which must be incorporated into the new framework agreement between the EU and Russia in order to ensure transparent and fair mutual investment conditions, equal access and a rule-based market; rules out the use of energy as a foreign policy tool;

11.

Notes with interest the discussions on climate change and possible forms of concrete cooperation on measures designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and on energy efficiency and sustainable energy development; underlines the need for a consensus on how the international climate change negotiation process can be moved forward in preparation for the Cancun conference in December 2010;

12.

Underlines the importance of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), which has demonstrated the EU’s willingness and ability to take determined action to promote peace and stability, and has helped to create the necessary conditions for the implementation of the agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008; reiterates its commitment to Georgia’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and calls on all parties to honour their undertakings fully; points out that the EUMM has a country-wide mandate, and calls for it to be granted unhindered access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia – which it has so far been denied – without further delay; reaffirms its full commitment to the Geneva talks and the continued co-chairing of that forum by the EU, the UN and the OSCE; expresses disappointment at the decision announced by the FSB Border Directorate to build a modern border infrastructure consisting of barriers between South Ossetia and Georgia;

13.

Underlines the need to involve Russia in the EU’s Baltic Sea Strategy, and to engage swiftly with Russia on improved maritime safety and a high level of environmental protection in the sensitive Baltic Sea;

14.

Welcomes the signing of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the Russian Federation and the USA on 8 April 2010; notes with satisfaction the progress achieved in the ongoing dialogue between the Russian Federation and the USA on security issues, including the missile defence shield;

15.

Reiterates the call to step up the EU-Russia human rights dialogue and to open this process to effective input from the European Parliament and the Russian State Duma, with the involvement of the respective directorates-general and ministries responsible for justice, internal affairs and foreign affairs in both Brussels and Moscow; calls for civil society, NGOs and human rights organisations to be more involved in the bi-annual EU-Russia summits;

16.

Calls on the Russian authorities to put an end to the ongoing and widespread impunity for violence against human rights defenders and, in particular, to make it their priority to end the climate of terror and lawlessness in the North Caucasus and to protect and guarantee the physical integrity of human rights defenders in accordance with relevant international and regional human rights instruments;

17.

Endorses the commitment to the long-term objective of visa-free travel between the EU and Russia, based on a step-by-step approach focused on substance and practical progress; underlines that this dialogue should be in tune with the visa facilitation process for Eastern Partnership countries;

18.

Calls on the Council and the Commission to pursue joint initiatives with the Russian Government with a view to strengthening security and stability in the world and in our common neighbourhood in particular, and to achieving a peaceful settlement, under international law, of the conflicts in Moldova and the South Caucasus;

19.

Notes the draft European Security Treaty proposed by Russia on 29 November 2009, but points out that this new proposal must not undermine the EU Member States’ current security obligations, and calls on the European Council to develop a common position on it;

20.

Notes with satisfaction, prior to the G20 Summit in Toronto, the consensus between the EU and Russia on reforming the financial system, and expects the summit to discuss ways of reducing systemic risks and to agree on the principle that financial institutions should contribute to the costs of any future financial crisis;

21.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Russian Federation.