EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2009 - 2014 Plenary sitting 9.12.2013 B7-0564/2013 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure on the Vilnius summit and the future of the Eastern Partnership, in particular as regards Ukraine (2013/2983(RSP)) Helmut Scholz, Nikola Vuljanić, Younous Omarjee on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group RE\1012910EN.doc EN PE525.623v01-00 United in diversity EN B7-0564/2013 European Parliament resolution on the Vilnius summit and the future of the Eastern Partnership, in particular as regards Ukraine (2013/2983(RSP)) The European Parliament, – having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure, A. whereas, by virtue of their geographical location and historical, cultural, economic and other ties to Central and Western Europe, the Eastern Neighbourhood countries are important partners for both the EU and Russia; B. whereas the EU has offered the Eastern Neighbourhood countries association and free trade agreements, but no membership perspective; whereas the Russian Federation has invited the countries of the Eastern Neighbourhood to join a customs union with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan; whereas, instead of cooperating and working on solutions which take into consideration the interests of all partners, the EU and Russia are engaging in geopolitical competition for influence in the region; C. whereas the rivalry between Russia and the EU has put the countries of the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood into the difficult position of having to choose between the one and the other; whereas the price of the geopolitical rivalry between the EU and Russia in the region is being paid by the peoples of these countries; D. whereas the negotiations on Association Agreements, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas, with Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Ukraine were concluded in preparation for the Vilnius summit; whereas the Association Agreements with Georgia and Moldova were initialled at the Vilnius summit, but the Governments of Armenia and Ukraine decided to withdraw from the signing of the Agreements at the Vilnius summit; E. whereas many sections of civil society in Armenia and Ukraine want close cooperation between their countries and the European Union; whereas massive protests in Kiev are continuing following the government’s decision not to enter into an Association Agreement with the European Union and this is resulting in a serious and dangerous political crisis; 1. Notes the results of the Vilnius summit of the Eastern Partnership; notes and respects the decisions of Moldova and Georgia to initial the Association Agreement with the EU and the decisions of Armenia and Ukraine to suspend the process of preparations for signing the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area agreement; 2. Calls on the EU and Russia to fully respect the sovereign right of the people to decide about their future, including their cooperation and association with countries and organisations, and to refrain from applying any pressure; strongly appeals to the EU, Russia and all other actors in the region not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries; rejects the ongoing interference by different external political forces in the PE525.623v01-00 EN 2/3 RE\1012910EN.doc internal debates of the Neighbourhood countries and the misuse of their difficult political and economic situation to promote the geopolitical goals of third countries; 3. Notes that a policy which separates Eastern Neighbourhood policy from the development of EU-Russia relations has failed; underlines the need to redesign Eastern Neighbourhood policy with a view to developing regional cooperation that does not exclude any country; calls on Russia to participate proactively in such a process and to show its willingness to become part of good neighbourhood policies; 4. Criticises the EEAS for its failure to work with Russia and the countries of the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood on the ways and means of coexistence and mutual enrichment between the European Union’s economic space and the Customs Union; calls urgently on the EU and the member states and observers of the Customs Union to initiate a constructive dialogue on making their regulatory frameworks as compatible as possible; 5. Deplores the poor public debate in the countries of the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood on the consequences of association with the EU or Russia; takes the view that decisions on issues that have such far-reaching implications for the future development of a country should be subject to referendums; criticises the fact that the Ukrainian Communist Party’s proposal to hold such a referendum in the country was ignored; 6. Notes the strong public support for Ukraine’s political association and economic integration with the EU; underlines the fact that the door to the EU should stay open for those countries that wish for close cooperation with it; strongly supports the European perspective of the type and level for which the Ukrainian people have expressed their support; 7. Expresses serious concern at the political crisis in Ukraine: calls on the government and opposition to exercise strict restraint and respect democratic rules, to start a constructive dialogue, and to refrain from any action which could lead to a further escalation of the conflict; 8. Calls on Ukraine to abide fully by its international commitments to respect freedom of expression and assembly and to take all the necessary measures to prevent the use of force; calls on the General Prosecutor of Ukraine to conduct an objective investigation into the violent clashes that took place in Kiev, to punish the perpetrators and to prevent any recurrence of similar situations; 9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Parliament and Government of Ukraine and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe. RE\1012910EN.doc 3/3 PE525.623v01-00 EN