EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
2009 - 2014
Plenary sitting
9.9.2013
B7-0395/2013
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
on the pressure exerted by Russia on Eastern Partnership countries (in the
context of the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius)
(2013/2826(RSP))
Helmut Scholz, Nikola Vuljanić
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
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B7-0395/2013
European Parliament resolution on the pressure exerted by Russia on Eastern
Partnership countries (in the context of the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in
Vilnius)
(2013/2826(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 Partnership countries are important
partners for the EU; whereas cooperation with these countries is of the utmost importance
with a view to the necessary improvement of political and economic standards in that part
of Europe and possible future integration steps;
B. whereas the political and state leadership of the Eastern Partnership countries have
repeatedly confirmed their commitment to European integration; whereas this goal
continues to be supported by many civil society actors as well and is in the interests of the
citizens of these countries;
C. whereas the negotiations on the Association Agreements and the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements with Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Ukraine
have been concluded and signature is expected for the Vilnius Summit in November 2013;
D. whereas the countries of the EU’s Eastern Partnership have deep historical, cultural,
economic and social ties to Russia; whereas the Russian Federation invited the countries
of the Eastern Neighbourhood to join a Customs Union with Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan; whereas Russia is trying to prevent the countries in the common
neighbourhood from associating with the EU, including by exerting unacceptable und
unfair economic pressure;
E. whereas the countries of the EU’s Eastern Partnership have the potential to become a
bridge between the EU and Russia; whereas, instead, the growing tension in relations
between Russia and the EU is putting the countries of the EU’s Eastern Partnership in the
difficult situation of becoming more and more a plaything and whereas this is reducing
their political and economic sovereignty; whereas the price of this geopolitical tension
between the EU and Russia is being paid by the people of these countries, as well as of the
EU Member States and the Russian Federation;
F. whereas democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, justice and
the rule of law, the fair distribution of income, wealth and opportunities, social cohesion,
the fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance are fundamental to the
stability of the European continent, including the Eastern Neighbourhood countries;
whereas progress in cooperation, association and integration processes between European
countries calls for respect to be shown for these common values by all partners;
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G. whereas the EU and Russia are both economically and politically interdependent; whereas
enhanced cooperation and good-neighbourly relations between the EU and Russia are
therefore of major importance; whereas the EU continues to be committed to further
deepening and developing relations with Russia, on the basis of a firm commitment to
democratic principles; whereas the conclusion of a Strategic Partnership between the EU
and the Russian Federation remains of the utmost importance, including with a view to
solving problems in the common neighbourhood;
1. Deplores the failure of the EU to ensure that the Eastern Neighbourhood Policy is
accompanied by active dialogue with the Russian Federation; calls on the EU and Russia
to make an urgent effort to overcome their rivalry and competition for influence over the
common neighbourhood and to reset EU-Russia relations; insists that the decision on the
future of the countries of the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood should be left to their peoples;
2. Criticises the EEAS for its failure to work with Russia and the EU’s Eastern
Neighbourhood countries in order to identify ways and means for coexistence and mutual
enrichment of the EU’s economic space and the Customs Union; welcomes the recent start
of the dialogue with Russia on making the regulatory framework for the Customs Union
as compatible as possible with EU rules, and calls for speedy progress to be made in order
to prevent a situation where the citizens of the countries of the EU’s Eastern
Neighbourhood have to pay the price for the competition between the EU and Russia;
3. Notes that a policy separating Eastern Neighbourhood policy from the development of
EU-Russia relations has failed; takes the view that, despite the fact that Russia is showing
only limited interest in resolving the problems hampering progress in the development of
relations with the EU, there is a need to redesign Eastern Neighbourhood policy with a
view to developing regional cooperation that does not exclude any country; calls on
Russia to proactively participate in such a process and to show its willingness to become
part of good neighbourhood policies;
4. Appeals to Russia, the EU and all other actors in the region not to interfere in the internal
affairs of other countries and to refrain from exerting any economic or political pressure;
calls on Russia and the EU to show the greatest respect for the sovereign right of the
people to decide about their future development, including their cooperation and
association with countries and organisations; calls on Russia to refrain from applying
trade restrictions that go against the rules and obligations assumed in the context of its
accession to the WTO, in particular the principle of free movement of goods and services;
5. Deplores the poor public debate on the consequences of Association Agreements and the
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements with the EU in the countries concerned,
as they are of crucial interest to both the EU and those countries; takes the view that
decisions on issues that have such a deep impact on the future development of a country
should be subject to a broad and free open discussion and to referendums;
6. Calls on the EU not to subordinate the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule
of law to geopolitical and economic interests in its neighbourhood policy; notes the
shortcomings of countries in the EU’s neighbourhood in these areas and the need for
further reforms; calls for differentiation based on each country’s political, economic and
social realities, performance and achievements;
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7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the
Government and Parliament of Ukraine and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE
and the Council of Europe.
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