EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION on the on the EU-Russia summit (9-10 June 2011)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Russian Federation, of the other part (1), and the negotiations initiated in 2008 on a new EU-Russia agreement,

(…)

A. whereas Russia, which is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, shares responsibility with the EU for maintaining global stability, and whereas enhanced cooperation and good-neighbourly relations between the EU and Russia are of major importance for the stability, security and prosperity of Europe and beyond,

B.  whereas the EU and Russia are mutually interdependent both economically and politically; whereas the European Union continues to be committed to further deepen and develop the relations between the EU and Russia, based on a deep commitment to democratic principles, respects for fundamental and human rights and the rule of law,

C. whereas many challenges on international level in particular with regards to the Middle East, Libya, Iran, terrorism, energy security, climate change and the financial crises will not be overcome without responsible and cooperative relations with Russia,

D. whereas almost three years after the conflict with Georgia, Russia still does not respect the agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008 on the withdrawal of troops from the Georgian occupied provinces South Ossetia and Abkhazia and does not guarantee full unlimited access for the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to their territories,

E.  whereas Russia as a member of the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the UN has committed itself to respect and to implement the fundamental principles of these organisations,

(…)

4.  Takes note of the ongoing dialogue between the EU and Russia on further visa facilitation; underlines that this dialogue should be in tune with the visa facilitation process concerning Eastern Partnership countries; calls on the High Representative and the Commission to convince Russia to cease issuing passports to citizens of the occupied provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia;

(…)

9.  Expresses its concerns regarding the fatal incidents in Nagorno-Karabakh and welcomes the joint statement of the G8 partners published on 26 May 2011 that stresses agreement on taking a decisive step towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh; calls on Russia to fulfil its responsibility in this conflict; urges the HR/VP to undertake steps in order to prevent a potential escalation of the conflict and calls for disincentives vis-à-vis any parties that breaches the Bishkek ceasefire agreement;

10. Calls on Russia to respect the agreements it has signed and to fulfil all of the conditions under the Six-point ceasefire agreement and to immediately withdraw its troops from the occupied Georgian territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia;

11. Calls on Russia to take a constructive stance in the case of Transnistria and the negotiations about the conflict there and expresses its opinion of Transnistria being a test for EU-Russia mutual support in solving ‘frozen conflicts’;

12. States that Russia, which has veto power in the UN Security Council, has to take up its responsibility in international crises and has to fully guarantee and respect the sovereignty of its neighbouring countries;

13. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Parliament of the Russian Federation, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

9 June 2011

(http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides)