# CE2010137EN.01002901.xml

| 27.5.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 137/29 |
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Thursday 2 April 2009Recommendation to the Council on the new EU-Russia agreement

P6_TA(2009)0215

European Parliament recommendation to the Council of 2 April 2009 on the new EU-Russia agreement (2008/2104(INI))

2010/C 137 E/07

The European Parliament,

having regard to the proposal for a recommendation to the Council by Janusz Onyszkiewicz on behalf of the ALDE Group on relations between the EU and Russia (B6-0373/2007),

having regard to the 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 ), which entered into force on 1 December 1997 and which would have expired in 2007 had it not been automatically prolonged,

having regard to the Council decision of 26 May 2008 to open negotiations with the Russian Federation on a new agreement and the resumption of those negotiations in December 2008,

having regard to the objective of the EU and Russia, set out in the joint statement issued following the St Petersburg Summit held on 31 May 2003, to set up a common economic space, a common space of freedom, security and justice, a space of cooperation in the field of external security and a space of research and education, including cultural aspects and subsequently adopted road maps,

having regard to the agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation of 25 May 2006 on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation( 2 ),

having regard to the European Energy Charter signed on 17 December 1991 and the subsequent Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), which was opened for signature on 17 December 1994 and entered into force in April 1998, and which is legally binding between all Contracting Parties that have ratified the ECT and those which did not opt out of applying the ECT provisionally pending its entry into force, pursuant to Article 45(2), and to the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue instituted at the sixth EU-Russia Summit held in Paris on 30 October 2000,

having regard to the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to the 1991 UN/ECE Espoo Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (‘Espoo Convention’),

having regard to its resolution of 8 July 2008 on the environmental impact of the planned gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea to link up Russia and Germany( 3 ),

having regard to the unprecedented disruption of supply of Russian gas to the European Union in January 2009,

having regard to the EU-Russia human rights consultations and their lack of tangible results,

having regard to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) and the protocols thereto,

having regard to ongoing negotiations on the accession of the Russian Federation to the World Trade Organization (WTO),

having regard to the many credible reports by Russian and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the continuing grave violations of human rights in Russia, the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights relating to Chechnya and the many such cases pending before the Court,

having regard to its previous resolutions on the Russian Federation, including in particular those of 18 December 2008 on attacks on human rights defenders in Russia and the Anna Politkovskaya murder trial( 4 ), of 13 March 2008 on Russia( 5 ), of 10 May 2007 on the EU-Russia Summit to be held in Samara on 18 May 2007( 6 ), of 19 June 2008 on the EU-Russia Summit of 26-27 June 2008 in Khanty-Mansiysk( 7 ), of 25 October 2006 on EU-Russia relations following the murder of the Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya( 8 ), of 14 November 2007 on the EU-Russia Summit( 9 ) and of 13 December 2006 on the EU-Russia Summit in Helsinki on 24 November 2006( 10 ),

having regard to its resolution of 26 May 2005 on EU-Russia relations( 11 ),

having regard to its resolution of 19 June 2007 on EU economic and trade relations with Russia( 12 ), which states that ‘the human rights situation in Russia should be an integral part of the EU-Russia political agenda’ and that ‘extensive economic cooperation between Russia and the EU must be based on high standards of democracy and free market principles’,

having regard to its resolution of 3 September 2008 on the situation in Georgia( 13 ),

having regard to its resolution of 26 September 2007 on towards a common European foreign policy on energy( 14 ),

having regard to its resolutions of 17 January 2008 on a Black Sea Regional Policy Approach( 15 ) and on a more effective EU policy for the South Caucasus: from promises to actions( 16 ),

having regard to the joint statement of the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council on Freedom, Security and Justice of 22 November 2007,

having regard to the joint statement by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on the Russian Duma elections held on 2 December 2007,

having regard to Rule 114(3) and Rule 83(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the opinions of the Committee on International Trade and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A6-0140/2009),

| A. | whereas EU relations with Russia are of crucial importance for the purposes of pragmatic cooperation; whereas Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, a member of the G8, the third largest trading partner of the EU, the fourth largest trading partner of the Eurozone and an essential energy supplier to the EU; whereas the EU shares with Russia not only economic and trade interests but also an objective to act in the international arena, as well as responsibility for global issues and issues concerning the common European neighbourhood; whereas enhanced cooperation and good-neighbourly relations between the EU and Russia should be based on mutual trust and common values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law as well as on cooperation on international issues, and are therefore of key importance to the stability, security and prosperity of the whole of Europe; whereas EU relations with Russia should be based on mutual respect but also on the respect by each of the parties of the sovereignty of nations in their neighbourhood, |
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| B. | whereas the EU is based on common values, such as democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, and whereas full respect for these values must be one of the foremost priorities in pursuing enhanced cooperation with any third state, |
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| C. | whereas cooperation between the EU and Russia is beneficial for international stability; whereas, in addition, Russia has a responsibility to contribute to financial and political stability and a sense of security in Europe and in the world, in particular by adopting and maintaining a responsible and peaceful approach to the EU-Russia common neighbourhood; whereas the EU already engages with Russia on Afghanistan, the Middle East and the Balkans and in the UN and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in developing common views and approaches on other key security issues, such as nuclear proliferation, arms control and disarmament, the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime, climate change and the global economic and financial crisis, |
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| D. | whereas the declarations of the new US administration, particularly by the Vice President Joe Biden and the Secretary of State Secretary Hillary Clinton, concerning the policy towards Russia, show a willingness within a new and open US policy to cooperate for a more stable and secure world, |
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| E. | whereas Russia’s disproportionate counter-attack, triggered by the Georgian troops entering South Ossetia and extended to the other Georgian territories with the use of armour and air power, as well as the unprovoked military action in Abkhazia, including attacks on and the occupation of Georgian seaports, followed by the recognition of the two break-away enclaves, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, puts a question mark on Russia’s readiness to build, together with the EU, a common space of security in Europe; whereas the further development of the EU’s partnership with Russia needs to include a significant dialogue on security, based on the commitments of both partners to their shared values, respect for international law and territorial integrity and commitment to and obligations under the Helsinki Charter, |
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| F. | whereas the negotiations on a new agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation between the EU and the Russian Federation in no way legitimise the current status quo in Georgia, while the obligation for Russia to implement fully the agreements signed on 12 August and 8 September 2008 with regard to the conflict in South Ossetia and Abkhazia remains valid, since its compliance with those agreements should be a sine qua non for the successful completion of the talks, which should include a renunciation by all parties of the use of force against neighbouring countries, |
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| G. | whereas, particularly after the events in Georgia, the parties’ positions on Kosovo and the common neighbourhood remain farther apart than ever, |
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| H. | whereas the conclusion of an agreement on future cooperation remains of the utmost importance for further development and intensification of cooperation between the two sides; whereas the EU’s policy towards Russia must be based on unity and solidarity and whereas the EU should have a common approach and speak with one voice; whereas the EU Member States should inform and consult in due time with the other Member States potentially concerned by bilateral agreements or disputes with Russia, |
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| I. | whereas the new comprehensive agreement designed to replace the current PCA must represent an improvement in quality and reflect the whole breadth of the cooperation, the new realities of the 21st century and compliance with the principles of international relations and respect for democratic norms and human rights, |
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| J. | whereas the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), signed by 16 NATO members and 6 Warsaw Pact countries in 1990 and amended in 1999, is the most significant disarmament agreement in history where conventional weapons are concerned; whereas this Treaty has been ratified by Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, but has been shelved by NATO; whereas Russia has since suspended the Treaty, |
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| K. | whereas the most recent parliamentary and presidential elections in Russia were conducted in conditions falling far short of European standards as regards access for international election monitors, the ability of opposition parties to organise and field candidates, the fairness and independence of the media and the neutrality of public bodies, leading to serious departures from Russia’s obligations as a member of the Council of Europe and the OSCE, |
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| L. | whereas the Russian Federation is a member of the Council of Europe and thus has committed itself to the objectives of the Council, which are, in particular, to promote democracy and respect for human rights and to consolidate democracy and stability in Europe; whereas the EU should strongly defend the principle that respect for the rule of law and existing commitments in that organisation is vital to the success of the EU-Russia partnership, |
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| M. | whereas numerous reports by NGOs and independent experts show that the 2006 law on NGOs and other measures taken by the Russian Government, including the anti-extremism legislation and the extension of State control over significant sections of the media, severely undermine freedom of expression and hamper human rights and civil society activities in Russia, |
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| N. | whereas the continued incarceration of political prisoners and the treatment of human rights defenders contradict the commitment of the Russian Federation to strengthening the rule of law in Russia and ending ‘legal nihilism’, |
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| O. | whereas the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and a number of independent human rights organisations have raised serious questions about standards of justice in Russia, including the lack of judicial independence, the denial of fair trials to defendants in politically controversial cases, the harassment and persecution of defence lawyers and the return of the trial and detention of political prisoners within the Russian penal system, |
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| P. | whereas the Russian Federation has resisted taking effective action to ensure an end to continuing abuses and impunity for crimes, despite the fact that the European Court of Human Rights has, in a growing number of judgments, found Russia responsible for serious systemic human rights abuses, including extrajudicial executions, torture and enforced disappearances, |
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| Q. | whereas the underlying principles governing economic and trade relations between the EU and the Russian Federation should be reciprocity, sustainability, transparency, predictability, reliability, non-discrimination and good governance; whereas the new agreement should be legally binding and should provide for clear dispute-settlement mechanisms, |
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| R. | whereas the recent crisis in gas supplies to the European Union, which left millions of citizens in Bulgaria, Slovakia and elsewhere in the EU without heating and hot water in freezing winter temperatures, raises serious concerns over the reliability of Russian energy supplies, |
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| S. | whereas, in terms of energy security, relations between the EU and Russia offer great potential for positive and constructive mutual interdependence, provided that the partnership is based on the principle of non-discrimination and fair treatment, and on equal market conditions, as provided for in the ECT; whereas the recent gas crisis proved the need for the adoption of, and compliance with, a set of rules based, as a minimum, on the current ECT; whereas a secure energy relationship between the EU and Russia equally rests on transparency of energy trading in transit countries; whereas Russia’s energy policies in practice have featured examples of monopolistic and coercive abuse, particularly the denial of third-country transit rights, supply interruptions and the violation of property rights, |
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| T. | whereas the Brussels European Council of 15-16 June 2006 recommended that the negotiation of the European Energy Charter Transit Protocol be concluded, that ratification of the ECT by all signatories to the Charter be secured and that the Commission be invited, especially in view of the recent gas crisis, to set out elements for an agreement with Russia on energy completing the existing and binding PCA or within the framework of the successor to the PCA; whereas the ECT is already legally binding on all EU Member States and on Russia as a signatory pursuant to Article 45, |
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| U. | whereas close collaboration in the field of energy policy and the definition of a long-term energy strategy are preconditions for balanced development of the EU and Russian economies alike, |
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| V. | whereas the EU has often failed to speak with a common voice in its relations with Russia; whereas a functioning mechanism should exist within the Council, under the responsibility of the High Representative, which would enable Member States to consult each other sufficiently in advance on every bilateral issue with Russia which could have repercussions on other Member States and the EU as a whole, |
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| W. | whereas the ongoing economic crisis that is deeply affecting both Russia and the EU offers an opportunity for a new start for bilateral relations based on a better and franker mutual understanding that avoids the suspicions and the shortfalls of the past and provides the basis for the definition and enhancement of real shared common values, |
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| 1. | Addresses the following recommendations to the Council and the Commission and asks them to take them into account when pursuing the negotiations:
(a)
continue to insist on a broad, wide-ranging and legally binding agreement based on a shared commitment to human rights, covering the whole range of cooperation between the parties and representing a step up from the current PCA, both in terms of the depth of the commitments and the subjects covered; insist that the agreement should comprise enforcement mechanisms for its relevant parts; (b)
insist on the fact that the violation by Russia of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and its role in the gas dispute at the beginning of 2009 have seriously endangered relations between the EU and Russia and the negotiations on the new agreement; (c)
insist that the EU’s relationship with Russia must be based on respect for the rule of international law and all binding agreements and treaties to which Russia and EU Member States adhere, including the UN Charter, the ECHR and the ECT, as well as the rules and commitments incumbent on members of the OSCE and Council of Europe; (d)
insist on the fact that a close partnership, enhanced cooperation and good neighbourly relations between the European Union and Russia, as well as the new policy of the US administration towards Russia, can create a stable foundation and a precondition for stability, security and prosperity in Europe and worldwide; in this framework, welcome the declarations of the US administration concerning the great potential for cooperation with Russia; (e)
put in place a consultation mechanism, under the responsibility of the High Representative, which would enable Member States to consult each other sufficiently in advance on every bilateral issue – whether an agreement or a dispute – with Russia which could have repercussions on other Member States and the EU as a whole, thereby allowing for the adoption by the EU of a position which is as coherent as possible by ensuring that the concerns of every Member State are fully taken into account and preventing any one Member State from blocking the negotiations at a later stage; (f)
insist on reinforcing the role of the Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in the new agreement, so as to strengthen the parliamentary dimension of the cooperation between the EU and Russia; (g)
reiterate the commitments agreed upon at international level by both the EU Member States and Russia, notably as members of the Council of Europe and the OSCE, and raise with the Russian Government concerns about the human rights situation and the shrinking space for Russia’s civil society, urging it to uphold freedom of expression and association by bringing legislation regulating civil society into line with Russia’s European and international commitments, to take prompt and effective steps to foster a favourable working climate for human rights organisations and independent charitable organisations engaged in the promotion of cultural links between Russia and EU Member States, and to stop intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders and refrain from harsh administrative measures against those organisations; (h)
call on the Russian Government to fully respect media freedom and guarantee the enjoyment by independent media of political and economic conditions enabling them to function normally; urge the Russian Government to put an end to the continuous violence and persecution perpetrated against journalists; (i)
recall President Medvedev’s public commitment to strengthening the rule of law in Russia and raise concerns over the independence of Russia’s judiciary and legal system; (j)
take the view that the regular six-monthly EU-Russia human rights consultation has failed to produce any tangible results since its establishment in 2005 and needs to be revised, in order to allow for a substantial and result-oriented dialogue on human and minority rights issues in both Russia and the EU and on EU-Russian cooperation on human rights issues in international forums; (k)
insist, therefore, on a thorough overhaul of the EU-Russia human rights consultations, including the creation of a formal role for independent NGOs from Russia and the EU, the involvement of officials from all relevant departments of the Russian Government and an end to the issuing of separate communiqués by the Russian Government; (l)
appeal to the authorities of the Russian Federation to guarantee the existence and sustainable development of the traditional lifestyle, culture and language of indigenous people living within its borders; (m)
urge the Russian Government to implement fully the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, providing an opportunity to promote accountability for past abuses and ensure an end to ongoing violations; (n)
express strong concern at the situation in Chechnya, where Kadirov’s regime has failed to bring peace and reconciliation and on the contrary has imposed fear and oppression that eroded civil society and suppressed any open and democratic voice, and call for a real political settlement; (o)
stress that the programme for the support of Russian compatriots, supported by the Russian authorities, should not be misused as an instrument aimed at reinforcing political influence in certain EU Member States; (p)
continue to maintain support for Russia’s accession to the WTO and support the further opening-up of the Russian economy; regard full compliance by Russia with the WTO rules as a necessary precondition and a minimum standard for the creation of a free-trade zone between the EU and Russia, which continues to be a long-term objective; (q)
while welcoming the recent changes, call for further improvements to be made in legislation and law enforcement as regards the protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights in order to increase competitiveness and make the investment climate attractive by approximating regulatory systems with the highest international standards and norms; urge the Russian authorities, ahead of and preceding Russia’s forthcoming membership of the WTO, to align Part IV of Russia’s Civil Code on Intellectual Property Rights and relevant procedural enforcement rules with WTO rules and international agreements, particularly the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and to ensure full implementation thereof, so that counterfeiting and piracy can be effectively combated; (r)
insist that the ECT, as an existing treaty which is legally binding on Russia and all EU Member States, should be the basis for relations in the field of energy and that the principles of the ECT and the Transit Protocol thereto should be incorporated in the new agreement, while reiterating its call on Russia to strengthen its commitment to a rules-based approach by ratifying the ECT and signing and ratifying the Transit Protocol, bearing in mind Parliament’s opinion that the partners should be free to negotiate wording that goes beyond that of the ECT, as to the depth of cooperation and the areas covered by it, but that the agreement should in no circumstances be less comprehensive than that already subscribed to by the parties within the framework of the current PCA; (s)
within the framework of the negotiations for the new agreement, finalise negotiations on the Transit Protocol and call on Russia to sign it in order to put in place a legal framework governing the transit of energy supplies between the parties which follows on from that already in place under the ECT; (t)
underline the need for proper environmental impact assessments for all energy-related infrastructure projects, in order to guarantee that international standards of environmental protection are met; in this regard, urge the Russian Federation to ratify the Espoo Convention and the protocol thereto on Strategic Environmental Assessment; (u)
call for a strengthening of the efficiency and crisis-response capacity of the EU-Russia energy dialogue, for increased transparency, reciprocity and security of investment and for a consequent enhancement of security of energy supply, and underline the need to establish mechanisms for a transparent rules-based system and dispute-settlement mechanism in the field of energy; (v)
draw attention to the dispute-settlement mechanism contained in the ECT, already signed by Russia and Ukraine; (w)
establish a clear code of conduct governing relations between the EU, Russia and the countries of the shared neighbourhood, including provisions relating to respect for the sovereign independence of all European states, a commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and a determination to resolve frozen conflicts; (x)
upgrade the existing political dialogue so as to encourage discussion of ‘hard security issues’, which are often at the core of the disagreements between the EU and Russia but which indubitably affect European and global security, stressing the need for multilateral arms control and reduction, as well as for non-proliferation regimes; (y)
call on the Russian Government to make – together with the EU and the other members of the Contact Group for Kosovo – a positive contribution to finding a sustainable political solution for the future of Kosovo and for the further enhancement of the stability of the Western Balkans; (z)
call on the Russian Government to demonstrate its commitment to resolving in a constructive and peaceful manner, together with Georgia and the EU, the ‘modalities of security and stability in Abkhazia and South Ossetia’ as agreed in the agreement of 12 August 2008; call on the Russian Government to provide tangible assurances that Russia will not resort to the use of force against any of its neighbours; (aa)
raise concerns with the Russian Government regarding its decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia as sovereign states, to sign military-assistance and cooperation agreements with the de facto authorities of those two Georgian provinces and to establish military bases there, since these steps undermine the territorial integrity of Georgia as insisted upon by the relevant UN resolutions; call on Russia once again to reverse its decision and maintain that Russia cannot be regarded as an impartial moderator in the peace process; urge the Russian Government to ensure that EU monitors are granted full access to all areas affected by the conflict, in compliance with the mandate of the EU Monitoring Mission; (ab)
insist that the goal of visa-free travel vis-à-vis Russia be pursued in the light of Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001( 17 ), which states that exemption from a visa requirement should be subject to a considered assessment of a variety of criteria relating inter alia to illegal immigration, public policy and security and the EU’s external relations with third countries, consideration being also given to the implications of regional coherence and reciprocity, bearing in mind that relations between the EU and white-listed third countries are typified by a special political dimension requiring those third countries to attain an appropriate level in terms of democratic values and fundamental rights; (ac)
insist that visa facilitation for students, researchers and businessmen should be a priority in order to promote people-to-people contacts; insist, however, that any further liberalisation of the visa regime vis-à-vis Russia will be conditional on a corresponding liberalisation of the visa arrangements vis-à-vis European Neighbourhood Policy countries, in order to avoid any discrepancies; (ad)
in accordance with the EU-Russia agreement on facilitation of short-stay visas, request from the Russian authorities a clear commitment to reduce bureaucratic obstacles applied in a non-reciprocal manner with respect to all travellers, such as the need to have an invitation and to register upon arrival; bear in mind that the changes made in Russian visa rules in recent years and its ceasing to issue multiple-entry business visas may have negative consequences on business and commercial links between the EU and Russia; also bear in mind Parliament’s view that facilitated travel for Russian passport holders should be limited to Russian residents only; (ae)
urgently address the Kaliningrad transit and visa problem, possibly by providing for the whole of the Kaliningrad Oblast to be covered by the local border traffic regime; (af)
insist that the EU-Russia relationship be based on the principles of liberalised and open markets and reciprocity of investment rights between the partners, and therefore demand that, in exchange for close and beneficial economic ties, the Russian Government guarantee the property rights of foreign investors and review the 2008 Strategic Sectors Law, which gives the Russian State broad discretion to discriminate against foreign investors, by contrast to the EU internal market which is freely open to Russian investors; demand that the law on investment in strategic sectors must be compatible with Russia’s current and future obligations under the WTO as well as the current PCA; (ag)
within the framework of the ongoing WTO accession negotiations, call on the Russian authorities not to suspend certain already negotiated and agreed commitments and to fully respect the 2004 EU-Russia agreement on WTO accession by eliminating all discriminatory charges, in particular for railway cargo, as well as to abolish export duties on untreated timber; (ah)
call on Russia to honour its commitment to phase out Siberian overflight payments and to sign the agreement reached on this issue at the summit in Samara; (ai)
address with the Russian Government its plans to develop free trade agreements with certain countries, which may affect the creation of a common economic space with Russia; (aj)
address a number of shipping-related concerns with the Russian Government, including free passage through the Pilawa strait, access for EU shipping to the passage to Asia along the Northern Russian territory, and the potential environmental hazards resulting from, inter alia, the growth of tanker traffic in the Baltic Sea; (ak)
address with the Russian Government the issue of congestion on the EU common border, which remains a serious obstacle to EU-Russia trade and economic relations; (al)
ask the Russian Federation to cooperate constructively with the EU with a view to resolving the status of break-away territories, including Transnistria, and to contribute to the strengthening of the sovereignty of the Moldovan Government, as a sine qua non for the stability of a key border region of the EU; stress that progress on this issue hinges upon the withdrawal of the Russian troops stationed inside Moldova, as pledged by Russia inter alia at the 1999 OSCE Istanbul Summit; (am)
while recognising the positive aspects of the intensification of scientific cooperation between EU and Russia, call for further comprehensive analyses of the (security-related) impacts of Russia’s possible association with the Seventh Framework Programme; (an)
develop informal guidelines as to how the principles of solidarity and mutual accountability could underpin EU-Russia relations, with the aim of developing a more united and consistent policy vis-à-vis Russia; | (a) | continue to insist on a broad, wide-ranging and legally binding agreement based on a shared commitment to human rights, covering the whole range of cooperation between the parties and representing a step up from the current PCA, both in terms of the depth of the commitments and the subjects covered; insist that the agreement should comprise enforcement mechanisms for its relevant parts; | (b) | insist on the fact that the violation by Russia of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and its role in the gas dispute at the beginning of 2009 have seriously endangered relations between the EU and Russia and the negotiations on the new agreement; | (c) | insist that the EU’s relationship with Russia must be based on respect for the rule of international law and all binding agreements and treaties to which Russia and EU Member States adhere, including the UN Charter, the ECHR and the ECT, as well as the rules and commitments incumbent on members of the OSCE and Council of Europe; | (d) | insist on the fact that a close partnership, enhanced cooperation and good neighbourly relations between the European Union and Russia, as well as the new policy of the US administration towards Russia, can create a stable foundation and a precondition for stability, security and prosperity in Europe and worldwide; in this framework, welcome the declarations of the US administration concerning the great potential for cooperation with Russia; | (e) | put in place a consultation mechanism, under the responsibility of the High Representative, which would enable Member States to consult each other sufficiently in advance on every bilateral issue – whether an agreement or a dispute – with Russia which could have repercussions on other Member States and the EU as a whole, thereby allowing for the adoption by the EU of a position which is as coherent as possible by ensuring that the concerns of every Member State are fully taken into account and preventing any one Member State from blocking the negotiations at a later stage; | (f) | insist on reinforcing the role of the Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in the new agreement, so as to strengthen the parliamentary dimension of the cooperation between the EU and Russia; | (g) | reiterate the commitments agreed upon at international level by both the EU Member States and Russia, notably as members of the Council of Europe and the OSCE, and raise with the Russian Government concerns about the human rights situation and the shrinking space for Russia’s civil society, urging it to uphold freedom of expression and association by bringing legislation regulating civil society into line with Russia’s European and international commitments, to take prompt and effective steps to foster a favourable working climate for human rights organisations and independent charitable organisations engaged in the promotion of cultural links between Russia and EU Member States, and to stop intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders and refrain from harsh administrative measures against those organisations; | (h) | call on the Russian Government to fully respect media freedom and guarantee the enjoyment by independent media of political and economic conditions enabling them to function normally; urge the Russian Government to put an end to the continuous violence and persecution perpetrated against journalists; | (i) | recall President Medvedev’s public commitment to strengthening the rule of law in Russia and raise concerns over the independence of Russia’s judiciary and legal system; | (j) | take the view that the regular six-monthly EU-Russia human rights consultation has failed to produce any tangible results since its establishment in 2005 and needs to be revised, in order to allow for a substantial and result-oriented dialogue on human and minority rights issues in both Russia and the EU and on EU-Russian cooperation on human rights issues in international forums; | (k) | insist, therefore, on a thorough overhaul of the EU-Russia human rights consultations, including the creation of a formal role for independent NGOs from Russia and the EU, the involvement of officials from all relevant departments of the Russian Government and an end to the issuing of separate communiqués by the Russian Government; | (l) | appeal to the authorities of the Russian Federation to guarantee the existence and sustainable development of the traditional lifestyle, culture and language of indigenous people living within its borders; | (m) | urge the Russian Government to implement fully the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, providing an opportunity to promote accountability for past abuses and ensure an end to ongoing violations; | (n) | express strong concern at the situation in Chechnya, where Kadirov’s regime has failed to bring peace and reconciliation and on the contrary has imposed fear and oppression that eroded civil society and suppressed any open and democratic voice, and call for a real political settlement; | (o) | stress that the programme for the support of Russian compatriots, supported by the Russian authorities, should not be misused as an instrument aimed at reinforcing political influence in certain EU Member States; | (p) | continue to maintain support for Russia’s accession to the WTO and support the further opening-up of the Russian economy; regard full compliance by Russia with the WTO rules as a necessary precondition and a minimum standard for the creation of a free-trade zone between the EU and Russia, which continues to be a long-term objective; | (q) | while welcoming the recent changes, call for further improvements to be made in legislation and law enforcement as regards the protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights in order to increase competitiveness and make the investment climate attractive by approximating regulatory systems with the highest international standards and norms; urge the Russian authorities, ahead of and preceding Russia’s forthcoming membership of the WTO, to align Part IV of Russia’s Civil Code on Intellectual Property Rights and relevant procedural enforcement rules with WTO rules and international agreements, particularly the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and to ensure full implementation thereof, so that counterfeiting and piracy can be effectively combated; | (r) | insist that the ECT, as an existing treaty which is legally binding on Russia and all EU Member States, should be the basis for relations in the field of energy and that the principles of the ECT and the Transit Protocol thereto should be incorporated in the new agreement, while reiterating its call on Russia to strengthen its commitment to a rules-based approach by ratifying the ECT and signing and ratifying the Transit Protocol, bearing in mind Parliament’s opinion that the partners should be free to negotiate wording that goes beyond that of the ECT, as to the depth of cooperation and the areas covered by it, but that the agreement should in no circumstances be less comprehensive than that already subscribed to by the parties within the framework of the current PCA; | (s) | within the framework of the negotiations for the new agreement, finalise negotiations on the Transit Protocol and call on Russia to sign it in order to put in place a legal framework governing the transit of energy supplies between the parties which follows on from that already in place under the ECT; | (t) | underline the need for proper environmental impact assessments for all energy-related infrastructure projects, in order to guarantee that international standards of environmental protection are met; in this regard, urge the Russian Federation to ratify the Espoo Convention and the protocol thereto on Strategic Environmental Assessment; | (u) | call for a strengthening of the efficiency and crisis-response capacity of the EU-Russia energy dialogue, for increased transparency, reciprocity and security of investment and for a consequent enhancement of security of energy supply, and underline the need to establish mechanisms for a transparent rules-based system and dispute-settlement mechanism in the field of energy; | (v) | draw attention to the dispute-settlement mechanism contained in the ECT, already signed by Russia and Ukraine; | (w) | establish a clear code of conduct governing relations between the EU, Russia and the countries of the shared neighbourhood, including provisions relating to respect for the sovereign independence of all European states, a commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and a determination to resolve frozen conflicts; | (x) | upgrade the existing political dialogue so as to encourage discussion of ‘hard security issues’, which are often at the core of the disagreements between the EU and Russia but which indubitably affect European and global security, stressing the need for multilateral arms control and reduction, as well as for non-proliferation regimes; | (y) | call on the Russian Government to make – together with the EU and the other members of the Contact Group for Kosovo – a positive contribution to finding a sustainable political solution for the future of Kosovo and for the further enhancement of the stability of the Western Balkans; | (z) | call on the Russian Government to demonstrate its commitment to resolving in a constructive and peaceful manner, together with Georgia and the EU, the ‘modalities of security and stability in Abkhazia and South Ossetia’ as agreed in the agreement of 12 August 2008; call on the Russian Government to provide tangible assurances that Russia will not resort to the use of force against any of its neighbours; | (aa) | raise concerns with the Russian Government regarding its decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia as sovereign states, to sign military-assistance and cooperation agreements with the de facto authorities of those two Georgian provinces and to establish military bases there, since these steps undermine the territorial integrity of Georgia as insisted upon by the relevant UN resolutions; call on Russia once again to reverse its decision and maintain that Russia cannot be regarded as an impartial moderator in the peace process; urge the Russian Government to ensure that EU monitors are granted full access to all areas affected by the conflict, in compliance with the mandate of the EU Monitoring Mission; | (ab) | insist that the goal of visa-free travel vis-à-vis Russia be pursued in the light of Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001( 17 ), which states that exemption from a visa requirement should be subject to a considered assessment of a variety of criteria relating inter alia to illegal immigration, public policy and security and the EU’s external relations with third countries, consideration being also given to the implications of regional coherence and reciprocity, bearing in mind that relations between the EU and white-listed third countries are typified by a special political dimension requiring those third countries to attain an appropriate level in terms of democratic values and fundamental rights; | (ac) | insist that visa facilitation for students, researchers and businessmen should be a priority in order to promote people-to-people contacts; insist, however, that any further liberalisation of the visa regime vis-à-vis Russia will be conditional on a corresponding liberalisation of the visa arrangements vis-à-vis European Neighbourhood Policy countries, in order to avoid any discrepancies; | (ad) | in accordance with the EU-Russia agreement on facilitation of short-stay visas, request from the Russian authorities a clear commitment to reduce bureaucratic obstacles applied in a non-reciprocal manner with respect to all travellers, such as the need to have an invitation and to register upon arrival; bear in mind that the changes made in Russian visa rules in recent years and its ceasing to issue multiple-entry business visas may have negative consequences on business and commercial links between the EU and Russia; also bear in mind Parliament’s view that facilitated travel for Russian passport holders should be limited to Russian residents only; | (ae) | urgently address the Kaliningrad transit and visa problem, possibly by providing for the whole of the Kaliningrad Oblast to be covered by the local border traffic regime; | (af) | insist that the EU-Russia relationship be based on the principles of liberalised and open markets and reciprocity of investment rights between the partners, and therefore demand that, in exchange for close and beneficial economic ties, the Russian Government guarantee the property rights of foreign investors and review the 2008 Strategic Sectors Law, which gives the Russian State broad discretion to discriminate against foreign investors, by contrast to the EU internal market which is freely open to Russian investors; demand that the law on investment in strategic sectors must be compatible with Russia’s current and future obligations under the WTO as well as the current PCA; | (ag) | within the framework of the ongoing WTO accession negotiations, call on the Russian authorities not to suspend certain already negotiated and agreed commitments and to fully respect the 2004 EU-Russia agreement on WTO accession by eliminating all discriminatory charges, in particular for railway cargo, as well as to abolish export duties on untreated timber; | (ah) | call on Russia to honour its commitment to phase out Siberian overflight payments and to sign the agreement reached on this issue at the summit in Samara; | (ai) | address with the Russian Government its plans to develop free trade agreements with certain countries, which may affect the creation of a common economic space with Russia; | (aj) | address a number of shipping-related concerns with the Russian Government, including free passage through the Pilawa strait, access for EU shipping to the passage to Asia along the Northern Russian territory, and the potential environmental hazards resulting from, inter alia, the growth of tanker traffic in the Baltic Sea; | (ak) | address with the Russian Government the issue of congestion on the EU common border, which remains a serious obstacle to EU-Russia trade and economic relations; | (al) | ask the Russian Federation to cooperate constructively with the EU with a view to resolving the status of break-away territories, including Transnistria, and to contribute to the strengthening of the sovereignty of the Moldovan Government, as a sine qua non for the stability of a key border region of the EU; stress that progress on this issue hinges upon the withdrawal of the Russian troops stationed inside Moldova, as pledged by Russia inter alia at the 1999 OSCE Istanbul Summit; | (am) | while recognising the positive aspects of the intensification of scientific cooperation between EU and Russia, call for further comprehensive analyses of the (security-related) impacts of Russia’s possible association with the Seventh Framework Programme; | (an) | develop informal guidelines as to how the principles of solidarity and mutual accountability could underpin EU-Russia relations, with the aim of developing a more united and consistent policy vis-à-vis Russia; |
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| (a) | continue to insist on a broad, wide-ranging and legally binding agreement based on a shared commitment to human rights, covering the whole range of cooperation between the parties and representing a step up from the current PCA, both in terms of the depth of the commitments and the subjects covered; insist that the agreement should comprise enforcement mechanisms for its relevant parts; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (b) | insist on the fact that the violation by Russia of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and its role in the gas dispute at the beginning of 2009 have seriously endangered relations between the EU and Russia and the negotiations on the new agreement; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (c) | insist that the EU’s relationship with Russia must be based on respect for the rule of international law and all binding agreements and treaties to which Russia and EU Member States adhere, including the UN Charter, the ECHR and the ECT, as well as the rules and commitments incumbent on members of the OSCE and Council of Europe; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (d) | insist on the fact that a close partnership, enhanced cooperation and good neighbourly relations between the European Union and Russia, as well as the new policy of the US administration towards Russia, can create a stable foundation and a precondition for stability, security and prosperity in Europe and worldwide; in this framework, welcome the declarations of the US administration concerning the great potential for cooperation with Russia; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (e) | put in place a consultation mechanism, under the responsibility of the High Representative, which would enable Member States to consult each other sufficiently in advance on every bilateral issue – whether an agreement or a dispute – with Russia which could have repercussions on other Member States and the EU as a whole, thereby allowing for the adoption by the EU of a position which is as coherent as possible by ensuring that the concerns of every Member State are fully taken into account and preventing any one Member State from blocking the negotiations at a later stage; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (f) | insist on reinforcing the role of the Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in the new agreement, so as to strengthen the parliamentary dimension of the cooperation between the EU and Russia; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (g) | reiterate the commitments agreed upon at international level by both the EU Member States and Russia, notably as members of the Council of Europe and the OSCE, and raise with the Russian Government concerns about the human rights situation and the shrinking space for Russia’s civil society, urging it to uphold freedom of expression and association by bringing legislation regulating civil society into line with Russia’s European and international commitments, to take prompt and effective steps to foster a favourable working climate for human rights organisations and independent charitable organisations engaged in the promotion of cultural links between Russia and EU Member States, and to stop intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders and refrain from harsh administrative measures against those organisations; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (h) | call on the Russian Government to fully respect media freedom and guarantee the enjoyment by independent media of political and economic conditions enabling them to function normally; urge the Russian Government to put an end to the continuous violence and persecution perpetrated against journalists; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (i) | recall President Medvedev’s public commitment to strengthening the rule of law in Russia and raise concerns over the independence of Russia’s judiciary and legal system; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (j) | take the view that the regular six-monthly EU-Russia human rights consultation has failed to produce any tangible results since its establishment in 2005 and needs to be revised, in order to allow for a substantial and result-oriented dialogue on human and minority rights issues in both Russia and the EU and on EU-Russian cooperation on human rights issues in international forums; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (k) | insist, therefore, on a thorough overhaul of the EU-Russia human rights consultations, including the creation of a formal role for independent NGOs from Russia and the EU, the involvement of officials from all relevant departments of the Russian Government and an end to the issuing of separate communiqués by the Russian Government; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (l) | appeal to the authorities of the Russian Federation to guarantee the existence and sustainable development of the traditional lifestyle, culture and language of indigenous people living within its borders; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (m) | urge the Russian Government to implement fully the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, providing an opportunity to promote accountability for past abuses and ensure an end to ongoing violations; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (n) | express strong concern at the situation in Chechnya, where Kadirov’s regime has failed to bring peace and reconciliation and on the contrary has imposed fear and oppression that eroded civil society and suppressed any open and democratic voice, and call for a real political settlement; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (o) | stress that the programme for the support of Russian compatriots, supported by the Russian authorities, should not be misused as an instrument aimed at reinforcing political influence in certain EU Member States; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (p) | continue to maintain support for Russia’s accession to the WTO and support the further opening-up of the Russian economy; regard full compliance by Russia with the WTO rules as a necessary precondition and a minimum standard for the creation of a free-trade zone between the EU and Russia, which continues to be a long-term objective; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (q) | while welcoming the recent changes, call for further improvements to be made in legislation and law enforcement as regards the protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights in order to increase competitiveness and make the investment climate attractive by approximating regulatory systems with the highest international standards and norms; urge the Russian authorities, ahead of and preceding Russia’s forthcoming membership of the WTO, to align Part IV of Russia’s Civil Code on Intellectual Property Rights and relevant procedural enforcement rules with WTO rules and international agreements, particularly the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and to ensure full implementation thereof, so that counterfeiting and piracy can be effectively combated; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (r) | insist that the ECT, as an existing treaty which is legally binding on Russia and all EU Member States, should be the basis for relations in the field of energy and that the principles of the ECT and the Transit Protocol thereto should be incorporated in the new agreement, while reiterating its call on Russia to strengthen its commitment to a rules-based approach by ratifying the ECT and signing and ratifying the Transit Protocol, bearing in mind Parliament’s opinion that the partners should be free to negotiate wording that goes beyond that of the ECT, as to the depth of cooperation and the areas covered by it, but that the agreement should in no circumstances be less comprehensive than that already subscribed to by the parties within the framework of the current PCA; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (s) | within the framework of the negotiations for the new agreement, finalise negotiations on the Transit Protocol and call on Russia to sign it in order to put in place a legal framework governing the transit of energy supplies between the parties which follows on from that already in place under the ECT; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (t) | underline the need for proper environmental impact assessments for all energy-related infrastructure projects, in order to guarantee that international standards of environmental protection are met; in this regard, urge the Russian Federation to ratify the Espoo Convention and the protocol thereto on Strategic Environmental Assessment; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (u) | call for a strengthening of the efficiency and crisis-response capacity of the EU-Russia energy dialogue, for increased transparency, reciprocity and security of investment and for a consequent enhancement of security of energy supply, and underline the need to establish mechanisms for a transparent rules-based system and dispute-settlement mechanism in the field of energy; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (v) | draw attention to the dispute-settlement mechanism contained in the ECT, already signed by Russia and Ukraine; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (w) | establish a clear code of conduct governing relations between the EU, Russia and the countries of the shared neighbourhood, including provisions relating to respect for the sovereign independence of all European states, a commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and a determination to resolve frozen conflicts; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (x) | upgrade the existing political dialogue so as to encourage discussion of ‘hard security issues’, which are often at the core of the disagreements between the EU and Russia but which indubitably affect European and global security, stressing the need for multilateral arms control and reduction, as well as for non-proliferation regimes; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (y) | call on the Russian Government to make – together with the EU and the other members of the Contact Group for Kosovo – a positive contribution to finding a sustainable political solution for the future of Kosovo and for the further enhancement of the stability of the Western Balkans; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (z) | call on the Russian Government to demonstrate its commitment to resolving in a constructive and peaceful manner, together with Georgia and the EU, the ‘modalities of security and stability in Abkhazia and South Ossetia’ as agreed in the agreement of 12 August 2008; call on the Russian Government to provide tangible assurances that Russia will not resort to the use of force against any of its neighbours; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (aa) | raise concerns with the Russian Government regarding its decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia as sovereign states, to sign military-assistance and cooperation agreements with the de facto authorities of those two Georgian provinces and to establish military bases there, since these steps undermine the territorial integrity of Georgia as insisted upon by the relevant UN resolutions; call on Russia once again to reverse its decision and maintain that Russia cannot be regarded as an impartial moderator in the peace process; urge the Russian Government to ensure that EU monitors are granted full access to all areas affected by the conflict, in compliance with the mandate of the EU Monitoring Mission; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (ab) | insist that the goal of visa-free travel vis-à-vis Russia be pursued in the light of Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001( 17 ), which states that exemption from a visa requirement should be subject to a considered assessment of a variety of criteria relating inter alia to illegal immigration, public policy and security and the EU’s external relations with third countries, consideration being also given to the implications of regional coherence and reciprocity, bearing in mind that relations between the EU and white-listed third countries are typified by a special political dimension requiring those third countries to attain an appropriate level in terms of democratic values and fundamental rights; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (ac) | insist that visa facilitation for students, researchers and businessmen should be a priority in order to promote people-to-people contacts; insist, however, that any further liberalisation of the visa regime vis-à-vis Russia will be conditional on a corresponding liberalisation of the visa arrangements vis-à-vis European Neighbourhood Policy countries, in order to avoid any discrepancies; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (ad) | in accordance with the EU-Russia agreement on facilitation of short-stay visas, request from the Russian authorities a clear commitment to reduce bureaucratic obstacles applied in a non-reciprocal manner with respect to all travellers, such as the need to have an invitation and to register upon arrival; bear in mind that the changes made in Russian visa rules in recent years and its ceasing to issue multiple-entry business visas may have negative consequences on business and commercial links between the EU and Russia; also bear in mind Parliament’s view that facilitated travel for Russian passport holders should be limited to Russian residents only; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (ae) | urgently address the Kaliningrad transit and visa problem, possibly by providing for the whole of the Kaliningrad Oblast to be covered by the local border traffic regime; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (af) | insist that the EU-Russia relationship be based on the principles of liberalised and open markets and reciprocity of investment rights between the partners, and therefore demand that, in exchange for close and beneficial economic ties, the Russian Government guarantee the property rights of foreign investors and review the 2008 Strategic Sectors Law, which gives the Russian State broad discretion to discriminate against foreign investors, by contrast to the EU internal market which is freely open to Russian investors; demand that the law on investment in strategic sectors must be compatible with Russia’s current and future obligations under the WTO as well as the current PCA; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (ag) | within the framework of the ongoing WTO accession negotiations, call on the Russian authorities not to suspend certain already negotiated and agreed commitments and to fully respect the 2004 EU-Russia agreement on WTO accession by eliminating all discriminatory charges, in particular for railway cargo, as well as to abolish export duties on untreated timber; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (ah) | call on Russia to honour its commitment to phase out Siberian overflight payments and to sign the agreement reached on this issue at the summit in Samara; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (ai) | address with the Russian Government its plans to develop free trade agreements with certain countries, which may affect the creation of a common economic space with Russia; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (aj) | address a number of shipping-related concerns with the Russian Government, including free passage through the Pilawa strait, access for EU shipping to the passage to Asia along the Northern Russian territory, and the potential environmental hazards resulting from, inter alia, the growth of tanker traffic in the Baltic Sea; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (ak) | address with the Russian Government the issue of congestion on the EU common border, which remains a serious obstacle to EU-Russia trade and economic relations; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (al) | ask the Russian Federation to cooperate constructively with the EU with a view to resolving the status of break-away territories, including Transnistria, and to contribute to the strengthening of the sovereignty of the Moldovan Government, as a sine qua non for the stability of a key border region of the EU; stress that progress on this issue hinges upon the withdrawal of the Russian troops stationed inside Moldova, as pledged by Russia inter alia at the 1999 OSCE Istanbul Summit; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (am) | while recognising the positive aspects of the intensification of scientific cooperation between EU and Russia, call for further comprehensive analyses of the (security-related) impacts of Russia’s possible association with the Seventh Framework Programme; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (an) | develop informal guidelines as to how the principles of solidarity and mutual accountability could underpin EU-Russia relations, with the aim of developing a more united and consistent policy vis-à-vis Russia; | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| 2. | Asks the Council and the Commission to keep Parliament and its Committee on Foreign Affairs regularly and fully informed of the progress of the negotiations and reminds them that the PCA will need Parliament’s approval; |
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| 3. | Considers it important that mutual legal obligations should be strengthened through the early conclusion of the PCA and Russian accession to the WTO; |
| -- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| 4. | Instructs its President to forward this recommendation to the Council and, for information, to the Commission, the State Duma and the Government and the President of the Russian Federation. |
| -- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

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( 1 )  OJ L 327, 28.11.1997, p. 1.

( 2 )  OJ L 129, 17.5.2007, p. 27.

( 3 )  Texts adopted, P6_TA(2008)0336.

( 4 )  Texts adopted, P6_TA(2008)0642.

( 5 )  Texts adopted, P6_TA(2008)0105.

( 6 )  OJ C 76 E, 27.3.2008, p. 95.

( 7 )  Texts adopted, P6_TA(2008)0309.

( 8 )  OJ C 313 E, 20.12.2006, p. 271.

( 9 )  OJ C 282 E, 6.11.2008, p. 329.

( 10 )  OJ C 317 E, 23.12.2006, p. 474.

( 11 )  OJ C 117 E, 18.5.2006, p. 235.

( 12 )  OJ C 146 E, 12.6.2008, p. 95.

( 13 )  Texts adopted, P6_TA(2008)0396.

( 14 )  OJ C 219 E, 28.8.2008, p. 206.

( 15 )  OJ C 41 E, 19.2.2009, p. 64.

( 16 )  OJ C 41 E, 19.2.2009, p. 53.

( 17 )  Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 of 15 March 2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (OJ L 81, 21.3.2001, p. 1).

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