A4-0069/99

Resolution on the Communication from the Commission - Towards a European Union strategy for relations with the Independent States of Central Asia (COM(95)0206 - C4-0256/96)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission Communication, COM(95)0206 - C4-0256/96,

- having regard to its resolution of 30 November 1995 on the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision on the conclusion of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kyrgyz Republic, of the other part ((OJ C 339, 18.12.1995, p. 51.)),

- having regard to its decision of 13 March 1997 on the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision on the conclusion of the partnership and cooperation agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part, ((OJ C 115, 14.4.1997, p. 196.))

- having regard to its resolution of 19 April 1996 on the proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion by the European Community of the interim agreement between the European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part, on trade-related matters, ((OJ C 141, 13.5.1996, p. 276.))

- having regard to its resolution of 26 June 1997 on the proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion by the European Community of the interim agreement between the European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the Krgyz Republic, of the other part, on trade and trade-related matters, ((OJ C 222, 21.7.1997, p. 53.))

- having regard to it resolution of 19 December 1997 on the proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion by the European Community of the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the other part, ((OJ C 14, 19.1.1998, p. 412.))

- having regard to its resolution of 11 February 1999 on presidential elections in Kazakhstan ((Minutes of that Sitting, Part II, Item 8.))

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy and the opinions of Committee on External Economic Relations and the Committee on Development and Cooperation (A4-0069/99),

A. stressing that while human rights abuses are worse in some countries than others, the situation in all the Central Asian republics is far from satisfactory,

B. whereas the new Independent States of Central Asia are situated in a region where the international rule of law is under pressure and is at risk,

C. recalling that the European Parliament had delayed in the past ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements agreed with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan owing to unsatisfactory human rights situations, and that it is not currently proceeding with ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Turkmenistan, awaiting improvements in human rights,

D. having regard to the Council declaration of 21 January 1999 on the presidential elections in Kazakhstan and the statement by the OSCE to the effect that the way in which the elections were conducted represents a setback to the process of democratisation and the development of the rule of law in Kazakhstan,

E. welcoming the moves made towards functioning democracy in Central Asian republics in the terms set out in the CSCE documents to which they are parties,

F. noting the work of the TACIS Democracy Programmes in Central Asia and welcomes that an additional EUR 1 million project specifically for democratic issues in Uzbekistan has been agreed under the TACIS 1999 Action Programme, expressing satisfaction that large projects on the implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements have also been included into 1998/1999 Action Programmes for Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan,

G. noting the importance of implementing the inter-Tadiczkik Peace agreement concluded in Moscow in December 1997 and regretting severe measures taken by the Uzbek authorities against certain Islamic communities,

H. stressing the importance of developing relations between the EU and the newly independent states of Central Asia bearing in mind the key strategic position of the region and its immense natural resources,

I. noting that the Commission expects implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan expected to come into force in 1999, will allow the Union to exercise more leverage on economic and political reform in these countries,

J. expressing concern over political friction between newly independent states which may impede regional cooperation and noting that disputes between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan over the border decision in the Caspian Sea have been an obstacle for transcaspian pipelines, which the EU had planned to support (INOGATE),

K. noting the threat to security in the region resulting from the continuing conflict in Afghanistan,

L. noting the concerns expressed by countries in the region following the nuclear tests carried out by India and Pakistan,

M. noting the importance of the Caspian pipeline projects in terms of bringing foreign investment into Central Asia and in increasing regional cooperation,

N. regretting the increasing environmental degradation and threats to the region, such as the drying up of the Aral sea due to re-routing water for cotton production and the high level of radioactivity around the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan, which experienced years of Soviet nuclear tests and fall out,

O. regretting that the TACIS regulation does not foresee the use of technical assistance to repair nuclear damage in Semipalatinsk and expresses satisfaction over the role played by TACIS in the WARMAP project,

P. regretting the growing flow of narcotics originating from Afghanistan, and the associated problems of drug trafficking routed through Central Asia,

Q. noting that the region is exposed to potentially serious economic hardship following the Russian financial crisis,

1. Notes that the successful development of these countries undergoing change, and in particular stabilisation of the democratic structures, is of particular importance for the EU, and points out to the Commission that implementing democratic fundamental rights and human rights in those countries must be the priority for the EU;

2. Welcomes the undertaking given by the Commission to the Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Committee that human rights questions will be regularly and seriously raised with the authorities of the Central Asian republics and that the Foreign Affairs Committee will be kept fully informed of developments in this sphere;

3. Welcomes the moratorium on capital punishment in Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan and calls on all Central Asian governments to further their efforts to abolish the death penalty;

4. Calls on the Central Asian governments to overcome the setbacks in the democratisation process over the past year, in particular to free and fair elections, constraints on the freedom of expression and association, and the repression of minorities;

5. Recognises the role that the EU's Partnership and Cooperation Agreements will play in mutual relations; regrets the slow pace of political and economic reform in some Central Asian republics;

6. Welcomes the entry into force of the Interim Agreements with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan which should enable the development of stronger economic ties and increased trade with these countries;

7. Stresses the negative impact of the rouble crisis and the East Asia financial crisis on development prospects for the countries of this region; points to the possible social and political consequences of macro-economic instability in these countries;

8. Underlines the crucial contribution by foreign capital (in particular from the EU) in developing the natural resources of the region; recognises however that political stability, both at State and regional level, is an essential factor in investment decisions;

9. Calls upon the EU to support UN and OSCE initiatives in the field of conflict prevention and peacekeeping in the region, to promote peace and stability especially in Tajikistan and Afghanistan;

10. Considers that it is necessary for the European Union to cooperate actively with the countries of the region, particularly Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, to prevent the extension of the conflict in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries, with regard both to upholding religious tolerance and the rights of women and to providing humanitarian and political assistance in those areas of Afghanistan which are not under Taliban control;

11. Invites the EU Member States to use their influence in the NATO Partnership for Peaceto promote security and stability in the region;

12. Invites the Commission to continue its cooperation with the countries of the region on third pillar issues;

13. Invites the EU to continue its dialogue with the US on regional issues within the Transatlantic Dialogue;

14. Stresses the role played by TACIS in promoting economic reform and transition to market economies; welcomes the TACIS project to facilitate investments in pipeline projects and transport and communications throughout the region and insists that increasing aid should be used to promote democracy in the region;

15. Considers that, in particular in the sectors of transports and oil and gas infrastructures, a regional approach should be sought by the Union in its relations with the Central Asian NIS; points to the TRACECA and INOGATE projects as, potentially, a key factor in economic development and integration of the region;

16. Calls for more support through the TACIS Democracy programme for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), so that they can monitor more effectively democracy and human rights, and for a suitable increase in appropriations for the democratisation process for the NIS, in particular for the partnership programmes which are of crucial importance in developing a civil society;

17. Calls for greater support from the EU in funding and technical assistance to help repair the environmental damage inflicted on Central Asia over the last 70 years;

18. Invites the EU to monitor carefully events related to upcoming elections in Central Asia;

19. Calls on the Commission and the Council to consider, together with the international finance institutions measures to help protect the population of the region against severe economic hardship resulting from the external effect of the Russian crisis;

20. Points out that, with regard to the important differences in economic situations and future prospects in the Central Asian NIS, the EU should implement individual approaches for each country, involving bilateral trade liberalisation, technical assistance and, where necessary, macro-economic and humanitarian aid;

21. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Presidents, the Governments and the Parliamentary institutions of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.