B4-1099, 1100, 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1112/96

Resolution on the European Union Action Programme for Russia

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in the Russian Federation,

- having regard to the partnership and cooperation agreement between the European Union and the Russian Federation,

- having regard to the European Action Programme for Russia as adopted by the Council at its meeting of 13 May 1996 and confirmed by the European Council at its meeting of 22 June 1996 in Florence,

A. pending the debate on future relations between the EU and the Russian Federation that will take place on the basis of a report by its relevant committee,

B. noting the European Union's continuing effort to establish a substantial partnership with Russia in order to promote the democratic and economic reform process in the Federation,

C. emphasizing that such a substantial partnership is of the greatest importance to guarantee security and stability on the whole of the European continent,

D. whereas the EU's strategy towards Russia must be reviewed, given the prospect of the future enlargement of the EU to include the Central and Eastern European countries,

E. emphasizing that, in the framework of the relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation, special attention should be given to the establishment in the Russian Federation of a truly democratic and civic society which fully respects the rule of law as well as basic human and minority rights,

F. emphasizing the need for the European Union to make a substantial contribution to the process of economic reforms in the Russian Federation in order to establish a social market economy in the country,

G. deeply concerned at the impact on society in Russia of the necessary economic reforms, which have led to an alarming rise in social exclusion and organized crime,

H. having regard to the high level of environmental degradation within the Russian Federation,

1. Welcomes the Council's effort to establish a substantial partnership between the European Union and the Russian Federation and is of the opinion that the Action Programme for Russia will be a vital element in the establishment of such a partnership;

2. Takes the view that, despite the positive character of the Council's initiative, its Action Programme for Russia is not a full response to the challenge of establishing special relations with this major partner which the Union should be envisaging, and should therefore be made more complete and more precise;

3. Calls on the Council to examine the possibility of further developing the EU-Russia Partnership in this way, going beyond the Action Programme, as a solid basis for longer term EU-Russia relations;

4. Insists that the establishment in the Russian Federation of a truly democratic and civic society which fully respects the rule of law as well as human and minority rights should be a fundamental part of the European Action Programme for Russia and calls on the Commission to encourage Russia to abolish capital punishment;

5. Is of the opinion that, in the light of this Action Programme, the existing instruments for cooperation between the European Union and Russia, such as the Tacis programme and the possible extension of parts of the Media, Socrates and Tempus programmes to the Russian Federation, should be reviewed as to their efficiency in contributing to the process of economic and democratic reform in the Russian Federation;

6. Urges the Commission and the Council to contribute especially to the process of transition and economic reforms in such a way that the standard of living of the Russian population will be improved and poverty effectively tackled;

7. Considers that in the years ahead the Tacis programme should focus as a matter of priority on:

- the implementation of projects liable to improve markedly the daily life of the population, notably by allocating more resources to the sectors most penalized by the current reform such as health, education and security,

- the establishment of a judicial framework commensurate with the rule of law, providing greater judicial and jurisdictional security with a view to encouraging foreign investment, trade and sustained economic development, as well as enabling fiscal reform;

8. Emphasizes that free circulation of environmental information must be legally recognised as a basic right in all countries, especially in relation to the threat of radiation due to nuclear waste;

9. Calls on the Council to consider offering EU support for the people of Chechnya now that negotiations have made it possible to start reconstruction efforts;

10. Insists on being closely involved in the implementation of this Action Programme and in the Union's effort as a whole to improve relations with the Russian Federation;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the government of the Russian Federation.